With offices all over the world, Bryan Cave attorneys are often quoted in the news. Recent Media Mentions of Financial Institutions Group attorneys include:
Hightower on BankDirector.com
Atlanta Associate Jonathan Hightower authored an article Nov. 18 for BankDirector.com concerning the pitfalls for banks negotiating lease renewals with insiders. “During the mid-2000s, it was commonplace for a bank, particularly a de novo bank, to lease some or all of their bank facilities from an entity controlled by the bank’s directors,” he wrote. “Most bank directors understand their duty to act in the best interests of the bank, but they are also facing personal financial exposure if the lease is not renewed on terms that allow the [director-owned] entity to continue to service its debt obligations. In addition, given public scrutiny of directors and officers who are perceived to have profited at the expense of the bank they serve, creating a proper process to manage these situations has never been more important.” Click here to read the full article.
McAlpin on BankDirector.com
Atlanta Partner Jim McAlpin authored the second article in a series on “best practices” for bank directors Dec. 2 for BankDirector.com. ”A bank board is like any other working group in that the direction and decisions of a board can be heavily influenced by members who dominate the conversation, or by members who actively discourage discussion or dissent,” wrote McAlpin, who offers tips to help all board members achieve meaningful participation. Click here to read the full article.
Moeling in Bank Director
Atlanta Partner Walt Moeling was quoted in the fourth quarter 2011 issue of Bank Director on challenges facing new directors now and in the near future. “Business plans become much more realistic when they start out with the big picture rather than “do we really want a Wal-Mart greeter in the lobby?” Moeling said. ”Are we going to build for five years and sell? Are we going to acquire? Are we going to stay local or expand?”
Recent media mentions of attorneys in the financial institutions practice include Hightower in American Banker
Atlanta Associate Jonathan Hightower was quoted in the August edition of American Banker (reprinted in the related Bank Technology News) regarding the Office of Financial Research (OFR), which was created by the sprawling financial regulatory reform bill. While created to keep tabs on systemically important institutions, Hightower said the OFR’s data requests likely will trickle down to many smaller institutions. Click here to read the article.
Bryan Cave LLP welcomes John ReVeal and Jonathan Hightower to the firm’s Financial Institutions group. Both Mr. ReVeal and Hightower returned to Bryan Cave on on March 1, 2010.
John ReVeal
As a former Powell Goldstein LLP partner, Mr. ReVeal brings a wealth of experience in regulation of state and federally chartered banks and savings institutions, credit card and prepaid card issuers, mortgage lenders, consumer finance companies and other providers of financial services and products.
“The D.C. market is ripe with opportunities in the banking and finance sectors, and under John’s direction, the D.C. office will certainly expand in these areas of business” said Walt Moeling, Atlanta partner and co-head of the Financial Institutions group. “We also look forward to having John’s nationally recognized expertise available to our financial services clients located throughout Bryan Cave’s footprint,” Moeling added.
Prior to re-joining Bryan Cave, Mr. ReVeal focused on financial institution regulation and transactions as a partner in another law firm, advising banks and savings institutions on consumer protection regulations, organizational and transactional matters, bank and thrift powers, federal preemption, exportation of rates and charges, and financial institution licensing issues. He facilitates the purchase and sale of banks, thrifts, and non-bank financial institutions. Mr. ReVeal also advises on consumer protection regulations.
Mr. ReVeal earned his Juris Doctor in 1990 from the University of California at Berkeley School of Law, attending his third year at Harvard Law School. He earned a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Washington in 1987.
Jonathan Hightower
A former Powell Goldstein LLP associate, Hightower re-joined the firm’s Financial Institutions group on March 1, 2010.
Prior to re-joining the Firm, Mr. Hightower focused on financial institution, corporate and regulatory matters in a Texas office of another law firm. Throughout his career, he has represented financial institutions in mergers and acquisitions, capital raising transactions and in all types of regulatory matters. Recently, his practice has focused on capital markets transactions and on advising financial institutions facing regulatory challenges. His corporate and securities work includes public and private debt and equity securities offerings and SEC reporting. Mr. Hightower also advises financial institutions on regulatory and compliance issues, tax planning, and compliance in corporate governance.
Mr. Hightower received his J.D. with honors in 2004 from University of Georgia School of Law and his B.B.A. with honors in 2001 from the University of West Georgia.