With attorneys and staff worldwide, Bryan Cave attorneys are often quoted in the news. Recent Media Mentions of Financial Institutions Group attorneys include:
Blanchard in ABA Banking Journal, Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Atlanta partner Jerry Blanchard authored an article April 13, in the ABA Banking Journal regarding recent cases that could spur review of “tried and true” loan contracts. Blanchard gave an overview of the recent $75 million judgment against Delta Community Credit Union in Georgia. Click here to read the full article. He was quoted April 8 in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution regarding the FDIC’s decision to seek penalties against certain officials of failed Georgia banks in instances where alleged malfeasance, not failed strategies, led to the bank’s failure. Speaking in general about failed bank litigation, Blanchard said he expects most cases to be settled before ever reaching trial. “Most failed Georgia banks collapsed because of betting too heavily on a housing and commercial real estate bubble that burst, not because of intentional wrongdoing,” Blanchard said. Click here to read the full article.
Hightower in Bank Safety & Soundness Advisor
Atlanta attorney Jonathan Hightower was quoted April 2 in the Bank Safety & Soundness Advisor regarding plans by the FDIC to implement enforcement actions in Georgia, the effect of which would be to make public a number of previously unpublished consent orders from regulators demanding improvements at various community banks. “The publicity of the orders at a time like this is unfortunate to say the least,” Hightower said. “The public’s perception of a consent order can be much worse than the reality. It’s troubling when a bank working successfully for a period of time gets new publicity for the same consent order. The public perception may be that its ability to survive is in question.”
Klingler in Bank Safety & Soundness Advisor
Atlanta partner Robert Klingler was quoted April 2 in the Bank Safety & Soundness Advisor concerning the JOBS (Jumpstart Our Business Startups) Act. The bill will impact community banks by dramatically increasing the number of shareholders a company can have before it is required to register with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) — which brings with it numerous costly and time-consuming reporting requirements. “If passed, this could cause a significant number of community banks to reconsider whether SEC registration is an appropriate cost for their shareholders, and may enable a significant number of public bank holding companies to ‘go dark’ without engaging in a ‘going private’ transaction, while also increasing the possibility of larger institutions that may exceed the new 1,200 trigger considering a going private transaction,” Klingler is quoted as writing in a client alert.
Moeling in American Banker
Atlanta partner Walt Moeling was quoted April 13 by American Banker regarding the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act, which President Obama signed into law earlier this month. It allows companies to deregister from the Securities and Exchange Commission if they have 1,200 or fewer shareholders, compared to the previous threshold of 300. Industry observers say more than 500 banking companies could take advantage of the change. Moeling said deregistration could be a good thing for many banks. “I’ve always considered the proxy statements for reporting companies to be a major impediment to getting information to shareholders,” he said. “It takes too long and is artificial. You have to be so cautious about what you say.” Moeling said while the fighting might be juicier without SEC oversight, it won’t necessarily be nastier.” I don’t think it will rise to the level of presidential campaigning,” he said. “Even without the SEC review, it will still be fairly civilized.”
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.