ESMA has updated its Q&As on MiFID II and MiFIR, and on the Short-Selling Regulation. The topics addressed by the MiFID II and MiFIR Q&As include making market structures and transparency issues. The Short-Selling Q&A updates a regulatory reference.
FCA has published its review of how firms implement FCA whistleblowing rules. Its review covered a range of wholesale and retail banks. It found several areas of both good and poor practice to comment on, and now urges all firms to review the report and consider what steps they may need to take to improve […]
The latest batch of draft SIs published under the EU (Withdrawal) Act to ensure continuity of legal framework in the event of a no-deal Brexit relate to: Venture Capital Funds; Social Entrepreneurship Funds; and Money Laundering and Transfer of Funds.
In the light of the implementation of IDD, the CMA is proposing to amend the Payment Protection Insurance Market Investigation Order 2011 (Order). Currently, the Order requires PPI providers to send policyholders and Annual Review document, which contains specified information, including a policy summary. The CMA proposes that the Order should mandate that the reference […]
As part of the implementation of the Securities Regulation, which begins to apply from 1 January 2019, ESMA has published: draft regulatory and implementing standards on the contents of applications to register with ESMA as a securitisation repository; Final Technical Advice on fees to be charged for registering and supervising securitisation repositories; further guidance to […]
The ECB has published non-binding guidance for banks on its expectations regarding internal capital liquidity adequacy assessment processes. The guides will be applied from 1 January 2019. These guides updated previous guidance from January 2016, and indicate an intensification of the ECB’s supervisory assessments and an increase in the role of ICAAP and ILAAP in […]
Sir Brian Leveson and Lisa Osofsky (among others) were listed to give evidence to the Bribery Act Committee. They were expected to be asked questions such as: whether a company that self-reports at an early stage should be offered a DPA as a matter of course; the truth in a belief that some of the […]
ESMA has updated its FAQs on the Market Abuse Regulation, adding new questions on trading restrictions for persons discharging managerial responsibilities.
The Financial Stability Board has published a “cyber lexicon“, comprising a set of around 50 core terms related to cyber security and cyber resilience in the financial sector.
ESMA has updated its supervisory briefing for regulators on the suitability requirements under MiFID 2. The briefing covers: when a suitability assessment is needed; information to clients on the assessment; getting information from clients; arrangements necessary to understand products; arrangements necessary to understand the suitability of an investment; suitability report; staff qualifications; and record keeping.
FCA has completed its first financial crime survey. It intends to carry out the survey annually, using the Financial Crime Return. Over 2,000 firms were required to file the return, and FCA looked to establish: the number of customers that pose a higher risk of financial crime: Firms identified 120,000 PEPs and 11,000 non-EEA correspondent […]
The Foreign Affairs Committee in the Commons has launched an inquiry on the future of UK sanctions policy. Given SAMLA’s Royal Assent, the Committee is to look at different options for the UK’s sanctions policy post-Brexit. It is calling for written submissions on several elements of sanctions regimes, including views on the advantages and disadvantages […]
The ESAs are consulting on proposed amendments to the PRIIPs KID. The consultation follows the ESAs’ letter to the Commission on developing guidance on information on investment funds. It also noted the need to make targeted amendments to the PRIIPs delegated Regulation to apply the PRIIPs KID requirements appropriately to UCITS and relevant non-UCITS funds, […]
Hannah von Dedelszen has spoken on how companies that choose to self-report can engage with SFO. She stressed that being open, honest and transparent is the key. she noted some firms operate “smoke and mirrors”, involving admitting some things but hiding more major issues. She said any firm reporting must do so properly. Going forward, […]
ESMA has published a report with draft RTS that would amend the 3 Commission Delegated Regulations on EMIR. ESMA is proposing a limited exemption that would facilitate novation of certain non-centrally cleared OTC derivatives to EU counterparties for a specific time-window in the event of a no-deal Brexit. The proposals would allow novation without triggering the […]
The Treasury Committee in the Commons has launched a new inquiry into consumers’ access to financial services, with a focus on vulnerable customers. Nicky Morgan said the committee will look at FCA’s definition of vulnerability and how practical it is, as well as how financial institutions try to address the problems of financial exclusion and whether vulnerable […]
PRA has published a policy statement to its second consultation on extending the SMCR to insurers. Following FCA’s finalisation of its rules on the extension, PRA now confirms it had no responses to its consultation and has made no changes to the rules it consulted on. As a result, it has now made the rules, […]
BoE, Treasury and FCA have hosted what has now become a regular one day exercise to test the financial sector’s resilience to a major cyber incident impacting the UK.
