The FCA has published a consultation paper on prohibiting the sale of derivatives and exchange traded notes (ETNs) referencing certain types of cryptoassets to retail customers. The FCA considers such products to be ill...
Author - Angie Bamboulis
Angie Bamboulis
CMA Reviews Part 6 of Retail Banking Market Investigation Order 2017
The CMA has announced that it will conduct a review of Part 6 of the Retail Banking Market Investigation Order 2017 (the Order). The Order, which came into force in February 2018, requires qualifying banks to...
BIS to set up Innovation Hub
The Board of the Bank for International Settlements (BIS) has announced the establishment of a BIS Innovation Hub to foster international collaboration on innovative financial technology within the central banking...
Terms of Reference of the Joint Authorities Cash Strategy Group
In line with the Government’s policy to safeguard access to cash for those who need it, whilst supporting digital payments, HM Treasury (HMT) has establish the Joint Authorities Cash Strategy (JACS) Group...
Approach banks should take when exiting a customer
UK Finance has published a set of principles setting out the approach that banks should take when communicating a decision to a customer that it cannot offer, or continue with, the provision of its service. In each...
PSR Review of the Structure of LINK Interchange Fees
The PSR has published a Call for Views (CP19/5) on the structure of LINK interchange fees. The paper examines how the structure of the interchange fees works now, what other options there could be and how the...
FCA and PRA Joint Statement on LIBOR preparations
The FCA and PRA have published a joint statement on firms’ preparation for the transition from LIBOR to overnight risk-free rates (RFRs). The joint statement sets out key themes, good practice and next steps for...
FCA and Dutch Authority agree on closer partnership
The FCA and the Dutch Authority for the Financial Markets have agreed to work more closely together in order to protect and enhance the integrity of their financial systems. The regulators will share information to...
FSB Report on Crypto-Asset Risks
The FSB has published a report on crypto-assets, which will be delivered to G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors ahead of their meeting in Fukuoka in June 2019. In particular the report notes: the work...
FCA and ESMA statements on share trading obligations
ESMA has published a statement on the revised scope of the EU’s share trading obligation (STO) under a no-deal scenario, following their initial announcement on 19 March 2019. ESMA stated that although its prior...
FCA Call for Input on Cross-Sector Sandbox
The FCA has published a Call for Input, requesting the views of interested parties on the concept of cross-sector sandbox. Since October 2018, the FCA has engaged with a range of regulators and a small group of firms to...
APP scam victims provided greater protect under new Code
The APP Scams Steering Group has published the new voluntary Code which gives customers greater protection against APP scams and provides victims, who meet certain requirements, with full refunds. To help protect...
FCA successful in High Court case against unauthorised forex firm
Following an application by the FCA, the High Court recently ruled that Xcore Capital Limited, an unauthorised forex firm, and broker, Mr Jonathan Chitty had carried on an unauthorised investment scheme. Consumers were...
Combatting fraud with payee verifications
We have written an article on the steps the payments industry is taking to mitigate the risks of APP fraud, in particular the introduction of ‘Confirmation of Payee’, an account name checking system.
Over £27 million lost to scams involving crypto and forex investments
The FCA and Action Fraud have reported that victims have lost over £27 million in total in 2018/2019 to crypto and forex investment scams. Action Fraud reports show that on average, victims were each scammed out of...
FOS Annual Review 2018/2019
The Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) has published its Annual Review 2018/2019. The Annual Review highlights that FOS has: received more than 388,000 complaints over the past 12 months, which is up 14% on 2017/2018...
FCA consults on mortgage advice and selling standards
The FCA has published a consultation paper which sets out its proposals for changes to its mortgage advice and selling standards. The purpose of the consultation is to address the issues identified through the...
EBA Opinion on Passport Notifications for E-Money Agents and Distributors
The EBA has published an opinion on the nature of passport notifications regarding agents and distributors under PSD2, 2EMD and MLD4. In particular, the opinion provides clarity on: the criteria that national competent...
FCA reminds firms about the approval of financial promotions
Following its ‘Dear CEO’ letter, published on 9 January 2019, the FCA has reminded firms involved in the approval of financial promotions for unauthorised persons of their obligations when doing so. The FCA...
PSR ADOPTS SMR PRINCIPLES
As a wholly owned subsidiary of the FCA, the Payment Systems Regulator (PSR) has announced that it is adopting and applying the same core principles of the Senior Managers Regime as the FCA. A formal description of the...
