Regulatory Attorney – Banking & Finance (Associate to Partner)

About the role

The firm is seeking a Regulatory Attorney to join its Banking and Finance Regulatory Department in Cape Town/Johannesburg. You will work across a broad spectrum of financial services regulation, advising banks, insurers, fintechs and capital‑market participants on licensing, conduct, prudential and market‑integrity matters.

Key responsibilities

• Draft regulatory opinions, policies, frameworks and submissions to regulators.
• Manage licensing applications, regulatory approvals and engagements with the Prudential Authority, FSCA, SARB and other bodies.
• Conduct extensive legal research and advise on South African financial‑services legislation.
• Provide advice on the Banks Act, Financial Sector Regulation Act, COFI, FAIS Act, Financial Markets Act, Insurance Act, National Payment System Act, data‑privacy and AML legislation.
• Apply knowledge of contract law, crypto assets, AI and administrative law (PAJA) to client matters.
• Independently handle smaller regulatory matters and support larger advisory mandates.
• Assist senior team members on complex regulatory and policy projects.
• Draft contracts and loan agreements.

Required profile

• Admitted attorney with a minimum of 3 years post‑admission experience in financial‑services regulation.
• Resilient self‑starter with strong intellectual curiosity and a keen interest in financial‑markets regulatory frameworks.
• Highly motivated team player with excellent organisational skills and clear, concise communication.

Required skills

• FinTech regulatory knowledge, including payments and crypto‑asset tokenisation.
• In‑depth understanding of South African statutes: Banks Act, Financial Sector Regulation Act, COFI framework, FAIS Act, Financial Markets Act, Insurance Act, National Credit Act, National Payment System Act, Protection of Personal Information Act, AML legislation, Companies Act, Collective Investment Schemes Control Act.
• Strong grasp of contract law and administrative law (PAJA).