The Bank of England and Pay.UK are inviting expressions of interest from senior stakeholders who could represent the payments industry on a newly created Standards Advisory Panel. The new Panel will focus on the implementation of ISO20022, but also cover also payments standards for the UK. The deadline for applications is Monday 10 December 2018.
The Law Society has responded to the Law Commission’s consultation on reform of the SARs regime. It says the proposals, in the main, do no more than “tinker around the edges” of the issues. It says some of the more radical proposals, such as adopting a serious crimes approach instead of an all crimes approach, […]
The latest edition of Ombudsman News looks at complaints and trends around pensions. Complaints about pensions make up a very small proportion of all complaints, but as a pension is so important to consumers, FOS has focussed on assessing what it sees as the key rights, and included case studies on complaints involving defined benefit to […]
PRA has fined 2 individuals connected with the Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi following its action in 2017 against the bank and MUFJ Securities EMEA. It has fined Akira Kamiya, former Chair of Mitsubishi UFJ Securities International plc £22,700, and fined Takami Onodera, a former NED of the firm, £14,945. The actions occurred before the SMR took […]
Following its consultation in July 2018 on handling complaints about regular premium PPI, the FCA has published finalised guidance that confirms that firms should assess PPI commission disclosures not only at point of sale, but on an on-going basis. The FCA is also consulting on new rules that would require firms that sold relevant products […]
EIOPA has issued a call to action for insurance firms to take steps in good time to ensure they will be able to continue to service policyholders in the event of the UK withdrawing from the EU without an agreement. It notes that UK (and Gibraltar) insurance entities who have cross-boarder insurance contracts should write to […]
EBA has published the results of its 2018 EU-wide stress tests. This year’s test involved 48 banks from 15 countries and generally shows increased resilience and capacity to withstand the shocks the exercise tested. The exercise did not have a defined pass/fail threshold but rather sought to give supervisors a tool to assess banks’ ability […]
The CMA has made a provisional finding that ComparetheMarket includes clauses in many of its contracts with home insurers that breach competition law and could lead to higher premiums for consumers. It says the clauses stop insurers quoting lower prices elsewhere and therefore prevent rival comparison sites and other channels from offering cheaper prices than […]
CMA has published a consultation paper as part of its review of the investment consultancy and fiduciary management services study. The paper contains draft definitions. The proposals define: “investment consultancy service” and “fiduciary management service” The paper also notes that other terms, such as “pension scheme trustees” and “interconnected body corporate” will need separate definition. […]
FCA’s latest Policy Development Update lists a number of publications due before the end of the year: policy statement on regulating CMCs policy statement on RTS and guidelines under PSD2 rates proposals for covering the costs of OPBAS review of permitted links for insurers in relation to Patient Capital and a discussion paper on Patient […]
HMRC has updated its guidance on how it takes civil measures for breaches of AML requirements. The guidance not only sets out HMRC’s approach, which is to promote compliance and prevent non-compliance, but then to respond to any non-compliance in a way that will encourage sustained future compliance but also explains how it will use […]
PRA has updated its “approach” documents in relation to banking and insurance supervision. Key changes to the previous versions include: an update on the changes to supervisory approach following implementation of the SMR and SIMR (and, in the case of insurers, looking forward to the SIMR changing to the SMCR at the end of the […]
As part of its preparation for the contingency of a ‘hard’ Brexit, HM Treasury has published draft onshoring legislation relating to: Payment accounts Financial markets infrastructure insolvency Central securities depositories and Investment funds and managers The changes made under these SIs are unlikely to take effect if an implementation period is agreed.
