On 19 December 2023, the Payment Systems Regulator (PSR) published its final policy statement on fighting authorised push payment (APP) scams alongside three legal instruments that will give effect to the new mandatory...more
The Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) has published a policy statement (PS15/23) on scope, criteria, liquidity, reporting and disclosure requirements under the Strong and Simple framework. This is a set of prudential...more
Following a large number of complaints from motor finance customers in relation to discretionary commission arrangements entered into before the FCA's 2021 ban was introduced, the FCA has announced that it is using its powers...more
From 31 July 2024, the FCA's Consumer Duty will apply to closed products and services (that is, products that were closed prior to the 31 July 2023 deadline for new and existing products or services open to sale or renewal)....more
HM Treasury has published a report on the Future of Payments Review 2023 (the Report), which was launched as part of the Chancellor's Mansion House Reforms in July 2023. The Report aims to provide a 'high-level, strategic...more
The EU has adopted the final text of a Directive concerning financial services contracts concluded at a distance which repeals the current Distance Marketing of Financial Services Directive and transfers the consumer...more
The FCA has published the key findings from its multi-firm review of payment account providers’ systems and controls against money mule activity (ie where someone is recruited by criminals to move illegally obtained money)....more
Following the publication in July 2023 of a policy statement on payment service contract termination rules and freedom of expression, HM Treasury (HMT) has now published a further statement on implementation, timings and next...more
The European Commission has just published its current thinking on green mergers. Recognizing that competition law must play its part in achieving the European Green Deal, the Commission sets the scene and explains how its...more
HM Treasury has published the response to its July 2022 consultation and call for evidence on payments regulation and the systemic perimeter. HMT proposes the following next steps: extend the scope of the Bank of England’s...more
With its Consumer Duty now in force for new and existing products or services open to sale or renewal, the FCA is not letting the grass grow under its feet. It has published its expected Cash Savings Market Review report and...more
As part of a June 2023 action plan between the UK government and key regulators to ensure fair treatment of consumers and help those struggling to make payments, the FCA has agreed to focus on the savings market, with a...more
In his Mansion House speech on 10 July 2023, the Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt referred to further planned reforms - the ‘Mansion House reforms’ - that build on December 2022’s Edinburgh Reforms. This is all part of...more
Following Royal Assent for the Financial Services and Markets Act 2023, the Payment Systems Regulator (PSR) has wasted little time in launching a consultation on the three legal instruments that will implement its policy on...more
HM Treasury has published its response to the first-stage consultation on the strategic approach to reforming the Consumer Credit Act 1974 (CCA), described in the response as ‘an ambitious overhaul’ of the regime. The...more
As part of the European Commission’s 2020 Retail Payments Strategy and following its 2022 review of PSD2 and related consultations, it has published legislative proposals to improve the functioning of PSD2. The first is for a...more
Key developments of interest over the last two months include: the UK PSR publishing a policy statement on its new reimbursement requirement to fight APP fraud; the Australian government confirming its strategic plan for the...more
The Payment Systems Regulator (PSR) has published a policy statement on its new reimbursement requirement to fight authorised push payment (APP) fraud. Subject to a few exceptions (eg removal of the minimum threshold for...more
As previously referred to by the FCA (for example in its 2023/24 Business Plan) and following its Borrowers in Financial Difficulty (BiFD) project findings, it has launched a consultation setting out how it plans to...more
HM Treasury has published the text of the awaited draft memorandum of understanding (MoU) on UK-EU regulatory co-operation in financial services, which has already been adopted by the European Commission. The focus of the MoU...more
The European Commission has published its long-delayed report to the European Parliament and Council of the EU on the application of the Payment Accounts Directive (PAD). The findings are generally positive and no legislative...more
In a speech marking less than three months until the first Consumer Duty implementation deadline, the FCA has warned that firms can expect swift action if they ignore the Duty or pose the most harm to consumers. As part of...more
Key developments of interest over the last month include: the UK FCA’s publication of a portfolio letter to payments and e-money firms; the U.S. Federal Reserve announcing the July 2023 launch of its FedNow Service; and...more
5/4/2023
/ AML/CFT ,
Cryptocurrency ,
Digital Assets ,
EU ,
Financial Institutions ,
Financial Services Industry ,
FinTech ,
Payment Systems ,
Regulatory Agenda ,
Regulatory Oversight ,
Transparency
The FCA’s evaluation of its 2019 personal current account (PCA) overdraft rule changes - introduced as part of its High-Cost Credit Review - paints a largely positive picture in terms of good consumer outcomes. However, the...more
The Joint Regulatory Oversight Committee (JROC), co-chaired by the FCA and the Payment Systems Regulator (PSR) and with HM Treasury (HMT) and the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) as the other members, has published its...more