Banking and Finance

valfor is recognized for providing highly specialized services to players in the banking and financial industries in Switzerland and abroad. We work for banks, securities dealers, wealth managers, investment firms, fund managers, insurance companies, brokers, trading and other regulated companies and private clients. We offer the full range of regulatory and transactional services to clients in the banking and financial services sectors.

Core Expertise

Financial Services and Regulatory

We advise banks, securities dealers, asset managers, fund management companies, insurance companies and other financial institutions and market participants on regulatory matters and the legal framework for providing banking and financial services and establishing a presence in Switzerland (incl. branches and representative offices). Our expertise includes:

  • Authorizations, licensing, and approval procedures 
  • Equity capital adequacy;
  • Governance and compliance
  • Contractual documents;Enforcement proceedings and regulatory investigations;
  • Insolvency and reorganizations, incl. acquisitions and disposals of banks and client portfolios;
  • Tax advice to financial institutions.

Private Banking

We advise Swiss and foreign banks and other financial institutions on all legal and regulatory aspects of private banking, including:

  • Regulatory requirements of the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority FINMA;
  • Authorizations, licensing, and approval procedures;
  • Anti-money laundering, KYC rules;
  • Rules of conduct and compliance;
  • Contractual and account opening documents, incl. credit and mortgage agreements, and bank guarantees;
  • Legal and administrative assistance;
  • Outsourcing and IT security;
  • Enforcement proceedings and regulatory and internal investigations;
  • Representation in civil and criminal cases. 

Commercial Banking and Structured Finance

We provide the full spectrum of advice on a broad range of commercial banking, corporate lending, funds and other finance transactions, as well as on regulatory capital debt instruments for financial institutions. Our expertise includes:

  • Structured finance;
  • Securitization;
  • Corporate and investment grade lending;
  • Leveraged and acquisition finance;
  • Syndicated lending;
  • Secured and unsecured commercial lending;
  • Asset and real estate finance;
  • Project and infrastructure finance; 
  • Derivatives, structured products, convertible and high-yield bonds;
  • Export and trade finance, incl. documentary credits, standby letters of credit and bank guarantees;
  • Asset management and investments, incl. structuring of funds, collective investment schemes, fund management and asset management companies, preparation of documents for investment programs and products, registration of domestic and foreign investment programs;
  • FinTech, incl. blockchain, STOs, ICOs.

Main contacts

Zurich Marc Grüninger Attorney-at-Law, M.C.J.
Contact
Geneva Nicolas de Gottrau Dr. iur., LL.M. (Duke), Attorney-at-law / Partner
Contact
Sion Jean-Yves Rebord
Contact

Team leaders

Bern Markus Brülhart Attorney-at-law, LL.M.
Contact
Bern Bruno Hunziker Partner, Attorney at Law, LL.M.
Contact
Geneva Christophe de Kalbermatten LL.M. (Heidelberg), MCJ (NYU)
Contact

To the team Banking and Finance

New partners. Enhanced expertise.

valfor is pleased to announce the addition of six new partners effective 1 January 2025.

The Lausanne-based law firm Mercuris Avocats, led by partners Olivier Cherpillod, Jean-Michel Clerc, Martine Loertscher, and Maxime Rocafort, will join valfor. Their team, specialising in commercial law, tax, and dispute resolution, will integrate valfor’s Pully/Lausanne office.

Deborah Hondius and Nicolas Gurtner will strengthen valfor’s Geneva office, bringing their expertise in litigation, particularly in white-collar crime and contractual matters.

United by a shared philosophy of delivering value beyond legal advice, they all look forward to combining their skills and resources for the benefit of valfor’s clients. This strategic growth reinforces valfor’s position as one of Switzerland’s leading business law firms, with over 80 lawyers practicing across Bern, Geneva, Lausanne, Sion, Zug, Zurich, and Brussels.

With a strong international and interdisciplinary focus, valfor provides tailored legal solutions to meet the specific needs and complexities of each client’s business.

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