On 30 October 2018 the FCA announced that it had fined Liberty Mutual Insurance Europe SE (Liberty) £5,280,800. The fine relates to failures in Liberty’s oversight of claims and complaints relating to mobile phone insurance for the period 5 July 2010 until 7 June 2015. According to the Final Notice issued by the FCA, Liberty had entered into […]
On 31 October 2018, the FCA published the results of a thematic review on the pricing practices of household insurance firms. The review uncovered a number of issues on pricing practices. As a consequence, the FCA announced a number of next steps: conducting a market study on general insurance pricing practices; Publishing a discussion paper […]
UK Finance has submitted a note to the Economic Crime enquiry on how to improve the effectiveness of the sanctions regime. It says its members regard SAMLA as a necessary piece of legislation which is largely as expected. It recognises that operating outside the EU framework might lead to greater flexibility, and makes some suggestions […]
FCA’s latest Handbook Notice heralds just one set of rule changes. The changes are to COBS, PERG and examination standards in respect of pension advisers providing suitable advice to consumers about whether to transfer from safeguarded benefits to flexible benefits.
FCA has published its H1 2018 complaints data, which show that firms received more than 4 million complaints in the period. This was a 10% increase from the previous period. Nearly all the complaints were made to 235 of the more than 3,000 firms which recorded complaints. PPI accounted for 42% of complaints, and then […]
FCA has written a “Dear CEO” letter on the duties of SIPP operators in respect of due diligence. The letter refers to the judgement in the Berkeley Burke case and several other pending civil claims, and asks firms to consider the potential implications of these cases for them and their customers. The Berkeley Burke case, […]
The Cryptoassets task force, led by Treasury, has published its report on the UK’s policy and regulatory approach to cryptoassets. The report looks at the policy and regulatory implications of DLT and cryptoassets and comments on the considerable risks as well as the potential benefits. Now the Task force will consult on a number of initiatives, specifically: […]
The Treasury Committee has published the Twenty-Fourth Report of Session 2017-2019 on SME Finance. The Committee highlighted the investigation into RBS’ Global Restructuring Group (GRG), and noted the FCA’s comment that the failures at the GRG might have triggered disciplinary action, had they occurred in a regulated business. The Committee commented that the justification for […]
FATF has published Guidance to a risk-based approach (RBA) to AML and CFT in the life insurance and securities sectors. The Guidance: outlines the key elements involved in applying a RBA to AML/ CFT associated with life insurance sets out the types of securities providers that may be involved in a securities transaction and their […]
Treasury has updated its periodic AML advisory notice to reflect the conclusions from the FATF plenary meeting. The notice reiterates the expectation that firms will: apply EDD and countermeasures in respect of North Korea apply EDD in respect of Iran and take appropriate measures to minimise risks in respect of the Bahamas, Botswana, Ethiopia, Ghana, […]
The FCA and the Pensions Regulator have published a joint strategy outlining how they will work together to address changes in the pensions and retirement income sector. The joint strategy sets out four areas of focus: access and participation, funding and investments, governance and administration, and consumer understanding and decision-making. The Regulators have prioritised the […]
The Bank of England is consulting on the proposed fee for applications for non-UK CCPs that will seek UK recognition both before and after Brexit. Comments and feedback on all aspects of the proposal are sought by 2 January.
