---
title: Financial Institutions
date: 2023-06-12T15:38:00-04:00
author: Import Bot
canonical_url: "https://www.kelleydrye.com/industries/financial-institutions"
section: Services
---
#  Financial Institutions 

Powerful forces are redefining the financial industry. Regulatory, technology, demographics and economics are converging and forcing financial service providers to change, innovate and adapt in developing and distributing new products and services faster and cheaper.

 

 

  ![](https://d3iuizmsm2hayf.cloudfront.net/content/uploads/Hero-Objects/money_stackcoins.webp?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1880&q=80&w=1880&s=8edd7e71e29af4a997fb467ddd38a5d3)  

 

 

 

- About
- Team
- Events
 
 Kelley Drye supports financial institutions, advising our clients in cutting-edge transactions, complex and sensitive regulatory issues, and litigation matters. The group brings together a team of attorneys with regulatory, transactional, enforcement and litigation experience coupled with in-depth financial industry knowledge. Our attorneys excel at providing practical and cost-effective solutions and resolving challenging and technical issues that our financial institution clients must address on a regular basis.

Our clients look to rely on our attorneys for their comprehensive experience advising a broad range of financial institutions. We represent large, regional, foreign, commercial and retail banks, full-service national and international brokerage firms, electronic broker dealers, research boutiques, investment advisors, transfer agents, investment banks, asset managers, private equity firms, hedge funds, foreign investors, options execution firms and direct access firms.

We offer our financial industry clients in-depth industry knowledge and technical experience as our group includes both private practitioners and former SEC attorneys. We cover the credit, banking and payments markets, advising on local and multijurisdictional regulation, product development and distribution, documentation, establishment of lending and banking businesses. This is in addition to developing financial services, firm structures, governance, capitalization, and financing and commercial agreements.

Additionally, we have litigated on issues involving lender liability, financial instruments, inter-creditor disputes, loan repurchase, fraudulent conveyance, enforceability of guarantees and related credit issues. We have also litigated a variety of business disputes in the banking, insurance and securities industries and have pursued litigation on behalf of financial institutions to protect their interests and recover losses as well as defending them when they face claims.

 

      [ ![](https://d3iuizmsm2hayf.cloudfront.net/content/uploads/Bio-Photos-1200x1200/Stone_Merrill.webp?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=956&q=80&w=956&s=15c843a7c7528bcce9e6980eabb6dbdb) ![](/static/img/team-card-bg/square_team_listing_1.svg) ](https://www.kelleydrye.com/people/merrill-b-stone) ###  [Merrill B. Stone](https://www.kelleydrye.com/people/merrill-b-stone) 

Partner

 

 

   [ ![](https://d3iuizmsm2hayf.cloudfront.net/content/uploads/Bio-Photos-1200x1200/Bruzzese-Szczygiel_Pamela.webp?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=956&q=80&w=956&s=a2a40d34c045d10452892807344b6ea2) ![](/static/img/team-card-bg/square_team_listing_2.svg) ](https://www.kelleydrye.com/people/pamela-bruzzese-szczygiel) ###  [Pamela Bruzzese-Szczygiel](https://www.kelleydrye.com/people/pamela-bruzzese-szczygiel) 

Partner

 

 

   [ ![](https://d3iuizmsm2hayf.cloudfront.net/content/uploads/Bio-Photos-1200x1200/Byroade_MelissaV3.webp?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=956&q=80&w=956&s=42c51b18e1811ab4b979d60f35130a5f) ![](/static/img/team-card-bg/square_team_listing_3.svg) ](https://www.kelleydrye.com/people/melissa-e-byroade) ###  [Melissa E. Byroade](https://www.kelleydrye.com/people/melissa-e-byroade) 

Partner

 

 

   [ ![](https://d3iuizmsm2hayf.cloudfront.net/content/uploads/Bio-Photos-1200x1200/Cooperman_Jonathan.webp?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=956&q=80&w=956&s=024348391c2c63b151826c59cb783039) ![](/static/img/team-card-bg/square_team_listing_4.svg) ](https://www.kelleydrye.com/people/jonathan-k-cooperman) ###  [Jonathan K. Cooperman](https://www.kelleydrye.com/people/jonathan-k-cooperman) 

Partner

 

 

   [ ![](https://d3iuizmsm2hayf.cloudfront.net/content/uploads/Bio-Photos-1200x1200/Escobar_William_v3.webp?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=956&q=80&w=956&s=49fea5dd3b837f8281aa58ed1e6459c5) ![](/static/img/team-card-bg/square_team_listing_5.svg) ](https://www.kelleydrye.com/people/william-a-escobar) ###  [William A. Escobar](https://www.kelleydrye.com/people/william-a-escobar) 

Partner

 

