FCA has published its finalised guidance for insurance and premium finance firms on dealing with Covid-19 and customers in temporary financial difficulty. The guidance should be complied with no later than 18 May and is...
Category - Insurance
Emma RadmoreFCA updates on Covid-19 and complaints
FCA has updated its webpage on how firms should be handling consumers’ complaints during Covid-19. The page explains that FCA has asked firms to prioritise making payments where consumers have accepted offers or...
Emma RadmoreCovid-19 insurance rules to take effect from 15 May
FCA has updated its website to state that its new guidance for insurance and premium finance firms for dealing with customers in temporary financial difficulty due to Covid-19 will now take effect from 15 May (not 13 as...
FCA sets out planned initiatives
FCA has published a grid prepared by the Financial Services Regulatory Initiatives Forum setting out the regulatory pipeline for the next 12 months. The forum comprises FCA, PRA, BoE, the PSR and the CMA, with Treasury...
FCA speaks on response to Covid-19 and Brexit
Nausicaa Delfas has spoken on FCA’s national and international response to Covid-19 and Brexit. On Covid-19, she noted: FCA’s priority to keep markets open and orderly, help firms continue to operate...
FCA updates on insurance and premises access during Covid-19
FCA has updated its webpage on insurance and coronavirus to include guidance on access to premises. It notes that some consumers may be unable to access their residential properties and some businesses may not be able...
Government sets out equivalence views
John Glen has written to the Chair of the European Scrutiny Committee explaining the Government’s stance on equivalence in financial services. The Government cannot provide great detail given the early stage of...
Industry welcomes FCA business interruption insurance action
Industry associations have welcomed FCA’s initiative to seek Court declarations on aspects of business interruption insurance cover. The ABI commented that, although the vast majority of policies do not cover...
Up next from FCA
Unsurprisingly, FCA’s recent publications have almost exclusively focused on Covid-19. However, in BAU, it still proposes: a consultation on exit fees on investment platforms and comparable firms over the summer;...
Regulator Covid-19 update 1 May
On 1 May, FCA: announced proposals for a Court declaration on business interruption claims proposed guidance for insurers on assessing whether products still offer value and appropriate action to take where they do not...
FCA seeks court ruling on business interruption insurance
FCA has announced its intention to obtain a court declaration to resolve contractual uncertainty in business interruption (“BI“) insurance cover. It is also proposing a series of measures to support both...
Professional negligence and insurance post Covid-19
Read our article about the issues professionals, their brokers and their insurers will be looking at in the light of Covid-19.
UK and Switzerland work to strengthen ties
Economiesuisse and The CityUK have been working on a joint position paper setting out how to strengthen the countries’ relationship in the time of coronavirus and in the future. In terms of financial services, the...
FCA publishes report on PPI complaint deadline
FCA has published its final report on the impact of the deadline for PPI complaints. It concludes that its 2 year communications campaign led to a significant increase in consumer awareness of the deadline and...
Regulator Covid-19 update 23 April
On 23 April: PRA followed up on its letter to insurers, noting that all insurers should consider carefully the previous letter and guidance on use of unrated assets and assessments of creditworthiness, and the...
Financial Services Bill measures
I wrote an article for Compliance Monitor on the current consultations and plans for financial services regulation under the Financial Services Bill initiative.
Regulator Covid-19 update 22 April
On 22 April FCA published a new webpage on PII cover for financial advisers. It recognises that firms may be concerned about their ability to renew their PII during the Covid-19 crisis, which may impact on their...
PRA updates on skilled persons reports
PRA has published details of the skilled persons reports it commissioned in Q3 2019/20. There were 8 in total, of which 3 related to technology and information management in banks, and 2 to controls and risk management...
FCA publishes complaints figures for H2 2019
The FCA has today published the complaints figures for regulated firms for the second half of 2019. The data showed an increase in complaints from 4.29m in the first half of 2019 to 6.02m in the second half of 2019. In...
FIN. TeamEU Council adopts sustainable finance taxonomy
The Council of the EU (“the Council“) has adopted a regulation setting out an EU-wide classification system which will enable businesses and investors to identify economic activities which are considered...
FOS updates on Covid-19 activities
The latest edition of Ombudsman News focuses on: how it is working to help complainants during the Covid-19 crisis, including on how it has changed its helpline hours – for which it apologises but asks that it...
