EU regulatory: Financial services

Simont Braun

Simont Braun is a ‘premier licensing and regulatory legal firm, distinguished by its deep expertise and client-focused approach in navigating complex EU financial regulatory landscapes’, handling advisory work, licence applications, financial services marketing and advertising, and platform banking. The team works across a range of sectors, with expertise in FinTech, cryptocurrencies, and NFTs. The ‘strong team with exceptional knowledge and practical expertise’ is led by Joan Carette along with the ‘fantastic and very responsive’ Philippe De Prez. Thomas Derval is noted.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

‘Philippe De Prez is fantastic and very responsive and reliable. A joy to work with. ’
‘Strong team, exceptional knowledge and practical expertise. Ability to translate complex matters into straightforward legal advice. ’
‘Philippe De Prez is a fantastic lawyer with exceptional knowledge and practical expertise. Also very amicable and accessible. He is an example for how one should collaborate with clients and other firms. Thomas Derval: Counsel operating at partner level. Great guy to work with. ’
‘Simont Braun stands out as a premier licensing and regulatory legal firm, distinguished by its deep expertise and client-focused approach in navigating complex EU financial regulatory landscapes. The firm’s unique positioning stems from a combination of its strong legal acumen, strategic advisory capabilities, and proactive engagement with regulatory authorities, making it an ideal partner for companies like ours seeking to establish themselves in highly regulated markets.
‘Simont Braun’s client service approach is characterised by its accessibility and dedication. The team is consistently available for meetings, quick to respond to queries, and capable of providing immediate support in high-stakes scenarios. This high-touch engagement is particularly valuable for clients navigating the complexities of license applications or regulatory inquiries.'
‘I worked with Philippe De Prez. He was extremely capable in the field where I needed advice and had the right network. After our briefing, he made sure to fully understand our perspective, and didn't hesitate to advise us on peripheral matters. He was very transparent in his availability, and respected deadlines. ’
‘Simont Braun has been an exceptional partner in handling our ad-hoc fintech compliance requests. Their deep understanding of the evolving regulatory landscape, combined with practical, business-oriented legal advice, sets them apart. The team’s responsiveness, flexibility, and ability to deliver tailored solutions make them stand out from other firms we’ve worked with. Overall, their expertise, client-focused approach, and commitment to innovation make them a top choice for legal support in the payments space.’
‘Our experience working with Philippe De Prez at Simont Braun has been outstanding. He consistently demonstrated exceptional expertise in fintech compliance, coupled with a proactive and business-oriented approach. What stands out most is his ability to simplify complex regulatory matters and provide clear, actionable advice that aligns with our business goals.'

Key clients

Buy Way Personal Finance
Cofidis
NewB
ABN AMRO
Itsme
Bitvavo
Etterbeek Municipality
YouLend
Bux
Aion Bank
Meilleurs Taux (Silver Lake)
Viva Wallet
Puilaetco (Private Bank)

Work highlights

Assisted the ABN AMRO Banking Group on a regular basis with all their Belgian financial regulatory and insurance questions, including advice on PSD2 and consumer credits, contractual drafting, and litigation matters.
Advised NewB on the granting of a licence as a credit institution.
Assisted Cofidis on various strategic developments of new activities including in the credit and payment sector.