A new publication from the UK’s financial regulator signals to firms that they should take steps to manage risks in the use of AI. By Stuart Davis, Fiona M. Maclean, Gabriel Lakeman, and Imaan Nazir The UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has published its latest board minutes highlighting its increasing focus on artificial intelligence (AI), … Continue Reading
As the pace of reform increases, we take a look at key developments and the timeline ahead. Significant progress has been made on the Edinburgh Reforms since they were announced in December 2022, with developments gathering pace before the summer break. Given the breadth and speed of the reforms, now is a good time to … Continue Reading
Regulator clarifies that existing FCA rules will continue to apply but will also reflect the evolving landscape of financial promotions on social media. By Nicola Higgs, Stuart Davis, Fiona Maclean, Gabriel Lakeman, and Gary Whitehead On 17 July 2023, the FCA published a guidance consultation (GC23/2) relating to financial promotions on social media. Acknowledging that … Continue Reading
The FCA reveals its initial thinking on the regulatory framework for primary multilateral trading facilities and public offer platforms. By Chris Horton, James Inness, Anna Ngo, and Johannes Poon On 13 July 2023, the FCA published its fifth and sixth engagement papers to solicit discussion and feedback on the regulation of public offer platforms and … Continue Reading
UK regulator follows the European Securities and Markets Authority in clarifying the scope of the trading venue perimeter. By Nicola Higgs and Sidhartha Lal On 5 July 2023, the FCA published its Policy Statement (PS23/11) containing final guidance on the trading venue perimeter, following its September 2022 consultation on the same matter. The new guidance … Continue Reading
With the implementation deadline looming, the FCA has set out some additional guidance for firms. By Nicola Higgs, Becky Critchley, Effie Stathaki, and Charlotte Collins With one month to go until the Consumer Duty (Duty) implementation deadline of 31 July 2023 (for new and existing products and services that are open for sale or renewal), … Continue Reading
By David Berman, Nicola Higgs, Rob Moulton, and Beck Critchley With the Consumer Duty application date of 31 July 2023 fast approaching, this briefing reviews the ongoing obligations that apply to the boards of FCA-regulated firms under the Consumer Duty, including (1) embedding good customer outcomes, (2) ongoing monitoring, and (3) the annual assessment. Authored … Continue Reading
The FCA has published the findings from its review of firms’ fair value assessment frameworks and set out implementation priorities for firms. By David Berman, Nicola Higgs, Rob Moulton, Becky Critchley, and Charlotte Collins On 10 May 2023, the FCA published a speech by Sheldon Mills, FCA Executive Director, Consumers and Competition, on the countdown … Continue Reading
Proposals dramatically reduce the regulatory burden on listed companies. By James Inness, Anna Ngo, and Johannes Poon On 3 May 2023, the FCA published a consultation paper CP23/10 which sets out a blueprint for changes to the UK listing regime. The key reform proposed is that the existing premium and standard listing segments would be … Continue Reading
The Consumer Duty applies to firms that materially influence consumer outcomes. By Becky Critchley and Effie Stathaki The Consumer Duty (Duty) (as set out in the FCA’s Policy Statement PS22/9 and guidance document FG22/5) will come into force at the end of July 2023. The Duty applies across the distribution chain – namely, to all … Continue Reading
The Future Regulatory Framework and Consumer Duty will be key areas of focus for the coming year. By Rob Moulton, Nicola Higgs, David Berman, Becky Critchley, and Charlotte Collins On 5 April 2023, the FCA published its Business Plan for 2023/24. The Business Plan sets out a number of priority areas for the regulator, tied … Continue Reading
The consultation considers what a potential regulatory regime would look like, and its proposed scope. By Nicola Higgs, Paul A. Davies, Becky Critchley, Anne Mainwaring, Ella McGinn, and Charlotte Collins On 30 March 2023, HM Treasury published a consultation on regulating ESG ratings providers, which ties in with and was published alongside the UK government’s … Continue Reading
