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Navigating the Regulatory Landscape: An Overview of Banking as a Service
In an era defined by digital transformation and the ever-evolving landscape of financial services, the concept of banking as a service (“BaaS”) has emerged as a key force reshaping the industry. By enabling non-bank entities to offer financial services through partnerships with licensed banks or financial institutions, BaaS has opened up a new realm of possibilities, facilitating innovation, enhancing customer experience and promoting financial inclusion. However, realising these opportunities is closely linked to navigating the complex regulatory framework that governs BaaS operations. BaaS can take various forms, allowing non-licensed entities to provide financial products such as banking, payment, e-money
Update on the ESG reporting obligations in Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania and Slovakia
CSRD implementation uneven a month before deadline June 2024 – With less than a month to go before the 6 July 2024 deadline for transposing the EU Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (EU) 2022/2464 (the "CSRD", the “Directive”), countries in Central and Eastern Europe (“CEE”) are still at different stages of implementation. While Romania and Slovakia have completed their legislative processes, Bulgaria and Croatia are still in the legislative pipeline. The Czech Republic and Hungary have completed, at least partially, their transposition, with additional legislation still to be implemented, albeit within uncertain timeframes. For a more comprehensive overview of each stage of the progress on CSRD transposition
Kinstellar advises Vinci Airports on the strategic EUR 3.1 billion+ acquisition of a minority interest in Budapest Liszt Ferenc International Airport
Kinstellar is proud to have advised Vinci Airports, one of the world’s leading private airport operators, on the strategic acquisition of a minority interest in the group managing the Budapest Liszt Ferenc International Airport. The majority investment in the transaction was carried out by Hungarian state-controlled Corvinus Zrt., a joint venture partner of Vinci Airports. As a result of this acquisition, with a total purchase price of EUR 3.1 billion plus net debt of EUR 1.2 billion, Vinci Airports becomes the operator of the Budapest airport hub. This transaction is one of the highest profile acquisitions in Hungary, with a record-breaking deal value. It was a highly complex and challenging transaction, entailing intense
Kinstellar advises MOL in connection with their landmark Polyol Project in Hungary – MOL’s largest organic investment to date
Kinstellar is proud to have advised the MOL Group, a leading international integrated oil and gas company, in connection with legal aspects of the MOL Group’s flagship EUR 1.3 billion new polyol complex in Tiszaújváros, Hungary. The new polyol complex, which has just been inaugurated, has the capacity of producing around 200,000 tonnes of polyol per year, and providing long-term employment for nearly 300 people. This landmark project had started in 2017 and Kinstellar has been assisting MOL in connection with the project from 2020. As a result of this project MOL has become the first company in the CEE region to have a fully-integrated value chain from crude oil to polyol production. The Kinstellar team
Update on the ESG reporting obligations in Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania and Slovakia
CSRD implementation: regional progress uneven as deadline draws near As the 6 July 2024 deadline for implementation of the EU Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (EU) 2022/2464 (the "CSRD") approaches, a new landscape of reporting standards is beginning to take shape across Central and Eastern Europe ("CEE"). Three of the six countries in CEE (the Czech Republic, Hungary and Romania) adopted legislative acts in the beginning of 2024 that, at least partially, implement the CSRD into national legislation. The progress in Slovakia, Bulgaria and Croatia however has been slower. Our third status update on the CSRD implementation in Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania and Slovakia is available here. For
Significant changes to the Hungarian Competition Act expected in the summer
The latest proposed amendment to the Hungarian Competition Act, recently submitted to the Hungarian Parliament, would enter into force on 1 July 2024, but it has not yet been adopted. The package of amendments would cover several areas, including the introduction of a new concept of undertaking and a new exemption category from the prohibition of restrictive agreements. Undertaking of fundamental principle The proposed amendment would introduce the concept of undertaking of fundamental principle. The Hungarian Competition Authority (HCA) would be able to determine in the context of a competition supervision procedure that an undertaking is of cross-market significance for competition and consumers. To do so, the
Kinstellar advises Wizz Air on the lease of its headquarters in Hungary
Kinstellar has successfully advised Wizz Air in connection with the preparation and negotiation of a lease agreement for its new office headquarters in Millennium Tower, Budapest. The deal is one of the largest transactions of its kind on the Hungarian real estate market recently. Our team advised on various legal aspects throughout the transaction, the subject of which is the lease of more than 8,000 sqm in a Class A office building in Budapest. Kinstellar’s team was led by Partner Annamária Csenterics (Co-Head of the Hungarian Corporate/M&A service line) and Of Counsel Mónika Frank (Co-Head of the Hungarian Real Estate service line) and supported by Associate Judit Sós.