FCA writes to CEOs on business interruption insurance
FCA has sent a Dear CEO letter on business interruption insurance for SMEs. It says its research to date indicates that most policies have basic cover, do not cover pandemics and so would not be obliged to pay out in...
PRA publishes Business Plan
PRA has published its Business Plan for 2020/21. Like FCA, PRA comments that Covid-19 has made it reassess its plans and reprioritise its work, and it will continue to assess the effects of the outbreak on its actions...
PRA consults on fees
PRA has published its consultation on fees and levies for 2020/21. The consultation covers: the fee rates to meet the Annual Funding Requirement, which has increased by 8% from the current year, primarily because of...
Regulator Covid-19 Update 8 April
On 8 April: PRA welcomed the decision by some insurance companies to pause dividends. The decisions followed PRA’s letter of 31 March; PRA’s credit union supervision team wrote to firms explaining...
FCA consults on fees
FCA has published its fees and levies proposals for 2020/2021. Covid-19 has affected FCA’s plans, and it is taking action to protect small and medium sized firms from the burden of regulatory fees. Comments are...
FCA: List of delayed workstreams (UPDATED 7 April)
We’ve scoured the FCA website to bring you a list of the workstreams that have been delayed. Through delaying these workstreams, the FCA can focus on the evolving pressures Covid-19 is putting on firms and...
Regulator Covid-19 Update 7 April
Regulatory fatigue may be starting to set in, as there were fewer regulatory announcements directly consequent on Covid-19 on 7 April. FCA made its rules on deferring commencement of various handbook provisions on...
FCA Business Plan 20/21
The FCA published its business plan for the coming year this morning. The plan focuses around 5 key priorities for the year. It has been significantly reshaped because of coronavirus as it was intended to show the...
Regulator Covid-19 Update 6 April
On 6 April, the regulators further update their Covid-19 measures: FCA updated its expectations on solo-regulated firms in respect of the SMCR; FCA published a summary of queries it has received on client assets...
Regulator Covid-19 update 3 April
On 3 April: PRA and FCA updated dual-regulated firms on how their should deal with furloughing and compliance with the SMCR; EBA published guidelines on the criteria for public and private moratoria applied before 30...
Regulator Covid-19 Update 2 April
On 2 April, the main regulatory initiative was FCA’s emergency consultation on consumer protection measures in the regulated lending markets. Also: PRA and Treasury confirmed the delay of Basel 3.1 by one year...
Parliament Committee seeks equivalence answers
The Third Report of Session of the House of Commons European Scrutiny Committee seeks clarification on the Government’s intentions for negotiations of equivalence arrangements with the EU from the end of the...
FOS confirms case fees and releases 2020/21 budget
FCA has confirmed FOS’ 2020/21 budget. Key elements include: continuing to allow 25 “fee” cases for firms outside the group account fee arrangement – so 90% of firms will pay no case fees; 50...
Regulator Covid-19 update 1 April
Further updates from the regulators, in addition to FCA’s Dear CEO letter to retail investment firms, include: PRA welcoming the agreement by the boards of large UK banks to suspend dividends and buybacks on...
Lords calls for UK/EU cooperation
The House of Lords EU Financial Affairs Committee has written to Rishi Sunak urging the government to set up a structured dialogue with the EU that will support cross-border financial services. It wants: to minimise...
Treasury Committee seeks ABI answers on insurer behaviour
The Treasury Committee has written to the ABI, asking for information to help understand how the insurance industry is responding to coronavirus and to FCA’s guidance. The letter asks: how many members have ceased...
Regulator Covid-19 Update 26 March
On 26 March: FCA, while confirming its intention to be flexible to allow firms to keep operating, noted that they should also be planning ahead and ensuring sound management of their financial resources. It says buffers...
Government confirms extension of TTP
In a statement to Parliament, Lord Agnew of Oulton, the Minister of State, has noted a statement from Treasury that it expects “in general” the same laws and rules to apply as the transition period ends, it...
Covid-19 regulator update 24 March
Late on 23 and on 24 March: PRA announced amendments to regulatory reporting for insurers in response to EIOPA’s recommendations. There will be between 2-8 weeks’ delay for most aspects of harmonised...
