Expertise/Financial Markets
& Regulation
Financial Markets & Regulation
Financial Services Industry experts
... advising financial firms on complex matters driven or affected by the supervision and regulation of the financial services industry.
We:
- assist large national and international groups of banks, insurance companies, investment firms and other financial firms involved in complex M&A and capital markets transactions;
- advise on securities offering rules, the listing and trading of financial instruments, market abuse issues, and financial market infrastructures as experts in market regulation; and
- provide expertise for financial firms on all elements of licensing; governance and the structure of business operations; the structuring of financial services and products; regulatory capital issues and compliance with other rules of prudential supervision; and recovery and resolution.
Our experts are actively involved in legislative processes and, as lecturers and speakers, also contribute to the academic development of the supervision and regulation of the wider financial services industry.
Our AML practice group provide specialist advice on Anti-Money Laundering (AML) legislation, the implementation of AML in policies and agreements and on dealings with regulators.
Recent Matters
11 February 2026
De Brauw advises Comvest Credit Partners on AC Milan refinancing
De Brauw Blackstone Westbroek has acted as Dutch counsel to Comvest Credit Partners in the refinancing of Italian football club AC Milan. The transaction involved the refinancing of the acquisition-related vendor financing originally provided by entities advised by Elliott Advisors UK Limited in connection with RedBird's acquisition of AC Milan in 2022. The existing financing was replaced by new institutional debt facilities arranged by Comvest Credit Partners. The refinancing strengthens AC Milan's capital structure and supports AC Milan's continued growth trajectory as one of Europe's most prestigious football clubs.
12 November 2025De Brauw advises ABN AMRO on the acquisition of NIBC Bank from Blackstone
De Brauw advises ABN AMRO on the acquisition of NIBC Bank from Blackstone
19 August 2025De Brauw advises Rabobank on termination of Rabobank Certificates administration
De Brauw has acted as lead counsel to Rabobank on the termination of the administration of the Rabobank Certificates, aimed at simplifying the legal structure of its CET1-capital instrument: the Rabobank Certificates. Previously, Stichting AK Rabobank Certificaten held the Rabobank Certificates (formerly known as: participations) issued by Rabobank, and issued corresponding certificates to investors. On 26 June 2025, the participations were renamed to "Rabobank Certificates" and the corresponding certificates were exchanged for the Rabobank Certificates on a one-for-one basis. As a result, former holders of the certificates now directly hold the Rabobank Certificates and the corresponding certificates have been cancelled.
“De Brauw Blackstone Westbroek's team is extremely knowledgeable and dedicated to guarantee the best outcome for the client.”
“Great team with a diverse skill set. They are all very dedicated and have broad experience both in the advisory and the transactional practice. Lovely to work with.”
Insights
25 March 2026
The Danish Compromise revisited: implications for cross-financial sector M&A
What was once a technical corner of the Capital Requirements Regulation (CRR), suddenly found itself at the forefront of several high-profile European M&A transactions in 2025. The Danish Compromise, as the capital treatment under Article 49(1) CRR is commonly known, allows banks to risk-weight significant investments in insurance undertakings rather than deduct them from their own funds. With its application being subject to certain conditions and supervisory permission, the provision was, and to some extent still is, at the centre of a broader debate about group structures of banks, prudential consolidation and cross-sector M&A in the European Union.
29 January 2026CRD VI Explained
Our CRD VI Explained report, produced in collaboration with the Best Friends (BonelliErede, Bredin Prat, Hengeler Mueller, Slaughter and May and Uría Menéndez), distils what CRD VI changes matter most, where implementation will bite, and how supervisory practice is likely to evolve.
29 January 2026Looking ahead: supervisory priorities and themes expected for the financial sector in 2026
In recent months, supervisory authorities in the Netherlands – AFM and DNB –and the EU – ECB, EBA, ESMA and EIOPA – have published their priorities and agendas for 2026. These publications signal the direction of regulatory rulemaking and supervisory focus in the coming year. Against this backdrop, our Financial Markets & Regulation team has identified key trends and developments that will shape the European financial sector in 2026.
