Further updates from the regulators, in addition to FCA’s Dear CEO letter to retail investment firms, include: PRA welcoming the agreement by the boards of large UK banks to suspend dividends and buybacks on...
Category - Insurance
Jonny WilliamsLords calls for UK/EU cooperation
The House of Lords EU Financial Affairs Committee has written to Rishi Sunak urging the government to set up a structured dialogue with the EU that will support cross-border financial services. It wants: to minimise...
Emma RadmoreTreasury Committee seeks ABI answers on insurer behaviour
The Treasury Committee has written to the ABI, asking for information to help understand how the insurance industry is responding to coronavirus and to FCA’s guidance. The letter asks: how many members have ceased...
Jonathan DrakeRegulator Covid-19 Update 26 March
On 26 March: FCA, while confirming its intention to be flexible to allow firms to keep operating, noted that they should also be planning ahead and ensuring sound management of their financial resources. It says buffers...
Government confirms extension of TTP
In a statement to Parliament, Lord Agnew of Oulton, the Minister of State, has noted a statement from Treasury that it expects “in general” the same laws and rules to apply as the transition period ends, it...
Covid-19 regulator update 24 March
Late on 23 and on 24 March: PRA announced amendments to regulatory reporting for insurers in response to EIOPA’s recommendations. There will be between 2-8 weeks’ delay for most aspects of harmonised...
FCA sets out Covid-19 expectations on insurers
FCA has set out its position on how it expects insurers to act given the unprecedented impact of Covid-19. Above all, it expects firms to consider very carefully the needs of customers and to be flexible in how they...
EIOPA takes Covid-19 action
EIOPA has set out its expectations on insurers as they try to manage the risks Covid-19 presents. Its key messages are: the importance of business continuity. It says regulators can help by being flexible on supervisory...
FCA issues Covid-19 guidance for consumers
The FCA has explained that is working closely with the Government, the Bank of England, the Payment Systems Regulator and firms to ensure markets continue to work well for consumers. This includes making regular contact...
Rachael PrestonEU writes to Chancellor on equivalence
Valdis Dombrovskis has written to Rishi Sunak on equivalence assessments. The letter merely notes that both sides should start to assess equivalence as soon as possible, on the basis of the Political Declaration, with a...
FOS looks at insurance coverage
FOS’s latest Ombudsman News looks at: coronavirus: so far, FOS has not seen many complaints on the impact of the virus, but expects it will see more complaints particularly in relation to travel insurance, medical...
Treasury feeds back on pre-paid funeral plans
Treasury has published the outcome of its consultation on pre-paid funeral plans. Respondents to its consultation were concerned at current consumer detriment, and called for compulsory regulation for the sector. The...
Treasury consults on UK/Gibraltar FS access
Treasury is consulting on the post-Brexit market access arrangements between the UK and Gibraltar. Constitutionally, Gibraltar is an Overseas Territory with internal self-government. Responsibility for financial...
EBA says no need for LGD on credit insurance claims
EBA has published an Opinion on treatment of credit insurance in the prudential framework. It has previously consulted on credit risk mitigation for institutions that apply the IRB approach with own estimates of Loss...
PRA writes to chairs on board diversity
PRA has written to the chairs of dual regulated firms reinforcing the importance it places on diversity within boards for improving decision making and providing effective challenge. It reminds firms it expects them to...
EIOPA speaks on digital finance risks
Fausto Parente, EIOPA executive director, has spoken on managing the risks of digital finance in cyber underwriting. He spoke of the value of data to insurers in enabling them to customise customer products, but the...
FCA publishes life insurance outsourcing review
FCA has published the findings from its review into outsourcing in the life insurance sector. The review stemmed from FCA’s awareness that the sector relies heavily on outsourcing and third party providers, and...
Lloyd’s launches new cryptocurrency wallet insurance solution
A Lloyd’s syndicate has launched the first liability to protect against losses arising from theft of, or malicious hacks to, cyptocurrencies held in online wallets. The policy will have dynamic limits that...
FCA makes new travel insurance and other rules
FCA has made 3 sets of new rules. changes to COBS 19 to ensure that pension scheme members can properly find the information they need about costs and charges to ensure they get good value for money from their pension...