FCA sets out Covid-19 expectations on insurers
FCA has set out its position on how it expects insurers to act given the unprecedented impact of Covid-19. Above all, it expects firms to consider very carefully the needs of customers and to be flexible in how they...
EIOPA takes Covid-19 action
EIOPA has set out its expectations on insurers as they try to manage the risks Covid-19 presents. Its key messages are: the importance of business continuity. It says regulators can help by being flexible on supervisory...
FCA issues Covid-19 guidance for consumers
The FCA has explained that is working closely with the Government, the Bank of England, the Payment Systems Regulator and firms to ensure markets continue to work well for consumers. This includes making regular contact...
EU writes to Chancellor on equivalence
Valdis Dombrovskis has written to Rishi Sunak on equivalence assessments. The letter merely notes that both sides should start to assess equivalence as soon as possible, on the basis of the Political Declaration, with a...
FOS looks at insurance coverage
FOS’s latest Ombudsman News looks at: coronavirus: so far, FOS has not seen many complaints on the impact of the virus, but expects it will see more complaints particularly in relation to travel insurance, medical...
Treasury feeds back on pre-paid funeral plans
Treasury has published the outcome of its consultation on pre-paid funeral plans. Respondents to its consultation were concerned at current consumer detriment, and called for compulsory regulation for the sector. The...
Treasury consults on UK/Gibraltar FS access
Treasury is consulting on the post-Brexit market access arrangements between the UK and Gibraltar. Constitutionally, Gibraltar is an Overseas Territory with internal self-government. Responsibility for financial...
EBA says no need for LGD on credit insurance claims
EBA has published an Opinion on treatment of credit insurance in the prudential framework. It has previously consulted on credit risk mitigation for institutions that apply the IRB approach with own estimates of Loss...
PRA writes to chairs on board diversity
PRA has written to the chairs of dual regulated firms reinforcing the importance it places on diversity within boards for improving decision making and providing effective challenge. It reminds firms it expects them to...
EIOPA speaks on digital finance risks
Fausto Parente, EIOPA executive director, has spoken on managing the risks of digital finance in cyber underwriting. He spoke of the value of data to insurers in enabling them to customise customer products, but the...
FCA publishes life insurance outsourcing review
FCA has published the findings from its review into outsourcing in the life insurance sector. The review stemmed from FCA’s awareness that the sector relies heavily on outsourcing and third party providers, and...
Lloyd’s launches new cryptocurrency wallet insurance solution
A Lloyd’s syndicate has launched the first liability to protect against losses arising from theft of, or malicious hacks to, cyptocurrencies held in online wallets. The policy will have dynamic limits that...
FCA makes new travel insurance and other rules
FCA has made 3 sets of new rules. changes to COBS 19 to ensure that pension scheme members can properly find the information they need about costs and charges to ensure they get good value for money from their pension...
ECB Speech: Climate Change in FS
Christine Lagarde made a speech on climate change and the financial sector on 27 February 2020. Christine identified both the threat and significant opportunity caused by climate change. She urged central banks to...
Commission publishes PRIIPs information test results
The Commission has carried out a project testing the effectiveness of presented information to retail investors within the PRIIPs framework. It sent out 10 different versions of performance scenarios and past...
More UK/EU policies revealed
The Government has published a policy paper on its approach to the future relationship with the EU. It sets out the Government’s suite of proposals, based around the desire for a comprehensive Free Trade...
Barnier to be EU negotiator on post-Brexit issues
The Council of the EU has adopted a decision authorising negotiations between the EU and UK towards a new partnership and authorising the European Commission, in the person of Michel Barnier, as the EU negotiator. The...
Dormant Assets Scheme Consultation
This morning, HM Treasury published a consultation document setting out its proposals for expanding the dormant assets scheme. The consultation discusses the background to the current scheme and then sets out proposals...
FSB priorities published
The FSB published a letter addressed to all G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors on 18 February 2020. The letter sets out the areas that the FSB are focusing their efforts on. All of the measures are to...
Financial services after Brexit updates
The EU Financial Affairs Sub-committee has opened an inquiry into financial services after Brexit and has been taking evidence. Most recently it has been questioning the BoE and FCA. They largely discussed the key...
