Christopher P. Chris Couch

Christopher P. Chris Couch

Banking and Finance Law

3.0 (1 reviews)
Birmingham, Alabama
10+ years experience
Phelps Dunbar LLP
Updated:

Contact Information

2025 3rd Avenue North, Suite 1000, Birmingham, AL 35203
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Bio

Christopher P. (“Chris”) Couch advises banks and other financial institutions on regulatory and operational matters as well as on compliance with banking and lending laws, rules, and regulations. He counsels national, regional, and community banks with respect to deposit operations, payment systems, treasury management products, consumer regulatory regimes, and new services offerings, including electronic and mobile banking.Chris also represents financial institutions, finance companies, and private investors in commercial loan transactions, direct and indirect lending programs, loan purchases and sales, and mergers and acquisitions. He also advises such entities in structuring and negotiating vendor and technology contracts, including issues of data privacy and cybersecurity.Chris advises privately held businesses and start-ups in all aspects of entity formation, corporate finance, corporate governance, and mergers and acquisitions. He counsels technology, consumer products, restaurant, real estate, and manufacturing clients in structuring their businesses to attract private capital and to maximize exit potential and advises fund sponsors and institutional investors in fund formation and deployment.Chris previously served as general counsel for an alternative energy company that developed private equity-backed industrial projects. In that role, he represented the company in connection with corporate and commercial finance matters, securities issuances, and investor-relations; directed legal matters; and led corporate and business strategy initiatives. Christopher P. (“Chris”) Couch advises banks and other financial institutions on regulatory and operational matters as well as on compliance with banking and lending laws, rules, and regulations. He counsels national, regional, and community banks with respect to deposit operations, payment systems, treasury management products, consumer regulatory regimes, and new services offerings, including electronic and mobile banking. Chris also represents financial institutions, finance companies, and private investors in commercial loan transactions, direct and indirect lending programs, loan purchases and sales, and mergers and acquisitions. He also advises such entities in structuring and negotiating vendor and technology contracts, including issues of data privacy and cybersecurity. Chris advises privately held businesses and start-ups in all aspects of entity formation, corporate finance, corporate governance, and mergers and acquisitions. He counsels technology, consumer products, restaurant, real estate, and manufacturing clients in structuring their businesses to attract private capital and to maximize exit potential and advises fund sponsors and institutional investors in fund formation and deployment. Chris previously served as general counsel for an alternative energy company that developed private equity-backed industrial projects. In that role, he represented the company in connection with corporate and commercial finance matters, securities issuances, and investor-relations; directed legal matters; and led corporate and business strategy initiatives.

Practice Areas

Banking and Finance Law

Awards & Recognition

  • Recognized: Banking and Finance Law
  • Recognized: Commercial Finance Law
  • Recognized: Financial Services Regulation Law
  • Recognized: FinTech Practice
  • Practice Area: Commercial Litigation
  • Practice Area: Corporate Law
  • Practice Area: Mergers and Acquisitions Law
  • Practice Area: Securities / Capital Markets Law
  • Practice Area: Venture Capital Law
  • Birmingham Business Journal - Best of the Bar, 2021
  • Alabama Super Lawyers “Rising Star”, 2011
  • Martindale-Hubbell™ AV Preeminent® Peer Review Rated Attorney
  • Birmingham Business Journal – Top 40 Under 40, 2013
  • Birmingham Magazine “Top Attorneys” in Banking Law and Corporate Finance, 2012–2014

Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2016

Education

  • Vanderbilt University, MBA, graduated 2015
  • Pepperdine University, Certificate, Private Capital Markets, graduated 2012
  • The University of Alabama, JD, graduated 2002

Reviews

J

Justin Harris

2 weeks ago

Competent on regulatory matters, but communication could improve

I engaged Chris Couch at Phelps Dunbar for guidance on a complex loan portfolio review for our regional bank. His deep knowledge of banking regulations and commercial finance law was evident. He efficiently navigated the nuances of financial services compliance, and his background from Vanderbilt and his recognized expertise in this niche were reassuring. The work product was technically sound and addressed the regulatory concerns we had. However, the experience felt somewhat transactional. There were periods where responses to follow-up emails took several days, which created some internal delays on our end. While his advice was always correct, I sometimes wished for more proactive communication about potential hurdles or a clearer timeline at the outset. For straightforward regulatory analysis, Chris is certainly capable, but for matters requiring more frequent touchpoints or strategic partnership, the execution felt just adequate. He resolved our immediate issue, but the process lacked the seamless collaboration I had hoped for.

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