Laura WilesThe FCA has published its latest analysis of fair value in the cash savings markets. Key highlights are: average interest on easy access savings accounts rose from 1.66% last July to 2.11% in June 2024; while firms were...
Category - Investments
Emma Radmore
FCA reminds firms of LIBOR deadline
The FCA has reminded firms that the 1-,3- and 6-month synthetic USD LIBOR settings will cease permanently after their final publication on 30 September.
FCA releases latest skilled persons stats
In the quarter to end March 2024, the FCA commissioned 27 skilled persons reports. 10 related to retail investments, 7 to wholesale financial markets and 5 to retail banking and payments. 12 related to controls and risk...
Tribunal backs FCA on Saranac/Kalaris decision
The Upper Tribunal has made its decision on the reference to it by Saranac Partners Limited in respect of the FCA’s decision not to approve its application for Thomas Kalaris to be its CEO and an executive...
FCA fines auditor for failing to report suspected fraud
The FCA has fined PwC £15m for failing to report suspicions of fraud that arose during its 2016 audit into London Capital & Finance. As PwC had been carrying out the audit, it had been faced with aggression from a...
FCA consults on enhancing the National Storage Mechanism
Following the announcement earlier this year that it would be refreshing the National Storage Mechanism (NSM), the FCA is now consulting on proposals to change the requirements for submitting regulated information to...
Lucy HadrillAsset manager to pay €250m to investors in high risk investments
The FCA has announced that H2O AM LLP is to pay €250m to investors who have been unable to access their funds for 4 years after the firm failed to carry out proper due diligence on certain introduced investments...
FCA refuses application on fit and proper concerns
The FCA has published a decision notice setting out its intention to refuse to authorise an applicant firm Ancean Limited, whose sole director and proposed sole approved person would be an individual who was previously...
FCA publishes final rules for Dormant Assets Scheme
The FCA has published a policy statement setting out its final rules for the second stage of the Dormant Assets Scheme. The scheme provides for banks and building societies to pay dormant monies into an authorised...
Harry WellsFCA announces raft of measures for UK wholesale markets
The FCA has announced a variety of measures with the aim of strengthening the UK’s capital markets. 1. New public offers and admissions to trading regime A key aspect of the package includes proposals (CP24/12) to...
Bond administrator enters liquidation
The FCA has announced the liquidation of London Court Limited, a bond administrator and ISA manager. The firm had been restricted from doing any new business since August 2023 after the FCA determined that the firm had...
FCA bans individuals for mistreatment of customer funds
The FCA has taken action against 3 individuals who were involved in running SVS Securities Plc, a discretionary fund manager. SVS used a complex business model intended to maximise the flow of customer funds into high...
FCA keeping trading apps under review
The FCA has carried out an online experiment involving over 9,000 consumers, involving a trading platform app that the FCA created. It wanted to test the effect of different digital engagement practices on trading...
Court rejects application for JR review of FOS decision
The Court has dismissed an application made by Linear Investments Limited for judicial review of a FOS decision. The FOS had heard that a customer of Linear (Professor W) was an eligible complainant under its rules...
Tenet firms enter administration
The Tenet Group Limited is winding down its operations, which has now resulted in two of its hosting firms entering administration. The firms closed to new business at the end of March, and most of their advisers either...
FCA sustainability disclosure and labelling regime takes effect
The FCA’s new anti-greenwashing rules and guidance took effect on 31 May. Firms must make sure any claim about the sustainability of their products and services is clear, fair and not misleading. They should also...
Court decides fiduciary duty can be owed even where no negligence
A Court has dismissed a claimant’s claim for damages for negligent financial advice but has upheld a claim for breach of fiduciary duty in respect of commission paid to the adviser. The Claimant, Mr McHale, has...
FCA updates on plans for asset management sector
Ashley Alder, FCA Chair, has a delivered a speech on the FCA’s agenda for the UK asset management sector. Key highlights include that FCA: wants to ensure that feedback from all stakeholders, including from their...
BoE responds on requirements on FMIs consultation
BoE has provided feedback following responses received during its consultation on its proposed approach to statutory notice decisions for use of its requirements powers. BoE has been given new powers under FSMA 2023 to...
FCA and PRA fine £60m for failures in trading systems and controls
The FCA and the PRA have imposed fines totalling over £60m on Citigroup Global Markets Limited (CGML) for failures in its trading systems and controls between April 2018 and May 2022. The FCA, which fined CGML...