ECB Speech: Climate Change in FS
Christine Lagarde made a speech on climate change and the financial sector on 27 February 2020. Christine identified both the threat and significant opportunity caused by climate change. She urged central banks to...
Caroline StevensonCommission publishes PRIIPs information test results
The Commission has carried out a project testing the effectiveness of presented information to retail investors within the PRIIPs framework. It sent out 10 different versions of performance scenarios and past...
More UK/EU policies revealed
The Government has published a policy paper on its approach to the future relationship with the EU. It sets out the Government’s suite of proposals, based around the desire for a comprehensive Free Trade...
Barnier to be EU negotiator on post-Brexit issues
The Council of the EU has adopted a decision authorising negotiations between the EU and UK towards a new partnership and authorising the European Commission, in the person of Michel Barnier, as the EU negotiator. The...
Dormant Assets Scheme Consultation
This morning, HM Treasury published a consultation document setting out its proposals for expanding the dormant assets scheme. The consultation discusses the background to the current scheme and then sets out proposals...
FSB priorities published
The FSB published a letter addressed to all G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors on 18 February 2020. The letter sets out the areas that the FSB are focusing their efforts on. All of the measures are to...
Financial services after Brexit updates
The EU Financial Affairs Sub-committee has opened an inquiry into financial services after Brexit and has been taking evidence. Most recently it has been questioning the BoE and FCA. They largely discussed the key...
FCA publishes annual sector views
The FCA has just published its annual sector views report which comprises a state of the nation in terms of the financial services industry. The report sets out the drivers for change in each financial services sector...
EP publishes negotiating mandate with UK
The European Parliament has published its proposed mandate for a new partnership with the UK. The declaration acknowledges that the “close relationship” that will subsist and which, according to the...
FCA guidance to GI distribution chain
We have written an article about FCA’s findings on potential harm caused by the general insurance distribution chain and its guidance to firms in the sector setting out its expectations of them.
Up next from FCA
The latest Policy Development Update highlights the following publications before the end of Q1 2020: policy statement on fees and levies; consultation on exit fees in investment platforms and comparable firms;...
EIOPA updates on cloud outsourcing guidelines
EIOPA has confirmed its guidelines on outsourcing to cloud service providers are now available to national supervisors. The guidelines address: how to determine whether cloud services are within the scope of...
Regulators warn firms on selling personal data
The FCA, ICO and FSCS have warned regulated firms and insolvency practitioners of the need to be responsible when dealing with personal data. The regulators have become aware of sales of client data to CMCs either...
ESMA outlines sustainable finance strategy
On 6 February, ESMA published its sustainable finance strategy which sets out how ESMA plans to focus on sustainability. ESMA’s key priorities include: completing the regulatory framework on transparency...
Lucy HadrillFCA makes travel insurance PEMC rules
FCA has published its policy statement and final rules to help consumers with serious pre-existing medical conditions to understand the travel insurance market better. The new requirements will: require firms that sell...
FCA writes strategy letter to platforms
FCA’s latest portfolio strategy letter to CEOs has been sent to platforms. It starts by making the point that it expects firms will have used the SMCR to ensure clear accountability within senior management and...
FCA updates further on post-Brexit issues
FCA has further updated its website with information on Brexit and Temporary Directions. It explains how: It will not need to use the Temporary Transitional Power it had previously made directions under, as the...
FCA and Lloyds update on Brexit
FCA and Lloyd’s have both issued releases confirming how firms should act in the immediate aftermath of Brexit. FCA confirmed that during the implementation period to 31 December EU law will continue to apply. So...
DExEU updates on FS equivalence post-Brexit
The Department for Exiting the EU has published an updated communication from the European Commission on equivalence in the area of financial services. The documentation notes that temporary equivalence decisions are...
EU to prioritise green deal and MLD5 implementation
In his opening remarks to the ECOFIN conference, Valdis Dombrovskis, handing over to the new Croatian Presidency, singled out as key developments: the Green Deal or Sustainable Europe Investment Plan, the success of...
CMA publishes update on loyalty penalty progress
Following the Citizens Advice super-complaint to the CMA about the loyalty penalty (when companies charge longstanding customers more than new customers or those who renegotiate their deal), the CMA identified a...
Financial institutions raise concerns about PRIIPs RTS review
Insurance Europe, AMICE, the EBF and EFAMA (the Group) have raised concerns about The Joint Committee of the European Supervisory Authorities (the ESA’s) consultation on potential changes to the regulatory technical...
