Understanding the UK Financial Advice Market: What the FCA’s Latest Survey Tell Us
The FCA’s Understanding the Financial Advice Market publication provides a data‑led overview of how the UK financial advice sector is operating, evolving and responding to consumer needs. The report draws primarily on […]
The FCA are Modernising the Redress Scheme: What This Means in Practice
The FCA recently published CP26/9, building on the foundations set out in CP25/22 last year, as part of a broader programme of reform aimed at reshaping how firms identify, assess and remedy consumer harm. CP25/22 primarily focused on […]
Inactive ARs Under FCA Scrutiny
The Financial Conduct Authority (“FCA”) has published guidance on managing the risks associated with inactive Appointed Representatives (“ARs”), including Introducer Appointed Representatives (“IARs”), setting out examples of good and poor […]
FCA Takes Next Steps Toward Enforcement Action Against Hartley Pensions and an Individual
Importance of Protecting Pension Holders Pensions represent the long-term savings and financial security of individuals, often built over decades of contributions. When pension operators fail to act with integrity or […]
The FCA’s Cryptoasset Perimeter Consultation (CP26/13): The Journey Continues
Author: James Borley, Director, Payment Services By any measure, the UK’s approach to cryptoasset regulation has reached an inflection point. It is now no longer a matter of ‘if’ but ‘when’. With […]
Smarter Customer Segmentation for Targeted Support
With the Financial Conduct Authority’s (“FCA”) recent publication, Targeted Support: firm considerations when designing consumer segments, firms were given clearer expectations for designing consumer segments that deliver meaningful, fair and responsible outcomes. In a marketplace […]
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 […]
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 […]
Strengthening Consumer Understanding in Financial Services
The UK financial services landscape continues to evolve under the Consumer Duty framework (PRIN 2A), with the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) placing clear emphasis on ensuring customers have a sufficient […]