Financial services

Our market leading financial services practice has a deep knowledge of the various regulatory regimes that are relevant to the financial sector.

We are genuine experts in the field and are trusted advisers to many of the largest and most active industry participants. We support our clients:

by providing advisory services, such as advice on governance, risk management or the application of regulatory regimes to their business
by giving them advice on product design and terms
in implementing strategic transactions, such as mergers and acquisitions in a regulated context, and
with regulatory investigations or in disputes or other contentious circumstances.

We have expertise across all financial services regulatory regimes, including regulatory regimes relevant to funds management; superannuation; offering of financial products and services; banking and deposit taking; anti-money laundering; the provision of consumer credit; financial advice; CoFI; discretionary investment management services and wealth platforms; broking and custody; securities markets trading; financial sector infrastructure and market services licensing.

We have excellent relationships with the key regulators in the sector, including the Financial Markets Authority, Reserve Bank of New Zealand, Commerce Commission and NZX.

^{Chambers Asia Pacific 2025 Financial services.}

^{The Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2025 Investment funds.}

^{Clients say the team is "Highly knowledgeable and pragmatic. Able to readily assist with quality advice." "Great to deal and to discuss matters with. Always make time to assist. Responsive and timely with completing pieces of work."}

^{Bell Gully offers "an unrivalled depth of knowledge and experience in the area, which is coupled with an intense client focused ethic."}

^{"They are so professional and easy to get along with; they make it so comfortable and are always available, offering a seamless working relationship that we really appreciate."}

Financial services transactions

Advice on the highest profile and complex corporate transactions in a regulated financial services context. We advised Jarden on the merger with JBWere and BNZ Investments to combine their NZ asset management and wealth advice businesses into FirstCape.

COFI

We have advised multiple organisations on all facets of CoFI. For example, we advised a leading broker group on their incentive arrangements.

Fund establishment

Advising domestic and international clients (providers, employers and supervisors), on establishing funds in New Zealand, including funds marketed to the public, private funds with non-retail investors and KiwiSaver funds.

Financial advice

We regularly advise clients on the various requirements associated with providing financial advice in New Zealand, from licensing, to conduct obligations and disclosure obligations.

CCCFA

Advised lenders (including banks, non-bank lenders, fintechs and BNPL providers) on CCCFA compliance, including responsible lending obligations, disclosure requirements, and advertising standards, in response to regulatory investigations into alleged disclosure and responsible lending breaches, and assist with law reform activities.

FMA enforcement

Instructed regularly by institutions in investigations and enforcement action brought by the FMA into suspected breaches of the Financial Markets Conduct Act 2013.

AML

Advising domestic and overseas financial institutions on all aspects of AML compliance – from determining whether a business must comply with the AML regime to helping remediate any AML breaches or deficiencies, including acting for SkyCity in High Court proceedings that were brought by the Department of Internal Affairs in relation to historical AML/CFT breaches.

Retail payments

Advise on compliance with the Retail Payment System Act obligations, including responding to Commerce Commission inquiries, preparing internal compliance policies, advise on pricing practices and interchange fees, and assist with submissions under the RPSA.