Law firm expects growth in FinTech M&A

Law firm expects growth in FinTech M&A
Almost a third of financial institutions plan to acquire a FinTech firm in the next 18 months, a report from Simmons & Simmons shows.

The law firm says that 31 per cent of banks and asset managers will seek to make an acquisition while those not planning to are dissuaded by regulatory risk, culture clash or uncertainty over the best target.

“Major financial institutions are increasingly looking at making FinTech acquisitions as a way of accelerating the adoption of new technology and innovation in their businesses,” said Khasruz Zaman, M&A partner at Simmons & Simmons. “We expect this to result in a significant increase in investment and M&A activity in the FinTech sector over the coming years”.

Law firms recognized for work with clean energy sector
Clean energy sector information service Clean Energy Pipeline has named the most active provider of legal advisory services for the sector in 2016.

For M&A, Eversheds Sutherland was placed most active for its work on a significant number of clean energy projects across all technologies, including on shore and offshore wind, solar, biomass, hydro, geothermal and waste to energy in markets across EMEA, Asia and the Americas.

Watson, Farley & Watkins was top for deal credit in M&A. Latham, & Watkins took top billing for project & asset finance by number of deal, while Allen & Overy was top for deal credit.

For green bonds, the top legal advisors for deal volume was Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe while King & Wood Mallesons was first for deal credit. Latham & Watkins was top by number of deals for public markets.

Baker McKenzie joins global sustainability council
Baker McKenzie has become the first law firm to join a global organization working towards sustainable practices.

The World Business Council on Sustainable Development brings together leaders from over 200 companies who share a vision for being good corporate citizens.

“I am excited about the potential for Baker McKenzie to develop the role of corporate governance in delivering sustainable development,” commented WBCSD CEO and President Peter Bakker. “I look forward to working closely with Baker McKenzie on these issues, and I hope to see other law firms follow their lead.”