FCA’s decision to fine broker for market abuse upheld
The Upper Tribunal has today published its decision in Linear Investments Ltd v FCA [2019] UKUT 0115 (TCC) (FS2018/054), in which it upheld the FCA’s decision to fine Linear for market abuse failings. In September...
Senior bankers sentenced for manipulating EURIBOR rate
The Senior Fraud Office (SFO) announced that 2 former senior bankers at Barclays, Carlo Palombo and Colin Bermingham, were sentenced to a total of 9 years imprisonment at Southwark Crown Court for manipulating the Euro...
PSR publishes Annual Plan and Budget for 2019/2020
The Payment Systems Regulator (PSR) published its annual plan and budget setting out its key objectives and activities for 2019/2020. The PSRs key initiatives include: to protect people from Authorised Push Payment...
What the Consumer Credit firms can expect from the FCA
The FCA has published a speech by Jonathan Davidson, Executive Director of Supervision – Retail and Authorisations, in which he sets out what the consumer credit sector can expect from the FCA in terms of regulation. Mr...
ESMA AND FCA STATEMENT ON SHARE TRADING OBLIGATIONS
ESMA has published a statement in which it outlines its approach, in the event of a no-deal Brexit, to the application of the trading obligations for shares (STOs) under article 23 of MiFIR in the absence of an...
FCA Update on Digital Regulatory Reporting
The FCA has updated its webpage on digital regulatory reporting (DRR) by publishing – a video which explains the concept of DRR and outlines the work carried out by the DRR pilot group; a report which sets out an...
BCBS Statement on crypto-assets
The Basel Committee on Banking Supervision has published a statement on crypto-assets. The Committee acknowledges that while the crypto-asset market remains small relative to that of the global financial system, and...
APP Scam Steering Group announces voluntary code to combat fraud
The Authorised Push Payment (APP) Scams Steering Group announced that it has agreed a voluntary Code of good practice. The Code aims to better protect customers and reduce the occurrence of APP fraud. It sets out the...
UK CSD to be recognised by ESMA in the event of a no-deal Brexit
ESMA has announced that in the event of a no-deal Brexit, the Central Securities Depository (CSD) established in the UK, Euroclear UK and Ireland Ltd, will be recognised as a a third country CSD to provide its services...
FCA SETS OUT DETAILS ON POST BREXIT REGULATION OF CRAs
The FCA has updated its webpage on credit rating agencies (CRAs) in order to reflect the transitional provisions under the Credit Rating Agencies (Amendment etc) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (SI 2019/266) (CRA...
FCA ‘Dear CEO’ letter on misleading financial promotions
The FCA has published a ‘Dear CEO’ letter in which it provides clarity about the communication and approval of financial promotions by regulated and unregulated businesses. The FCA has published the letter...
FCA EVALUATION ON REDUCING BARRIERS TO ENTRY INTO THE UK BANKING SECTOR
The FCA has published an evaluation paper on reducing barriers to entry into the UK banking sector. In its paper, the FCA evaluates the impact that the 2013 reforms to the authorisations process and a shift in approach...
Policy Statement on final RTS secure customer authentication
In September 2018, the FCA consulted on new or amended rules, directions and guidance to implement the Regulatory Technical Standards for strong customer authentication and common and secure open standards of...
FCA final rules and guidance for CMCs
Following a consultation earlier this year, the FCA has published a policy statement setting out the new rules and fees that will apply to claims management companies (CMCs) from April 2019. From 1 April 2019, the FCA...
EC Review of the Distance Marketing Directive
The European Commission has launched a review of the Distance Marketing Directive (DMD) to assess whether it is relevant, effective, efficient, and in line with other EU legislation. The review follows an announcement...
CMA Consults on Annual Plan 2019/2020
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is consulting on its proposed Annual Plan, which sets out its plans and priorities for 2019 to 2020. Subject to the outcome of the Brexit negotiations, the CMA plans to give...
Consultation on Pensions Dashboard
The Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) is consulting on proposals to create an industry-led system of multiple dashboards which will allow millions of people to access their pension facts and figures from most...
Working Group publishes pack on LIBOR transition
The Working Group on Sterling Risk-Free Reference Rates (Working Group) has published a communication pack entitled ‘Preparing for 2022: what you need to know about LIBOR transition’. The pack is designed to...
