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 […]
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 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 […]
FCA CP26/6: Reforming the UK Securitisation Framework
In February 2026, the FCA published CP26/6, setting out proposals to reform the UK securitisation framework. The consultation forms part of a broader programme, developed alongside the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA), to […]
Cryptoassets: FATF Risks and the UK’s Emerging Regulatory Framework
Overview Cryptoassets continue to attract increasing regulatory attention as their use expands across financial services, payments and decentralised finance (“DeFi”). While these technologies present opportunities for innovation, regulators remain concerned about potential financial crime risks, […]
FCA Good and Poor Practice – Sustainable Investment Labels
The FCA has issued a further communication designed to support firms implementing the UK’s Sustainability Disclosure Requirements labels (SDR) investment labelling regime. The publication sets out examples of good and poor practice in pre-contractual disclosures […]