banking & financial services regulatory news
Take a look at our banking & financial services regulatory experts' articles, publications and news:
MiCAR: Final steps towards the legal framework for crypto-assets
On 20 April 2023 the European Parliament ("EP") finally approved the regulation on markets in crypto-assets ("MiCAR").
News from the Czech and European regulation of financial institutions for April 2023
Austria: Schoenherr advises Joint Lead Managers on issuance of EUR 1bln Hypothekenpfandbriefe (Mortgage Pfandbriefe) by Erste Group Bank AG
Schoenherr advised Joint Lead Managers Erste Group Bank AG, Intesa Sanpaolo S.p.A., Landesbank Baden-Württemberg, Landesbank Hessen-Thüringen Girozentrale, NATIXIS and TD Global Finance unlimited company on the successful issuance of EUR 1bln 3.125% Hypothekenpfandbriefe (Mortgage Pfandbriefe) – due 14 October 2027 – by Erste Group Bank AG.
06 March 2023
austria romania poland hungary slovenia
M.Schmiedinger P.Kapica A.Fischer G.Szalóki F.Buta C.Gavric A.Goławska M.Pressler P.Gorše
to the point: finance l Q1/2023
Factoring & Co. Juggling multiple short-term financing solutions
Breakfast with Schoenherr | 25 May 2023 | 9:00 – 11:30 am EET | Marmorosch Bucharest Hotel | 2 Doamnei Street, 1st District, Bucharest
Austria: FMA präsentiert Aufsichts- und Prüfungsschwerpunkte für 2023
Die FMA veröffentlichte mit Ende des Jahres 2022 im Rahmen ihres Ausblicks auf das Jahr 2023 auch ihre Prüfungsschwerpunkte für das Jahr 2023. Die Veröffentlichung der Aufsichtsschwerpunkte soll sowohl die Marktteilnehmer und Stakeholder informieren als auch beaufsichtigten Unternehmen die Möglichkeit geben, sich gezielt auf die risikoorientierten aufsichtlichen Schwerpunkte im Jahr 2023 vorzubereiten.
Bulgaria: Practical problems of repurchase and securities lending transactions
"Repos and securities lending in Bulgaria are regarded as financial collateral, thus ensuring their enforceability. But some important contractual arrangements must be agreed upon by the parties wishing to avail themselves of such enforceability."
Factoring and liquidity facilities: making the best of both worlds
Factoring volumes in Romania have seen a marked increase over the last year, up to EUR 3.68bln in the first half of 2022, according to public sources. While part of this 31.6 % year-on-year surge was driven by inflation rates, local businesses do appear to show a growing appetite for this type of financing product.
Changing the oil in the debt management machinery
As part of a comprehensive EU strategy to tackle non-performing loans, the European Parliament and the Council adopted a directive on credit servicers and credit purchasers, which Member States have until 29 December 2023 to transpose into national law.
Czech Republic: Directive AIFMD II and its expected impact on alternative investment fund managers
New EBA Guidelines on the limited network exemption under PSD2: Reevaluation and resubmission of existing notifications needed
EU: Commission Proposal to implement the FATF Travel Rule: Speed bumps ahead for crypto-asset transfers?
CZ: Schoenherr Journal Edition 12
The Schoenherr Journal, published by Schoenherr's Prague office, examines the latest important legal developments in the Czech Republic.
Bulgaria: Schoenherr advises RGREEN INVEST on unique EUR 15m green bond to finance photovoltaic plant in Bulgaria
Schoenherr advised RGreen Invest, a French management company representing a fund for green energy projects, on a EUR 15m bond to finance the construction of a photovoltaic plant near the town of Razlog in southwestern Bulgaria, as well as on a standard security package for it. The bond's issuer is a member of the Renalfa group, a leading Bulgarian clean energy and e-mobility provider with a focus on renewable energy generation assets.
Cross-border distribution of funds Directive finally implemented in Austria
An act implementing the cross-border distribution of funds Directive (the "CBDFD")1 into Austrian law (the "Act")2 finally entered into force on 11 December 2021. The Austrian legislator was already late with the implementation, since EU Member States were required to transpose the CBDFD into national legislation by 2 August 2021.
Legal aspects of non-performing loan transactions in Bulgaria
The market for non-performing loan (NPL) transactions is expected to grow, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. This article outlines some of the most important legal aspects around NPL transactions in Bulgaria.
FMA permits automated biometrical customer identification – a game changer for the KYC process?
Limited network exemption under PSD2 – EBA consults on Draft Guidelines
In summer 2021 the European Banking Authority (EBA) published Draft Guidelines on the limited network exemption (LNE) under the Payment Service Directive 2 (PSD2) for consultation (available here). The Draft Guidelines are meant to foster supervisory convergence amongst the EU's national competent regulators (NCAs).