On 24 October, the FCA published a report on the progress of its consumer communications campaign and supervisory work regarding the 29 August 2019 deadline for PPI complaints. The report looks at: The PPI campaign so far and how consumers are responding to it; The FCA’s supervisory work to ensure firms are helpful and accessible […]
The European Banking Authority (EBA) has published its work programme, setting out its main objectives, priorities and deliverables for 2019. The EBA’s 5 strategic areas for 2019 include to: lead the Basel III implementation in the EU; understand the risks and opportunities arising from financial innovation; collect, disseminate and analyse banking data; ensure a smooth relocation of the EBA […]
HM Treasury has published a response to the consultation conducted in August – September 2016 on proposed Mutuals’ Deferred Shares Regulations. These would have implemented provision in the Mutuals’ Deferred Shares Act 2015 for a new type of capital to be issued by mutual insurers. The government’s response noted that the nine responses to the […]
HMT has published the latest set of Brexit transition draft and updated draft SIs to be made under the EU Withdrawal Act 2018 in the event of a ‘hard’ Brexit, and accompanying explanatory notes. These cover: Central Securities Depositories Over the Counter Derivatives, Central Counterparties and Trade Repositories Financial Conglomerates and Other Financial Groups (explanatory […]
The Financial Stability Board (FSB) has published a press release following its plenary meeting in Ottawa, in which it reviewed the financial vulnerabilities and deliverables for the G20 Summit. Points of interest include: The Plenary discussed market developments and vulnerabilities in the global financial system. The members considered that, while global growth remained solid, it […]
The Payment Systems Regulator (PSR) has published a Specific Direction (Specific Direction 8) given to Link Scheme Holdings Ltd, the operator of the LINK ATM system. The direction relates to the adoption of appropriate policies and measures, and reporting obligations regarding protected ATMs (LINK), and follows a consultation on the draft version of the direction in […]
As part of its Brexit preparations, the FCA has updated its webpage for incoming trade repositories that wish to ensure they can continue to do business in the UK following Brexit. Firms are now able to complete draft application forms for registration as a trade repository. The FCA has also published guidance notes for this […]
The latest Occasional Consultation Paper from the PRA covers changes to the Rulebook, Supervisory Statements, Statements of Policy and Forms, in the following areas: Reporting – amendment to the Branch Return Form and amendments to the reporting templates for calculating risk based levies Ring fencing – imposition of financial penalties Written reports by external auditors to […]
The Institute of International Finance has published a short form summary report following a survey it conducted of 59 regulated firms. In particular, the study found that the use of machine learning techniques is spreading across the industry, and is being used to gain greater and faster insights to be reviewed by dedicated AML analysts, […]
ESMA has published an own initiative report on additional steps it can take to contain the risks for investors arising from ICOs and crypto-assets (noting that there are no obvious related stability risks as yet). The report recommends that: additional guidance is produced by EMSA on the interpretation of MiFID with respect to applicability to […]
FCA has today published Evaluation Paper 18/2 on the impact of bringing additional benchmarks into the regulatory and supervisory regime. The paper is the second of a new series of FCA evaluations on its past interventions. Background Misconduct and benchmark manipulation cases and FSA investigations led the Government to ask Martin Wheatley to establish an […]
At FATF’s latest plenary meeting, in Paris, the US presidency discussed: streamlining FATF; strategic initiatives, such as further statements on monitoring of terrorist funds, amendments to FATF Recommendations to address regulation of virtual assets and future work on proliferation financing; peer reviews and review of jurisdictions with strategic deficiencies. The UK report is expected to […]
The High Court has delivered a judgment in David Lonsdale v National Westminster Bank PLC. The bank had made several SARs in relation to Mr Lonsdale and companies he was involved with and, as a result, had frozen all relevant accounts. After Mr Lonsdale applied to the court, the bank lifted the freeze. The next […]
The New Payment System Operator (NPSO) has today announced its new name and brand: Pay.UK The new name and identity is aimed at helping the payments authority to better promote its core purpose, which is to transform the “UK’s payment infrastructure to enable a vibrant economy – as well as being a logical progression following […]
On 18 October 2018, the PRA published responses to its consultation paper (CP) 18/18 ‘Strengthening accountability: implementing the extension of the SM&CR to insurers’. The policy statement (PS) 26/18 also includes amendments to the final rules for implementing the regime to insurers and corrections to the Insurance General Application Part of the PRA Rulebook. Background […]
John Neal, most recently Group CEO of QBE Insurance Group, is to be the new Lloyd’s CEO.
FCA is calling for the next round of applications for the regulatory sandbox. The deadline for applications to join cohort 5 is 30 October 2018.
PRA is consulting on a draft supervisory statement setting out how it expects banks and insurers to manage the financial risks from climate change. The statement sets out how effective governance, risk management, scenario analysis and disclosures can be used to address the risks and is intended to build on previous statements and embed appropriate […]
PIFMA is concerned that the proposed extension of the upper limits of compensation FOS can order firms to pay out, from £150, 000 to £350,000 could put some small firms out of the market as they will be unable to get affordable PII cover. From 1 April, 2019, FCA is proposing to increase the limits […]
PRA has published updated Supervisory Statements on: regulatory reporting, internal model outputs, and on ORSA and the ultimate time horizon for non-life firms. The new policies take effect for all financial year-ends on or after 31 December 2018; internal models – modelling of the volatility adjustment and am amended SS on internal models – assessment, […]
The FPC met on 3 October. At the meeting, it continued to assess the risks Brexit presents to the UK financial services sector, noting there had been considerable progress in the UK to address the risks, but not much in the rest of the EU, such that companies no longer have time to mitigate all […]
Treasury has enabled a regime to implement the EU Regulation on financial sanctions against persons, entities and bodies involved in proliferation and use of chemical weapons. There are not any designated persons on the list as yet.
