Financial Services
The financial services sector is facing major challenges: the emergence of new market players and assets, the necessary development of sustainable finance to support the ecological transition, and ongoing adaptation to regulatory changes. Faced with these issues, responsive, innovative and high-quality support is essential.
Our recognised, multi-disciplinary expertise in financial services regulation and litigation enables us to support our clients at every stage of their development, whether in transactions, advisory services or administrative or legal disputes.
With over 30 years of experience, we support both established financial players and new entrants. Our in-depth knowledge of regulations and our close relationships with the French and European authorities, as well as with professional associations, enable us to provide unrivalled legal support.
We actively participate in legislative work in Paris and Brussels, anticipating potential regulatory developments for our clients. Through our financial services expertise in Brussels, our 10 international offices, and our strategic partnerships, Gide offers global assistance.
Our specialist team covers traditional sectors such as banking, investment services and asset management, payment instruments and services, financial instruments and investment services, organisation and internal control of regulated institutions (including anti-money laundering and combating the financing of terrorism), as well as emerging areas such as crypto-assets, crowdfunding and the digitalisation of banking and financial activities (blockchain, etc.).
Drawing on the firm’s complementary expertise in corporate law, tax, intellectual property and FinTech, we are able to meet all the transactional, advisory, litigation and lobbying needs of the financial services sector.
Areas of intervention
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We assist our clients in dealing with the regulators (ACPR and AMF) on authorisations, external growth operations, restructuring, or disposal.
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We advise our clients on the design and distribution of financial products. We take account of regulatory, tax and contractual constraints to optimise product structuring. We are also involved in the management of assets and other financial products.
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We help define and implement distribution and marketing strategies. We ensure compliance with investor protection, anti-money laundering, competition and consumer law rules.
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We assist our clients in the event of controls, investigations or sanctions initiated by the financial sector supervisory authorities.
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We also assist our clients with regulatory, prudential, transactional, employment and tax issues, as well as with insolvency and resolution proceedings.
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We carry out audits to assess the compliance of organisations and practices with regulations, we propose recommendations and action plans to remedy any regulatory breaches, and we support our clients in implementing their obligations, particularly in terms of governance, internal control and remuneration policies.
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We represent our clients in legal actions for liability against their own clients and counterparties.
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We take part in the work of developing financial standards, representing professional associations and market participants in dealings with European and French institutions and authorities, particularly during the process of adopting new regulations.
Awards
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Chambers Fintech - France 2025
Fintech Legal
Band 1
Their ability to handle complex and sophisticated matters is very strong.
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Chambers Global/Europe - France 2024
Banking & Finance: Financial Services Regulation
Band 1
Gide has a first-rate financial services regulation practice advising both French and international clients. The team assists with M&A deals, the launch of new financial products and regulatory approvals. The lawyers are also recognised for their expert advice on disciplinary proceedings before the AMF and ACPR.
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Chambers Fintech - France 2024
Fintech Legal
Band 1
Gide's team members are experts on blockchain and crypto topics with deep expertise and understanding of our needs. The team are also very reactive and hands-on.
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Legal 500 EMEA - France 2024
Banking & Finance: Bank Regulatory
Tier 1
This team has an extraordinary practice and scope of intervention. From advice to litigation, they are not just lawyers, they are real business partners." "The team is available, looks for innovative solutions, and really positions itself on the cases.
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Legal 500 EMEA - France 2024
Dispute Resolution: Stock Market Litigation
Tier 1
Gide has a high-level dedicated team that assists clients facing AMF regulatory and disciplinary investigations." "Very high expertise, excellent knowledge of businesses and in particular of the asset management ecosystem. Very high creativity in the proposed solutions.
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IFLR1000 - France 2024
Banking & Finance
Tier 1
Gide is recognised in the following practice : Financial Services Regulatory.
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IFLR1000 - Belgium 2024
Banking & Finance
Tier 2
Gide is recognised in the following practice : Financial Services Regulatory.