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Banking & Finance

The CMS Banking & Finance practice is one of Europe’s largest and provides local and pan-European expertise in the full spectrum of banking, finance, regulatory and capital markets law.

We ensure our services are ahead of market trends, anticipating the challenging environment of your business.

A tailored commercial approach is key. We want your business to thrive.

Whether you are a bank or a corporation, a financial service provider or an entity confronted with regulation, an investment fund or public entity, our priority is resolving your challenges and putting your world first.

Our network consists of over 500 banking and finance lawyers who have proven their pan-European skills in working together for more than one decade.

Whether you seek deep-rooted local advice or multi-jurisdictional expertise, our teams will advise you seamlessly. We select and tailor the teams that will best fit with the scope of your matter.

Top level project management goes hand in hand with expertise. Rigor and determination go hand in hand with innovation.

We aim to be one step ahead of market developments, in order to build relationships with you that last.

"The team has strong negotiation skills and swift execution, is reliable and able to act in a timely manner."

Banking & Finance client - Chambers Europe, 2023

"It is an efficient and reliable team."

Banking & Finance client - Chambers Europe, 2023

"I worked with the team/law firm a first time this year and was pleasantly surprised with the professionalism in an inaugural large deal. The team was always available and helpful with expert advice and despite very tight deadlines (we were convinced it would be almost impossible to obtain, but they did). It is always difficult to adjust to each other’s style in a first time working together, however this was no issue."

Feedback from a client about the department - Legal 500, 2023

"Excellent negotiating skills – Superior knowledge of LMA documentation compared to the borrower’s counsel. Strong involvement of two partners on our deal – Excellent knowledge of Dutch, French and English which was relevant in this case."

Feedback from a client about the department - Legal 500, 2023

"Excellent technological support, great network over several countries allowing the firm to render excellent advice in multiple jurisdictions deals at a high level. Great flexibility in proposing secondees during times we need more support. Very pleasant team with great know-how."

Feedback from a client about the department - Legal 500, 2022

"Pragmatic approach to engagements made them a good choice for us, since we are a scaling fintech and needed quite focused and cost effective support."

Feedback from a client about the department - Legal 500, 2022

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15/03/2024
Real estate finance law in Belgium
A. Mortgages 1. Can security be granted to a foreign lender? Yes. 2. Can lenders take a mortgage over land and buildings on the land? Yes. 2.1 The distinction between mortgages on land and buildings...
12/03/2024
Ready for DORA? It applies to you!
Our era is marked by major technological developments, which can give rise to new risks and challenges. This is true for the financial sector, which is undergoing constant digitalisation and, in parallel...
12/03/2024
CMS advised AG Real Estate and Atenor in connection with a EUR 88 million...
CMS advised AG Real Estate and Atenor in securing EUR 88 million in project financing for the NOR Bruxsels project. The cutting-edge, sustainable, mixed-use redevelopment project around the North Station...
06/03/2024
Knowledge on information and communication technology and security are...
On 21 February 2024, the European Central Bank released a supervision newsletter on new policy / its expectation for more bank board expertise on information and communication technology (“ICT”) and...
04/03/2024
Aircraft finance and leasing in Belgium
Information current as of February 2020 1. Proposed transaction structure 1.1 The Aircraft will be purchased by the Owner and leased on an operating lease basis to the Airline pursuant to the Lease.  Is...
13/02/2024
EU legislative initiatives on recovery and resolution planning for insurance...
With the compromise proposal for an Insurance Recovery and Resolution Directive (IRRD) published by the EU Council in January 2024, EU legislative initiatives to establish a recovery and resolution framework...
05/02/2024
Belgium: Banker's oath
On 15 January 2024, the law on the banking oath was published in the Belgian Official Gazette. The law impacts the banking sector and only applies to certain categories of managers and em­ploy­ees.What...
05/02/2024
Banker's oath
On 15 January 2024, the law on the banking oath was published in the Belgian Official Gazette. The law impacts the banking sector and only applies to certain categories of managers and em­ploy­ees.What...
23/01/2024
New EBA guidelines to manage AML risks as part of the activities of crypto-asset...
EBA released guidelines amending ML/TF Risk Factors Guidelines to include crypto-asset service providers within its AML framework.On 16 January 2024, the European Banking Authority (EBA) released its...
29/12/2023
Tackling the misuse of crypto-assets for ML-TF purposes
As a constantly evolving sector, the crypto-assets ecosystem presents continuous challenges, particularly in terms of money laundering and terrorist financing (ML-TF) risks.To tackle the misuse of crypto-assets...
13/12/2023
Finalisation of CRD6/CRR3 and the Article 21c third country branch requirement
On 6 December 2023, the finalised texts of the EU banking package known as CRD61and CRR32 were published following the conclusion of negotiations between the EU co-legislators. In this article, we set...
06/12/2023
EU publishes Directive on distance financial services contracts in Official...
In November 2023, the EU legislator adopted the new Directive regarding financial services contracts concluded at distance.This Directive essentially aims to modernise the existing legal framework governing...