15 June 2021
R.Perner M.Marschall S.Aichhorn-Wöss G.Ebner M.Pressler M.Thorbauer T.Hayden
Austria: Schoenherr advises Credendo on the cross-border merger of their Austrian stock company into a Belgian group company
Lückenfüller für das Mauerwerk
Wenn in der Krise Bankkredite für Immobilienprojekte knapp werden, sind alternative Finanzierungsformen wie Mezzaninkapital gefragt
Austria: Schoenherr advises Raiffeisen on EUR 538m securitisation of leasing receivables
Bulgaria and Croatia join ERM II and the Banking Union
On 10 July 2020 the Bulgarian lev and the Croatian kuna were included in the Exchange Rate Mechanism II (ERM II). In the short term this means that the inclusion would support the confidence and credit ratings of the two countries while in the long term – this is an important milestone in Bulgaria and Croatia's efforts to join the euro area.
The simplified restructuring proceeding: A new restructuring tool in Poland
The year 2020 will no doubt be remembered for COVID-19. The pandemic has shaken our societies and profoundly affected our lives.
The European Central Bank adapts its own funds and liquidity coverage ratio rules to COVID-19
Already at an early stage of the COVID‑19 crisis the European Central Bank (ECB) adopted several supervisory relief measures to allow banks to absorb losses and keep lending to the real economy.
Austria: FMA publishes guidance on ICOs and token classification
The Austrian Financial Market Authority (Finanzmarktaufsicht, FMA) has recently published guidelines on how it views Initial Coin Offerings (ICOs) from a financial services regulatory perspective.
Another promotion at Schoenherr: Matthias Pressler becomes Counsel
Matthias Pressler, member of Schoenherr's banking, finance and capital markets practice in Vienna, was promoted to counsel as of 1 October 2020. Pressler joined Schoenherr in 2015, and is an expert in financial services regulation, covering both transactional work as well as contentious and non-contentious regulatory advisory matters and administrative (criminal) proceedings.
Bulgaria: Schoenherr advised major multinational banks on a EUR 90m syndicated credit facility to leading Bulgarian agribusiness company Oliva
Schoenherr advised BNP PARIBAS (Suisse) S.A. ("BNP") as a facility agent and lender; Citibank NA, London Branch as a lender; and Black Sea Trade and Development Bank as a lender, on the Bulgarian legal aspects of a EUR 90m syndicated credit facility extended to Oliva AD ("Oliva") and Buildcom EOOD ("Buildcom"), as well as on the establishment of a Bulgarian security package for the facility.
Austria: Schoenherr advises UNIQA on successful placement of EUR 600m senior and EUR 200m tier 2 green notes
Schoenherr advised UNIQA Insurance Group AG, one of the leading insurance groups in Austria and CEE, on its EUR 800m in aggregate notes issuances that closed on 9 July 2020.
22 April 2020
bulgaria croatia czech republic hungary poland romania serbia slovakia turkey bosnia & herzegovina north macedonia montenegro austria
M.Pressler M.Šehović G.Szalóki K.Pawlak P.Kapica C.Tudoraș V.Kobe M.Lučivjanský L.Çelepçi
COVID-19 – Effects on regulatory approvals in financial sector M&A transactions
M&A and corporate transactions (including mere group-internal restructurings) in the financial sector often not only require profound corporate law documentation, but also financial regulatory approvals from the competent authorities/regulators.
Business: suspended and postponed with new emergency legislation, but without actual economic support
Romanian fintech start-ups combine powers and create the first Romanian fintech association
For the last couple of years, the fintech industry has become of great interest in the Romanian entrepreneurial scene. Numerous Romanian start-ups or long-existing financial and IT companies have switched focus on what fintech means and on what it can bring to the table.
Bulgaria: Deadline for Update of AML Internal Rules
Under Bulgarian anti-money laundering law, all obliged entities must adapt their internal rules in accordance with Article 101 of the Bulgarian Anti-Money Laundering Act ("AMLA") within six months following the publication of a national assessment of the risks related to money laundering and terrorism financing ("National Risk Assessment") on the website of the State Agency for National Security ("SANS").
New Regulation for Derivatives Transactions with Sovereign Counterparty in Serbia | Serbia
According to the Public Debt Act (Zakon o javnom dugu) of the Republic of Serbia, the Minister of Finance manages the country's public debt by (i) entering into transactions that would reduce or eliminate currency risk, interest rate risk and other risks, (ii) deciding on the sale and purchase of foreign currencies, and (iii) managing cash balances on the Republic of Serbia's treasury accounts.
