On 26 February 2026, the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Exemption) (Amendment) Order 2026 (the Order) was published on legislation.gov.uk, together with an explanatory memorandum.
The Order amends the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Exemption) Order 2001 (the Exemption Order) to exempt certain persons from the general prohibition set out in Section 19 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000, which provides that no person may carry on a regulated activity within the UK without being an authorised person or an exempt person.
Under Article 3A of the Exemption Order, persons listed in Part 1A of the Schedule are exempt from the general prohibition in respect of any regulated activity. Article 2(2) of this Order amends Part 1A by adding the British Business Bank plc, together with various of its subsidiary companies, and the National Housing Bank Limited to the list of exempt persons.
The Order was made on 24 February 2026 and comes into force on 27 March 2026.