Tag Archives: Treasury
Regulators hold 2018 resilience exercise
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.
Cryptoassets task force publishes report
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: […]
Treasury updates AML advisory
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, […]
Treasury starts chemical weapons sanctions regime
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.
Treasury updates Brexit SIs
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 […]
Treasury plans transitional regulatory tool
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 […]
Treasury makes SMCR extension Regulations
Treasury has made the Regulations extending the SMCR to insurers. The Regulations bring into force certain provisions of the Bank of England and Financial Services Act 2016 from 13 September to enable the making of the measures necessary to apply the SMCR to insurers from 10 December 2018. There are also transitional provisions delaying the […]
Treasury updates AML advisory
Treasury has updated its AML advisory notice on high risk jurisdictions. The advisory meets the requirements of the 2017 MLRs to ensure the regulated sector applies EDD to high-risk countries with reference, among other things to the Commission’s Delegated Regulation setting out the high risk jurisdictions. Treasury has updated its guidance following the FATF June […]
GOVERNMENT SCRAPS NEW GOODS MORTGAGES BILL
HM Treasury has published the response to its September 2017 consultation on the proposed Goods Mortgages Bill and has announced that it is no longer planning to introduce new legislation on this subject at this time. This follows a review of the existing legislation governing creation of security over goods by individuals which began in 2014. In a 2016 report, the Law […]
Treasury makes IDD perimeter law changes
Treasury has made the Insurance Distribution (Regulated Activities and Miscellaneous Amendments) Order 2018 and laid it before Parliament on 1 May. The Order makes changes, mainly to the RAO, to reflect the changes to the regulatory perimeter consequent on IDD implementation and will fully come into force on 1 October. The main changes generally update […]
Treasury responds on cheque imaging
Treasury has published its response to its consultation on cheque imaging. It received 15 responses, and engaged with 4 other institutions. All agreed that a copy of a cheque should be made available to customers on request, and most agreed that no cheque user should be left out of pocket as a result of any […]
EU updates on withdrawal plans
The European Commission has updated its website with notices on plans for Brexit in several industry sectors including financial services. The latest news reports a request from the Commission and Treasury to the ECB and BoE to convene a technical working group on risk management in the transition period. There are also some terms of […]
Treasury calls for evidence on digital payments
Treasury has published a call for evidence on the role of cash and digital payments in the new economy. It asks for views by 5 June to help it explore how it can support digital payments, support transition from cash economies while maintaining support for cash payments for that that need it, and of course […]
Treasury approves JMLSG amendments
Treasury has approved the revised JMLSG Guidance that the JMLSG submitted in December 2017.
Treasury publishes AML supervision report
Treasury has published its AML and CTF supervision report for 2015-2017. It notes the two most critical legislative developments during the period as the CFA and MLRs 2017, and notes the strengthened supervision that OPBAS will bring. The report shows many successes, such as non-compliance levels in no more than 5% of entities reviewed, with […]
Treasury updates AML advisory
Treasury has published an updated AML advisory notice reminding firms of their obligation to apply EDD for higher risk jurisdictions. It has produced a table of relevant jurisdictions, showing which ones it recommends firms consider as: high risk and apply countermeasures and EDD measures in accordance with the risks (North Korea) high risk and apply EDD […]
Treasury launches digital currencies inquiry
Treasury has announced an inquiry into the role of digital currencies in the UK. It will look at DLT and its potential impact on financial institutions and the infrastructure, and will look at the regulatory response to date.