FCA publishes annual sector views
The FCA has just published its annual sector views report which comprises a state of the nation in terms of the financial services industry. The report sets out the drivers for change in each financial services sector...
EP publishes negotiating mandate with UK
The European Parliament has published its proposed mandate for a new partnership with the UK. The declaration acknowledges that the “close relationship” that will subsist and which, according to the...
FCA guidance to GI distribution chain
We have written an article about FCA’s findings on potential harm caused by the general insurance distribution chain and its guidance to firms in the sector setting out its expectations of them.
Up next from FCA
The latest Policy Development Update highlights the following publications before the end of Q1 2020: policy statement on fees and levies; consultation on exit fees in investment platforms and comparable firms;...
EIOPA updates on cloud outsourcing guidelines
EIOPA has confirmed its guidelines on outsourcing to cloud service providers are now available to national supervisors. The guidelines address: how to determine whether cloud services are within the scope of...
Regulators warn firms on selling personal data
The FCA, ICO and FSCS have warned regulated firms and insolvency practitioners of the need to be responsible when dealing with personal data. The regulators have become aware of sales of client data to CMCs either...
ESMA outlines sustainable finance strategy
On 6 February, ESMA published its sustainable finance strategy which sets out how ESMA plans to focus on sustainability. ESMA’s key priorities include: completing the regulatory framework on transparency...
FCA makes travel insurance PEMC rules
FCA has published its policy statement and final rules to help consumers with serious pre-existing medical conditions to understand the travel insurance market better. The new requirements will: require firms that sell...
FCA writes strategy letter to platforms
FCA’s latest portfolio strategy letter to CEOs has been sent to platforms. It starts by making the point that it expects firms will have used the SMCR to ensure clear accountability within senior management and...
FCA updates further on post-Brexit issues
FCA has further updated its website with information on Brexit and Temporary Directions. It explains how: It will not need to use the Temporary Transitional Power it had previously made directions under, as the...
FCA and Lloyds update on Brexit
FCA and Lloyd’s have both issued releases confirming how firms should act in the immediate aftermath of Brexit. FCA confirmed that during the implementation period to 31 December EU law will continue to apply. So...
DExEU updates on FS equivalence post-Brexit
The Department for Exiting the EU has published an updated communication from the European Commission on equivalence in the area of financial services. The documentation notes that temporary equivalence decisions are...
EU to prioritise green deal and MLD5 implementation
In his opening remarks to the ECOFIN conference, Valdis Dombrovskis, handing over to the new Croatian Presidency, singled out as key developments: the Green Deal or Sustainable Europe Investment Plan, the success of...
CMA publishes update on loyalty penalty progress
Following the Citizens Advice super-complaint to the CMA about the loyalty penalty (when companies charge longstanding customers more than new customers or those who renegotiate their deal), the CMA identified a...
Financial institutions raise concerns about PRIIPs RTS review
Insurance Europe, AMICE, the EBF and EFAMA (the Group) have raised concerns about The Joint Committee of the European Supervisory Authorities (the ESA’s) consultation on potential changes to the regulatory technical...
FSCS announces Plan and Budget
FSCS has published its full Plan and Budget for 2020/2021. As well as the indicative levy of £635m (£87m more than the current year, mainly because of a rise in SIPP operator claims) and management expenses budget of...
Up next from FCA
FCA plans a number of important publications during Q1 2020 including: consultation on exit fees in investment platforms and comparable firms potential policy statement on general insurance value reporting measures and...
FCA writes to boards on personal and commercial line harm
FCA has written to the Boards of Directors of insurers setting out its views on the key risks of harm that personal and commercial lines insurers can post to their customers and the markets. It is telling firms about...
FCA writes to insurance CEOs on non-financial misconduct
FCA has written to the CEOs of wholesale general insurance firms reminding them of the importance of high standards of culture and conduct throughout their business. It expects CEOs to identify what drives behaviour...
PRA increases scrutiny of Lloyd’s of London over whistleblowing issues
The PRA has announced that they have temporarily increased their supervision of Lloyd’s of London in relation to their whistleblowing processes. This results from the notification to the PRA by the Society of...
