FIN.

FCA consults on changes to UK MiFID firm organisational requirements

FCA is consulting, as part of its wider capital markets reform work, on a set of changes to the conduct and organisational requirements on research and best execution.  The aim is that the rules continue to achieve their objectives, but in a more efficient way.

The changes will affect both MiFID investment firms and market operators as well as Article 3 firms, banks and CIS that provide investment services and unregulated research providers. The changes will:

  • broaden the list of what is considered a minor non-monetary benefit to include research on SMEs with a market cap below £200m and FICC research, so that these are not subject to the rules on inducements;
  • change how the inducement rules apply to openly available research and research provided by independent research providers;
  • remove the obligation on execution venues to provide RTS 27 reports, and the obligation on executing investment firms to produce RTS 28 reports.

Comments are due by 23 June.

Emma Radmore