The American Fintech Council, the largest trade association for financial technology companies and innovative banks, selected McGuireWoods to join its Legal Advisory Committee.
Phil Goldfeder, the council’s CEO, said the organization, which boasts 150 member companies and partners, chose McGuireWoods for its decades of experience guiding traditional financial institutions and emerging fintech firms through complex regulatory landscapes.
“As regulatory expectations for fintechs and bank-fintech partnerships continue to shift and expand, having unparalleled legal experience in our corner is more critical than ever,” Goldfeder said. “McGuireWoods brings a rare combination of first-hand regulatory perspective and deep, practical knowledge of both traditional financial services and cutting-edge digital innovation, making them an outstanding addition to our Legal Advisory Committee. Their insights will be invaluable as we continue to advocate for clear rules of the road that foster a transparent, inclusive, and well-regulated financial ecosystem.”
McGuireWoods represents top U.S. banks, fintech companies, crypto startups and established payment platforms. The firm’s cross-functional team integrates practical, technological and legal strategies to guide clients — including the top 10 U.S. banks ranked by assets — through complex regulatory frameworks, including a web of federal and state financial services regulations.
“We are thrilled to join the American Fintech Council and its Legal Advisory Committee during such a pivotal time for the financial services industry,” said Aaron Marienthal, co-leader of McGuireWoods’ Fintech Practice Group. “The line between traditional banking and fintech can be blurry, creating incredibly complex legal, operational and compliance challenges for companies trying to innovate responsibly. We look forward to working closely with AFC and its members to address the industry’s most pressing issues, from Earned Wage Access (EWA) and Home Equity Investments (HEI) to Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL), digital assets and open banking.”
McGuireWoods’ nationally recognized, coast-to-coast Fintech Practice Group, ranked by both Chambers USA and the Legal 500 United States, includes lawyers in the most active fintech hubs who bring a keen understanding of emerging technologies and deep experience serving the financial sector. The firm represents top U.S. banks, fintech companies, crypto startups and established payment platforms, advising on consumer lending, payment processing, embedded finance, digital assets, EWA, BNPL and open banking, while providing robust defense in financial services litigation.