Corporate Law & Financial Transactions Legal Services

Navigating the Regulatory Landscape with Confidence

In today’s fast-paced and highly regulated financial ecosystem, institutions face growing complexity and scrutiny from multiple layers of oversight. Regulatory expectations are not only evolving rapidly, but they also vary by jurisdiction, product type, and industry sector. For businesses operating in this space, whether banks, fintech startups, private equity firms, insurance providers, or registered investment advisers, regulatory compliance is no longer a box to check; it’s a core business function that demands strategic legal support.

At Scarinci Hollenbeck, LLC, our financial regulation lawyers provide that support with a clear, client-centered focus. We understand the critical balance between innovation and compliance, and we help clients maintain that balance as they grow, diversify, and respond to emerging regulatory challenges. Our Financial Services & Regulatory Practice is designed to guide clients through every facet of regulatory risk, from day-to-day compliance to high-stakes investigations and litigation.

The Role of Legal Counsel in Financial Regulation

Our attorneys don’t just interpret the law, we anticipate how regulatory trends may affect your business and proactively help you adapt. With new rules continuously introduced by agencies at the federal and state level, the need for skilled legal guidance has never been greater. We assist with:

• Interpreting complex statutes and agency rulemakings that apply to your operations and product offerings.
• Implementing compliance programs that are tailored to your business model, size, and risk profile.
• Advising on regulatory frameworks for new technologies, including digital assets, open banking, and embedded finance.
• Preparing responses to examinations, audits, subpoenas, and enforcement actions from oversight bodies.
• Representing clients in administrative proceedings and enforcement defense involving alleged violations of financial regulations.

Whether you are seeking to avoid compliance pitfalls or respond to a regulatory inquiry, our team is prepared to protect your interests and position your organization for sustainable success.

Our Knowledge of Key Regulatory Bodies

Our practice spans all major financial regulators, including:

• Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC): We assist public and private companies, investment advisers, and broker-dealers with compliance under the Securities Act, Exchange Act, and Investment Advisers Act, including registration, disclosures, and insider trading policies.
• Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA): Our lawyers support firms through examinations, rule interpretations, advertising reviews, and disciplinary proceedings.
• Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB): For lenders, mortgage servicers, and consumer finance companies, we offer guidance on fair lending, UDAAP (Unfair, Deceptive, or Abusive Acts or Practices), and complaint management.
• Federal Banking Regulators (Federal Reserve, FDIC, OCC): We help traditional financial institutions comply with safety and soundness regulations, capital and liquidity rules, and CRA (Community Reinvestment Act) obligations.
• State Regulators: We navigate the patchwork of state-level licensing, money transmission laws, and consumer protection statutes that impact fintechs, lenders, and money services businesses (MSBs).
• Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC): We assist clients in understanding and complying with sanctions regimes, anti-money laundering (AML) rules, and related reporting requirements.

Our regulatory lawyers regularly work across agencies to ensure consistent compliance strategies that reduce legal exposure and foster regulator trust.

Supporting Clients at Every Stage

Whether you’re a startup preparing to launch a financial product, a midsize firm scaling operations, or a publicly traded company undergoing a regulatory audit, Scarinci Hollenbeck provides the legal and strategic foundation you need.

We routinely help clients:

• Enter and navigate new markets, including cross-border jurisdictions.
• Secure necessary regulatory approvals, licenses, and registrations.
• Structure mergers, acquisitions, or product launches in ways that satisfy applicable laws.
• Revise policies and procedures to reflect changes in regulatory guidance.
• Investigate and remediate compliance failures to avoid escalation and reputational damage.

Clients rely on our team not only for legal precision but also for business-oriented advice that considers operational realities. Our collaborative approach allows us to work closely with in-house counsel, compliance departments, and executive leadership to deliver effective, actionable solutions.

In an era where one misstep can lead to reputational damage, enforcement actions, or even criminal liability, having the right legal team by your side is essential. At Scarinci Hollenbeck, our Financial Services & Regulatory Practice stands ready to support your institution’s continued growth, innovation, and compliance, no matter how complex the landscape becomes.

Legal Services Across the Financial Regulatory Spectrum

We offer comprehensive legal counsel across the full range of financial services and regulatory needs, including:

Regulatory Compliance & Licensing

• Bank, broker-dealer, and investment adviser licensing
• Money transmitter and lending license applications
• Ongoing compliance audits and program development

Securities Regulation

• SEC and FINRA compliance
• Public and private offerings
• Insider trading policies and disclosure practices

Banking & Lending Compliance

• Truth in Lending Act (TILA), Bank Secrecy Act (BSA), and Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) compliance
• Anti-money laundering (AML) policies
• Fair lending and consumer finance guidance

Fintech & Emerging Technologies

• Cryptocurrency and digital asset compliance
• Payments and money services business (MSB) counseling
• Blockchain and DeFi legal frameworks

Enforcement & Investigations

• Representation in investigations by SEC, CFPB, DOJ, and state regulators
• Subpoena response and internal investigations
• Settlement negotiation and litigation defense

A Team Focused on Financial Law and Regulation

Our financial regulation lawyers bring decades of combined experience advising domestic and international clients on regulatory strategy and litigation. Many of our attorneys have backgrounds in financial services, corporate governance, and administrative law, offering clients insight informed by real-world business acumen and legal precision.

We work collaboratively across practice areas—mergers and acquisitions, litigation, white-collar defense, tax, and cybersecurity—to provide clients with integrated legal solutions. Whether you’re facing a complex compliance matter or a regulatory investigation, we bring the depth and agility needed to protect your interests.