Emma RadmoreFCA has confirmed it has now issued Link Fund Solutions Ltd with a draft Warning Notice following its investigation into the circumstances leading up to the suspension of the Woodford Equity income Fund. The firm has 14...
Category - Enforcement & Litigation
CMA issues directions to NatWest for bundling breaches
The CMA has issued directions to NatWest following the bank’s breach of undertakings which prohibited it from requiring SME customers which held certain bank loans to also hold business current accounts (BCAs)...
Lucy Hadrill
Court refuses permission to appeal on CCA default notice
The Supreme Court has refused the Appellant debtor’s application for permission to appeal the Court of Appeal’s decision in Goodinson (Appellant) v PRA Group (UK) Ltd (Respondent) [2021] EWCA Civ 957...
Harshil PatelFCA consults on transfer advice redress
FCA is consulting on updates to how it calculates redress for unsuitable DB pension transfer advice. The consultation: confirms that FCA has carried out a review that shows that the current methodology is appropriate...
Court refuses judicial review on FOS mortgage rate decision
The High Court has found in favour of FOS in an application by a mortgage lender for judicial review of FOS’ decision on a complaint about mortgage interest rates. Mrs D had taken out a 10 year interest only...
Ombudsman News highlights gambling complaints
The latest edition of Ombudsman News from FOS highlights: the recent appointment of a new Deputy Chief Ombudsman and COO, both of whom will take up their roles by October; and FOS’ new guidance on the treatment of...
Employee fairly dismissed for failing to disclose that he had been made bankrupt
We have commented on the recent Employment Appeal Tribunal (EAT) decision in Pubbi v Your-Move.co.uk [2022] EAT 96 in which an employee was dismissed for failing to disclose that he had been made redundant, following up...
Ben DuxburyNeed more detail on the Financial Services and Markets Bill?
We’ve produced a detailed summary of the key aspects of the Financial Services and Markets Bill, following up on our headline post. While the Bill won’t be having its second reading until September, keep an...
CMA orders bank to send transaction histories
The CMA has ordered Monzo to send transaction histories for 13,000 customers who closed their accounts with the bank but were not sent the history required by the Retail Banking Market Investigation Order. The breaches...
Court confirms no statutory trust for unsafeguarded EMR/PSR assets
The Insolvency and Companies Court has given directions at the request of the liquidators of Allied Wallets Limited, a failed payment services firm, which was subject to the PSRs in respect of electronic payment...
CMA finds that six high street banks broke CMA banking rules
Six high street banks have broken rules imposed by the CMA under the Retail Banking Market Investigation Order 2017. Banks and building societies are required to follow strict rules when it comes to informing customers...
New Financial Services and Markets Bill in Parliament
The Government has introduced the Financial Services and Markets Bill into Parliament. The Bill was introduced on 20 July and had its first reading, but no date was set for the second reading. In his first Mansion House...
Tribunal decides dismissal for bankruptcy is fair
A recent Employment Appeal Tribunal decision considered whether Your-Move (YM), an Estate Agent, had unfairly dismissed a consultant (Mr Pubbi – the Claimant) for failing to disclose that he had been made bankrupt. The...
Complaints Commissioner publishes Annual Report
In this year’s report by the Complaints Commissioner dealing with complaints against the Financial Services Regulators, Amerdeep Somal outlines what her office dealt with, and how it compared to last year. 935...
High Court finds that Robert Tchenguiz was correctly classified as an elective professional client and that there was no breach of COBS rules
Background Investor Robert Tchenguiz (T) had opened a spread betting account with CMC Spreadbet plc (CMC), and CMC had elected to treat T as a ‘professional client’. T’s classification as an elective...
Upper Tribunal finds failings with crypto trader’s AML compliance
The Upper Tribunal (Tax and Chancery Chamber) has published its decision in Vladimir Consulting Ltd (VCL) v Financial Conduct Authority, in which it has analysed whether VCL’s approach to business was compliant...