Treasury delays transposition of IDD until the application date is confirmed
The European Parliament and European Council are considering the proposal to delay the application date of IDD until 1 October 2018. The Treasury has updated its webpage to explain that it will delay making the Insurance Distribution (Regulated Activities and Miscellaneous Amendments) Order 2018 until the proposal to delay the application date is confirmed. This […]
FCA publishes third policy statement on IDD implementation
FCA has published its third policy statement on IDD implementation, responding to feedback received on various consultations and providing near-final rules. In relation to life insurance distribution business, it covers requirements relating to: Inducements; Suitability and appropriateness; and Information and product disclosure. In relation to all insurance distribution business, it covers requirements relating to: Conflicts […]
Government to use rental payment data to improve credit scores
Treasury has announced it is to offer financial support for the development of an application to allow those who rent properties to record and share their rent payment data, with a view to this helping them to improve their credit scores. It is inviting bids to its “Rent Recognition Challenge”, which will open to applications […]
Treasury updates AML advisory
On 5 December 2017, HM Treasury published an Advisory Notice on money laundering and terrorist financing controls in higher risk jurisdictions. The Advisory Note follows the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) statements identifying high risk jurisdictions; which was discussed at its plenary meeting held on 3 November 2017. In the Advisory Note, HM Treasury draws […]
Treasury makes PRIIPs Regulations
Treasury has made the PRIIPs Regulations 2017, which will come into force on 1 January 2018. The Regulations: designate FCA as the competent authority for the PRIIPs Regulation gives FCA powers where a person has infringed the PRIIPs requirements and sets out the extent of those powers and the procedure for using them provide for […]
BoE updates resolution planning MoU
BoE has updated its MoU on resolution planning and crisis management between it, the PRA and Treasury. The MoU clearly sets out the duties of each entity and was last updated in April.
Law Commission publishes draft Goods Mortgages Bill
Following a 2016 report in which the Law Commission concluded that the Bills of Sale Acts should be repealed and replaced with legislation less burdensome to lenders and more protective of borrowers, and its consultation over the summer on draft clauses for new legislation, the draft Goods Mortgages Bill has now been published. Currently governed […]
Sanctions guidance updated
Treasury and OFSI have updated their guidance on financial sanctions to bring the general guidance and guidance on the relatively new monetary penalties for breach together.
Treasury updates sanctions guidance
HM Treasury and OFSI have updated their guidance on what to do in the case of a suspected breach of financial sanctions. It has published its suspected breach form, and says firms should report suspected breaches as soon as they become aware of them, including the names of all relevant parties, amounts, account names and […]
Government publishes post-Brexit sanctions plans
Treasury, the FCO and the Department for International Trade have announced the publication of the Sanctions Bill, which will ensure the UK has the necessary powers to implement sanctions post-Brexit and also give it greater flexibility on introducing new measures. The Sanctions Bill will legislation to repatriate powers on non-UN snactions from the EU to […]
Treasury confirms new AML super-supervisor
Treasury has confirmed how the new Office for Professional Body Anti-Money Laundering Supervision (OPBAS) will work to help supervisors and law enforcement work together more effectively to tackle money laundering. OPBAS will work to set the standards the 25 AML supervisors under the 2017 MLRs must meet. Treasury has published draft new regulations with a […]
Treasury makes MiFID 2 Regulations
Treasury has made the FSMA (Markets in Financial Instruments) Regulations 2017 which make changes to FSMA and other primary and secondary legislation to make the legislative amendments necessary to implement MiFID 2 that are not separately addressed by the Regulations amending the RAO and putting in place the authorisation and supervision process for DSRPs. The […]
Treasury makes investment advice change
Treasury has published the statutory instrument amending article 53 of the RAO to make the change to the definition of “investment advice” on which Treasury had consulted. As promised, it does not amend the definition for the purposes of the regulatory perimeter, but provides that investment advice, when given by a person appropriately authorised under […]
Sanctions fining regime effective from 1 April
A new commencement order under the Policing and Crime Act 2017 brings into force the new powers on financial penalties for breach of financial sanctions, from 1 April. Part 8 of the Act: sets the maximum imprisonment term for breach of sanctions at 7 years, and confirms the maximum imprisonment term for related offences; allows Treasury […]
Treasury Committee concerned about cyber strategy accountability
Andrew Tyrie (Chairman of the Treasury Committee) and Philip Hammond have been exchanging correspondence about cyber security in the financial services sector. Mr Hammond also chairs the National Security Council Subcommittee on Cyber (NSC Cyber) said that protecting against cyber attacks is top priority for the government. He noted the launch of the National Cyber […]
PSD2 and Open Banking
We have written an article for Compliance Monitor on PSD2 and Open Banking, looking specifically at the role and future regulation of third party payment service providers.