Treasury speech: reform of capital markets
Bim Afolami, Economic Secretary to the Treasury, has delivered a speech on reforms to reinforce the UK’s capital markets. The speech highlighted that the Government is committed to building on the strong...
Court of Appeal dismisses JR application over SIPP challenge
The Court of Appeal has dismissed an application from Options UK Personal Pensions LLP for judicial review of a FOS decision in respect of investments made into an execution only SIPP. The FOS had held that the firm...
FCA updates on implementing Consumer Duty for closed products
The FCA has written to firms in the following sectors on implementing the Consumer Duty for closed products and services by 31 July 2024: Asset management; Consumer finance; Consumer investments; Life insurance; Retail...
FCA charges 8 finfluencers with making unlawful promotions
The FCA has brought charges against 7 “finfluencers” and two other individuals in relation to an unauthorised FX trading scheme. It alleges that Emmanuel Nwanze and another used Instagram to provide advice...
Treasury updates CFTC equivalence determinations
The Treasury has updated its equivalence determination in respect of CFTC regulated contract markets and swap execution facilities with effect from 4 June.
FCA writes to Committee on investment trust disclosure
The FCA has written to the Financial Services Regulation Committee explaining its thoughts on the need for reforms to the disclosure regime. It explains why the FCA has taken the stance it has, including why it does not...
Market Watch focuses on surveillance
The latest edition of Market Watch looks at the effectiveness of surveillance arrangements, systems and controls. The FCA looks at the impact of failures when firms’ systems do not work as intended and the length...
FCA fines and bans individual for incorrect info on client cash
FCA has fined James Lewis, former CEO of Shard Capital Partners, £120,300 and has banned him for providing false information once to auditors and once to a client about the amounts of cash balances the firm held. The...
BoE looks at AI and financial stability
Jonathan Hall of the FPC has spoken on whether increasing use of AI models could have a negative impact on financial stability. He sees two key risks: that deep trading agents could lead to a brittle and highly...
JMLSG consults on wholesale market guidance update
The JMLSG is consulting on changes to chapter 18 in Part II of its guidance, for wholesale markets. The changes generally update references, and: clarify that as market abuse is a predicate offence, settlement of...
FCA publishes Q1 fin proms data
The FCA has published its financial promotions data for Q1 2024 on its actions against firms breaching financial promotion rules, and referrals and investigations into unregulated activity. During the period: 2,211...
Government responds further on progress of Edinburgh reforms
The Government has published a second formal response to its December 2023 report on the progress of the Edinburgh reforms. This response is more detailed than the Government’s initial response and includes an...
FCA updates complaints data
The FCA has published updated complaints data based on returns from then nearly 300 firms reporting at least 500 complaints within 6 months or 1000 within a year. Key findings from the 2023 H2 data include: Complaints...
Banking and financial services included in key Smart Data sectors
The Department for Business and Trade has published the Smart Data Roadmap to outline the action it is planning to take in 2024 to 2025 using the provisions of the Data Protection and Digital Information Bill on Smart...
BoE outlines CCP stress test for 2024
BoE has set out the key elements of its 2024 supervisory stress test for UK central counterparties. The clearing services of all three UK authorised CCPs (ICE Clear Europe Ltd, LCH Ltd and LME Clear Ltd) will be in...
FCA publishes Link findings
The FCA has published its findings against Link Fund Solutions, explaining its conclusion that the firm failed to manager the liquidity of the Woodford Equity Income Fund from 31 July 2018 to 3 June 2019 and therefore...
FCA consults on new way to pay for research
The FCA is consulting on a range of ways in which asset managers might choose to pay for investment research. It says that, while firms are generally getting the research they want under the current rule format, the...
Market Watch focuses on instrument reference data
The latest edition of Market Watch looks at completeness and accuracy of instrument reference data. It looks at the most common rejection messages and the number of rejections, and suggests best practice for submitting...
FCA updates perimeter report
The FCA has updated its Perimeter Report on its website. It was last updated in March 2023. Among the issues discussed are: FCA’s general approach to the perimeter; when it will take action against unauthorised...
FCA makes minor rule changes
The FCA has published its latest Handbook Notice. It has made changes to several parts of the rulebook, but mainly minor changes. The changes include: Removing SUP 1A which no longer reflects the FCA’s approach to...
BoE consults on enforcement changes
The BoE, including the PRA, is consulting on proposed changes to its SOPs and procedures for enforcement, following the additional responsibilities FSMA 2023 has placed on it. The changes relate to enforcement policy...
