Financial Institutions M&A

Overview

In our Financial Institutions M&A practice, we advise buyers and sellers of regulated financial institutions, including stock brokerage firms, futures and derivative trading firms, hedge fund managers, private equity sponsors and other asset managers, wealth managers, private banks, insurance companies and insurance brokerage firms. We have acted both as lead counsel and, in global deals where New York or London based M&A law firms have sought specialist knowledge on Hong Kong subsidiaries involved in the transaction, as local Hong Kong counsel.

Our Financial Institutions M&A practice is a cross-disciplinary practice that is part of both our Financial Services Regulatory practice and Mergers and Acquisitions practice, both of which have been internationally recognized by independent editorial publications, including the International Financial Law Review 1000 (ILFR1000), the Legal 500, Chambers and Partners and Asialaw Profiles, as leading practices. Our lawyers have been consistently recognized as “leading”, “highly regarded”, “well regarded” and “market-leading” lawyers.

Our work includes advising on the following:

Acquisitions of SFC Regulated Securities Firms

Our market leading regulatory and corporate lawyers have particular experience in mergers and acquisitions involving firms regulated by the Securities and Futures Commission (“SFC”) (including SFC licensed corporations and SFC registered institutions) or firms with products authorized by the SFC. Our work includes advising on the following:

  • change of control transactions, acquisitions of minority interests and joint ventures

  • compliance with regulatory requirements arising under the Securities and Futures Ordinance (“SFO”), including substantial shareholder approvals, post-completion notifications of changes in shareholding structure, changes in business plans, changes in management personnel and changes in key personnel under the Code on Unit Trusts and Mutual Funds (“Mutual Fund Code”)

Acquisitions of Insurance Companies

Our regulatory and corporate lawyers are experienced in the mergers and acquisitions of insurance companies and insurance brokers regulated by the Insurance Authority (“IA”). Our work includes advising on the following:

  • compliance with change of control requirements under the Insurance Ordinance (“IO”), including securing no-objections or consents from the IA and ensuring compliance with notification requirements

  • compliance with regulatory obligations as a result of a change of controller under the Code on Investment Linked Assurance Schemes (“ILAS Code”) where an insurer offers investment linked assurance schemes (“ILAS”), or under the Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Ordinance (“MPFSO”) where an insurer’s affiliate offers Mandatory Provident Fund schemes regulated by the Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Authority (“MPFA”)

Experience

Spin-off of Global Commodities Business

Hong Kong counsel to a Fortune Global 200 financial institution in respect of the US$430 million spin-off of its global commodities brokerage and derivatives business.

Sale of HK Life Insurer and FinTech ListCo Investment

Hong Kong counsel to a U.S. based insurer with over US$500 billion of assets under management in respect of the US$1.7 billion sale of an interest in its Hong Kong life insurance operations in exchange for an interest in Hong Kong listed fintech focused financial services provider.

US$102 Million Sale of Private Wealth Management Business

Hong Kong counsel to U.S. based Fortune Global 200 financial institution with a market capitalization of over US$35 billion in respect of US$102 million sale of its private wealth management business to a European based financial institution.

Investment and Private Equity Real Estate Joint Venture

Co-counsel to US private funds manager on an investment into a Hong Kong private equity real estate fund manager with US$450 million of assets under management.

Awards

Chambers and Partners

Financial Services Regulatory

Leading Practice

2011

Chambers and Partners

Financial Services Regulatory

Leading Individual

2016

Chambers and Partners

Financial Services Regulatory

Leading Lawyer

2018

Chambers and Partners

Financial Services Regulatory

Well Regarded Lawyer

 

IFLR 1000

Mergers and Acquisitions

Leading Practice

2021

IFLR 1000

Mergers and Acquisitions

"Positively Ranked"

2018

IFLR 1000

Financial Services Regulatory

"Positively Ranked"

2018

IFLR 1000

Financial Services Regulatory

Highly Regarded Lawyer

2019

IFLR 1000

Private Equity

Leading Practice

IFLR 1000

Private Equity

"Positively Ranked"

2018

Legal 500

Financial Services Regulatory

Leading Individual

 

Legal 500

Financial Services Regulatory

“Recommended Practice”

 

Asialaw Profiles

Mergers and Acquisitions

Leading Practice

2017

Asialaw Profiles

Mergers and Acquisitions

"Recommended"

2018

Asialaw Profiles

Corporate

Leading Practice

2017

Asialaw Profiles

Corporate

"Recommended"

2018

Asialaw Profiles

Financial Services Regulatory

Leading Practice

2016

Asialaw Profiles

Financial Services Regulatory

Outstanding Practice

2018

Asialaw Profiles

Financial Services Regulatory

Market Leading Lawyer

2017

Asialaw Profiles

Financial Services Regulatory

Leading Lawyer

2018

Asialaw Profiles

Private Equity

Leading Practice

2016

 

Insights

M&A in Hong Kong: Due Diligence

We look at how M&A due diligence and M&A reps and warranties work in tandem in business acquisitions to meet the purchaser’s expectations.

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