25.7.2008
News

Directive on cross-border mergers in banking, insurance and securities adopted in first reading

In March European Parliament (“Parliament”) gave a first reading of a directive to change European rules on how mergers of banks and other financial institutions are approved. Since the text adopted has already been agreed in informal negotiations with the Council, the proposals should enter force without further changes.

The text adopted includes the following provisions, among others:

  1. where the European Commission (“Commission”) proposed that supervisory authorities decide within 30 working days of being notified of a proposed acquisition, the new text sets the limit at 60 working days; 
  2. the relevant supervisory authority may interrupt this period to ask for necessary additional information from the proposed acquirer, as long as it does so no more than 50 days into the period; the interruption can be for up to 20 working days (or 30 in the case of non-EU acquirers or those not already subject to financial supervision under EU directives); 
  3. it is made clear that Member States may not impose more stringent requirements than those set out in the directives as amended.

Other articles

28.7.2025
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Smetanova Litomyšl Comes to a Close with Music and a Message of Solidarity

This year’s edition of the Smetanova Litomyšl festival concluded with the concert Grand Finale – An American Story, held under the patronage of our firm. In addition to delivering a remarkable musical experience, the evening also served a charitable purpose: proceeds supported the Olga Havel Foundation (Výbor dobré vůle – Nadace Olgy Havlové), helping young people from disadvantaged backgrounds pursue their education.
8.7.2025
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Advising J&T on the preparation of another bond programme – the Europacity Berlin project.

KŠB provided legal advice to its long-standing client, the J&T group, in connection with the preparation of another bond programme, this time related to the Europacity Berlin project. The base prospectus has already been approved by the Czech National Bank, and the first final terms have been prepared for an issue in the amount of CZK 3 billion. The advisory team at KŠB included Josef Kříž, under the partner supervision of Martin Krejčí. Vlastimil Pihera.
7.7.2025
News

A Distinguished June Visit to KŠB: Gisela Bergmann, Princess of Liechtenstein

Before the start of the summer holidays, we had the honour of welcoming an exceptional guest to our Prague office – Gisela Bergmann, Princess of Liechtenstein, CEO and managing director of Industrie- und Finanzkontor Ets., a leading Liechtenstein-based trust company with a long tradition and extensive experience in protecting family wealth and values.