Global Regulation Tomorrow

On 6 November 2026, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) published a blog in relation to the fairness of consumer contracts and how the FCA can use its powers to tackle harm.

Background

The FCA highlights that all firms are responsible for making sure that terms in their consumer

On 5 November 2026, the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (Basel Committee) issued a consultative document on consequential amendments to the Basel Framework to update cross-references to refer to the relevant chapters in the consolidated guidelines.

Background

In 2025, the Basel Committee initiated work to consolidate its guidelines

On 5 November 2026, the European Banking Authority (EBA) issued a final report containing revisions to its July 2021 guidelines on internal governance under the Capital Requirements Directive (CRD).

Background

The guidelines on internal governance were initially developed to address governance weaknesses identified in the aftermath

On 28 October 2026, the German Federal Ministry of Finance (“BMF”) published the ministerial Draft Act Implementing the Sixth EU Anti-Money Laundering Directive and Strengthening Money Laundering Prevention (“Draft Bill”). Although the Draft Bill has been characterised by the BMF as a 1:1 implementation, a more detailed review is warranted.

On 5 November 2026, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) announced a new Quantum Experimentation Group (QEG) intended to explore quantum computing applications in financial services.

Summary

The FCA explains that the QEG will aim to help firms assess where quantum computing may offer benefits over existing

On 4 November 2026, the Bank of England (BoE) published its response to the Retail Payments Infrastructure Board’s (RPIB) June 2026 consultation on the design of the UK’s Next Generation retail payments infrastructure.

Background

On 25 June 2026, the BoE published a consultation setting out its

On 3 November 2026, the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) published Consultation Paper 15/26 ‘Northern Ireland Credit Unions: Implementing legislative changes’ (CP15/26).

Background

In April 2025, the Department for the Economy (DfE) in Northern Ireland consulted on a number of proposed reforms to modernise the

On 2 November 2026, the Financial Services (Gibraltar) (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2026 were made.

The Regulations come into force on 16 December 2026 and extend by 12 months the transitional arrangements under Parts 2 and 3 of the Financial Services (Gibraltar) (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 which enable specified

Introduction

Financial services regulators, around the world are treating anti-money laundering (AML) compliance as a priority. They are strengthening their supervisory frameworks, imposing significant penalties for systems and controls failures, and dealing with emerging risks linked to crypto-assets, beneficial ownership transparency and increasingly sophisticated cross-border financial flows.

Regulation

On 4 November 2026, the European Commission (Commission) published a communication regarding its work programme for 2027.

The communication discusses the Commission’s main plans and priorities for 2027 and is accompanied by an Annex listing new initiatives and their expected timing, as well as initiatives the Commission

On 29 October 2026, the Council of the EU published statements on both the proposed Directive on payment services and electronic money services in the internal market (PSD3) and the proposed Regulation on payment services in the internal market (PSR) confirming that it had adopted at first reading the texts

On 3 November 2026, the FCA published Policy Statement 26/21 ‘‘Streamlining the UK EMIR Intragroup Regime’ (PS26/21).

Background

On 5 November 2026, HM Treasury published a draft statutory instrument for technical comment, which set out proposals to make the intragroup exemptions from the margin and clearing requirements currently

On 3 November 2026, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) published Policy Statement 26/22 ‘ESG ratings: final regime’ (PS26/22).

Background

On 1 December 2025, the FCA published Consultation Paper 25/34 (CP25/34) on its proposed approach to Environmental, Social, Governance (ESG) ratings regulation. The

On 3 November 2026, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) published a statement in relation to its minimum expectations for firms making full and final settlement offers during the partial suspension of the motor finance redress scheme.

Background

Following a legal challenge, elements of the FCA’s motor finance redress

On 3 November 2026, the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) and Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) (the Regulators) published a joint discussion paper in relation to credit unions supporting sustainable growth and resilience (DP2/26).

Background

In the mutuals landscape report, the Regulators committed to

Our financial services team in Hong Kong SAR have published a new client briefing note - Regulatory strategy as competitive advantage: A board-level framework for global crypto businesses.

On 29 October 2026, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) published Report 842 ASIC's oversight of financial reporting and audit 2025–26 (REP 842). It follows ASIC's separate report on superannuation funds (REP 841). From 1 July 2025 to 30 June 2026, ASIC reviewed

On 2 November 2026, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) published a statement concerning demands being made for the repayment of loans, or purported loans, originally provided as part of disguised remuneration schemes.

Background

The FCA explains that disguised remuneration schemes typically involve individuals, including contractors, consultants and agency

On 2 November 2026, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) published learnings gained from supervisory work they’ve undertaken, risks they’ve seen crystallise and findings from internal audit functions in relation to wholesale banks.

Summary

The FCA set out the following findings, in particular:

Improving the resilience of firms and

On 30 October 2026, the inaugural FATF Plenary meeting under the UK Presidency of Giles Thomson concluded, with countries agreeing global action to tackle evolving financial crime threats, including the rising threat posed by virtual assets, fraud and scam compounds.

In response to the FATF Ministerial Declaration of April 2026,