Mark Chorazak is Head of the U.S. Bank Regulatory practice and a partner in the Global Financial Institutions Advisory & Financial Regulatory Group. He is also Co-Chair of the firm’s FinTech initiative. His practice centers on providing strategic bank regulatory advice to domestic and foreign banks, non-bank financial institutions, and financial technology firms.

Mark’s expertise covers the full spectrum of banking law, from traditional bank regulatory issues to cutting-edge regulatory and legislative developments. He regularly counsels on issues arising under key U.S. banking laws, including the Dodd-Frank Act, the Bank Holding Company Act, the Change in Bank Control Act, the International Banking Act, the Bank Secrecy Act, and the Bank Service Company Act. Among other areas, Mark advises on authority and control questions, fintech and financial innovation issues, chartering and expansionary proposals, corporate governance practices, affiliate transaction restrictions, Volcker Rule compliance, anti-money laundering and sanctions compliance, and enforcement actions. In addition, he advises on capital and debt offerings and private investments in bank and non-bank financial institutions. He has obtained regulatory approvals on a wide range of transactions, including for some of the largest bank mergers.

Mark has been recognized as a leader in the financial services space, including by Chambers USA, where clients described him as “incredibly knowledgeable” and “highly perceptive.” He is also recognized as a “Rising Star” by IFLR1000. Prior to private practice, Mark was a law clerk for the Hon. John W. Noble, Delaware Court of Chancery.

Bank Regulatory Advisory

• Advice on a range of issues arising under the Bank Holding Company Act; the Federal Reserve Act; the National Bank Act; the International Banking Act; and the Federal Deposit Insurance Act; and related regulations of the Federal Reserve, the OCC, and the FDIC
• U.S. and non-U.S. bank holding companies on compliance with the Federal Reserve’s enhanced prudential standards, including intermediate holding company requirements and related corporate governance issues
• Financial institutions on various unique and unprecedented financial crisis-related matters
• Asset managers in understanding and assessing systemic risk designation issues
• Financial holding companies on legal authority issues and structuring considerations, including for physical commodity trading and energy management activities and merchant banking

Bank M&A, Investments, and Divestitures

• Numerous regional banks in high-profile mergers and expansionary proposals
• Numerous private equity funds in non-controlling investments in banking organizations and acquisitions of wealth management businesses
• Foreign banks in U.S. bank acquisitions and the establishment of federal branches and representative offices, including the first Chilean financial institution to own a bank in the United States
• Various bank holding companies and foreign banking organizations in their strategic, non-controlling investments
• Numerous U.S. banks on divestitures involving branches and scrutinized business units
• Acquirers and potential bidders in FDIC-assisted transactions involving failed banks

FinTech

• Advice to U.S. and foreign financial institutions on regulatory approvals to acquire financial technology companies, including payment processers and money transfer services companies
• Advice on fintech-bank partnerships

Enforcement and Examination

• Various U.S. banks on their regulatory examination and enforcement issues, including discussions of enforcement orders with the Federal Reserve, the OCC, and the New York State Department Financial Services
• Examinations and supervisory inquiries involving technology service providers by member agencies of the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council

Capital Markets

• Advice on the regulatory aspects of numerous IPOs, debt financing, and common and preferred stock offerings for banking organizations, financial services companies, and underwriters
• Advice on VRDNs, VRDPs, TOBs, and other products, including regulatory considerations relating to liquidity providers

Professional Affiliations

• Co-Chair, Legislation and Regulation Subcommittee, Banking Law Committee, American Bar Association
• Banking Law Committee, New York City Bar Association
• Board of Advisors, Center for Banking and Finance, UNC School of Law

Awards & Accolades

• Ranked by Chambers USA for Financial Services Regulation
• Recognized as a “Rising Star” by IFLR1000 2020
• Law360 Fintech Editorial Advisory Board

Speaking Engagements

• “Regulatory Challenges for Fintechs Entering the U.S. Market,” Innovate Finance Global Summit, UK Fintech Week (April 17, 2023)

Publications

• Co-Author, “New York State Finalizes Significant Amendment to Part 500 Cybersecurity Regulation,” American Bar Association (December 22, 2023)

Media Coverage

• American Banker, “Liquidity crisis could spark a long, slow trickle of bank failures” (April 11, 2023)