Treasury speaks on Fintech
Simon Kirby, Economic Secretary to the Treasury, spoke at the LSE Global Fintech Investor Forum where he emphasised UK dominance in Fintech innovation. Mr Kirby gave three examples of what others envy in the British system: FCA’s regulatory sandbox, the Bank of England’s Fintech Accelerator and the Fintech Delivery Panel. He also mentioned the Open […]
Treasury consults on MLR 2017
Treasury has published its feedback to its consultation on implementing MLD4 into UK law and the draft Money Laundering Regulations 2017. We will cover the consultation in more detail in a separate article. They key points, however, include: that the turnover threshold for those who engage in financial activity on a limited basis will increase […]
Treasury updates AML advisory
Treasury has updated its money laundering advisory notice, following the FATF plenary in late February. North Korea and Iran remain jurisdictions in relation to which firms should apply enhanced due diligence measures, with Afghanistan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ethiopia, Iraq, Lao PDR, Syria, Uganda, Vanuatu and Yemen also highlighted as jurisdictions in relation to which enhanced […]
Article on Treasury MiFID 2 feedback
Following FIN’s report that Treasury had published its feedback and draft legislation for MiFID 2 implementation, we have now written an article on the feedback.
Treasury consults on IDD implementation
Treasury is consulting on UK transposition of the IDD, which must take place by 23 February 2018. Treasury notes that many of the key changes the IDD brings will not have a significant effect on UK firms since, for example, the UK already applies the current IMD to insurers as well as intermediaries (when the […]
Treasury consults on PSD 2 implementation
Treasury is consulting on draft legislation to implement PSD 2 into UK law. The Government wants to finalise the legislation as early in 2017 as possible to give industry as much time as possible to make changes. The Government will, as usual, continue to work to implementation of all relevant EU measures and in principle, […]
Treasury proposes limited partnership changes
Treasury has published a draft legislative reform order to amend the Limited Partnerships Act 1907 in respect of private investment funds, such as venture capital and private equity funds. The proposals include the creation of a private fund limited partnership (PFLP) as a new form of limited partnership. The order is due to come into force […]
Law Society responds on financial advice
The Law Society has published its response to HMT’s consultation on amending the definition of financial advice in Article 53 of RAO. Generally, the Law Society supports the policy objective of appropriate regulatory simplification. Like the CLLS, it is agreed that the definition of the regulated activity should be limited to personal recommendations, and should […]
Treasury prepares for PRA changes
Treasury has published a draft statutory instrument which prepares for the transfer of the PRA into the Bank of England under the Bank of England and Financial Services Act 2016, which is likely to happen in the first half of next year.
Government launches FinTech one stop shop
Treasury has announced the launch of the Department for International Trade’s new FinTech “one stop shop”The service is part of the FinTech bridge program the UK has in place with Singapore, Korea and China. The service will give advice and provide support to UK FinTechs wishing to cross the bridge, and the aim is to […]
FCA and Treasury respond to CMA retail banking market report
In August 2016, the CMA published its final report following its investigation into the competitiveness of retail banking market (Report), which focused on personal current account and SME customers. The Report found that there were elements of the market that were having an adverse effect on the promotion of competition, and proposed a package of […]
Treasury consults on MLD4 implementation
Treasury is consulting on implementing MLD4. It plans to repeal the current MLRs and Fund Transfer Regulations in favour of one piece of secondary legislation. We have produced a more detailed briefing on the paper. The consultation asks several questions, many on firms’ experience of complying with AML legislation and the costs of doing so. The […]