PSD2: FMA publishes circular on limited network exemption, including new details on the notification obligation | Austria
Analiză: ASF anunţă măsuri mai stricte de cunoaştere a clientelei
First published on Ziarul Financiar, 25.10.2019
După BNR, şi ASF vine cu măsuri mai stricte de cunoaştere a clientelei, de formalizare a procedurilor interne şi de derulare a evaluării riscului de spălare a banilor şi finanţare a terorismului, arată o analiză.
Payment Services Directive (PSD2) – Strong Customer Authentication and additional migration period for e-commerce businesses
The revised Payment Services Directive (PSD2), applicable since 13 January 2018, brought significant changes to the payment markets in the EU. In particular, PSD2 requires certain payment services providers (PSPs) to apply strong customer authentication (SCA, also referred to as two-factor authentication) in remote electronic transactions.
Austritt mit Hindernissen
First published on Der Standard, 17.10.2019
Die Turbulenzen in den Brexit-Verhandlungen sind auch eine Folge der Komplexität des Außenhandelsrechts. Ein britischer Austritt aus der Zollunion und dem Binnenmarkt schafft zahlreiche Probleme für Politik und Wirtschaft, vor allem wenn London und Brüssel doch keinen Deal erzielen.
Interview with Narcisa Oprea from Schoenherr Bucharest
First published on BizLawyer, 17.07.2019
Directiva europeană privind drepturile acționarilor trebuia transpusă în legislația românească până la jumătatea lunii iunie 2019 | Narcisa Oprea, Partener Schoenherr: Chiar dacă directiva nu a fost transpusă încă, existând doar un proiect de lege în acest sens, clienții noștri se pregătesc din vreme pentru conformare, dată fiind anvergura schimbărilor
Austria | EBA publishes new guidelines on outsourcing for institutions applicable from 30 September 2019
Schoenherr announces new firm-wide heads of banking, finance & capital markets and real estate practice groups
Schoenherr promotes Sebastian Gutiu (managing partner, Romania) and Matei Florea (partner, Romania) to new firm-wide heads for real estate, and banking, finance & capital markets, respectively.
Austria: Schoenherr advises listed German Aves One AG on financing of NACCO/CIT acquisition
Schoenherr, acting as lead counsel for the financing, successfully advised Aves One AG ("Aves") on the financing of the acquisition of the NACCO/CIT Group.
Global Legal Insights to: Blockchain & Cryptocurrency Regulation 2019 - Chapter Austria
The Global Legal Insights series provides essential insights into the current legal issues, providing readers with expert analysis of legal, economic and policy developments through the eyes of the world's leaders.
Austria: Schoenherr advises listed German Aves One AG on a EUR 155 million senior facility refinancing
Schoenherr successfully advised Aves One AG ("Aves One") on its EUR 155m senior facility refinancing by entering into a new facility agreement with significantly improved commercial terms arranged by a consortium of leading German banks.
Schoenherr advises UniCredit on strategic Bancassurance partnerships with Allianz and Generali in CEE
Schoenherr has advised the UniCredit Group on establishing two exclusive strategic partnerships with Allianz and Generali for the distribution of insurance products for individuals and small-businesses in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, and Slovenia announced on 5 June 2018 (see here)
Austria: Are you still buying or already mining? Mining cryptocurrencies as a permanent establishment
The taxation of cryptocurrency transactions is a hot topic. The Austrian Ministry of Finance recently issued an interesting ruling outlining when mining for cryptocurrencies in Austria by a non-resident taxpayer may trigger a permanent establishment.
Schoenherr advises EVO Payments on strategic payments partnership with MONETA Money Bank
Schoenherr's financial services team in Prague advised EVO Payments International ("EVO") on the creation of a long-term strategic alliance with MONETA Money Bank ("MONETA") for payment acceptance services to the bank's retail customers.
Österreich: FMA veröffentlicht Leitfaden zu IT-Sicherheit in Kreditinstituten
Am 8.5.2018 veröffentlichte die FMA einen Leitfaden, der die Risiken in Zusammenhang mit Informations- und Kommunikationstechnologien (IKT) in Kreditinstituten adressiert (der "Leitfaden"). Der Leitfaden ist auf der Homepage der FMA abrufbar.