 

   [ ![](https://d3iuizmsm2hayf.cloudfront.net/content/uploads/Bio-Photos-1200x1200/Foley_Brianv2.webp?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=956&q=80&w=956&s=3ddae23f43f211783fa81c810c5410be) ![](/static/img/team-card-bg/square_team_listing_6.svg) ](https://www.kelleydrye.com/people/brian-p-foley) ###  [Brian P. Foley](https://www.kelleydrye.com/people/brian-p-foley) 

Partner

 

 

   [ ![](https://d3iuizmsm2hayf.cloudfront.net/content/uploads/Bio-Photos-1200x1200/Hutnik_Alysa.webp?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=956&q=80&w=956&s=81f3bee429ddd96d224710a0e70f24a2) ![](/static/img/team-card-bg/square_team_listing_7.svg) ](https://www.kelleydrye.com/people/alysa-z-hutnik) ###  [Alysa Z. Hutnik](https://www.kelleydrye.com/people/alysa-z-hutnik) 

Partner

 

 

   [ ![](https://d3iuizmsm2hayf.cloudfront.net/content/uploads/Bio-Photos-1200x1200/Kleshinski_Courtney.webp?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=956&q=80&w=956&s=8e0a6f1447996ebb560c815479d14590) ![](/static/img/team-card-bg/square_team_listing_8.svg) ](https://www.kelleydrye.com/people/courtney-l-kleshinski) ###  [Courtney L. Kleshinski](https://www.kelleydrye.com/people/courtney-l-kleshinski) 

Partner

 

 

   [ ![](https://d3iuizmsm2hayf.cloudfront.net/content/uploads/Bio-Photos-1200x1200/Luzadder_Matthew3.webp?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=956&q=80&w=956&s=c460c5c92acdfece1abb6e57fd3e4e3f) ![](/static/img/team-card-bg/square_team_listing_9.svg) ](https://www.kelleydrye.com/people/matthew-c-luzadder) ###  [Matthew C. Luzadder](https://www.kelleydrye.com/people/matthew-c-luzadder) 

Partner

 

 

   [ ![](https://d3iuizmsm2hayf.cloudfront.net/content/uploads/Bio-Photos-1200x1200/Lynch-Michael2.webp?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=956&q=80&w=956&s=32093f8e171909c7ba4f9b8de75cd16c) ![](/static/img/team-card-bg/square_team_listing_10.svg) ](https://www.kelleydrye.com/people/michael-c-lynch) ###  [Michael C. Lynch](https://www.kelleydrye.com/people/michael-c-lynch) 

Partner

 

 

   [ ![](https://d3iuizmsm2hayf.cloudfront.net/content/uploads/Bio-Photos-1200x1200/Macleod_William.webp?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=956&q=80&w=956&s=c3f6606f3b0e35ab0ab00c04400b77ee) ![](/static/img/team-card-bg/square_team_listing_11.svg) ](https://www.kelleydrye.com/people/william-c-macleod) ###  [William C. MacLeod](https://www.kelleydrye.com/people/william-c-macleod) 

Partner

 

 

   [ ![](https://d3iuizmsm2hayf.cloudfront.net/content/uploads/Bio-Photos-1200x1200/McDowell_Donnelly.webp?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=956&q=80&w=956&s=5a9c3796ce5002d28ae8b5d15fa322a7) ![](/static/img/team-card-bg/square_team_listing_1.svg) ](https://www.kelleydrye.com/people/donnelly-l-mcdowell) ###  [Donnelly L. McDowell](https://www.kelleydrye.com/people/donnelly-l-mcdowell) 

Partner

 

 

   [ ![](https://d3iuizmsm2hayf.cloudfront.net/content/uploads/Bio-Photos-1200x1200/Merkyl_Neal.webp?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=956&q=80&w=956&s=2bec401be6667728345e8267ab8c039e) ![](/static/img/team-card-bg/square_team_listing_2.svg) ](https://www.kelleydrye.com/people/neil-merkl) ###  [Neil Merkl](https://www.kelleydrye.com/people/neil-merkl) 

Partner

 

 

   [ ![](https://d3iuizmsm2hayf.cloudfront.net/content/uploads/Bio-Photos-1200x1200/Steiner_Robert.webp?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=956&q=80&w=956&s=246bdb7dd2d91b89a56a2959ba91c27c) ![](/static/img/team-card-bg/square_team_listing_3.svg) ](https://www.kelleydrye.com/people/robert-i-steiner) ###  [Robert I. Steiner](https://www.kelleydrye.com/people/robert-i-steiner) 

Partner

 

 

