FCA Annual Work Programme 2026/27: Regulatory Priorities and What They Mean for Firms
The FCA’s Annual work programme 2026/27 reinforces a clear direction of travel: a regulatory approach that is increasingly outcomes-focused, data-led, and aligned with supporting UK growth and competitiveness. Alongside this, the FCA […]
FCA PS26/2: Operational Incident and Third-Party Reporting
The Financial Conduct Authority (“FCA”), together with the Prudential Regulation Authority (“PRA”) and the Bank of England, have published Policy Statement (PS26/2), setting out final rules on reporting serious operational incidents and material third party arrangements. […]
Regulatory Priorities for Payments: Clarity, Consolidation and Accountability
Author: James Borley, Director of Payment Services As previously heralded, the Financial Conduct Authority (“FCA”) Regulatory Priorities Report for Payments (“the Report”) forms part of the FCA’s broader shift away from fragmented portfolio (“Dear CEO”) letters toward a consolidated suite of […]
FCA GC26/2: Applying the Consumer Duty to Cryptoasset Firms
Overview The Financial Conduct Authority (“FCA”) has published Guidance Consultation GC26/2 (“GC26/2”), setting out clear expectations on how firms undertaking regulated cryptoasset activities must apply the Consumer Duty. While the cryptoasset market offers innovation and growth opportunities, its complexity, volatility and […]
Offshore Cryptocurrency Providers and Illicit Finance: What UK Law Enforcement Needs to Know
In March 2026, the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) published a detailed report examining the risks associated with Offshore virtual asset service providers (oVASPs). UK law enforcement, particularly those involved in economic […]
FCA Regulatory Priorities for the Insurance Sector: Focus for 2026
In February 2026, the FCA published its first Regulatory Priorities: Insurance report, the inaugural sectorspecific publication in a new series designed to replace the historical portfolio letters with a clearer and more consolidated view of […]
FCA Whistleblowing Data Q4 2025: Key Trends and Compliance Implications
The UK FCA has published its latest Whistleblowing quarterly data 2025 Q4 (October-December), offering insights into the types of misconduct being reported and how intelligence from whistleblowers continues to support the regulator’s […]
FCA 2026/5 and FOS 2026/4: Targeted Support Reforms in Complaints and Redress
The FCA has introduced Instrument FCA 2026/5 alongside Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) Instrument 2026/4, implementing a series of reforms to the UK’s complaints handling and redress framework relating to the provision of targeted […]
Safeguarding Audit Standard – Version 1
The publication of the Financial Reporting Council’s (FRC) interim guidance on safeguarding audit engagements marks a pivotal moment for the UK payments and e-money sector. At its core, the guidance issued by the FRC is intended to […]
Safeguarding Without Surprises: Roles, Reconciliations and Control Evidence
Author: Joel Bailey, Consultant Safeguarding is the core consumer protection mechanism for protecting Authorised Payment Institutions (APIs) and Electronic Money Institutions (EMIs), collectively ‘payments firms’, to keep the “relevant funds” of their customers safe. In particular, the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) does not […]