Banking & Finance / Banking Regulation
The regulations governing the activities of banking institutions are some of the most complex and comprehensive among financial regulatory regimes in Israel and the rest of the world. Such regulations are also used to enact additional guidelines that affect the development and character of the entire economy.
Barnea’s banking regulation team consists of various experts in the field. These experts possess years of comprehensive experience advising on all regulatory issues, including guiding local and foreign banking entities in their interactions vis-a-vis Israel’s financial authorities, particularly the Bank of Israel, the Supervisor of Banks, the Israel Securities Authority, the Capital Markets, Insurance and Savings Authority, the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange, and more.
Local Clients
Our firm represents Israeli banks vis-à-vis all regulatory bodies in a variety of interfaces. Inter alia, we guide clients in preparing to apply for a banking license, as well as advise on the entire spectrum of banking activities, how to build compliance programs in banking corporations, complex structuring and reorganization processes, and diverse transactions. In addition, we provide representation before the various supervisory authorities.
We also advise and assist banks in relation to regulatory issues pertaining to privacy protection, the use of credit data, data security, clearing, and more. Our team offers professional and creative legal advice to banks in assimilating new technologies used for payments, transfers, and digital assets, and in interfacing with innovative platforms and products developed by fintech companies.
Foreign Clients
Over the years, our firm has successfully represented dozens of foreign banks in their business activities in Israel. We represent foreign banks before the Bank of Israel during licensing proceedings and the establishment of representative offices. We also provide our clients ongoing advice on the regulatory aspects of their business activities, including the registration of liens, the preparation of documents needed to provide loans to individuals and companies in Israel, the offering of various financial products, etc.
We also maintain close working relationships with banks’ compliance teams and sometimes even serve as foreign banks’ compliance officers for their activities in Israel.
Our banking regulation team routinely collaborates with the firm’s other departments to provide comprehensive, innovative, and strategic solutions for all business aspects of banks’ activities in Israel and abroad.
Insights & News - Banking & Finance / Banking Regulation:
Bank of Israel Continues to Regulate Use of Cryptocurrencies
The risk of money laundering is one of the main risks involved in using and trading cryptocurrencies. This amendment to Proper Conduct of Banking Business Directive 411 addresses how banks should manage money laundering and terror financing risks.
Fintech Companies: New Program to Facilitate Regulatory Reliefs
Although Israel is a world leader in the fintech field, companies operating in this area face many regulatory challenges. A newly published legal memorandum aims to enable the creation of a “sandbox”, with inspiration from various programs already implemented in Japan, Australia, and Singapore. The goal is to establish a unique experimental environment, a “regulatory sandbox,” where regulatory relief is granted to companies who choose to participate in the program.
Latest Developments in the Israeli Payments Market
The Bank of Israel recently led several important developments in the Israeli payments market, which are designed to encourage competition and to advance the implementation of innovative technologies.
Banking & Finance / Banking Regulation
The regulations governing the activities of banking institutions are some of the most complex and comprehensive among financial regulatory regimes in Israel and the rest of the world. Such regulations are also used to enact additional guidelines that affect the development and character of the entire economy.
Barnea’s banking regulation team consists of various experts in the field. These experts possess years of comprehensive experience advising on all regulatory issues, including guiding local and foreign banking entities in their interactions vis-a-vis Israel’s financial authorities, particularly the Bank of Israel, the Supervisor of Banks, the Israel Securities Authority, the Capital Markets, Insurance and Savings Authority, the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange, and more.
Local Clients
Our firm represents Israeli banks vis-à-vis all regulatory bodies in a variety of interfaces. Inter alia, we guide clients in preparing to apply for a banking license, as well as advise on the entire spectrum of banking activities, how to build compliance programs in banking corporations, complex structuring and reorganization processes, and diverse transactions. In addition, we provide representation before the various supervisory authorities.
We also advise and assist banks in relation to regulatory issues pertaining to privacy protection, the use of credit data, data security, clearing, and more. Our team offers professional and creative legal advice to banks in assimilating new technologies used for payments, transfers, and digital assets, and in interfacing with innovative platforms and products developed by fintech companies.
Foreign Clients
Over the years, our firm has successfully represented dozens of foreign banks in their business activities in Israel. We represent foreign banks before the Bank of Israel during licensing proceedings and the establishment of representative offices. We also provide our clients ongoing advice on the regulatory aspects of their business activities, including the registration of liens, the preparation of documents needed to provide loans to individuals and companies in Israel, the offering of various financial products, etc.
We also maintain close working relationships with banks’ compliance teams and sometimes even serve as foreign banks’ compliance officers for their activities in Israel.
Our banking regulation team routinely collaborates with the firm’s other departments to provide comprehensive, innovative, and strategic solutions for all business aspects of banks’ activities in Israel and abroad.
Insights & News - Banking & Finance:
Bank of Israel Continues to Regulate Use of Cryptocurrencies
The risk of money laundering is one of the main risks involved in using and trading cryptocurrencies. This amendment to Proper Conduct of Banking Business Directive 411 addresses how banks should manage money laundering and terror financing risks.
Fintech Companies: New Program to Facilitate Regulatory Reliefs
Although Israel is a world leader in the fintech field, companies operating in this area face many regulatory challenges. A newly published legal memorandum aims to enable the creation of a “sandbox”, with inspiration from various programs already implemented in Japan, Australia, and Singapore. The goal is to establish a unique experimental environment, a “regulatory sandbox,” where regulatory relief is granted to companies who choose to participate in the program.
Latest Developments in the Israeli Payments Market
The Bank of Israel recently led several important developments in the Israeli payments market, which are designed to encourage competition and to advance the implementation of innovative technologies.