Podcast — UK FinReg Focus Areas in 2025: Wholesale Markets
On 15 July 2025, Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves delivered her Mansion House 2025 speech unveiling the Leeds Reforms, a programme for financial services reforms to drive investment and growth in the sector....more
In a previous alert, we discussed the proposals put forward by the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) for all FCA-authorised firms to better integrate non-financial misconduct (NFM) considerations into their senior manager...more
On 13 December 2024, the FCA and the PRA published linked Consultation Papers on operational incident and third-party reporting (FCA CP24/28 and PRA CP17/24). The consultations aim to create a structured framework for...more
When the Edinburgh Reforms were announced on 9 December 2022, they were billed as an ambitious set of reforms. Two years on, we assess which of the measures have been completed, which remain outstanding, and whether they have...more
On 26 November 2024, the PRA and the FCA published a joint Consultation Paper on changes to the remuneration rules (PRA CP16/24, FCA CP24/24). The changes are relevant to banks, building societies, and PRA-designated...more
Yesterday the PRA and FCA published PRA consultation paper 16/24 / FCA consultation paper 24/23 – Remuneration reform, containing proposals for significant changes to the remuneration regime. The UK’s current remuneration...more
Solvency II is organised around three core pillars of prudential regulation, which ensure the safety and soundness of (re)insurers, in line with the scale, nature and complexity of their business: - Pillar One focuses on...more
The FCA is focused on reducing non-financial misconduct to enhance the reputation of the UK financial services sector. Spurred on by positive levels of engagement with its 2021 discussion paper, the FCA’s latest consultation...more
The extent to which firms are captured by the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and Prudential Regulation Authority’s (PRA) proposals to implement a new regime for diversity and inclusion (D&I) in financial services...more
Non-financial misconduct in financial services firms is back at the top of the agenda following the concurrent publication of the FCA’s Consultation Paper 20/23 (Diversity and inclusion in the financial sector – working...more
The UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) published a discussion paper on 30 March 2023 seeking opinions on the Senior Managers and Certification Regime (SMCR). Concurrently, the UK...more
The tone of the papers suggests that a fundamental reform of the Regime will be unlikely. On 30 March 2023, the PRA and the FCA published a joint Discussion Paper (FCA DP23/3 and PRA DP1/23) seeking feedback on the...more
On 30 March 2023, the FCA and PRA published a joint discussion paper which seeks views on the operational aspects of the Senior Managers and Certification Regime. Alongside this, HM Treasury also published a Call for Evidence...more
On 9 December 2022, the United Kingdom’s Chancellor of the Exchequer announced an expansive set of reforms to the UK’s financial regulatory regime – labelled the “Edinburgh Reforms”. Following the UK’s exit from the...more
Artificial intelligence (AI) and algorithmic models are used extensively in the financial services sector across a broad range of business areas. Two-thirds of respondents to a survey conducted jointly by the UK’s Prudential...more
Welcome to the Regulation Round Up, a regular bulletin highlighting the latest developments in UK and EU financial services regulation. ...more
During July the FCA made two announcements which demonstrate its continued focus on culture and diversity and their intersection with governance. In a Consultation Paper, it announced proposed changes to Listing Rules which...more
SMCR: PRA PS11/21 and FCA Handbook Notice 88 on temporary, long-term absences - The UK Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) has published a policy statement, PS11/21, which confirms its final policy relating to temporary,...more
The Prudential Regulation Authority (“PRA”), in December 2020, published a report following an evaluation of whether the Senior Managers and Certification Regime (“SMCR”) is meeting its original aims. - The report includes...more
Five years ago, on 7 March 2016, the Senior Managers and Certification Regime (SMCR) came into force. At first it applied only to dual-regulated banks, those which are regulated both by the FCA and PRA. Originally...more
UK SMCR forms: PRA PS1/21 - Following consultation, the UK Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) has published a policy statement, PS1/21, on updates to forms relating to the Senior Managers and Certification Regime (SMCR or...more
UK-EU trade and cooperation agreement After extensive negotiations, and within a week of the Brexit transition period ending on 31 - December 2020, the UK and the EU finally announced on 24 December 2020 that they had agreed...more
The PRA has released a largely positive report, along with nine follow-up actions and recommendations on the SMCR for PRA-regulated firms. Key Points: ..There is no need for major changes to the SMCR. ..There are...more
SMCR extension: SI extending implementation date made - The Bank of England and Financial Services Act 2016 (Commencement No. 6 and Transitional Provisions) (Amendment) Regulations 2020 (SI 2020/929) have been made....more
Recent regulatory developments of interest to all financial institutions. Includes COVID-19 and Brexit-related updates, and more. ...more