FSB announces appointment of new FSB Chair and Vice Chair
The Plenary of the Financial Stability Board (FSB) has announced the appointment of Randal K. Quarles (Governor and Vice Chairman for Supervision at the US Federal Reserve) as its new Chair and Klaas Knot (President of...
PSR Consultation on requiring confirmation of payee service
The Payment Systems Regulator (PSR) is consulting on its proposal to make general directions requiring payment service providers (PSPs) to implement a Confirmation of Payee (CoP) service. The consultation paper seeks...
FCA consults on proposed price cap on the rent-to-own market and confirms final rules on extended warranties
The FCA has published a consultation paper (CP18/35) setting out its proposals to introduce a price cap on rent-to-own (RTO) firms, summarising the feedback to the consultation carried out in May 2018 on high-cost...
FCA Speech on key issues identified by the Cryptoassets Taskforce
The FCA has published a speech by Christopher Woolard, Executive Director of Strategy and Competition at the FCA, delivered at the Regulation of Cryptocurrencies event on 20 November 2018. The speech highlights the key...
EBA 2019 WORK PROGRAMME
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...
FSB holds its plenary meeting
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...
PSR SPECIFIC DIRECTION TO OPERATOR OF THE LINK ATM SYSTEM
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...
FCA Feedback Statement on Digital Regulatory Reporting
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...
FCA WRITES TO FIRMS ON AFFORDABILITY OF HCSTC LOANS
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...
FCA and SFC sign MoU on UK-Hong Kong Mutual Recognition of Funds
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...
FCA sets out its expectations on debt packager firms providing debt advice and counselling services
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...
FCA thematic review on credit broking remuneration models
The FCA has published its thematic review on the impact of credit broking remuneration models at the point of sale. The thematic review covered a wide variety of credit brokers offering loans or finance provided by a...
Dear CEO letter to firms on preparations for transition from LIBOR
The FCA and PRA have published a joint ‘Dear CEO’ letter sent to major banks and insurers supervised in the UK regarding the preparations and actions they have taken to manage the transition from the London...
Ringleader sentenced in the FCA’s largest fraud prosecution
Michael Nascimento, the controlling mind of a £2.8m investment fraud was sentenced to 11 years’ imprisonment in the Southwark Crown Court. Between July 2010 and April 2014, members of the public were cold-called...
European Parliament resolution on the relationships between the EU and third countries concerning financial services regulation and supervision
The European Parliament has voted in plenary to adopt a resolution on regulatory and supervisory relationships between EU and third countries. In addition, it published a provisional edition of the resolution. In...
ESAs publish autumn report on risks and vulnerabilities in the EU financial system
The Joint Committee of the European Supervisory Authorities (ESAs) published its latest report on the risks and vulnerabilities in the EU financial system (JC 2018 34). The autumn report highlights the following risks...
FCA publishes final notices on client money
The FCA has published final notices in respect of One Call Insurance Services Limited and its majority shareholder John Radford for breaches in relation to client money and assets in the general insurance and protection...
Firms’ permissions cancelled for failure to be open and co-operative with the FCA
The FCA has cancelled the Part 4A permissions of two firms, Causeway Group Limited and Prime Render Solutions Limited . The cancellation of the permissions is due to both firms failing to satisfy the suitability...
FOS update on publication of complaints data
The Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) has published a statement, following its October 2016 Consultation Paper and December 2016 Feedback Statement on complaints data publication. The Feedback Statement included...
ECB publishes the latest version of its Supervision Letter
The European Central Bank (ECB) has published the latest edition of its Supervision Letter. The August edition includes a recording of an interview with Ed Sibley, Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Ireland and ECB...
FCA complaints handling review findings
The FCA has published its findings of the review of how Non-deposit Taking Mortgage Lenders (NDTMLs) and Mortgage Third-Party Administrators (MTPAs) handle complaints. In particular the review looked at how NDTMLs and...
FCA Dear CEO Letter on cross border arrangements
The FCA has published a Dear CEO letter on cross border booking arrangements. In its letter, the FCA acknowledges that, in order to deal with the UK’s withdrawal from the EU, firms have put in place contingency...
EIOPA joins the Sustainable Insurance Forum
The European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority (EIOPA) has announced that it has become a member of the Sustainable Insurance Forum (SIF). The SIF is a network of insurance supervisors and regulators from...
ECB publishes draft regulation on money market statistics
The ECB has published a draft Regulation amending the Money Market Statistical Reporting (MMSR) Regulation. Since July 2016, the ECB has used the MMSR Regulation to collect data on the euro money market. In addition...
