On 21 October 2021, HM Treasury issued its long anticipated consultation on the regulation of Buy-Now Pay-Later (BNPL) products. Background In February the government announced its intention to bring unregulated interest-free BNPL products within the scope of regulation given the potential risk of consumer detriment highlighted in the Woolard Review. Following the announcement the government … Continue Reading
On 7 September 2021, the European Commission adopted: Commission Delegated Regulation amending the regulatory technical standards laid down in Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2017/653 as regards the underpinning methodology and presentation of performance scenarios, the presentation of costs and the methodology for the calculation of summary cost indicators, the presentation and content of information on … Continue Reading
8 September 2021 | 08:50 AM – 09:30 AM BST In retail – the front line of the financial sector – things have moved on significantly since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic with the introduction of new technology and investment opportunities. With these changes new risks have emerged, increasing vulnerability among consumers – particularly younger consumers … Continue Reading
On 26 August the FCA published a letter (dated 25 May 2021) previously sent to the board of directors at loan-based peer-to-peer (P2P) crowdfunding platforms. In the letter the FCA seeks to set out its views and expectations in a number of areas, specifically: set out our view of the key risks P2P platforms pose … Continue Reading
On 9 July 2021, the FCA published a new webpage setting out two case studies illustrating good and bad practice when promoting financial services and the regulators’ expectations for promotions to be clear, fair and not misleading. The case studies show common mistakes the FCA sees for a car finance hire purchase promotion and a … Continue Reading
On 24 May 2021, the FCA updated its consumer credit information sheets in accordance with the Consumer Credit Act 1974 (section 86A). The FCA has specified that these will come into force on 25 October 2021 in accordance with section 86A(7) of the Act. The FCA has changed the information sheets to provide more targeted … Continue Reading
Episode 7 of the Regulation Tomorrow podcast is now available to listen to and download. In this month’s podcast we speak to Celia Cohen in New York about recent enforcement trends in the US, with a focus on whistle-blowing; we hear from Anna Carrier in Brussels who discusses the new European commodities regime and we … Continue Reading
In March 2012, the Financial Services Authority (predecessor regulator to the FCA) identified significant issues with the sale of Interest Rate Hedging Products (IRHPs) to UK Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). The FSA intervened and secured voluntary agreements with the banks to provide redress. Following the Treasury Select Committee’s recommendation in its report Conduct and … Continue Reading
On 5 March 2021, the FCA set out proposals to update its January 2021 guidance “Mortgages and Coronavirus: Tailored Support Guidance”. The proposed updates to the earlier guidance are contained in paragraphs 1.2 and section 7 (repossessions). In section 7 the FCA is proposing to introduce updated guidance for firms from 1 April 2021, to … Continue Reading
On 26 February 2021, the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) issued a consultation document on draft technical standards on crowdfunding under the European crowdfunding service providers regulation (ECSPR). The ECSPR was published in the Official Journal of the European Union on 20 October 2020. The ECSPR requires ESMA to submit draft regulatory technical standards … Continue Reading
On 18 January 2021, the FCA wrote to the board of directors at debt firms (being debt purchase, debt collection and debt administration firms) to set out they key risks associated with these types of firms, the FCA’s expectations of them and how it plans to supervise the sector. In spite of the impact of … Continue Reading
On 17 December 2020, the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) has renewed its decision to temporarily require the holders of net short positions in shares traded on a European Union (EU) regulated market, to notify the relevant Member State competent authority (NCA) if the position reaches, exceeds or falls below 0.1% of the issued … Continue Reading
On 2 December 2020, the FCA published a letter it had sent to the board of directors of firms assigned to the SIPP operators’ portfolio. The letter sets out the FCA’s key concerns and expectations for firms in the portfolio. The FCA’s key concerns are set out under four broad headings: financial resources, complaints handling, … Continue Reading
On 2 December 2020, the FCA published an evaluation of its price cap on rent-to-own (RTO) products, which came into force in April 2020. The evaluation shows that the price cap has been effective in reducing the prices charged by RTO firms. The FCA estimates that the cap led to an average fall in prices … Continue Reading
On 17 November 2020, the FCA updated its web page regarding Policy Statement 20/11 ‘Mortgages: Removing barriers to intra group switching and helping borrowers with maturing interest only and part and part mortgages’ (PS20/11). The update states that the FCA has issued an updated version of the guidance in relation to delaying the capital repayment … Continue Reading
On 11 November 2020, there was published on legislation.gov.uk The Consumer Credit (Enforcement, Default and Termination Notices) (Coronavirus) (Amendment) Regulations 2020 together with an explanatory memorandum. The Consumer Credit Act 1974 (the Act) created a consumer protection regime, which required creditors or owners to send notices to borrowers or hirers under regulated agreements before taking … Continue Reading
On 3 November 2020, the European Banking Authority (EBA) issued its second report on how firms have implemented the EBA guidelines on product oversight and governance arrangements (the Guidelines). The report identifies good practices that firms have put in place and concludes that many of them do not sufficiently put the required focus on ensuring … Continue Reading
On 2 November 2020, the FCA issued a call for input seeking views into how the unsecured credit market is changing, particularly in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, and how regulation can support this market. The call for input is focussed on the following four key themes: Drivers and use of credit. The FCA has … Continue Reading
On 27 October 2020, the FCA updated its webpage concerning the Directory of certified and assessed persons. The updated part of the webpage provides that: Dual-regulated firms must submit their Directory Persons data via Connect by no later than 13 November 2020. The FCA will begin to publish this data on the FS Register from … Continue Reading
On 16 September 2020, the FCA published Draft guidance: consumer credit and coronavirus – additional guidance for firms. The FCA originally published guidance on credit cards (including retail revolving credit) and personal loans on 9 April 2020 and later updated it on 1 July 2020. Publication of guidance covering motor finance and other high-cost credit … Continue Reading
On 15 September 2020, the FCA issued a Call for Input looking at areas where the consumer investments market is not working well for customers and seeking views on what changes the regulator can make to improve protections and outcomes in this market. The Call for Input is focussed on the following core questions: What … Continue Reading
On 14 September 2020, the FCA finalised its additional guidance setting out how firms should provide tailored support to mortgage borrowers who have benefitted from payment deferrals under its June 2020 guidance and who continue to face financial difficulties, as well as those whose financial situation may be affected by coronavirus after 31 October 2020. … Continue Reading
On 4 September 2020, the PRA published Policy Statement 20/20: Responses to chapters 2 to 7 of CP3/20 ‘Occasional Consultation Paper’ (PS20/20). In PS20/20 the PRA provides feedback to responses to chapters 2 to 7 of Consultation Paper 3/20 ‘Occasional Consultation Paper’ (CP3/20). It also includes the final rules, updated supervisory statements, forms, relevant templates … Continue Reading
