Alongside standout strength in the insurance regulatory space, Clifford Chance also works with banks, financial institutions, start-ups, and investment funds on the full range of regulatory issues, including permits and licensing, anti-money laundering, market entry and operations. The firm’s insurance expertise encompasses reinsurance transactions and the regulatory aspects of cross-border portfolio transfers. Lounia Czupper heads up the team, offering global knowledge of financial services' regulatory regimes to clients across the industry, supported by senior associate Hélène Volkova.

Led by specialist financial services regulatory practitioner Pierre Berger, DLA Piper advises financial services institutions, insurers, and investment funds on an array of matters including funds regulation, licensing applications, and risk management, including a standout focus on AML compliance advice. The team also handles enforcement mandates and innovative work for fintech clients, encompassing corporate, data protection, and financial services regulatory issues.

Bird & Bird has a strong focus on innovation and emerging technologies within the financial services space, advising established banks, corporates, and disruptors on open banking, AI, payment services, and blockchain-related matters globally, including product development and launch, Belgian market entry, and cross-border consumer protection issues. The team is led by Scott McInnes, a specialist in payments regulation, working with card providers and banks as well as emerging payments clients, handling innovative issues relating to e-wallets and tokenisation, supported by senior associate Julien Sad. Paul Hermant focuses on traditional banking regulation, including governance and issues connected to financing transactions.

The ‘proactive‘ team at Eubelius handles the full range of financial regulatory issues, and has particular strength in AIMFD advice to asset managers and funds, advice on insurance products, the regulation of securities depositories, and payment services issues, including the licensing of new payments providers. Clients include major domestic and European banks, asset managers, insurers, and emerging payment services companies. Lars Van Bever leads the practice alongside senior counsel Jean-Marc Gollier, an expert in financial services regulatory issues for banks, insurers, and investment funds. Senior associate Nicolas Schrans focuses on banking governance, MiFID, and UCITS work.

Hogan Lovells International LLP advises banks and financial institutions on key financial regulations, interactions with regulators and legislators, the setting up and operation of institutions and new products in Belgium, and innovative issues relating to fintech and tokens. The team, led by Ivan Peeters, a specialist in banking sector regulatory work, and Philip Van Steenwinkel, who is active in capital markets mandates, continues to expand its share of cross-border mandates and multinational financial services clients, and has also handled a number of matters relating to the regulation of sustainable financing transactions. Senior associate Charles-Henri Bernard has standout experience in fund structuring and payment regulation mandates, and advises several asset management clients.

KPMG Law in Belgium advises banks, insurers, and asset managers on regulatory aspects of financing transactions, most notably sustainable finance, digital products regulations including crypto, and broad compliance issues for MiFID 2, AIFMD, and other key financial services legislation. The team works with a global client base, regularly advising Belgian or European subsidiaries of multinationals, as well as corporate captives of financial services institutions. Isabelle Blomme heads up the practice, specialising in work with banking clients on the full range of regulatory concerns, both relating to ongoing operations and financing. The team was strengthened by the arrival of senior counsel Joris Latui from an in-house position in September 2021, adding notable expertise in payments systems and licensing.

Liedekerke focuses exclusively on strategic regulatory projects, advising financial institutions, insurance companies, fintech companies, and asset managers on a wide range of issues, including MiFID2 and other regulatory regime compliance, crypto assets, digitalisation, and enforcement actions. The team is led by specialist financial service regulatory practitioner Tom Van Dyck, who is a trusted adviser to a number of major European banks as well as emerging market disruptors. Associate Sarah Michot has in-house secondment experience in the asset management space, and also works with insurers and banks on regulatory questions.

Linklaters advises an international range of banks, financial institutions, insurers, and investment funds on regulatory compliance relating to MiFID, PSD, and other regimes, domestic regulatory and governance concerns, and emerging issues relating to ESG and crypto assets. The team is led by Belgian and EU financial regulation specialist Etienne Dessy, who has notable experience of handling cross-border bank mergers and reorganisations alongside regulatory investigations and enforcement proceedings in the financial services sector, while counsel Andreas Van Impe, promoted in May 2022, specialises in fintech products work.

Loyens & Loeff offers broad regulatory compliance advice, transactional support, and representation in regulatory litigation and investigations by EU courts and regulatory authorities. The firm’s standout expertise includes fund passporting and AIFM issues, financial services provider M&A, and anti-money laundering compliance, with clients including banks, funds, intermediaries, and a growing number of crypto providers. The practice is led by Marc Vermylen, who takes the lead on transactional issues, alongside regulatory and litigation specialist Vanessa Marquette.

NautaDutilh works with an array of banks and financial institutions on regulatory issues relating to insurance products, banking and financing transactions, payment platforms and e-money, and securities depositories, with strong cross-border relationships and capabilities, as well as a successful record in work both alongside and against regulatory authorities. The team is led by Anne Fontaine, a specialist financial services regulatory practitioner who has notable expertise advising foreign institutions on Belgian operations, while counsel Pierre De Pauw also heavily focuses on the space, most notably licensing applications and clearing issues.

Lydian advises financial institutions and insurers on the full range of regulatory compliance issues, including the MiFID, AIMFD, and Solvency II regimes, among others, as well as handling complex product launch issues such as international MGAs. The team also advises regulatory authorities on new regulations, as well as representing clients in litigation. The team is led by Tom Geudens, who focuses on international banking and financial regulatory issues, insurance specialist Sandra Lodewijckx, who ‘stands out for her market knowledge and regulatory expertise‘ and Hugo Keulers, who takes the lead on commercial disputes. Senior associate Héloïse Fostier is also a key name for insurance work.

ALTIUS works with financial services institutions, investment funds, and payment providers on regulatory compliance and operational issues, fund formation and jurisdictional mandates, and innovative matters relating to fintech and payment legislation. The firm is noted for its work for international clients on the set up of operations in Belgium, including tax and financial services regulatory issues. Counsel Audrey Zegers leads the team, and handles broad compliance work as well as the regulatory elements of financing transactions.

Gide Loyrette Nouel A.A.R.P.I focuses on complex regulatory advice to international financial services clients, encompassing banking regulations, payment services issues, and most notably ESG and sustainability matters, both pertaining to operational and transactional work. The firm counts among its clients major banks, insurers, fintech providers, and investment funds, and is able to act on EU-wide and a variety of domestic regulatory mandates, including legislative and non-legislative frameworks. Benoît Le Bret  leads the team, offering strong experience in negotiations before and litigation against EU agencies and courts, alongside Romain Rard, promoted to partner in July 2022, and a specialist in financial services regulatory matters for corporates and professional associations as well as financial institutions.

Stibbe primarily focuses on the regulatory aspects of financial services transactions, including insurance and mortgage portfolio transactions and mergers, as well as broad regulatory compliance and enforcement issues relating to AIMFD, UCITS, and MiFID, among other key regulations. Clients include international banks, financial investors and funds, and financial services institutions. Practice head Jan Peeters has a strong focus on financial services regulatory issues, supported by Pieter Nobels, who was promoted to partner in July 2022 and combines transactional and compliance expertise.