FSCS announces Plan and Budget
FSCS has published its full Plan and Budget for 2020/2021. As well as the indicative levy of £635m (£87m more than the current year, mainly because of a rise in SIPP operator claims) and management expenses budget of...
Up next from FCA
FCA plans a number of important publications during Q1 2020 including: consultation on exit fees in investment platforms and comparable firms potential policy statement on general insurance value reporting measures and...
FCA writes to boards on personal and commercial line harm
FCA has written to the Boards of Directors of insurers setting out its views on the key risks of harm that personal and commercial lines insurers can post to their customers and the markets. It is telling firms about...
FCA writes to insurance CEOs on non-financial misconduct
FCA has written to the CEOs of wholesale general insurance firms reminding them of the importance of high standards of culture and conduct throughout their business. It expects CEOs to identify what drives behaviour...
PRA increases scrutiny of Lloyd’s of London over whistleblowing issues
The PRA has announced that they have temporarily increased their supervision of Lloyd’s of London in relation to their whistleblowing processes. This results from the notification to the PRA by the Society of...
Queen’s Speech highlights Brexit free trade hopes
The Queen’s Speech, as expected, highlighted Brexit, noting the priority to deliver it on 31 January, and thereafter to seek a free trade agreement with the EU and other leading global economies. The accompanying...
EVENT: Retail Banking Mixer
Bringing together professionals in the insurance, banking and other financial services sectors, we will be hosting the first of our quarterly RETAIL BANKING MIXERS at our Edinburgh office on 9th January from 4pm –...
Europe reaches agreement on ‘green taxonomy’ regulation
Negotiations between the European Parliament and Council have reached agreement on environmental objectives for determining the sustainability of an economic activity. The Commission proposal for a ‘taxonomy...
FCA calls for input on open finance
FCA has launched a Call for Input on Open Finance. The concept builds on the principles of open banking and extends it to a wider range of products. FCA has a vision that open finance will allow consumers and...
FCA fines CMC for misleading communications
FCA has published its first fine since taking over regulation of Claims Management Companies. It has fined Professional Personal Claims Limited £70,000 for misleading customers through its website and printed materials...
FOS consults on plans and budget
FOS has published its consultation on its strategic plans and budget for 2020/2021. Next year, it expects to receive 245,000 complaints and resolve 290,000 (just under half in each case relating to PPI). It expects to...
EIOPA proposes Guidelines for ICT security and governance
In the context of the increasing complexity of ICT and frequency of cyber incidents with a material detrimental impact on operations, EIOPA has published a consultation paper on proposed Guidelines on Information and...
Roseyna JahangirExtension of the Senior Managers and Certification Regime comes into force
The FCA has extended the Senior Managers and Certification Regime (SM&CR) to solo-regulated firms, including senior managers and certification staff in those firms. The SM&CR already applies to the banking and...
Up next from FCA
FCA’s latest Policy Development Update indicates several key publications scheduled for Q1 2020, including: potential policy statement on general insurance value measures reporting; consultation or discussion...
Regulators develop work on Operational Resilience
The BoE, the PRA and the FCA have developed a joint policy summary setting out new requirements for operational resilience for regulated firms and financial market infrastructures (FMI). The work is spearheaded by...
PRA to modernise outsourcing and risk management expectations
In the light of the development of various European Guidelines regarding outsourcing requirements, as well as recent practical ‘failures’ such as IT systems going down, the PRA is consulting on proposals to...
Mark Carney named UN’s Special Envoy for Climate Action and Finance
On 1 December 2019 the United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres announced the appointment of the Governor of the Bank of England, Mark Carney, as UN Special Envoy for Climate Action and Finance. Mark Carney...
FCA publishes IDD general good table
FCA has published on its website the IDD “general good” rules that apply to incoming firms. The table refers to the existing guidance in SUP 13A Annex 1, and notes that many parts of FCA’s rules apply...
FCA publishes ‘approving financial promotions’ webpage
In the light of its new temporary restrictions on the financial promotion of ‘mini-bonds’, the FCA has provided guidance for firms approving the financial promotions of unauthorised persons. The new page on...