Austria: Schoenherr represents Austrian Core Shareholders on sale of majority shareholding in listed C-QUADRAT to HNA
Schoenherr has advised and represented the core shareholders of Cubic (London) Limited ("Cubic"), including San Gabriel Privatstiftung, and T.R. Privatstiftung, as indirect controlling stockholders in C-QUADRAT Investment AG ("C-QUADRAT"), on the sale of the majority shareholding in Cubic, and thus C-QUADRAT, to the HNA Group (International) Asset Management Co., Limited, Hong Kong ("HNA"). HNA is part of the HNA Group, a leading Chinese diversified industrial group. C-QUADRAT is an independent asset management company listed on the Vienna stock exchange.
Schoenherr advises Slovenian ENI subsidiary on acquisition of Mestni Plinovodi
Schoenherr has advised Adriaplin d.o.o. ("Adriaplin"), the Slovenian subsidiary of Eni S.p.A., on the acquisition of Mestni Plinovodi d.o.o. ("Mestni Plinovodi"), a local natural gas distribution network operator and gas supplier, from a consortium of sellers consisting of gas distributors Ireti and ACSM-AGAM from Italy and Istrabenz Plini from Slovenia.
2018
austria bulgaria croatia czech republic hungary poland romania serbia slovakia slovenia bosnia & herzegovina turkey montenegro
L.Schwitzer T.Krumov M.Gabrovska N.Rosová G.Szalóki P.Halwa P.Kapica S.Hekelová V.Kobe L.Çelepçi J.Barović
Banking secrecy in CEE - one region, different rules
Schönherr berät B&C bei Gewährung einer Hybridkapital-Linie an Semperit AG Holding
Schönherr hat die B&C Holding GmbH ("B&C") bei der Gewährung einer Hybridkapital-Linie an die börsenotierte Semperit AG Holding ("Semperit") von bis zu EUR 150 Mio beraten.
Schoenherr advises Deutsche Private Equity on acquisition of Euro-Druckservice
Schoenherr advised Deutsche Private Equity Management III ("DPE") on its acquisition of leaflet printing business Euro-Druckservice ("EDS") from a consortium of three company shareholders.
Austria Adopts Statutory Outsourcing Regime for Credit Institutions
The Austrian parliament recently passed an amendment to the Austrian Banking Act (Bankwesengesetz – BWG), introducing a new statutory outsourcing regime for credit institutions applicable from 3 January 2018.
Österreich führt gesetzliche Regelungen für Auslagerungen von Kreditinstituten ein
Das österreichische Parlament hat eine Novelle zum Bankwesengesetz (BWG) verabschiedet, die erstmals rechtsverbindliche Regelungen für die Auslagerung bankbetrieblicher Aufgaben vorsieht. Die Bestimmungen treten mit 3. Jänner 2018 in Kraft.
What is Fit&Proper? Challenges Under the New Joint Fit&Proper Guidelines of ESMA and EBA
On 26 September 2017, the European Banking Authority ("EBA") and the European Securities and Markets Authority ("ESMA") published the final report of their joint guidelines on the assessment of the suitability of members of the management body and key function holders in accordance with Article 91 (12) of Directive 2013/36/EU ("CRD IV") and Article 9 of Directive 2014/65/EU ("MiFID II") (the "Fit&Proper Guidelines").
The Fit&Proper Guidelines aim to harmonise and improve suitability assessments within the European financial sector, and to ensure sound governance in financial institutions in line with CRD IV and MiFID II.
Romania: Schoenherr wins three awards from leading financial journal Ziarul Financiar
Schoenherr si Asociatii was honoured by Romania's leading financial journal Ziarul Financiar with three awards during the eight edition of the Business Lawyers' Gala organised by the newspaper on 27 September in Bucharest.
Österreich: Schönherr berät EVN bei Verkauf ihrer Pensionskasse an VBV-Gruppe
Schönherr hat die börsennotierte EVN AG ("EVN") beim Verkauf ihrer betrieblichen Pensionskasse, der EVN Pensionskasse AG ("EVN Pensionskasse"), an die VBV-Betriebliche Altersvorsorge AG ("VBV") beraten.
Lessons Learned over Three Years: Amendment of the Hungarian Trust Regulation
The Hungarian Parliament passed an act in June 2017 with the aim of improving Hungary's business competitiveness. Among other things, the amendment has changed the regulation of trusts and their management, hopefully for the better, since the past three years have shown that a lack of such experience still exists.
Czech Republic/Hungary/Poland/Slovakia: Schoenherr advises AG FOODS and Coöperatief Avallon on settlement of minority shareholders' disputes and management buyout
Schoenherr advised AG FOODS Group ("AG FOODS") and Coöperatief Avallon MBO U.A. ("Coöperatief Avallon") on the settlement of minority shareholders' disputes and on a subsequent management buyout.