HNWI/SCSI Fin Prom limits change again
We’ve written an article explaining the effects of the Budget reversal of the January increase on limits that high net worth and self-certified sophisticated investors need to meet to make use of financial...
FCA updates social media guidance
The FCA has published its updated guidance on social media advertising. The guidance applies equally to firms and promotors, including influencers. It does not contain any new obligations, but is a reminder of...
Government sets out third phase of Smarter Regulatory Framework
Following its Smarter Regulatory Framework (SRF) delivery plan, Treasury has published a follow-up paper which sets out the progress made so far and the government’s approach to the next phase of the SRF programme...
FCA calls for improvement in Retirement Income Advice
The FCA has published a Thematic Review and written to CEOs of financial advisers, asking them to assess the compliance of their retirement income advice, and take steps to address any shortcomings they find. It...
FCA decides to fine and ban for sham trading
The FCA has published a Decision Notice setting out its decision to fine Nailesh Teraiya £5.95m and ban him, in its latest enforcement case involving “cum ex” payments. Mr Teraiya was formerly the sole...
FCA Practitioner Panel responds to PIFs capital deduction for redress proposals
The FCA’s Practitioner Panel has responded to the consultation on proposals to require personal investment firms (PIFs) to set aside capital for potential redress liabilities. The Panel generally supports the...
FCA fines and bans over pension transfer advice and oversight
It’s been a while since the last published notice, but FCA continues to take action against firms and individuals relating to pension transfer advice. It has fined Inspirational Financial Management (in...
FCA updates on skilled persons reports
The latest statistics for skilled persons reports FCA commissioned in Q3 2023/24 show: 24 reports in total 7 related to the retail banking and payments sector, 6 to retail investments, 5 to wholesale markets and 4 to...
Treasury reverses FPO and FCA makes clear statement
FCA has confirmed that it and the industry implemented the changes to the HNWI exemption in the FPO on 31 January, as required by a change in the law which in turn followed detailed consultation and recommendations from...
Budget reverses HNWI update and ups Economic Crime Levy
Among the announcements relevant to regulated financial services in Jeremy Hunt’s budget are: a bizarre U-turn to reinstate the previous eligibility criteria for high net worth and sophisticated investors, when...
FCA updates on Woodford
FCA has updated its website with further updates on the Woodford Equity Income Fund. It has confirmed the redress scheme became fully operational on 5 March and that payments are expected around Easter.
FCA Panel supports PIF capital deduction for redress proposals
The FCA’s Smaller Business Practitioner Panel has responded to the consultation on proposals to require personal investment firms (PIFs) to set aside capital for potential redress liabilities. The Panel generally...
FCA consults on changes to UK EMIR reporting
The FCA is consulting on draft guidance for reporting under the revised UK EMIR Article 9 reporting requirements. This follows the FCA/BoE joint policy statement which confirmed changes to the derivative reporting...
FCA creates new market intelligence pages
FCA has created new pages on its website looking at:
market observations it has received and
STORs it has received
The pages currently contain the figures for 2023.
FCA reminds on LIBOR and comments on its objectives
FCA has reminded firms that the 3 month synthetic sterling LIBOR ceases permanently on 28 March and also that USD synthetic LIBOR is expected to end at the end of September. Separately, it has published a report as...
FCA says wholesale data market needs improvement
FCA has published the results of its wholesale data market study. The study looked at competition in the markets for credit ratings data, benchmarks and market data vendor services. FCA has found instances in all 3...
The IA reviews pay guidelines
The Investment Association (IA) has written to FTSE 2350 companies’ Remuneration Committee Chairs. IA outlines how investors will engage with investee companies on executive pay in the 2024 AGM season. Investors...
Vida FatemiGovernment defends Edinburgh Reform progress
The Government has responded to criticism from the Treasury Committee on how the Edinburgh Reforms are progressing. Following the Government’s report in December (a year after it announced the reforms) that it had...
BoE publishes policy statement on CCP discretionary payments
Following its consultation, BoE has published a policy statement (SoP) setting out its final approach to the power to temporarily restrict or prohibit discretionary payments by CCPs to ensure continuity of critical...
FCA asks advice firms for information on ongoing charges and Consumer Duty
FCA has asked 20 large financial advisory firms for information on whether, and if so how, they have assessed their delivery of ongoing services against the Consumer Duty. The survey follows on from a letter FCA sent to...
Market Watch focuses on organised crime
The latest edition of FCA’s Market Watch looks at actions firms can take to mitigate the risks of being used by Organised Crime Groups. It says suspicious trading by members of OCGs forms a large proportion of the...