Financial Inclusion
On Tuesday night, we hosted our first ever Talking Money event in partnership with the Scotsman newspaper in our Edinburgh office. The event focused on the topic of tackling financial exclusion in Scotland. The...
FCA publishes GI distribution chain guidance
FCA has published its finalised guidance for general insurance product manufacturers and distributors on the distribution chain. The guidance follows the findings from FCA’s thematic review in 2017 and 2018, and...
PRA tells GI firms of focus areas
The PRA has published a ‘Dear CEO’ letter detailing the PRA’s priority areas of supervisory focus for general insurance firms. These include: Reserve adequacy and associated reserving governance and...
PRA publishes feedback on reserving reviews
The PRA has published a ‘Dear Chief Actuary’ letter following its review of firms’ reserving during 2019. The letter contains feedback from the PRA’s reviews which included work on casualty...
FCA confirms TPR extension
FCA has confirmed that: firms no longer need to implement their Brexit emergency plans for 31 October; and the TPR window will be open for notifications from fund managers until 15 January 2020 to let FCA know if they...
FCA speaks on future of regulation
Nausicaa Delfas spoke on the future of UK financial regulation post-Brexit. She said FCA continued to prepare for Brexit, whatever form it takes and whenever it happens, and referenced its preparations for a no-deal...
EBA recommends enhanced online disclosure requirements
The EBA has issued an Opinion directed to the EC, setting out recommendations to revise the scope and consistency of disclosure requirements in EU law to take account of the increasing use of digital marketing channels...
FCA outlines five steps to drive the future of regulation
Christopher Woolard, Executive Director of Strategy and Competition at the FCA, recently spoke about the FCA’s thoughts on how it approaches the future of regulation. He commented that the FCA will be issuing an...
ESMA to examine reporting issues in annual financial reports
ESMA has set out the matters it will prioritise when looking at the 2019 annual financial reports of listed companies. Among the specific areas of focus, ESMA has underlined the importance of the inclusion of...
ESAs consult on changes to PRIIPs KID Regulation
The EBA, EIOPA and ESMA have published a joint consultation on proposed amendments to the PRIIPs Delegated Regulation. The proposed measures are intended to, allow the appropriate application of the PRIIPs KID by UCITS...
EU and Japan hold first joint financial regulatory forum
The Joint EU-Japan financial regulatory forum has held its inaugural meeting. Topics covered at the meeting included: the regulatory cooperation framework under the Japan-EU Economic Partnership Agreement, and the...
FCA publishes feedback statement on climate change disclosures
The FCA has published its proposals for its future work on climate change and green finance, following responses to its Discussion Paper in 2018 . In its work, the FCA will be focusing on three outcomes: Issuers provide...
FCA updates change in control pages
FCA has updated its guidance on how to submit an application for change in control. The page now includes useful tips on what FCA needs to know to deal with the application quickly, and links to all the required forms.
FCA provides Brexit preparations update for firms
The FCA has published an update on the steps firms will be expected to take in the event that there is a hard Brexit. In particular, the FCA reminds EEA passporting firms of the need to notify the FCA by 30 October if...
Queen’s Speech suggests post-Brexit FS Bill
Among the list of legislative proposals referred to in the Queen’s Speech is laws that will provide “certainty, stability and new opportunities” for the financial services sector through a Financial...
Government responds on regulatory perimeter
The Government has published its response to the Treasury Committee’s report on the regulatory perimeter and how it could be refined and should be policed. The report had criticised the lack of a formal system for...
EIOPA publishes thematic review of, and warning to, travel insurance market
EIOPA has concluded a thematic review focusing on travel insurance products, in particular with a view to identifying sources of potential conduct risk and consumer detriment. The key findings of its review included:...
BoE to stress test for climate change risks
The Governor of the BoE addressed the inaugural Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) summit in Tokyo yesterday. In his speech, Mr Carney warned of the growing challenges climate change brings, and...
Government publishes No-Deal Readiness Report
The Government has published its “No-Deal Readiness Report” detailing the UK’s preparedness ahead of Brexit on 31 October. The Report contains a section on financial services which, amongst other...
FCA publishes insurance pricing report
The FCA published its interim report of its market study into the pricing of home and motor insurance on 4 October. The report sets out the FCA’s initial findings and possible remedies to tackle the issues...