Queen’s Speech highlights Brexit free trade hopes
The Queen’s Speech, as expected, highlighted Brexit, noting the priority to deliver it on 31 January, and thereafter to seek a free trade agreement with the EU and other leading global economies. The accompanying...
EVENT: Retail Banking Mixer
Bringing together professionals in the insurance, banking and other financial services sectors, we will be hosting the first of our quarterly RETAIL BANKING MIXERS at our Edinburgh office on 9th January from 4pm –...
Europe reaches agreement on ‘green taxonomy’ regulation
Negotiations between the European Parliament and Council have reached agreement on environmental objectives for determining the sustainability of an economic activity. The Commission proposal for a ‘taxonomy...
FCA calls for input on open finance
FCA has launched a Call for Input on Open Finance. The concept builds on the principles of open banking and extends it to a wider range of products. FCA has a vision that open finance will allow consumers and...
FCA fines CMC for misleading communications
FCA has published its first fine since taking over regulation of Claims Management Companies. It has fined Professional Personal Claims Limited £70,000 for misleading customers through its website and printed materials...
FOS consults on plans and budget
FOS has published its consultation on its strategic plans and budget for 2020/2021. Next year, it expects to receive 245,000 complaints and resolve 290,000 (just under half in each case relating to PPI). It expects to...
EIOPA proposes Guidelines for ICT security and governance
In the context of the increasing complexity of ICT and frequency of cyber incidents with a material detrimental impact on operations, EIOPA has published a consultation paper on proposed Guidelines on Information and...
Extension of the Senior Managers and Certification Regime comes into force
The FCA has extended the Senior Managers and Certification Regime (SM&CR) to solo-regulated firms, including senior managers and certification staff in those firms. The SM&CR already applies to the banking and...
Up next from FCA
FCA’s latest Policy Development Update indicates several key publications scheduled for Q1 2020, including: potential policy statement on general insurance value measures reporting; consultation or discussion...
Regulators develop work on Operational Resilience
The BoE, the PRA and the FCA have developed a joint policy summary setting out new requirements for operational resilience for regulated firms and financial market infrastructures (FMI). The work is spearheaded by...
PRA to modernise outsourcing and risk management expectations
In the light of the development of various European Guidelines regarding outsourcing requirements, as well as recent practical ‘failures’ such as IT systems going down, the PRA is consulting on proposals to...
Mark Carney named UN’s Special Envoy for Climate Action and Finance
On 1 December 2019 the United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres announced the appointment of the Governor of the Bank of England, Mark Carney, as UN Special Envoy for Climate Action and Finance. Mark Carney...
FCA publishes IDD general good table
FCA has published on its website the IDD “general good” rules that apply to incoming firms. The table refers to the existing guidance in SUP 13A Annex 1, and notes that many parts of FCA’s rules apply...
FCA publishes ‘approving financial promotions’ webpage
In the light of its new temporary restrictions on the financial promotion of ‘mini-bonds’, the FCA has provided guidance for firms approving the financial promotions of unauthorised persons. The new page on...
Financial Inclusion
On Tuesday night, we hosted our first ever Talking Money event in partnership with the Scotsman newspaper in our Edinburgh office. The event focused on the topic of tackling financial exclusion in Scotland. The...
FCA publishes GI distribution chain guidance
FCA has published its finalised guidance for general insurance product manufacturers and distributors on the distribution chain. The guidance follows the findings from FCA’s thematic review in 2017 and 2018, and...
PRA tells GI firms of focus areas
The PRA has published a ‘Dear CEO’ letter detailing the PRA’s priority areas of supervisory focus for general insurance firms. These include: Reserve adequacy and associated reserving governance and...
PRA publishes feedback on reserving reviews
The PRA has published a ‘Dear Chief Actuary’ letter following its review of firms’ reserving during 2019. The letter contains feedback from the PRA’s reviews which included work on casualty...
FCA confirms TPR extension
FCA has confirmed that: firms no longer need to implement their Brexit emergency plans for 31 October; and the TPR window will be open for notifications from fund managers until 15 January 2020 to let FCA know if they...
FCA speaks on future of regulation
Nausicaa Delfas spoke on the future of UK financial regulation post-Brexit. She said FCA continued to prepare for Brexit, whatever form it takes and whenever it happens, and referenced its preparations for a no-deal...