PFR Rechtsanwälte

PFR attorneys-at-law is a highly specialised law firm in the field of financial market law. Through the various specialisations of our partners and lawyers, the firm covers a broad spectrum in the field and has particular specialisation in the following areas:

Banking regulatory law

We conduct licensing procedures for banks, payment institutions, securities firms, insurance companies and pension funds and advise them on all regulatory and compliance issues, money laundering prevention, notification and licensing procedures as well as on the structuring and development of financial products. We support foreign financial service providers in operating in Austria through the European freedom of establishment and the freedom to provide services.

E-money and payment services law

Our partner Dr. Bernd Fletzberger specialised in e-money and payment services law many years ago. He provides legal and strategic advice to banks, FinTechs, mobile phone companies, technical service providers of payment services, e-money issuers, payment institutions, crypto asset service providers and trading companies on the threshold of the licensing obligation to meet these challenges.

Financing

We support companies and credit institutions in all types of financing, such as traditional or syndicated loans, bonds, project finance, etc. We advise on the drafting of loan documentation, collateral agreements and the required ancillary documentation.

FinTech

PFR has specialised in financial market law advice in the area of FinTech for many years. During the last years, a particular focus of our practice has become advising crypto asset service providers, and more generally digital asset providers, in all relevant regulatory and contractual matters.

FMA Fit & Proper Tests

A focus of our work is the preparation of supervisory boards, management boards and key persons for Fit & Proper interviews at the FMA. Our partner Dr. Bernd Fletzberger has already supported or prepared numerous persons for Fit & Proper interviews and knows exactly which questions are important in practice.

AML / CFT Compliance

We specialise in advising companies on how to comply with the regulations on the prevention of money laundering and terrorist financing (money laundering compliance). Our partner Dr Bernd Fletzberger looks back on many years of experience in the field of money laundering compliance. He has been advising financial institutions on money laundering compliance for years. As a former employee of the FMA and from many years of advisory work, he also knows what the supervisory authorities pay particular attention to.

Stock exchange and capital market law

We advise listed companies on issues of ad hoc disclosure, reporting obligations and corporate governance, market conduct and insider trading as well as on the preparation and conduct of general meetings. In capital markets law, we advise banks and other issuers on issues relating to prospectus requirements or private placements as well as the documentation of bonds and debt issuance programmes.

Investment fund law

We advise domestic and foreign investment funds on registration in Austria and provide them with comprehensive ongoing support. In doing so, we can draw on our many years of experience in financial market supervision.

Based on its experience with foreign institutions and Austrian authorities, PFR joined the FinTech Lawyers Network (www.fintechlawyers.com), a unique network of prominent fintech lawyers from major European jurisdictions. Founded in 2016 at Money20/20 in Copenhagen, the FinTech Lawyers Network unifies renowned experts in various European jurisdictions. The FinTech Lawyers Network advises market players in all stages, from early-stage start-ups to well established financial institutions.

The network enables to effectively and frictionlessly assist its clients on cross-border mandates. This is done by combining regulatory expertise with deep and broad experience in both the financial and the technology sector. The expertise covers a wide array of FinTech related matters such as Open banking / Alternative finance / Payments / FinTech contracting / Crypto and blockchain / License applications / AML CFT/ M&A / Outsourcing.