Acquisitions & Disposals of SFC Licensed Firms.

Acquisitions and disposals of shares of brokers, asset managers, wealth managers, investment advisers and other firms licensed by the Securities and Futures Commission ("SFC") are not only potentially subject to approval by the SFC but also raise specialized legal and regulatory risks for the buyer.  Poor compliance standards prior to the completion of the transaction may, for example, result in disciplinary action well after the completion of the transaction. Despite these challenges, the past few years have seen a marked increase in such transactions.

Please join us for this lunch time seminar as we:

• provide an overview of how these transactions work;
• discuss how buyers can manage the SFC approval process;
• present the legal and regulatory risks posed by these transactions; and
• explain how sellers can minimize the risks of a transaction failing due to the refusal of SFC approval or buyer dissatisfaction with legal and regulatory risks.

Speakers

Timothy Loh, Managing Partner

Mr. Loh has extensive experience advising and representing clients in acquisitions and disposals of regulated financial institutions including SFC licensed firms. His experience includes both local transactions involving small to medium sized Hong Kong based operations to global transactions involving operations in multiple jurisdictions including Hong Kong.  The total value of all transactions in which he has served as lead Hong Kong regulatory counsel since founding this firm in 2004 exceeds US$2.5 billion. He has extensive experience managing applications to the SFC in the context of such transactions and in managing the legal and regulatory risks arising from Hong Kong securities laws, corporate laws, tax laws and employment laws.

Greg Heaton, Former Senior Director and Head of Licensing at the SFC

Mr. Heaton recently joined Timothy Loh LLP from the SFC, where he had oversight of, and executive responsibility for, all applications to the SFC for approval of changes in substantial shareholders, business plans and responsible officers arising from acquisitions and disposals of SFC licensed firms.  He brings the regulator's perspective to standards for compliance with applicable securities laws and practical insight into presenting applications to the SFC.

This seminar is intended for senior business executives, in-house lawyers, compliance professionals at listed companies, SFC regulated entities and other organisations active in the financial markets.

Please join us for this lunch time seminar as we:

• provide an overview of how these transactions work;
• discuss how buyers can manage the SFC approval process;
• present the legal and regulatory risks posed by these transactions; and
• explain how sellers can minimize the risks of a transaction failing due to the refusal of SFC approval or buyer dissatisfaction with legal and regulatory risks.