The tone of the papers suggests that a fundamental reform of the Regime will be unlikely. By Rob Moulton, David Berman, Jonathan Ritson-Candler, and Charlotte Collins On 30 March 2023, the PRA and the FCA published a joint Discussion Paper (FCA DP23/3 and PRA DP1/23) seeking feedback on the Senior Managers and Certification Regime (SMCR). … Continue Reading
FCA chief executive’s speech indicates an exciting transition to a lighter regime and a true single listing segment. By James Inness, Anna Ngo, and Johannes Poon On 29 March 2023, FCA Chief Executive Nikhil Rathi delivered a speech at the Global Investment Management Summit on the topic “Reforming our capital markets ecosystem”. He announced that … Continue Reading
The regulator is concerned that ESG-related disclosures are not meeting expectations. By Nicola Higgs, Becky Critchley, Anne Mainwaring, Ella McGinn, and Charlotte Collins The FCA has published a Dear CEO letter sent to benchmark administrators on 20 March 2023, expressing concerns about the quality of their ESG-related disclosures. The FCA’s concerns are based upon a … Continue Reading
The letters ask senior management to prioritise implementing the Duty. By David Berman, Nicola Higgs, Rob Moulton, Becky Critchley, Ella McGinn, Jaime O’Connell, and Dianne Bell On 3 February 2023, the FCA published Dear CEO/Director letters underscoring the immediate (i.e., during the implementation period up until 31 July 2023) and longer-term expectations, priorities, and demands under the Consumer Duty. For further information, see Latham’s … Continue Reading
The FCA has reviewed firms’ progress to embed the Duty into their businesses, providing good and poor practice examples for firms to improve and direct their implementation work. By Nicola Higgs, Becky Critchley, Jaime O’Connell, and Dianne Bell The Consumer Duty (Duty) rules (as set out under the FCA’s Policy Paper (PS22/9) and guidance document FG22/5) come into force at … Continue Reading
The discussion paper aims to encourage industry-wide dialogue on sustainability related-governance, incentives, and competence. By Anne Mainwaring, Sara Sayma, and Dianne Bell On 10 February 2023, the FCA published DP23/1: Finance for positive sustainable change: governance, incentives and competence in regulated firms. The FCA considers that a firm’s governance, purpose, and culture are central to … Continue Reading
A consultation that will remain open until 11 April 2023 offers further clarity on the proposals to regulate buy-now-pay-later products. By Rob Moulton, Becky Critchley, Ella McGinn, and Dianne Bell On 14 February 2023, HM Treasury published its consultation and accompanying draft legislation on the regulation of buy-now-pay-later (BNPL) lending. The consultation follows the proposals … Continue Reading
The regulator described the steps it is taking to increase scrutiny of advertisements about financial products and services on social media platforms. By Rob Moulton, Jonathan Ritson-Candler, and Sara Sayma On 3 February 2023 the FCA published an analysis of its financial promotions data for 2022. The data reflects the action taken against authorised firms … Continue Reading
By David Berman, Sarah Gadd, Nicola Higgs, Rob Moulton, Becky Critchley, and Nell Perks The FCA’s latest report into D&I highlights the need for additional metrics, social mobility, firm culture, staff development, data quality, and systematic strategies. In 2021 and 2022, the FCA carried out a survey of firms in respect of their approach to … Continue Reading
Monitoring the progress of the Financial Services and Markets Bill and regulatory divergence between the UK and the EU will continue as a key theme in 2023. The Financial Services and Markets Bill leaves a significant amount of the essential regulatory detail to be developed later by HM Treasury (through regulations), followed by development of … Continue Reading
The case provides instructive practical examples of the “reasonable steps” companies can take according to the FCA and a reminder of the FCA’s cultural expectations of CEOs. By David Berman, Jonathan Ritson-Candler, and Sean Wells On 16 November 2022, the FCA issued a final notice (Final Notice) to the former CEO of Sonali Bank (UK) … Continue Reading
The FCA hopes the proposals will protect consumer trust in ESG-related financial products and help consumers navigate the increasingly complex ESG-related financial market. By Paul A. Davies, Nicola Higgs, Michael D. Green, James Bee, and Anne Mainwaring On 25 October 2022, the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) issued a consultation paper (the Consultation Paper) on Sustainability Disclosure Requirements (SDR) … Continue Reading
