Financial Services
The financial sector is subject to increasing regulation, both within and outside Europe. It has become more complex and challenging for financial institutions to continuously anticipate and comply with constantly changing regulations. Financial service providers are expected to be available 24/7 for their consumers and have to organise their services accordingly. What's more, the market demands a wide-ranging package of financial services, and alternative forms of finance are making inroads. The Financial Services Team at Houthoff keeps a close eye on these developments and has an excellent understanding of national and international trends in the financial sector.
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“A client mentioned that 'Houthoff has developed a particular expertise in handling the most complex and large-scale finance projects for their top-tier clients and is almost unrivalled in terms of the breadth and depth of expertise of its lawyers'.”Chambers Global & Europe, Banking and Finance (2024 Edition) -
"One client states: ‘In our latest complex project Houthoff has proven itself as a leading authority in banking and finance law with a deep understanding of the complex regulatory environment that is specific to the case’."Legal 500, Banking & Finance (2024 Edition)
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"A client says that 'the lawyers are great - they are knowledgeable, pragmatic, know what we want and always try to come to an agreement'."Chambers Global & Europe, Banking and Finance (2023 Edition)
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"A client states that 'the team have an integral understanding of the work and know the file better than anyone else'."Chambers Global & Europe, Banking and Finance (2023 Edition)
Our expertise in the financial sector
Today's economy can no longer do without a wide variety of types of finance. Financial institutions, investors and insurers are among the organisations calling on our Financial Services Team for advice and support with finance transactions. Banks have a far-reaching duty of care that is ever-expanding. Our team has specialised in this area and advises domestic and foreign banks. Banking and financial disputes can cause severe reputational damage and high costs. Our clients are aware of this and rely on the assistance of our experienced litigation specialists in finance-related proceedings. FinTech companies that facilitate digital payment options are subject to very strict financial legislation and turn to our specialists for strategic advice. Players within the financial sector must be and remain compliant with complex laws and regulations. Our specialists work with them in their compliance work, such as assessing and drafting policies and monitoring transactions.
Our Financial Services Team has an excellent national and international track record. Our specialists seek practical solutions to urgent problems, made possible by our integrated sector knowledge and expertise in many areas including M&A, financial supervision, employment law, competition, mass claims, fraud and organised crime.
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Advised IK Partners on the acquisition of an economical majority stake in QConcepts Beheer B.V., a fast growing Dutch audit-focused specialist. Qconcepts' audit practice represents the majority of its EUR 26.1 million turnover in 2023. Qconcepts has 140 employees who are based across six Dutch offices in 's-Hertogenbosch, Rotterdam, Sittard, Arnhem, Amsterdam, Enschede and an office in Malaga, Spain.
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Assisted Vermeg, Vermeg's founder and its management team in Charterhouse's acquisition of an interest in Vermeg from Crédit Mutuel Arkéa.
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Assisted IK Investment Partners in the acquisition of a majority stake in You Sure Investments B.V.
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Advised GLP Pte Ltd on setting up their investment fund structure through the Netherlands (inter alia by setting up a Dutch AIFM branch).
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Advised A.S.R. on the formation of a large Dutch investment fund called A.S.R. Dutch Science Park Fund. The fund is formed as a Dutch fund for joint account (fonds voor gemene rekening) and invests in properties on science parks in the Netherlands.
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Advised De Utrechtse Fondsen CV (UFCV), a large Dutch investment fund (AIF) set up as a Dutch limited partnership, and its five institutional investors on the sale of its entire residential real estate portfolio (1352 residential properties) to the Amvest Residential Core Fund.
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Houthoff represented the sellers of Kompas International, a provider of trust and corporate services, in their divestment of Kompas International to Praxis IFM, one of the largest independent and owner-managed financial services groups headquartered in the Channel Islands.
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Advised publicly listed investment fund Value8 on all of its capital markets transactions including its reverse acquisition of Source Group, a publicly traded parent company of a group of companies that focuses on managing contracts of external personnel and the mediation of IT professionals, and its takeover acquisition of health care company Kersten Next B.V., a Dutch specialist in mobility, health care and communication devices.
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Advised various parties on Brexit including Lloyd's and VSZ, a Dutch managing agent acting on behalf of a number of Lloyd's syndicates.
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InsingerGilissen Bankiers N.V. ("InsingerGilissen") and Lombard Odier (Europe) S.A. ("Lombard Odier") have entered into an agreement with regard to the acquisition by InsingerGilissen of Lombard Odier's Dutch private banking business. Upon closing of the transaction, the entire Amsterdam-based Lombard Odier staff will join InsingerGilissen, increasing assets under management by roughly EUR 1 billion.