FCA consults on general standards and communication rules for payment services and e-money
The FCA has published a consultation paper on rules and guidance to improve conduct and communication in the payment services and e-money sectors. Currently, payment service providers and e-money issuers are subject to...
FCA confirms no action will be taken against RBS for treatment of SME customers
The FCA has published an update on its investigation into RBS’s treatment of small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) customers transferred to its Global Restructuring Group (GRG). The FCA commissioned...
Mortgage Lenders agree on common standards to help longstanding borrowers
UK Finance has announced that together with the Building Societies Association and the Intermediary Mortgage Lenders Association, it has agreed common standards to help existing mortgage borrowers on a lender’s...
FCA’S FINAL RULES ON ASSESSING CREDITWORTHINESS IN CONSUMER CREDIT
The FCA has published a policy statement setting out its final rules and guidance on assessing creditworthiness in consumer credit. The policy statement summarises and responds to the feedback the FCA received to the...
FCA seeks feedback on price discrimination in the cash savings market
The FCA has published a discussion paper on price discrimination in the cash savings market. The FCA is concerned that longstanding customers receive lower interest rates on easy access cash savings accounts products...
PSR MARKET REVIEW INTO THE SUPPLY OF CARD-ACQUIRING SERVICES
The PSR has published its draft terms of reference setting out the proposed approach to the market review into the supply of card-acquiring services that it intends to carry out. The review follows concerns that the...
PRA consults on regulatory reporting
The PRA has published an occasional consultation paper on regulatory reporting. The consultation paper sets out proposed changes to the following reporting requirements: discontinuance of Prudent Valuation Return PV001;...
MOU ON THE REGULATION OF PAYMENT SYSTEMS
On 20 July 2018, the Bank Of England (BoE), the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) and Payment Systems Regulator (PSR) published their Memorandum of Understanding in relation to...
EBA GUIDELINES ON FRAUD REPORTING UNDER PSD2
The European Banking Authority (EBA) has published its final report on the fraud reporting guidelines under PSD2 (Guidelines). The Guidelines have been published following the consultation which took place in August...
The FCA’s discussion paper on the introduction of a duty of care
Alongside the Approach to Consumers document, which was published on 17 July 2018, the FCA has published a discussion paper (DP18/5) on the introduction of a duty of care for financial services firms. In response to the...
The FCA’s Approach to Consumers
Following its consultation in November 2017, the FCA has today published its Approach to Consumers document which aims to address the concerns raised in the feedback to the consultation. The consultation took place...
FSB statement on reforming interest rate benchmarks
The Financial Stability Board (FSB) has published a statement on reforms to interbank offered rates (IBORs) and the development of overnight risk-free rates (RFRs) and term rates. Points of interest include: to...
Andrew Bailey speaks on the transition from LIBOR
The FCA has published a speech by Andrew Bailey, Chief Executive of the FCA, on transitioning from LIBOR to alternative interest rate benchmarks. Although important steps have been taken towards transition, Andrew...
Banking (Cash Machine Charges and Financial Inclusion) Bill 2017-19
Parliament has announced that the second reading of the Banking (Cash Machine Charges and Financial Inclusion) Bill 2017-19 is scheduled to take place on Friday 23 November 2018. The Bill contains provisions which...
FCA publishes new version of its Approach Document on payment services and e-money
The FCA has published a revised version of its Approach Document on payment services and electronic money. The updated document includes new guidance on operational and security risks under PSD2; which can be found in...
Discussion Paper on building the financial sector’s operational resilience
The Bank of England, the PRA and FCA have published a joint discussion paper on its approach to improve operational resilience in the financial sector. The regulators envisage that boards and senior managers can achieve...
Evaluation of the Consumer Credit Directive
The European Commission has published a roadmap on the Consumer Credit Directive (Directive). The Commission is looking to assess: effectiveness: whether the original objectives of the Directive have been achieved;...
Mobile Contactless SEPA Card Payments Interoperability Implementation Guidelines
Following a consultation in October 2017, the European Payments Council has published a revised version of its mobile contactless Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA) card payments interoperability implementation guidelines...
PSR: The consolidation of UK retail payment systems is now complete
The Payment Systems Regulator (PSR) has issued a press release stating that the consolidation of the UK retail payment systems is now complete, following the introduction of the New Payment Systems Operator (NPSO). The...