ECB Publishes Practical Fit and Proper Assessments Guide for Board Members of Credit Institutions
On 15 May 2017, the European Central Bank ("ECB") published a guide on fit and proper assessments (the "Fit and Proper Guide"), which reflects the result of a public consolidation launched by the ECB on 16 November 2016.
Austria: Schoenherr advises Erste Group on Frauscher Sensortechnik leveraged buyout financing
Schoenherr has advised Erste Group Bank AG ("Erste Group"), one of the leading financial service providers in Central and Eastern Europe, on the financing of the leveraged buyout of Austrian sensor technology manufacturer Frauscher Sensortechnik GmbH ("Frauscher Sensortechnik") by New York-based Greenbriar Equity Group LLC ("Greenbriar").
Austria: Schoenherr advises on first Austrian Equity Capital Markets transaction in 2017
Schoenherr has advised publicly traded, global sugar, starch and fruit processor AGRANA Beteiligungsverwaltungs-Aktiengesellschaft ("AGRANA") as issuer on its successful rights offering of 1,420,204 new shares, combined with a secondary offering of 500,000 existing AGRANA shares held by Südzucker AG, one of AGRANA's core shareholders.
This is the first equity capital market ("ECM") transaction in the Austrian market in 2017, and the first deal of its kind in Austria following the entry into force of the European Market Abuse Regulation. The transaction had an overall deal volume of approximately EUR 192m.
Austria: New Court Decisions on Banks' Own Funds Instruments
A bank suffering losses (and which may even be in the process of wind-down) may not be in a position to repay loss absorbing instruments in full, which it has issued in the past. Court decisions handed down in 2016 (one by the European Court of Justice and three by the Austrian Supreme Court) provide insight into questions of calculation of loss sharing, and how holders of certain loss absorbing instruments shall be treated in the event of a merger or demerger (which is often also a restructuring measure in the course of a wind-down)
Austria: Limitation Periods in Financial Services Litigation: A Shift in Austrian Jurisprudence?
In a recent judgment, the Austrian Supreme Court softened its settled case law on the uniform beginning of the limitation period for damages incurred by investors.
Austria: The EU Capital Markets Union – What Lies Ahead
In the European Commission’s recently published Communication regarding the Capital Markets Union (“CMU”), it urges other institutions to accelerate completion of a true single market for capital across all EU Member States, and announces its work programme for 2017.
Slovakia: Bank vs. Consumer - Latest Legal Developments on Consumer Protection of Bank Clients
Slovak Banks are currently subject to legislative restrictions and consumer claims, mainly for charges and arbitration clauses.
Stepping forward: Hungary Starts Dealing with Non-Performing Loans
The sale of NPLs has always been difficult in Hungary as purchasing of loan receivables is considered as lending activity; therefore, a prospective buyer is expected to have a valid Hungarian banking licence.
Austria: Bad Bank and Own Funds Instruments
What is the situation regarding own funds instruments issued by a bank, if such institution is converted into a wind-down company or becomes a bad bank? May investors who subscribed to instruments issued by a bank terminate those instruments (for good cause or due to changed circumstances) and request repayment? What happens with participation capital in the event of a reduction of share capital? In the aftermath of the financial crisis, the Austrian Supreme Court has answered some of these questions in recent decisions.
Czech Republic: Financial Guarantee as a New Type of Corporate Guarantee
The new Civil Code has introduced a financial guarantee as a new type of guarantee similar to a bank guarantee, which may be provided by any natural or legal person.
Austria: New Disclosure Requirements for Shareholdings in Listed Companies – Five Things Investors Should Know
The Austrian Stock Exchange Act (Börsegesetz; BoerseG) has recently been amended to significantly extend disclosure obligations for shareholdings in listed companies. The main objective is to capture arrangements, in particular derivatives, which previously escaped major shareholding disclosure rules, even though they could – and were – used for stake building purposes in Austrian listed companies. The changes are effective from 1 January 2013 and are expected to create challenges for investors, fund managers, credit institutions and securities firms.
State Aid Schemes and EU Funds – Instruments for Financing Projects in Romania
Over the past years, banks operating in the Romanian market have been approached with an increasing number of financing projects that aim to benefit from financial support from either state aid schemes or EU financing programmes.
The Montenegrin Financial Collaterals Act: Carving Out a New System for Banks and Financial Institutions
The Montenegrin Parliament enacted the Financial Collaterals Act (FCA) in July 2012, as part of the EU integration process. The FCA was drafted using the EU Directive 2002/47/EC of 6 June 2002 on Financial Collateral arrangements (Directive) as its basis. Its greatest contribution is providing a high-quality legal basis for establishing and realising collateral more easily – which also contributes to the stability of the financial system in Montenegro.