The FCA has published a feedback statement on digital regulatory reporting. This follows the FCA’s call for input on smarter regulatory reporting in February 2018. The FCA found that most respondents agreed that there are significant potential benefits to be gained by introducing digital regulatory reporting, with the most commonly cited benefit being increased efficiency. However, […]
The FCA has published a ‘Dear CEO’ letter setting out the issues surrounding the increase in complaints about unaffordable lending (including complaints about a ‘chain’ of loans over an extended period), and how it expects high-cost short-term credit (HCSTC) firms to manage the impact. The FCA reminds firms that complaint-handling procedures should ensure that a […]
Climate change is thought to have a significant impact on the UK’s financial services market and has led the FCA to publish its Discussion Paper on climate change and green finance (DP18/8). In its DP, the FCA recognises that the risks from climate change will affect the risks and value to some investments, noting that […]
The EU has adopted a Directive on criminal sanctions for money laundering. The Directive: sets minimum requirements for Member States’ laws on defining criminal offences and sanctions in relation to money laundering; imposes a maximum 4 years’ imprisonment with the possibility for additional civil and administrative sanctions; introduces the possibility of holding legal entities liable […]
The FCA has published a consultation on proposed guidance to help solo-regulated firms draft their Statements of Responsibilities (SoR) and (for enhanced firms) Responsibilities Maps, in preparation for the SMCR extension in December 2019. Although targeted at solo-regulated firms, the FCA notes that the guidance may also be useful for dual-regulated firms preparing or updating […]
Treasury has published some new draft statutory instruments to be made under the EU (Withdrawal) Act, or announced plans to make them, and also updated existing drafts. New or updated documents include Regulations on : plans for the Solvency II and Insurance measures Bank Recovery and Resolution Credit Rating Agencies (FCA has also published an […]
FCA has published feedback and final rules and guidance following its consultation on improving the quality of pension transfer advice. Since the introduction of “pension freedoms” in 2015 members have had more options available to them in terms of accessing their defined contribution (DC) pension savings. This has resulted in a substantial increase in the number of […]
The FCA and Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Mutual Recognition of Funds, which will allow eligible Hong Kong public funds and UK retail funds to be distributed in each other’s market through a streamlined process. The MoU also establishes a framework for exchange of information, regular dialogue, and regulatory cooperation […]
The FCA is consulting on the introduction of rules to address issues that could arise where open-ended funds with illiquid asset holdings encounter stressed conditions. Following the outcome of the Brexit referendum in June 2016, a number of such funds had to cease trading for a period of time, following a rush by investors to […]
Following the FCA’s Call for Input into the implementation of the PRIIPs Regulation, the Personal Investment Management and Financial Advice Association (PIMFA) has commented that it agrees with concerns about the practical operation and the detailed KID requirements of the regime. In particular, PIMFA has noted that there is a suggestion that UCITS and other […]
Treasury has set out its plans for a temporary transitional tool for the UK regulators to use that will enable them to phase in the requirements for UK firms that will change under the raft of onshoring legislation consequent on Brexit. The EU Withdrawal Act provides the enabling powers for Treasury to make the various […]
FATF has published its updated consolidated assessment ratings, based on reviews of its members AML/CFT measures after the 4th round of reviews. All countries are graded on methodology and technical compliance. The UK does not yet feature in the table as the 4th round report for it has not yet been published.