FCA agrees end to unauthorised deposit taker case
FCA started court proceedings in December 2019 against Bright Management Solution Limited, which it alleged was operating an unauthorised deposit taking scheme. The matter was due to come to trial this month, but a...
FCA seeks retrial in insider dealing case
Following the Court’s decision to discharge the jury after they were unable to reach a verdict following an 8-week trial, the FCA has announced that it will pursue a retrial of Stuart Bayes and Jonathan Swann for...
FCA update on market abuse and manipulation
Tackling market abuse is one of the FCA’s strategic priorities. Given recent press reports about the FCA’s approach, the FCA outlined the work it does to tackle insider trading and manipulation and to warn...
FIN. TeamUpper Tribunal confirms compensation and validation possible for credit breaches
In its recent decision, the Upper Tribunal drew a distinction between the compensation regime available to consumers under section 28(2) of FSMA and the enforceability of a regulated credit agreement under section 28(3)...
FOS issues discussion paper on future funding model
On 14 June 2022, the FOS published a discussion paper on possible changes to its future funding model.. This follows the FOS’s commitment in their action plan to change and improve the organisation to deliver a...
FCA fines guarantor lender for Principles and CONC breaches
The FCA has published the final notice issued to TFS Loans Ltd (in administration), a provider of guarantor loans. The FCA has fined TFS £811,900 for breaches of Principles 3 and 6 and CONC. It is now required to...
Post-legislative assessment of the Fraud Act 2006
The Ministry of Justice has published a memorandum on the Fraud Act 2006 which provides an updated post-legislative assessment of the Act for submission to the House of Lords Select Committee in light of rising digital...
FOS announces new Chief Executive and Chief Ombudsman
FOS has appointed Abby Thomas to the role of Chief Executive and Chief Ombudsman. She joins from Virgin Media O2 and was trained as a strategy consultant before working for a number of telecoms companies.
Court finds introducer in breach of FSMA but allows commission to stand
Kinled Investments Limited introduced an investor to Zopa Group Limited. Kinled claimed a £4.2m fee from Zopa for its intermediary work when the investor made a second investment, while Zopa counterclaimed £345,000 as...
Court looks at meaning of “insurance”
A court has considered whether a law firm that offered an indemnity against adverse court orders when acting for claimants on a conditional fee basis was in fact carrying on insurance business. The defendant firm of...
Privy Council declines to extend the Quincecare duty to protect beneficial owners of funds
The Privy Council has handed down its decision in Royal Bank of Scotland International LLP (Bank) v JP SPC 4 and another [2022] UKPC 18, in which it confirmed that as a matter of law, banks do not owe a duty of care...
FCA sets up BSPS information page
FCA has published a new page on its website in which it gives answers to requests for further clarification that it has received from respondents to its consultation on the British Steel Pension Scheme redress scheme...
FRC disciplines KPMG and Partner over Rolls Royce audit
The Financial Reporting Council has issued its final decision notice after its investigation into KPMG Audit plc and the Audit Engagement Partner, Anthony Sykes, in respect of the statutory audit of Rolls-Royce Group...
FOS secures up to £22 million in redress for consumers
FOS has published the results of a temporary outcomes code initiative launched in November 2021 As a result of the work done by the FOS, more than 90 businesses has resulted in 6,877 offers being made to customers and...
Paypal withdraws from FOS voluntary jurisdiction
PayPal (Europe) S.a.r.l et Cie, SCA is withdrawing from FOS’ voluntary jurisdiction from 1 December 2022. The company became subject to the compulsory jurisdiction after Brexit when it joined the TPR. But the...
FCA fines and bans firms and individuals over pensions advice
FCA has issued final notices to two firms in relation to their pension advice business and misleading the FCA. The fact pattern for both firms was similar, involving their use of a Pension Review and Advice Process...
PSR takes action against banks for non-compliance with the IFR
PSR has taken action against NatWest, RBS, Ulster Bank and Coutts for failing to comply with the Interchange Fee Regulation. The banks incorrectly treated a number of cards as being ‘commercial’ when they should have...
