Οur Banking and Finance practice provides highly specialized legal services, deeply entrenched in the complexities of Greek, EU, and international financial regulations. Our expertise spans regulatory compliance, structured finance, capital markets, and dispute resolution, underpinned by an in-depth understanding of key laws and frameworks such as Law 4261/2014 (transposing CRD IV), Law 4706/2020 (governing corporate governance in listed companies), and Law 4557/2018 (on anti-money laundering). We advise financial institutions, corporate borrowers, and investors on all aspects of financial transactions and compliance, ensuring alignment with Greek legislation and EU directives.
Our services include:
- Banking Regulation and Prudential Compliance: Advising on compliance with the regulatory framework under the Single Supervisory Mechanism (SSM) established by Regulation (EU) No 1024/2013, the Capital Requirements Directive (CRD IV) and Regulation (CRR), as well as supervisory guidelines issued by the Bank of Greece. We assist with meeting reporting obligations under the European Banking Authority (EBA) Technical Standards and the Greek Accounting and Auditing Standards (Law 4308/2014).
- Corporate and Structured Finance: Structuring syndicated loans, covered bonds, and securitization transactions under the Greek Bond Loans Law (Law 3156/2003) and advising on compliance with the Securitization Regulation (Regulation (EU) 2017/2402). We provide detailed legal support on collateral frameworks, security arrangements, and cross-border financing agreements under the Rome I Regulation (593/2008).
- Capital Markets and Securities Law: Advising on equity and debt capital markets transactions under Law 4706/2020, ensuring compliance with the Prospectus Regulation (EU) 2017/1129, the Market Abuse Regulation (MAR), and MiFID II. We handle public offerings, private placements, and listings on the Athens Stock Exchange (ATHEX) and filings with the Hellenic Capital Market Commission (HCMC).
- Restructuring and Insolvency: Providing guidance on insolvency procedures under the Greek Insolvency Code (Law 4738/2020), including pre-insolvency restructuring agreements, debt write-offs, and judicial liquidations. Our expertise covers creditor hierarchy, clawback actions, and enforcement of guarantees under the Greek Civil Code and collateral enforcement under the EU Collateral Directive (Directive 2002/47/EC).
- Anti-Money Laundering and Financial Crime: Advising on AML compliance under Law 4557/2018, transposing the Fourth and Fifth AML Directives (EU 2015/849 and EU 2018/843), including suspicious transaction reporting (STR) obligations to the Hellenic FIU, customer due diligence (CDD) measures, and anti-corruption compliance frameworks.
- Cross-Border Financing and Derivatives: Advising on ISDA agreements, master repurchase agreements (GMRA), and adherence to EMIR (Regulation (EU) 648/2012) and SFTR (Regulation (EU) 2015/2365). We provide counsel on cross-border lending structures, including compliance with the EU Banking Package and FATCA/CRS reporting requirements.
Our Banking and Finance practice is distinguished by its expertise in regulatory representation before the Bank of Greece, the Hellenic Capital Market Commission, and the European Central Bank. Leveraging profound knowledge of Greek and EU financial law, we offer cutting-edge legal strategies that ensure compliance, mitigate risks, and facilitate the successful execution of financial transactions in Greece’s highly regulated and competitive financial sector.