FCA intervenes in 10,000 ads in 2023
FCA has published its financial promotions data for the last quarter of 2023 and the entire past year. It has: caused over 10,000 promotions to be withdrawn or changed in 2023 (a 17% increase on the previous year);...
FCA fines and bans individual over LCF fin proms
FCA has fined Floris Huisamen, former director of LCF, £31,800 and banned him. Mr Huisamen had signed off financial promotions that gave a misleadingly positive impression of the minibonds LCF marketed. He had been...
FCA speech: the UK listing regime
Clare Cole, Director of Market Oversight at FCA, has delivered a speech about developments since the UK Listing Review and the next steps for reform. Highlights include: In December, FCA set out detailed proposals for...
New FCA webpage on sustainability disclosure and labelling regime
Following the publication of its policy statement in November 2023, the FCA has launched a new webpage on the sustainability disclosure and labelling regime. The webpage sets out the steps firms should take in...
Changes to FPO exemptions
Changes to the exemptions for “business angel” investors took effect on 31 January. Read our article on the changes for promotions to HNWIs and SCSIs.
Treasury creates “designated activities” regime for public offers
The Public Offers and Admissions to Trading Regulations 2024, which Treasury made on 29 January, replace the assimilated EU Prospectus Regulation and create UK regime to replace the former EU regime. In doing so, it...
FCA reports on “flying” and “printing”
FCA has reported on the practices of ‘flying’ and ‘printing’ in Market Watch 76. It has described these practices (which it originally raised in Market Watch 57) as: ‘Flying’ is...
FCA confirms rule updates
FCA’s latest Handbook Notice confirms rule changes its Board agreed in December, and the new motor finance complaints rules, as well as two changes agreed on 25 January. The two latest changes: update SUP 12.4...
UK and Switzerland sign groundbreaking cooperation agreement
The new Berne Financial Services Agreement will permit UK and Swiss financial services businesses to provide services more easily to each other’s domestic markets. Each country will mutually recognise the...
FCA updates on retained EU laws
FCA has updated its website with details of the current state of play in relation to the repeal and replacement of retained EU laws in the financial services sector. Coming up in 2024 will be many changes and papers...
BoE consults on use of requirements on FMIs
The BoE is consulting on how it plans to use its powers under FSMA 2023 to place requirements on CSDs and CCPs mandating that they take, or don’t take, a particular action. It must use its power proportionately...
FCA sets out expectations on firms selling client banks
FCA has explained what it will look at and how it will act when firms are selling their client banks. Client banks are key assets of firms, and may include a right to income streams from past clients. While firms may...
BoE publishes FMI supervision report
BoE has published its annual report on its supervision of FMIs. The report looks at what FMIs are, and BoE’s supervisory focuses over the past year. Its priorities for the future will include enhancing both...
Treasury makes Digital Sandbox Regulations
Treasury has made Regulations under FSMA 2023 to create the digital securities sandbox under which firms can apply for a place to test developing technology to help FMI activities. The sandbox is open to UK Recognised...
FCA demands action on retained interest on customers’ cash balances
FCA has written a ‘Dear CEO’ letter to investment platforms and SIPP operators setting out its concerns on the way they deal with any interest earned on customers’ cash balances. After surveying 42...
FCA outlines aims for consumer investments policy initiatives
As a continuation of its Consumer Investments Strategy (CIS), the FCA has set out the direction of travel for its consumer investments initiatives. It will focus on the following five core initiatives: accessible...
FCA consults on proposals for closing the advice gap
The FCA and Treasury have published a joint discussion paper (DP23/5) which outlines proposals to help people make more informed investment and pensions decisions. The proposals form part of the Advice Guidance Boundary...
FCA confirms no action against Blackmore fin prom approvers
FCA has published a copy of its letter to the Treasury Select Committee confirming that it will not be taking action against either of the two firms that approved promotions for the collapsed Blackmore Bond plc’s...
PRA and FCA confirm remuneration changes for small firms
PRA and FCA have published feedback on their consultations on enhancing proportionality in respect of the remuneration rules in respect of dual-regulated and small firms. While the regulators needed to feed back...
FCA updates on CD expectations for fractional share sales
Treasury has recently announced that fractional share contracts should be eligible as ISA investments – which will mean a change to the longstanding HMRC position. FCA has taken the opportunity to remind firms...
