Catherine Neo

Partner

Catherine specialises in advising financial institutions on a broad range of regulatory issues.

She has over a decade of experience advising banks, market operators, securities and derivatives dealers, fund managers, insurers, fintech firms and other financial institutions on various regulatory issues. These include: licensing requirements in relation to the offer of financial services and products; ongoing conduct of business requirements, such as outsourcing; and approval and notification requirements in relation to the acquisition, sale and subsidiarisation of regulated entities and businesses, such as banks, fund managers, insurers and moneylenders.

Catherine has assisted numerous clients that wish to establish a presence, or expand their presence, in Singapore successfully obtain the requisite licences. Her experience includes drafting and reviewing terms and conditions and account opening documentation.

She also has experience in advising financial institutions and corporates on derivatives transactions. These include drafting and reviewing of derivatives documentation and providing capacity, netting and collateral opinions.

Catherine also regularly assists clients with the submission of industry comments on a collective basis to regulators on various proposed changes to regulatory requirements.

Catherine is noted and recommended for her expertise in financial services regulatory work in The Legal 500 Asia Pacific. Clients have commented that she is “reliable, balanced, and always approachable” and “practical, solution-oriented and approachable”.

Chambers Asia-Pacific describes Catherine as “an up-and-coming lawyer in the banking & finance regulatory space. She is well placed to liaise with the MAS in obtaining regulatory approvals and licences for banks and financial institutions”, and cites client’s feedback that “Catherine is knowledgeable, considered, and approachable. She is a reliable sounding board”.

Catherine is also recognised as a Notable Practitioner in IFLR1000.

Catherine joined Allen & Gledhill in 2006 as a pupil and has been a Partner since 2014.