OFSI has published its annual review covering the period from April 2017-March 2018. The review covers: that 29 regimes were implemented during the year, with the most active list by far being North Korea (with 96 additions, and other regimes accounting for less than 30, but the lists with the largest number of sanctioned targets […]
The FCA has published a ‘Dear CEO’ letter to debt packager firms, setting out its expectations on the provision of debt advice and counselling services. The FCA is concerned about the poor standards it has seen after undertaking a review of a small sample of debt advice provided by debt packager firms. The FCA stated […]
FCA’s latest policy development update promises various publications before the end of this year, including: policy statement on the approach to the final RTS and EBA guidelines under PSD 2, in December; policy proposals on regulatory fees and levies for 2019/20, in November; and review of permitted links rules for insurers in relation to Patient […]
AFME has published guidance on financial analysts’ interaction with representatives of private companies and their financial advisers under the revised rules in COBS 12.2.21 which took effect in July. The change stemmed from the MiFID Org Reg, which states that financial analysts should not engage in activities other than the preparation of investment research where […]
ESMA has updated its FAQs on MiFID 2 and MiFIR on market structures and transparency. New questions look at: how derivatives are classified for transparency purposes amending an existing question on the default liquidity status of bonds the scope of the MiFIR pre-trade transparency waiver market making activities and incentives in stressed trading consitions bulk […]
ESMA has updated its AIFMD FAQs to include questions on how notification requirements apply to AIFMs managing umbrella AIFs on a cross-border basis.
Following a super-complaint by the Citizens Advice bureau, the CMA has announced that it is seeking views on concerns about long term customers paying more for goods and services. The CMA has identified four key issues to which it invites responses by 14 October 2018: the existence, impact and root causes of a ‘loyalty penalty’ […]
ESMA has published an update to its Q&As on MiFID II and MiFIR, answering questions relating to investor protection and intermediaries. The answers address: best execution: reporting for firms using a venue’s RFQ system to agree a trade; and investment advice on an independent basis: use of a ‘look-through’ approach. EMSA has also formally withdrawn […]
The CMA has announced that it is bringing forward the date for publishing its final report on its investigation into the supply and acquisition of investment consultancy and fiduciary management services in the UK. Having considered the responses to its Provisional Decision Report, the CMA has announced that it will aim to publish its final […]
The LMA’s recent bulletin, which was published on 2 October 2018, provided the Lloyd’s community and its members with: (i) new model clauses for EEA and non-EEA risks placed with Lloyd’s Brussels; (ii) suggested wording for “Brexit affected policies”; and (iii) treaty exclusion wording for outwards reinsurance placed with Lloyd’s Brussels. New model clauses The […]
The respondent to the first Unexplained Wealth Order granted under the Criminal Finances Act 2017 failed in an appeal against it. NCA had obtained the order in February, and it was appealed in July. The respondent is the wife of a banker from a non-EEA country. £22m of UK property has been frozen, and the respondent […]
Steven Maijoor has spoken on the state of implementation of MiFID 2 and preparing for Brexit. He focussed on the impact of MiFID 2 on non-EU trading venues – in particular looking at the impact of the trading obligation and on secondary markets and transparency. He looked also at the role and increase in market […]
FCA has published its Thematic Review into money laundering and terrorist financing risks in the E-money sector. Its review covered 13 firms and focused on e-money products including prepaid cards and digital wallets, but not money remittance services or any services that fall outside FCA’s regulatory remit (such as exempt cards). FCA found the firms […]
The Court of Appeal has handed down its judgement in R (Holmcroft Properties Ltd) v KPMG LLP. The case had raised the issue of whether KPMG, as a “skilled person” appointed to carry out an independent review of Barclays in the context of the IRHP redress scheme, could be judicially reviewed. The High Court had […]
ESMA has updated its FAQs on: commodity derivatives. Changes address the ancillary activity test, and position limits and reporting; and MAR. Changes clarify delayed disclosure of inside information. It has also published a number of documents tracking compliance of Member States with MAR, including on the delay in disclosure of inside information and on […]
ESMA has published its 2019 work programme. As ever, its top priority is supervisory convergence. It will be working particularly on prospectuses, investment funds and MiFID 2 as well as cross-cutting supervisory themes. Of course, all activities will consider Brexit. It also plans to work on improvement of data quality and risk monitoring and further […]
Charles Randell, speaking at AFME’s conference, highlighted the damage that a cycle of deregulation, crisis and regulation can do. He discussed in particular the risks of deregulation, or the choice not to apply regulation to something innovative, thus encouraging business into that area – which often then leads to a scandal and then the introduction […]