New proposal for distance selling of financial services
Following its request for feedback last year, the European Commission has adopted reforms of the current EU rules concerning financial services contracts concluded at a distance. The proposal aims to simplify and...
FCA bans 5 directors for causing losses to pension customers
The FCA has banned five directors of financial advice firms from working in financial services, after they caused significant losses to pension customers. The bans, and fines of over £1m, follow findings by the Upper...
FCA publishes H1 2022 complaints data
FCA has published its H1 2022 complaints data. In 2021 H2, financial services firms received 1.84m complaints, 10% lower than in 2021 H1 (2.04m). This is the lowest level recorded since 2016 H2. The insurance and pure...
FOS publishes complaints data from H2 2021
Between 1 July and 31 December 2021, FOS received a total of c.73,200 complaints of which 37% were upheld.
FOS has also published its latest half-yearly data on the number of complaints received about CMCs.
Court finds mortgage loan not “by way of business”
The High Court has handed down its judgment in the case of Arthistory Ltd and Mr and Mrs Campbell. The Campbells own a property and had granted an option to Arthistory (the Claimant) to acquire it. The Claimant sought...
FCA to remove credit broker permissions
FCA has published its first supervisory notice against Semantic Business Services Ltd, a secondary credit broker. It plans to remove the firm’s permissions because: the firm has links with a number of other firms...
PSR updates on competition in pre-paid cards sector
The PSR has publishes the non-confidential version of its decision following its investigation into two cartels in the pre-paid cards market. In January it confirmed its fines totalling around £33m on Mastercard...
FCA publishes BSPS compensation scheme proposals
FCA has published its proposals for a compensation scheme to compensate former members of the British Steel Pension Scheme who received unsuitable advice to transfer out. FCA says that almost half the advice it reviewed...
Ombudsman News looks at storm damage
The latest edition of Ombudsman News from FOS covers not only its plan and budget for 2022/23 (which FIN has covered separately) but also guidance for consumers about storm damage complaints. The guidance contains...
CMA issues SME banking directions to HSBC
CMA has issued directions to HSBC under the SME banking undertakings 2002. The directions stem from breaches notified over the past 18 months in respect of 221 loans impacting 204 customers since 2002. They primarily...
FCA fines asset manager and former investment director
FCA has fined GAM International Management Limited £9m, and its former Investment Director and Business Unit Head Timothy Haywood £230,000 following failure to conduct business with due care and attention, and failure...
FOS outlines strategic plans for 2022/23
FOS has published its plans and budget for 2022/23. In the coming year, FOS: expects to receive 177,000 complaints and resolve 220,500 complaints; will continue to ensure it is equipped to respond to complexity and...
Pension adviser refused judicial review of FOS decision
A pensions transfer and opt out adviser, Portal Financial Services LLP, had given advice to several clients introduced by a third party advisory firm which was the AR (Cherish) of another firm whose permissions did not...
FCA updates on operational and cyber resilience following Russian invasion
The FCA has published some pointers that firms should consider regarding operational and cyber resilience following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Firms are advised to consider the following: the firm’s ability...
ASA cracks down on misleading crypto ads
ASA has issued an Enforcement Notice to over 50 firms which advertise cryptocurrencies, instructing them to review their ads and to ensure they understand and are complying with the rules so that consumers are treated...
NAO reports on BSPS
The National Audit Office has published its report on its investigation into the British Steel Pension Scheme. When BSPS was restructured in 2017 44,000 of its members had the opportunity to transfer out of the scheme...
Lloyd’s responds to market misconduct
Lloyd’s has issued a notice of censure to Atrium, a managing agent in the Lloyd’s market. The firm admitted three charges of misconduct, and Lloyd’s Enforcement Board levied its largest ever fine of...
FCA responds on LCF Complaints
FCA has set out its response to the Complaints Commissioner’s report on its handling of the failure of LCF in respect of assessing complaints against it. It says it is sorry for the mistakes it made. It has...