Up next from FCA
FCA’s latest Policy Development Update heralds the following publications before the end of the year: consultation on investment platforms market study remedies; policy statement on OPBAS fees; consultation on...
Guidance on unfair consumer terms Directive
The European Commission (the “Commission”) has issued guidance on the interpretation and application of Council Directive 93/13/EEC on unfair terms in consumer contracts (“UCTD”) The Commission...
ESAs Joint Committee defines its priorities for 2020
The Joint Committee of the European Supervisory Authorities (EBA, EIOPA and ESMA) (collectively “ESA”) has published its 2020 Work Programme setting out its strategy in the areas of cross-sectoral risk...
PRA strengthens individual accountability expectations
The PRA has published PS20/19, ‘Strengthening individual accountability: resolution assessments and reporting amendments’. This Policy Statement sets out: feedback to responses to CP 12/19, ‘Strengthening...
EC sustainable finance classification system to be developed
The Council of the European Union has agreed a position on the proposed EU-wide sustainable finance taxonomy regulation. This would develop a common language for assessing what economic activities can be considered...
FCA announces next steps for unit-linked funds
FCA has published its findings and next steps on its review of governance practices covering unit-linked funds. It notes that its Asset Management Market Study found asset managers were not good enough at considering...
Barry StimpsonIndustry associations raise concerns about timetable for sustainability disclosures
A group of European industry associations have written to the European Commission raising concerns about the timing for implementation of the Regulation on disclosures relating to sustainable investments and...
PRA consults on SII Prudent Persons Principle
The PRA has published a Consultation in relation to the Solvency II Prudent Persons Principle. This sets out the PRA’s proposed expectations for investment by firms in accordance with the Prudent Person Principle...
EIOPA publishes evaluation of Cyber Risk for Insurers
EIOPA has published the findings of its study of the cyber insurance market, covering both cybersecurity challenges and cyber underwriting practices. To produce its report, EIOPA surveyed 41 large (re)insurance groups...
FCA updates on Brexit preparations
In a recent speech, Andrew Bailey, the chief executive of the FCA, provided an update on the FCA’s state of preparation for Brexit, and in particular for a no-deal, no-transition Brexit scenario. However, while Mr...
No more ink? Law Commission confirms validity of electronic signatures
A Law Commission report confirms that electronic signatures can be used to execute documents as an alternative to wet ink signatures in most circumstances. There are some important exceptions and the report only relates...
Suzanne GadoFCA offers Brexit help
FCA has set up a dedicated phone line for firms needing to ensure they are prepared for a no-deal Brexit, and also worked to signpost all its online resources. It expects firms to have planned properly for it. It notes...
FCA updates on consultations and feedback
The latest Policy Development Update highlights a number of papers due before the end of 2019: feedback on the investment platforms market study remedies; policy proposals on regulatory fees and levies; permitted links...
FCA publishes quarterly consultation
FCA’s latest quarterly consultation covers a number of minor changes to the rules that will be made only if there is a no-deal Brexit on 31 October, and also other miscellaneous amendments including: minor...
EC calls for action with publication of no-deal Brexit checklist
The EC is urging EU businesses and citizens to consider whether they are prepared for the UK leaving the UK on ‘no-deal’ terms on 31 October, reminding them in this scenario there will be no transition...
PRA consults on updates to ISPVs authorisation and supervision approach
The PRA is consulting on changes to certain aspects in its approach to the authorisation and supervision of ISPVs, in the light of experience gained of operating the regime since its introduction. The proposed changes...
Big Data Analytics consultation by IAIS
The IAIS has published a draft issues paper on the use of Big Data Analytics in Insurance. The draft issues paper focuses on potential benefits and risks to consumers of the use of personal and other data by insurers...
CMA takes action over PPI reminder failures
CMA has ordered RBS and Santander to take remedial action after they did not send, or sent inaccurate annual PPI reminders to customers. The banks must now appoint independent bodies to audit their PPI processes and put...
FCA updates skilled persons statistics
FCA has released the figures for skilled persons reports it commissioned in Q1 2019/20. It commissioned 9 reports in total – of which 3 related to each of retail lending and wholesale financial markets, 2 to...
Up next from FCA
The latest version of FCA’s Policy Development Update highlights: expected feedback on Investment Platforms Market Study Remedies by the end of the year; potential policy statement on general insurance value...