Schiemann, Axel

Axel Schiemann

Partner

axel.schiemann@lw.com
    Schiemann, Axel

    Axel Schiemann

    Partner

    axel.schiemann@lw.com
    “An expert on FinTech and crypto-assets.”

    Chambers FinTech 2025

    Ranked – FinTech Legal (Germany)

    Chambers FinTech 2025

    "Very service-oriented, always goes the extra mile and is never to shy to take a call. He works well and is calm under pressure."

    Chambers FinTech 2024

    "An accomplished regulatory law expert and has an impressing depth and breadth of experience."

    The Legal 500 EMEA 2024

    "Many years of experience and expertise."

    The Legal 500 EMEA 2024

    "Good, close collaboration; a highly esteemed peer."

    JUVE 2024/2025

    Frequently recommended for Banking and Regulatory

    JUVE 2025/2026

    "A superb lawyer."

    Chambers FinTech 2023

    "Axel Schiemann is an excellent banking regulatory expert with in–depth regulatory expertise."

    The Legal 500 EMEA 2023

    One of the best lawyers in Germany for Financial Regulatory

    Handelsblatt Best Lawyers 2020-2025

    Profile

    Axel Schiemann is a financial regulatory partner who advises German and global clients on a full spectrum of domestic and cross-border regulatory issues and transactions in the financial sector. He is a member of the firm’s Financial Institutions Group.

    Axel regularly advises on:

    • Prudential supervision of banks and investment firms (including CRR/CRDIV)
    • Securities related compliance (including MAR, MiFID/MiFID II)
    • Mergers and acquisitions in the financial industry
    • Issuance of regulatory capital instruments
    • Litigation in the financial sector
    • Regulatory enforcement and investigations
    • Bank recovery and resolution
    • Corporate governance and remuneration systems
    • IT/Outsourcing
    • Fintech and ICOs
    • Brexit-related issues

    Prior to joining Latham, Axel served in different in-house roles in the financial industry.

    Axel frequently writes and speaks on financial regulatory issues. For example, he is co-author of a commentary on Securities Compliance (Wertpapier-Compliance in der Praxis) and a commentary on the German Supervisory Act on Payment Services (ZAG - Kommentar zum Zahlungsdiensteaufsichtsgesetz).

    Experience

    Non-Contentious Regulatory Matters

    • A number of investment banks in relation to MiFID II implementation projects
    • Global trading platform operator on the establishment of a German subsidiary and the application of a MiFID II license
    • Global investment banking boutique on Brexit-related issues and applying for a license to provide financial services in Germany

    Contentious Regulatory Matters

    • German bank in connection with investigation proceedings by the European Central Bank under the European Single Supervisory Mechanism (SSM)
    • German bank in connection with a special audit by the German Federal Financial Supervisory Authority regarding compliance with minimum risk management requirements
    • German bank in connection with additional SREP capital requirements

    Fintech and ICOs

    • Global trading platform operator in connection with license requirements for crypto asset trading and custody services
    • European bank on offering of mobile payment solution to German merchants
    • German corporate in connection with a contemplated ICO in the energy sector
    • German corporate in connection with the establishment of a crypto asset trading business

    M&A Transactions in the Financial Sector

    • Apollo Global Management
      • Acquisition of a significant participation in BKB Bremer Kreditbank AG
      • Acquisition of a qualifying holding in Oldenburgische Landesbank AG
      • Acquisition of Wüstenrot Bank AG by Bremer Kreditbank 
      • Intended acquisition of HSH Nordbank AG
    • Hg on acquiring MediFox-group (including a German regulated factoring business) and Mobility Concept (a German regulated leasing company)
    • Inflexion on the acquisition of Finanzen.net from Axel Springer
    • La Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec (CDPQ) on the acquisition of General Atlantic and H.I.G. Capital’s investment in FNZ
    • Seven2 on the acquisition of a majority stake in HRK LUNIS as well as on the merger of HRK LUNIS with Grossbötzl, Schmitz & Partner
    • ZAVA Global on the sale to listed US-based Hims & Hers Health, Inc.

    Qualifications

    Bar Qualification

    • Rechtsanwalt (Germany)

    Education

    • Second German State Exam, Regional Court, Nuremberg-Fuerth, 2008
    • First German State Exam, University of Bayreuth, 2006
    • Betriebswirt (BA), Wirtschaftsakademie Schleswig-Holstein, 1999
    • Bankkaufmann, Industrie- und Handelskammer zu Kiel, 1998

    Practices

    Industries

    Recognition

    Badges and Logos_Law360_Fintech Group of the Year_2024
    February 20, 2025 Recognition

    Fintech Group of the Year: Latham

    Firm honored by Law360 for advising startups, financial institutions, VCs, digital asset and Web3 participants, and corporations on their most innovative and complex transactions, investigations, litigation, and regulatory matters.

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    News & Insights

    metal structure similar to spaceship interior in blue light
    November 14, 2025 Resource

    Lexology Panoramic 2025 Equity Derivatives Guide

    The guide enables side-by-side comparison of critical equity derivatives issues across the key jurisdictions of France, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, Switzerland, United Kingdom, and USA. Reproduced with permission from Law Business Research Ltd. This article was first published in Lexology Panoramic – Equity Derivatives 2025.
    Read More