FCA consults on reforming commodity derivatives regulation
FCA is consulting on proposed changes to: position limits and exemptions; position management controls; reporting; and the ancillary activities test in relation to commodity derivatives. FSMA 2023 has given FCA...
FCA publishes regulatory initiatives grid
The FCA has published the Financial Services and Regulatory Initiatives Forum’s latest biannual Regulatory Initiatives Grid. This will allow the financial services industry and other stakeholders to understand and...
FCA sets out temporary forbearance measure for investment company cost disclosure
The FCA has published a statement in response to concerns about costs and charges disclosure in the PRIIPs KID, UCITS KIID and MiFID II requirements. The concern was that the required costs and charges disclosure for...
FCA proposes capital retention requirements for personal investment firms
FCA is consulting on a new requirement that would mean personal investment firms subject to IPRU(INV) 13 would need to calculate potential redress liabilities towards customers and hold capital against them. It remains...
FCA confirms sustainability disclosure and labelling regime
FCA has confirmed new rules that should give investors greater confidence in sustainability-related claims about investments. The package consists of: an anti-greenwashing rule, effective from 31 May 2024 that will...
FCA publishes final report on IFPR implementation observations
FCA has published the final report on its review into firms’ progress in implementing the ICARA process and reporting requirements under the IFPR. The IFPR was introduced to streamline and simplify the prudential...
Autumn Statement: financial regulatory issues
The Government’s Autumn Statement covered several new and ongoing actions relevant to the financial services sector, including: legislation to replace retained EU, mainly in the markets space (securitisations...
Government publishes PRIIPs replacement legislation
The Government has published draft legislation that will replace the PRIIPs Regulation and create a new UK retail disclosure framework for “consumer composite investments” (CCIs). The initiative is part of...
Treasury feeds back on Digital Securities Sandbox
Treasury has published the outcome to the consultation on a digital securities sandbox. The sandbox will be operated by BoE and FCA and is intended to help facilitate the use of digital asset technology in UK financial...
FCA consults on fee policy
FCA is consulting on its policy proposals for the 2024/5 fee year. For application fees, FCA did not increase these fees last year, but now feels it is appropriate to do so as its costs for processing applications are...
FCA updates guidance on consumer investment firm applications
FCA has created a new page on its website aimed at consumer investment firms applying for authorisation. The page: explains what FCA means by a consumer investment firm; explains the threshold conditions and process for...
FCA updates on Woodford Scheme
Link Fund Solutions is to convene a meeting of all affected investors on 13 December to vote on whether to approve the proposed settlement fund in relation to the LF Equity Income Fund. FCA has confirmed it believes the...
FCA portfolio letter to wealth managers and stockbrokers
FCA has published its Dear CEO letter to wealth management and stockbroker firms setting out its supervisory priorities and expectations for the sector. The letter focuses on financial crime prevention and Consumer Duty...
Treasury to update Fin Prom exemptions
Following its consultation on exemptions in the FPO for promotions to high net worth individuals and sophisticated investors, Treasury has decided to make some updates. It will: increase the financial thresholds needed...
FCA speech: next steps for Consumer Duty
Nisha Arora (Director of Cross Cutting Policy and Strategy at the FCA) has delivered a speech on the Consumer Duty and the next steps for firms. The speech highlighted the following examples of good practice identified...
Market Watch updates on market soundings
The latest edition of Market Watch updates FCA’s views on market soundings, following on from previous editions. FCA says it has recently found cases where recipients of soundings have traded between receiving the...
Treasury and FCA hold perimeter meeting
Treasury and FCA have published the record of their July meeting to discuss aspects of the regulatory perimeter. The issues discussed included: discussion of FCA’s plans around expectations on firms carrying out...
Treasury responds on Edinburgh Reforms progress
Treasury has responded to a request from the Treasury Committee for an update on delivering the Edinburgh Reforms. It notes: reform of the ring-fencing regime: this is in progress with draft legislation being published...
FCA updates complaints data
FCA has published updated complaints data based on returns from firms. Snapshots from the 2023 H1 data include: a slight increase in complaints from the previous 6 months (5%); most significant increases in the...
FCA censures LCF over fin proms
FCA has censured London Capital & Finance for issuing misleading financial promotions about minibonds to retail investors. The promotions made the minibonds look a more attractive investment than they were and...
FCA issues first alerts under new crypto marketing regime
FCA has issued 146 alerts about financial promotions in the first 24 hours of the new crypto marketing regime. These alerts contain the names of companies which may be illegally communicating cryptoasset promotions. The...