Blogs

Legal Clarity, Regulatory Complexity: The Motor Finance Challenge

corporate governance, remuneration, conflicts, complaints, regulatory updates

The Supreme Court ruled that certain commission arrangements between car dealers and lenders created an unfair relationship under Section 140A of the Consumer Credit Act 1974. This followed years of complaints about discretionary commission arrangements (DCAs), where...

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The Future of Accountability: SM&CR Reforms

accountability, innovation, regulatory strategy, SM&CR, regulatory updates, UK

“The SM&CR has driven up standards in financial services. But we want to boost competitiveness, and support growth, by streamlining the regime while preserving its benefits.” — FCA CP25/21

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Unlocking Capital, Driving Innovation: The Chancellor’s Financial Services Agenda

innovation, regulatory strategy, SM&CR

“We are rewiring the UK’s financial system to unlock investment, drive innovation, and create skilled jobs across the country.” — Chancellor Rachel Reeves, Mansion House Speech 2025

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The Cost of Doing Nothing

governance, accountability, compliance, risk management, GRC, Compliance Monitoring

Why Inaction Is No Longer an Option in GRC & RegTech In financial services, GRC and RegTech play a central role in building operational resilience, maintaining stakeholder trust, and meeting regulatory expectations. Yet, many organisations continue to rely on manual,...

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“Regulatory Greens”: FCA’s Balanced diet

governance, accountability, SM&CR, Consumer Duty, GRC, financial crime

"Good strategy, like good nutrition, is all about balance. The right elements, working together, to support long-term health." (Emily Shepperd, FCA's COO, June 2024)

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Finfluencers Under Fire: Global Clean-Up of Rogue Financial Promotions

third parties, FCA, due diligence, financial promotions

"Increasing numbers of young people are falling victim to scams, and finfluencers can often play a part" (FCA, Oct 2024) In recent years, we have seen the FCA highlight the risk posed by finfluencers, which is illustrated by the regulatory action taken against this...

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What lies ahead for Financial Services?

FCA, Regulatory initiative grid, regulatory strategy, SM&CR, Product Governance

The 8th edition of the Regulatory Initiatives Grid (Grid) was published in April 2025. It sets out more than 90 ongoing or upcoming policy and regulatory actions over the next 24 months affecting UK firms. The Grid signals a deeper regulatory intent to recalibrate UK...

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Stress-Tested for Reality: Beyond Paper Plans

operational resilience, SM&CR, third party risk

In a recent blog, the UK’s FCA strikes a frank and open tone: operational resilience is not a box-ticking exercise. This is a message that has been sent before, and we hear it again in this blog issued on 15th April 2025. Operational resilience is business critical....

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Complaints in a Changing World

FCA, FOS, Consumer Duty

Consumers today expect much more from financial services firms than just a basic transactional efficiency.

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FCA Establishes Regional Presence in the USA and APAC

FCA, innovation, competition, global standards

UK regulator establishes footing in USA and APAC The FCA has announced the appointment of two regulatory representatives establishing its presence in the USA and APAC regions. Why is this necessary? How will help the UK? Establishing two regional offices aim to...

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Trust & Security: How Payment Services Firms can Better Protect Client Funds

client assets, client money, Consumer Duty, Compliance Monitoring

Time to read: 2-3 minutes Despite recent announcements that the Payment Services Regulator (PSR) will be disbanded, regulation is not going away. The FCA is taking on increased responsibilities and ensuring that there are consistent messages to firms on how to...

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How good is your Product Governance Framework?

due diligence, MIFID II, Consumer Duty, Product Governance, data

Scrutinise your Product Governance Framework “Product oversight and governance refers to the systems and controls firms have in place to design, approve, market and manage products throughout the products' lifecycle to ensure they meet legal and regulatory...

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