CAT determines the ‘domicile date’
CAT has published its Judgment giving further guidance on the ‘domicile date’, which is the date specified in a CPO. The domicile date operates to determine the persons who fall within the class definition...
Jonny WilliamsESMA publishes peer review on cross-border supervision
ESMA has published its peer review on cross-border supervision of investment firms, and. It found many shortcomings, and says that “home” regulators need to make significant improvements to their approach...
High Court rules on application of CCA ‘business purpose’ exemption to multi-borrower loans
In Campbell v Tyrrell & Ors [2022] EWHC 423 (Ch), the high court considered the application of the ‘business purpose’ exemption in s.16B(1) of the Consumer Credit Act 1974 (the “CCA“) to a...
Duncan ScottFormer Redcentric CFO sentenced to five and a half years imprisonment
Following the guilty verdict back in February of the two former finance chiefs at a London-listed IT firm found to be misleading investors after they falsified the company’s accounts, Tim Coleman has now been sentenced...
FCA publishes Consumer investments data review
The FCA has published its third Consumer investments data review. The review provides an overview of FCA’s work to protect consumers from investment harm between April and September 2021. This follows FCA’s...
Emma BondFCA discontinues action against individual for failure to comply with statutory Notice
The FCA has issued a notice of discontinuance in relation to the prosecution of Craig Whyte. Mr Whyte had previously been charged with an offence of failing to comply with the a statutory Notice issued under Section 49...
BBRS publishes Post-Implementation Review
The Business Banking Resolution Service (BBRS) has published the first part of its Post-Implementation Review (PIR). The aim of this review was to assess how well the BBRS has delivered the recommendations contained in...
FCA makes new rules
The FCA’s latest Handbook Notice confirms changes to: apply the rules set out in the Funeral Planning Conduct of Business (FPCOB) sourcebook to funeral plan providers selling their own plans directly to customers...
FCA fines Barclays over collapsed payment firm oversight
FCA has fined Barclays £783,800 for oversight failings in its relationship with Premier FX, a payments firm which is in liquidation. Barclays was Premier’s sole UK banker. FCA found that Barclays failed to make...
Ombudsman News features data, diversity and storm damage
The latest edition of Ombudsman News features items on the latest complaints data and the FOS diversity, inclusion and wellbeing reports featured in other posts, and also notes that FOS often sees complaints from...
Employment tribunal orders reinstatement of dismissed trader
An employment tribunal has determined an application for reinstatement in Bradley Jones v JP Morgan Securities plc in favour of the applicant. Mr Jones was a financial analyst and cash equities trader employed by JPM...
FOS publishes latest quarterly complaints data
The Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) has published its latest quarterly data on complaints in relation to financial products. This data covers the period October to December 2021, and is available in full as a...
FCA responds to APPG letter before claim
The FCA has responded to a letter before claim under the pre-action protocol for judicial review from the All Party Parliamentary Group on Fair Business Banking (APPG). APPG’s letter before claim refers to the...
OFSI updates penalties table
OFSI has updated its table of penalties imposed for breach of financial sanctions restrictions and requirements to include a fine imposed over a year ago, but just publicised, The payment services provider in question...
Final report: London Capital & Finance
The Complaints Commissioner has published its final report on the FCA’s oversight of London Capital & Finance plc (LCF). The report splits the complaints about FCA’s regulation of LCF into three...
Two former finance chiefs found guilty of misleading investors
Two former finance chiefs at a London-listed IT firm have been found guilty of misleading investors after they falsified the company’s accounts. Timothy Coleman, the former chief financial officer of Redcentric, used...
FCA gets BNPL firms to change contract terms
FCA has secured voluntary agreement from Clearpay, Klarna, Laybuy and Openpay to make changes to terms in their contracts. Although FCA does not yet regulate the contracts, it used its powers under the Consumer Rights...
