Printed from the Field Fisher Waterhouse web site
Web address: http://www.ffw.com/practices/finance/wealth-management.aspx

Practices

Private banking and wealth management

Global wealth management is an integral part of many major banks' offering and it is the primary focus of a number of specialist banks and institutions. The products and services provided are as diverse as the geographical spread of the customers.
 
Customers come in many guises and often organise their affairs through trusts and other specialist vehicles in multiple jurisdictions.

Our service

We are able to assist our clients in the private banking/wealth management sphere because our finance lawyers do not limit themselves to working on a particular asset type (e.g. real estate or aircraft). Instead our team comprises lawyers who each have an understanding of the many assets and products that wealth management may encompass. 
 
We are involved in financing of corporate jets, super yachts, trophy properties, works of art and antiquities, portfolios of securities and investments (certificated and dematerialised), hedge fund shares, life policies, gems and precious metals. We can claim true expertise in and understanding of the issues surrounding all asset types that we advise on.

We advise on structuring transactions and products – in particular new or complex ones - keeping in mind the exit strategies which are commercially practical for each transaction, customer, asset, jurisdiction and product. We ensure that the terms of the transaction or product support the exit routes from the outset.

Naturally, we work on bespoke transactions but we also advise in relation to new and existing products and services being offered to a greater range of customers. We regularly assist in preparation of template documentation for our clients when new products or services are launched, or when existing ones need to be updated to reflect changes in the legal, regulatory or commercial framework in which they exist.

Our team is drawn from finance, tax, dispute resolution, funds and private client lawyers to ensure that we can provide comprehensive advice and a seamless service that takes into account related issues (for all parties) such as tax planning or regulatory concerns.

Our expertise

We have considerable experience in acting for banks, high net worth and ultra high net worth individuals on:

  • real estate
  • aircraft
  • yachts
  • art
  • investments
  • other asset types, e.g. overseas protective trusts, freight derivatives
  • restructuring and enforcement