Morrison Foerster handles the full spectrum of regulatory matters affecting the day-to-day operations of banks, fintechs and payment service providers and lenders, including advice on BHCA and International Banking Act compliance, the Volcker Rule and AML issues, while also supporting clients facing government investigations. The practice is led in tandem by ‘very best in the business’ Jeremy Mandell, who advises on both regulatory and commercial issues linked to consumer financial products out of Washington DC, while in New York Jeffrey Silberman specializes in fintech-related regulation, including as it relates to banking-as-a-service, payment systems and digital lending. New York’s Marc-Alain Galeazzi’s practice is centered around compliance, covering AML, sanctions and OFAC matters and CFT issues, with Evan Minsberg, made partner in New York in January 2024, assisting clients with money transmission, licensing and broker issues. Val Dahiya, who joined the firm’s Washington DC office from Perkins Coie LLP in October 2023, dedicates her practice to capital markets and broker-dealer compliance, including dealing with the SEC and FINRA.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

'Morrison Foerster's financial services and FinTech practices are the very best in the business. MoFo has a deep understanding of our business and the industry at large. MoFo is an indispensable legal advisor that has gained the unwavering trust of both our legal and senior business leadership teams.'
'Jeremy Mandell is the very best in the business for financial services and FinTech regulatory matters. Crystal Kaldjob is our go-to lawyer for all financial services and FinTech transactional matters. Crystal is a truly savvy negotiator and effective communicator who has handled countless transactions for us.'
'Matters are appropriately staffed, associates are exceptional and entrusted to take ownership of appropriate decisions and issues. Extremely responsive and fun to work with!'
'This practice is the most product-forward of any fintech practice. They have a unique ability to provide counsel on product strategy by combining regulatory expertise with an understanding of business pressures in Silicon Valley.'
'Evan Minsberg might be the single best outside counsel practicing in fintech right now. He is gifted at advising fast-moving fintechs, constantly iterating on new products because he understands that regulatory expertise is only one piece of the puzzle.'
'MoFo has the right mix of capabilities for us: strong VC capability, including in Asia, coupled with US bank regulatory capability in NY. This combination is surprisingly rare.'
'Marc-Alain Galeazzi understood what was important from the very first minute. His expertise and professional attention to all the people involved is outstanding.'
'Deep expertise in Bank Holding Company Act and International Banking Act issues for foreign banking organizations.'

Key clients

CITIC Group Corporation
Bank of the Orient
China Merchants Capital
Morgan Stanley Private Equity Asia
New Omni Bank
American Bankers Association
Ocrolus
Bankers Healthcare Group (BHG Financial)
Percapita Group
Elevate Credit
Ntropy
MPower
Prezzee
Upside Services

Work highlights

Advised CITIC Group Corporation on general regulatory issues, including Regulation YY, Prudential Standards and Bank Holding Company Act regulatory advice in connection with its investments.
Advised China Merchants Capital with respect to bank regulatory advice, particularly in relation to numerous investments they have made in the past year.
Acted as primary counsel to the ABA on payments and lending legal and regulatory issues, consumer regulations and payment systems architecture.