CMA writes to Barclays and Tesco Bank on Retail Banking Order breaches
The CMA has written letters to Barclays and Tesco Bank regarding their breaches of the Retail Banking Market Investigation Order 2017. Barclays’ breach relates to its failure to update a Service Quality Indicator...
FCA publishes 2021 fin proms data
FCA has published its analysis of its data from 2021 relating to action it took against authorised firms breaching financial promotion rules. Key conclusions included: an increase in amendment and withdrawal of...
CMA writes to Monzo on RBO breach
The CMA has written to Monzo about its breach of the Retail Banking Market Investigation Order 2017. Monzo breached the Order when it failed to disclose its Monthly Maximum Charge in its Fee Information document between...
CMA writes to Tesco Bank acknowledging action taken to end breach
The CMA has written to Tesco Bank acknowledging the steps it has taken to end the breach of the Private Motor Insurance Market Investigation Order 2015 (the Order). Article 3 of the Order requires that any additional...
FOS looks at current initiatives
The latest edition of Ombudsman News reminds firms there is still time to respond to its consultation on its plan and budget, and at its wider work, including the wider implications framework and how it is working on...
FCA proposes guidance for firms seeking to limit their liabilities
The FCA has identified an increase in firms developing proposals, such as Schemes of Arrangements, to deal with significant liabilities to consumers. This is particularly so in relation to redress liabilities. In...
Quincecare Duty – Supreme Court Appeal
The Court of Appeal decision in Stanford International Bank Ltd (in liquidation) v HSBC plc [2021] EWCA Civ 535 comes before the Supreme Court this week as SIB appeal the decision to strike out the loss claim it...
Scott NodderFCA to impose requirements on non-compliant API
FCA has published its first supervisory notice of its intent to require an API authorised to provide money remittance services to cease doing so without prior written approval. It wants Probitas to cease all business...
Prepaid cards market hit by huge fines for cartel conduct
PSR has fined five companies – Mastercard, Allpay, Advanced Payment Solutions, Prepaid Financial Services and Sulion – a total of £33 million after finding them to be in breach of Chapter 1 of the...
FOS responds on action plan
The Treasury Committee has published a response from FOS, received in December, answering various questions the Committee had posed about FOS’ action plan. The letter addresses several issues, including: the...
FCA and PRA consult on FSCS management expenses levy limit
The FCA and PRA are jointly consulting on the management expenses levy limit for the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS). This limit represents the total management expenses that the FSCS can levy on financial...
FCA takes criminal proceedings against directors of unauthorised firm
FCA has commenced criminal proceedings against brothers who were directors of Collateral (UK) Limited, and who: dishonestly represented to investors that the firm was authorised as a P2P lender, knowing it was not;...
Check out our new and improved regulatory timeline
In conjunction with the FIN. blog, we have launched our new and improved horizon scanning tool over on the Womble Bond Dickinson website. Our timeline highlights key regulatory deadlines, legislation and insights...
ASA upholds complaints about promotion of unregulated cryptoassets
The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has upheld two separate complaints relating to the promotion of unregulated cryptoassets. The first related to a Facebook post and website for Arsenal Football Club PLC. ASA...
FCA prosecutes individual for failure to comply with Statutory Notice
In the first prosecution of its kind, the FCA has brought an action against a Mr Craig Whyte for failure to comply with a Statutory Notice issued under section 49 Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000. Mr Whyte...
FCA fines BlueCrest Capital for conflicts of interest failings
The FCA has published a Decision Notice against BlueCrest Capital Management (UK) LLP (BlueCrest), setting out its decision to impose a £40,806,700 fine on the hedge fund. The FCA considers that BlueCrest failed to...
EIOPA reports on IDD sanctions
EIOPA has published its second annual report on administrative sanctions and other measures imposed by national competent authorities during 2020 under the Insurance Distribution Directive (IDD). The authorities...
PRA fines Metro Bank following regulatory reporting failure
The PRA has fined Metro Bank plc a total of £5,376,000 following the Bank’s failure to act with due skill, care and diligence in relation to the regulatory reporting of its capital position, as well as for...
