Important changes ahead for investment firms as the FCA’s Discussion Paper (DP20/2) indicates that the UK may depart from EU capital rules.
Key Points:
..FCA consults on a UK capital regime that in some respects breaks...more
The English High Court’s findings are likely to have wide implications, not just for SIPP operators but for all regulated firms.
Key Points:
..Regulatory obligations are not intended to take precedence over contractual...more
Buyout firms planning an acquisition or preparing a portfolio company for exit must consider the impact of poor corporate culture, particularly on a potential IPO.
No institution, whatever its geography, industry, sector,...more
UK regulators announce a further package of measures to ease the burden on issuers.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, UK regulators have published further measures affecting issuers, to try to preserve the flow of...more
The regulator is taking immediate supervisory and policy measures to help support banks, insurers, and financial market infrastructures.
The Bank of England and the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) have announced a...more
The FCA is moving towards formalising issuers’ compliance with the TCFD recommendations.
Key Points:
..The FCA is proposing that premium listed commercial companies will need to disclose how they have implemented the...more
The FCA’s latest paper on culture explores how firms can improve culture through a meaningful purpose.
Key Points:
..The FCA explains how it expects firms to develop a more purposeful culture, and the benefits this can...more
The AMF has published a report containing a number of new proposals relating to production of research under MiFID II.
Key Points:
..The report pointedly criticises the original MiFID requirements (most of which were...more
2/19/2020
/ AMF ,
Asset Management ,
Cross-Border Transactions ,
EU ,
European Commission ,
Federal Agency Taskforce ,
Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) ,
France ,
MiFID II ,
Research Reports ,
UK ,
UK Brexit ,
Unbundling
The FCA is considering whether alternative data could introduce new risks to market integrity.
The FCA’s recently published Insight article explores how alternative data might give rise to market abuse risks. The article...more
Firms outside of Europe should be aware of planned upcoming changes to how they access European markets.
Key Points:
..The EU legislators have been reviewing various financial services regimes and developing reforms...more
1/14/2020
/ Alternative Investment Fund Managers Directive (AIFMD) ,
Central Counterparties ,
Counterparties ,
Credit Rating Agencies ,
Cross-Border ,
Cross-Border Transactions ,
EMIR ,
EU ,
EU Benchmark Regulation ,
European Commission ,
Financial Services Industry ,
MiFID II ,
Regulatory Reform ,
Third Country Entities (TCEs) ,
UK ,
UK Brexit
Q&As for UK Regulated Firms -
Although the general election result has provided some certainty in relation to what happens next from a Brexit perspective, there are still many outstanding questions. In addition, a large...more
1/7/2020
/ Cross-Border Transactions ,
EU ,
EU Passport ,
Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) ,
Financial Services Industry ,
Member State ,
No-Deal Brexit ,
Onshoring ,
Packaged Retail And Insurance-Based Investment Products (PRIIPS) ,
Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) ,
Transitional Arrangements ,
UK ,
UK Brexit ,
Withdrawal Agreement
The FCA has published a Consultation Paper that sets out proposed rules for the SMCR for benchmark administrators.
Key Points:
..The SMCR for benchmark administrators (that perform no other regulated activities) will...more
UK Treasury Committee report warns that the current level and frequency of disruption and consumer harm is unacceptable.
On 28 October 2019, the Treasury Committee published a report on IT failures in the financial...more
10/30/2019
/ Banking Sector ,
Corporate Communications ,
Corporate Management ,
Financial Services Industry ,
HM Treasury ,
Information Reports ,
Information Technology ,
Outsourcing ,
Risk Management ,
SMCR ,
UK
The FCA has published the findings from its review into firms’ implementation of the MiFID II research unbundling rules.
Key Points:
..Overall, the FCA found that the rules have produced “positive changes” and have had...more
All firms should take note of the FCA’s latest feedback on SMCR implementation.
In its latest piece of feedback on firms’ implementation of the SMCR, the FCA indicated that firms must improve their implementation of the...more
8/5/2019
/ Banking Sector ,
Code of Conduct ,
Compliance ,
Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) ,
Financial Services Industry ,
Industry Examinations ,
Insurance Industry ,
Risk Assessment ,
Senior Managers ,
SMCR ,
UK
FCA finalises guidance on cryptoassets and consults on product intervention measures.
FCA guidance on the regulation of cryptoassets -
As previously reported in this blog, the FCA consulted on guidance on cryptoassets...more
8/2/2019
/ Asset Tokens ,
Cryptoassets ,
Derivatives ,
E-Money ,
EU ,
European Economic Area (EEA) ,
Exchange-Traded Products ,
Final Guidance ,
Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) ,
FinTech ,
Market Participants ,
MLD5 ,
Payment Systems ,
Regulatory Standards ,
Securities ,
SMCR ,
UK
The FCA has published final rules confirming amendments to the SMCR, and final rules for solo-regulated firms.
Key Points:
..The FCA has confirmed that the Head of Legal does not require approval as a Senior Manager,...more
Call for evidence on regulatory cooperation marks the first phase of the planned review.
The Chancellor announced in the Spring Statement that HM Treasury would undertake the Financial Services Future Regulatory Framework...more
The FCA and the PRA published their Business Plans for 2019/20 in April 2019.
FCA Priorities -
As expected, with Brexit remaining a key focus, there are few new initiatives for this year. The FCA’s Business Plan sets...more
6/27/2019
/ Banking Sector ,
Binary Options ,
Compliance ,
Duty of Care ,
Enforcement ,
EU ,
European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) ,
Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) ,
Financial Institutions ,
IOSCO ,
MiFID II ,
Packaged Retail And Insurance-Based Investment Products (PRIIPS) ,
Power of Attorney ,
Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) ,
UK ,
UK Brexit
The FCA found that three asset managers breached competition law by sharing information in relation to securities offerings.
Key Points:
..The decision gives market participants some helpful indications as to what kinds...more
Latest Dear CEO letter from the regulator includes strong criticism and warns that firms need to improve to meet regulatory expectations.
Key Points:
..FCA supervisory work during the next two years will focus on four...more
4/30/2019
/ Brokers ,
Conflicts of Interest ,
Corporate Governance ,
Dear CEO Letter ,
Executive Compensation ,
Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) ,
Internal Controls ,
Market Abuse ,
Strategic Enforcement Plan ,
UK ,
Wholesale
On 23 January 2019, the FCA published a Consultation Paper (CP19/4) concerning further amendments to the Senior Managers and Certification Regime (SMCR). For private banks which are already subject to the SMCR, the...more
4/2/2019
/ Anti-Money Laundering ,
Banking Sector ,
Banks ,
Consultation ,
Cryptoassets ,
Enforcement ,
Enforcement Actions ,
Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) ,
Financial Services Industry ,
MiFID II ,
Packaged Retail And Insurance-Based Investment Products (PRIIPS) ,
SMCR ,
UK ,
UK Brexit
The FCA has issued feedback from its review of firms’ costs and charges disclosures under MiFID II.
Key Points:
..The FCA found that, despite firms being aware of the rules and taking compliance seriously, firms are not...more
The FCA outlines how it intends to use its temporary transitional powers in a no-deal scenario.
Key Points:
..The FCA has highlighted areas in which transitional relief will not be granted in a no-deal...more
The FCA seeks to clarify the position of the Head of Legal and the scope of the Client Dealing Function.
Key Points:
..The FCA is proposing to exclude the Head of Legal from the scope of the Senior Managers...more