   [ ![](https://d3iuizmsm2hayf.cloudfront.net/content/uploads/Bio-Photos-1200x1200/Zalman_David.webp?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=956&q=80&w=956&s=7062b014a67c1d294be905b9e40a256c) ![](/static/img/team-card-bg/square_team_listing_4.svg) ](https://www.kelleydrye.com/people/david-i-zalman) ###  [David I. Zalman](https://www.kelleydrye.com/people/david-i-zalman) 

Partner

 

 

   [ ![](https://d3iuizmsm2hayf.cloudfront.net/content/uploads/Bio-Photos-1200x1200/Feder_Benjamin_NEW2.webp?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=956&q=80&w=956&s=1fc100b727e51f6220726dff0af74e74) ![](/static/img/team-card-bg/square_team_listing_5.svg) ](https://www.kelleydrye.com/people/benjamin-d-feder) ###  [Benjamin D. Feder](https://www.kelleydrye.com/people/benjamin-d-feder) 

Special Counsel

 

 

   [ ![](https://d3iuizmsm2hayf.cloudfront.net/content/uploads/Bio-Photos-1200x1200/Gorecki_Ioana.webp?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=956&q=80&w=956&s=648ee9f5290aa0dc01d1c55dc478eee9) ![](/static/img/team-card-bg/square_team_listing_6.svg) ](https://www.kelleydrye.com/people/ioana-gorecki) ###  [Ioana Gorecki](https://www.kelleydrye.com/people/ioana-gorecki) 

Special Counsel

 

 

   [ ![](https://d3iuizmsm2hayf.cloudfront.net/content/uploads/Bio-Photos-1200x1200/Panarella_Nick.webp?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=956&q=80&w=956&s=5dce373d17509f4d2f529a2f9e4d31f9) ![](/static/img/team-card-bg/square_team_listing_7.svg) ](https://www.kelleydrye.com/people/nicholas-j-panarella) ###  [Nicholas J. Panarella](https://www.kelleydrye.com/people/nicholas-j-panarella) 

Partner and General Counsel

 

 

 

  - Past
 
  Speaking Engagement

 [   ![](https://d3iuizmsm2hayf.cloudfront.net/content/uploads/Listing-Images/Payments-Innovation_L.webp?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=750&q=80&w=1125&s=b90a456fbc364ad82a27366b6c4a76d5)  ![](https://d3iuizmsm2hayf.cloudfront.net/content/uploads/Listing-rectangles/Speaking_Engagement_Listing.svg) 

  ](https://www.kelleydrye.com/events/smarter-faster-payments-2026) 

 [  ](https://www.kelleydrye.com/events/smarter-faster-payments-2026) 

 April 26, 2026

 

 San Diego Convention Center

 

 

 

 Speaking Engagement

 [   ![](https://d3iuizmsm2hayf.cloudfront.net/content/uploads/Listing-Images/crypto.webp?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=750&q=80&w=1125&s=f4fab0a31a57bf9080495b3efad3d9dd)  ![](https://d3iuizmsm2hayf.cloudfront.net/content/uploads/Listing-rectangles/Speaking_Engagement_Listing.svg) 

  ](https://www.kelleydrye.com/events/examining-the-regulatory-outlook-for-stablecoin-and-cbdc) 

 [  ](https://www.kelleydrye.com/events/examining-the-regulatory-outlook-for-stablecoin-and-cbdc) 

 December 3, 2025

 

 Virtual Event

 

 

 

 Speaking Engagement

 [   ![](https://d3iuizmsm2hayf.cloudfront.net/content/uploads/Listing-Images/Payments-Innovation_L.webp?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=750&q=80&w=1125&s=b90a456fbc364ad82a27366b6c4a76d5)  ![](https://d3iuizmsm2hayf.cloudfront.net/content/uploads/Listing-rectangles/Speaking_Engagement_Listing.svg) 

  ](https://www.kelleydrye.com/events/payments-innovation-alliance-fall-meeting) 

 [  ](https://www.kelleydrye.com/events/payments-innovation-alliance-fall-meeting) 

 October 8, 2025

 

 Charlotte, NC

 

 

 

 Speaking Engagement

 [  ![](https://d3iuizmsm2hayf.cloudfront.net/content/uploads/Listing-rectangles/Speaking_Engagement_Listing.svg) 

  ](https://www.kelleydrye.com/events/understanding-the-impact-of-interagency-guidance-on-third-party-relationships) 

 [  ](https://www.kelleydrye.com/events/understanding-the-impact-of-interagency-guidance-on-third-party-relationships) 

 December 4, 2024

 

 Virtual Event

 

 

 

 

  

 

  

 

 

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### Contact Information

- [Merrill B. Stone](https://www.kelleydrye.com/people/merrill-b-stone)
    
    Partner
    
      (203) 351-8018  email hidden; JavaScript is required
 
 

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 July 8, 2025

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