FCA writes dear CEO letter to BSPS advisers
The FCA has published a dear CEO letter addressed to firms who advised British Steel Pension Scheme (BSPS) members between 1 March 2017 and 31 March 2018. The letter identifies the high levels of unsuitable pension...
HMRC reports on MLR non-compliance
HMRC has published its regular report on business that have failed to comply with the MLRs. Among the failings and fines are: a fine on BNY Mellon Corporate Trustee Services Limited for failing to apply for registration...
PRA fines Standard Chartered for governance and transparency failings
PRA has fined Standard Chartered Bank £46.55m for: failings in its regulatory reporting governance and controls: PRA had imposed a temporary additional liquidity expectation on the bank in late 2017. Over a 14 month...
FCA fines for conflicts and gift & entertainment breaches
FCA has fined GAM International Management Limited £9.1m and Timothy Hayward £230,037 for issues relating to conflicts of interest and gifts and hospitality. Both the firm and Mr Haywood agreed all issues and qualified...
Ombudsman News looks at BI “at the premises” complaints
The latest edition of Ombudsman News from FOS looks not only at its plan and consultation (which FIN has covered separately) but also at complaints it has looked at relating to “at the premises” cover in...
FOS consults on strategic plans and budget for 2022/23
The Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) has published its annual consultation on its proposed plans and budget for the upcoming financial year (2022/23). The consultation includes information relating to: The volume of...
FCA writes to Treasury Committee following Swift Review
The FCA recently published an independent “lessons learned” review (the Swift Review). The FCA has now written a letter to the Treasury Committee, noting that it accepts almost all of the Reviewer’s...
FCA publishes review of supervisory intervention on IRHPs
The FCA has published an independent “lessons learned” review (the Swift Review), which it commissioned John Swift QC to produce, into the supervisory intervention on interest rate hedging products. The...
Court finds no breach of COBS Rules by spread betting firm
The High Court has ruled on an application for, amongst other things, damages for alleged breaches of the COBS 2.1 (Client’s Best Interests) and COBS 11.2.1 (Best Execution). The Claimant had opened an Account...
NatWest fined £264.8m for AML failings
The long awaited sentencing following the conviction of NatWest on three offences of failing to comply with the MLRs resulted in the announcement of a fine on the bank of £264,772,619.95. The bank admitted to breaching...
FCA and PRA publish dear CEO letter to global equity finance businesses
The PRA and FCA have jointly published a Dear CEO letter regarding the supervisory exercise which they undertook following the default of Archegos Capital Management. The default resulted in over $10 billion of reported...
FCA publishes update on Independent Review implementation
The FCA has published a report providing an update on the implementation of recommendations from two Independent Reviews, these being: the Independent Investigation into the Financial Conduct Authority’s...
ECJ delivers ruling on interpretation of PSD2
In Vodafone Kabel Deutschland GmbH v Bundesverband der Verbraucherzentralen und Verbraucherverbände – Verbraucherzentrale Bundesverband e.V., the Oberlandesgericht München (Higher Regional Court – Munich) made a request...
Treasury Committee asks for information on FOS action plan
The Treasury Committee has written to FOS, asking for further information on how it intends to get on top of its current case backlog, and how it proposes to address its funding issues. Mel Stride welcomed the...
ICO fines over pensions cold-calling
ICO has fined EB Associates Group (EBAG) £140,000 for instigating two IARs to make over 100,000 unsolicited direct marketing calls to consumers about occupational or personal pension schemes where the customers had not...
FOS publishes plan for change
FOS has published an action plan to deliver a better service to customers. The plan aims, among other things: to bring more effective and efficient resolution of cases – part of this involves teams which are...
EU fines banks for FX spot cartel
The European Commission has fined UBS, Barclays, RBS, HSBC and Credit Suisse a total of €344m for their participation in a foreign exchange spot cartel. The first 4 banks settled (with UBS receiving full immunity for...
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