Kinstellar advises MAVIR and HUPX on joining Central and Southeast Europe’s largest electricity trading hub
Kinstellar has successfully advised the Hungarian Power Exchange (HUPX), together with the Hungarian Transmission System Operator, MAVIR, on the landmark Project Bluesky transaction: the Hungarian Power Exchange, HUPX’s joining Adex, a leading regional power exchange serving Central and South-Eastern Europe (CSEE). This transaction marks a significant milestone in strengthening and expanding the reach of the regional power exchange group within the region. Adex Group Ltd., which includes operators of power exchanges in Slovenia and Serbia, is recognized as the first regional energy exchange. With this transaction, HUPX becomes the third fully-owned subsidiary of Adex Group Ltd. Subject to regulatory approvals from
Kinstellar to continue the operation of Noerr’s CEE practice in the Czech Republic, Romania & Slovakia
Noerr and Kinstellar are very pleased to announce that Noerr’s practices in Bratislava, Bucharest and Prague are to be transferred to Kinstellar. Noerr and Kinstellar have agreed to transfer these practices after the details of the integration are fully worked out. Several important operational and technical aspects, including investments in IT systems, leasehold premises are being worked out and the deal will complete after all necessary regulatory consents and internal approvals have been obtained. Noerr delivers the highest level of service to its clients. For many years, the law firm has successfully pursued a strategy of qualitative growth. Noerr has operated offices in CEE since 1990 and is very proud of the accomplishments
Kinstellar advises Nestlé on the sale of BOCI chocolate brand in Hungary
Kinstellar has successfully advised the world-leading food company Nestlé on the sale of the iconic Hungarian chocolate brand 'BOCI,' with a heritage spanning nearly a century, to Cerbona, a prominent Hungarian food manufacturing company. Closing is scheduled to take place in May 2024. Kinstellar advised on transactional, commercial law, competition law as well as intellectual property matters. Notably, the transaction involved intricate intellectual property assets, adding complexity and challenge to the process. Kinstellar team was led by Gábor Gelencsér, Partner, supported by Gergely Simon Lipták, Associate. The team also included Dániel Nagy, Managing Associate (IP law), Péter Vörös, Partner
The AI Act is adopted, what to do now?
On March 13th the EU Parliament adopted the AI Act, marking a significant milestone in shaping the region's AI landscape. The Act will be published in the Official Journal of the European Union, and 20 days after publication, the AI Act will enter into force. Although it will take two full years until the grace period passes and almost all provisions will be applicable, AI providers should be aware of the detailed schedule of applicability. In addition, as the AI Act has extraterritorial scope, it does not only concern the 27 Member States of the European Union, but any AI provider worldwide whose AI systems are placed on the market or put into service in the EU. The first deadline expires in six months, as the rules
Kinstellar announces new promotions to Counsel
February 2024 – Kinstellar is delighted to announce the promotions to Counsel of: Yerlan Akhmetov, Kuanysh Shekerbekov (Almaty, Kazakhstan), Cătălin Dinu, Cătălin Graure (Bucharest, Romania), Barnabás Sági (Budapest, Hungary), Yulia Eismont, Maksym Tesliar (Kyiv, Ukraine), Michal Forýtek (Prague, Czech Republic), Andrijana Kaštelan, Vedran Kopilović, Marija Vuchetich (Zagreb, Croatia). ALMATY Yerlan Akhmetov focuses on banking and finance, M&A and capital markets matters. Having been with the Firm for nine years, Yerlan has earned a reputation for cultivating strong client relationships, demonstrating leadership qualities and making significant contributions to our firm's success. He has played a key role