Mansion House 2018: Speech by the Chancellor of the Exchequer
HM Treasury has published a speech by Philip Hammond, Chancellor of the Exchequer, which was delivered at the annual Mansion House dinner. In his speech, Mr Hammond focused on Brexit and financial services. He said that...
Mansion House 2018: BoE Governor gives speech – ‘New Economy, New Finance, New Bank’
Mark Carney, Governor of the BoE, delivered a speech at the annual Mansion House dinner on how the UK financial system can continue to serve the UK and the world, in the face of major structural changes. In his speech...
FCA statement on EBA’s draft PSD2 Guidelines and Opinion for banks and others involved in open banking
The FCA has published a statement on the European Banking Authority’s (EBA) draft PSD2 Guidelines and Opinion on the Regulatory Technical Standards (RTS) on Strong Customer Authentication and Common and Secure...
FCA Financial Lives Survey
The FCA have published a report on its Financial Lives Survey 2018. The survey is the FCA’s largest tracking survey of adults and their finances, covering 13,000 face-to-face and online interviews. Key findings...
Treasury’s response to call for evidence on breathing space scheme
HM Treasury has published a summary of the submissions received to the call for evidence on problem debt. The call for evidence was issued in October 2017 to gain further insight from the debt advice sector and...
EBA publishes Annual Report 2017
The European Banking Authority (EBA) has published its annual report 2017, in which it describes the work undertaken and its achievements in 2017. The report also includes the EBA’s key areas of focus for 2018...
PSR DISCUSSION PAPER ON DATA IN THE PAYMENT INDUSTRY
The Payment Services Regulator (PSR) has published a Discussion Paper (DP18/1) on the use of data in the payments industry. The aim of the discussion paper is to better understand the actions the PSR may need to take in...
BoE consults on the modernisation of UK payments
The Bank of England (BoE) has, together with the New Payments System Operator (NSPO) and the Payment System Regulator (PSR), launched a 6 week consultation on the adoption of a common global standard, known as...
BoE responds to the Treasury’s call for evidence on cash and digital payments
The Bank of England (BoE) has published its response to the Treasury’s Call for Evidence on cash and digital payments in the new economy. The BoE welcomes Treasury’s Call for Evidence. Key points include:...
New Chair of the Court of the Bank of England appointed
HM Treasury and the Bank of England have announced that Bradley Fried has been appointed as Chair of the Court of the Bank of England, with effect from 1 July 2018. He will replace Sir Anthony Habgood who has been Chair...
Treasury Committee’s digital currencies inquiry
The Treasury Committee has updated its webpage with the written evidence it has received to its digital currencies inquiry, which was launched in February 2018. The Committee received written evidence from a number of...
HM Treasury: Cryptoassets Taskforce meets for the first time
The first meeting of the UK’s new Cryptoassets Taskforce took place on 21 May 2018. The Taskforce was first announced in April by the Chancellor of the Exchequer as part of the Government’s Fintech Sector Strategy...
Memorandum of understanding between FCA and Insolvency Service
The FCA has published a memorandum of understanding (MoU) it has entered with the Insolvency Service (IS). The MoU sets out the agreement between the IS and the FCA that governs the exchange of information to better...
FCA bans director for misappropriation of client money
The FCA has today published a decision notice in which it has banned a director, Darren Newton, from working in any regulated activity in the financial services sector. The FCA found that Mr Newton had used...
Summary of responses to the ECB’s second public consultation on developing a euro unsecured overnight interest rate
The European Central Bank (ECB) has published a summary of the responses it received to its second consultation on developing a euro unsecured overnight interest rate. The consultation follows the ECB’s decision...
ASA Ruling on Intelligent Lending Ltd t/a Ocean Finance
The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) upheld a complaint about a credit card advertisement broadcast by Intelligent Lending Limited t/a Ocean Finance. The complainant challenged whether the advertisement should have...
PRA consults on Solvency II
The PRA has today published two consultation papers relating to Solvency II. The first consultation paper “Solvency II: External audit of the public disclosure requirement” sets out the PRA’s proposals...
ECB consults on cyber resilience oversight expectations
The European Central Bank (ECB) has launched a consultation on cyber resilience oversight expectations. The consultation contains a draft document which defines the ECB’s expectations in terms of cyber resilience, based...
FCA SPEECH ON PSD2 AND OPEN BANKING
The FCA has published a speech, by Karina McTeague, Director of Retail Banking Supervision, on opportunities offered by the Payment Services Directive (PSD2) and open banking. Highlights of the speech include: the FCA...