On 27 March 2026, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and Information Commissioners Office (ICO) issued a statement designed to help firms understand and apply the FCA’s expectations for delivering good outcomes for retail consumers in vulnerable circumstances, in line with the Consumer Duty, while also maintaining confidence in the lawful, fair
On 20 March 2026, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) published the terms of reference for its market study into later life mortgages.
Background
The FCA explained that it’s launching a market study to examine whether change is needed to enable the lifetime and retirement interest only mortgage sector to meet consumers’ changing needs.
On 18 March 2026, HM Treasury (HMT) issued its response to its earlier Call for Evidence on the merits of and considerations for changing the credit union common bond requirement for membership in Great Britain, under the Credit Unions Act 1979.
HMT states that the government intends to bring forward changes to the
In February 2026, prediction markets faced growing regulatory scrutiny, with Senate Democrats urging the CFTC to ban contracts linked to geopolitical outcomes such as death and war, the CFTC’s Enforcement Division confirming that all trading prohibitions under the Commodity Exchange Act apply to prediction contracts and Chairman Michael Selig announcing plans for an advanced notice
On 12 March 2026, the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) published its report on the retail investor journey. The report follows an ESMA call for evidence (CfE) that sought to gather stakeholder input on key aspects of the investor experience, with a particular focus on the investor protection requirements
On 12 March 2026, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) published the findings of its review of mortgage advice, fees and charges, and affordability assessments by second charge mortgage intermediaries and lenders.
The findings are primarily relevant to firms who advise on, or provide, second charge mortgages. But aspects of it may also be
On 12 March 2026, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) issued its latest Regulatory Priorities report which covers mortgages.
Regulatory Priorities reports replace portfolio letters and are published annually. They act as a guide for firms’ boards and chief executives and pull together all that the FCA is doing in a particular area.
On 12 March 2026, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) issued its latest Regulatory Priorities report which covers retail banking.
Regulatory Priorities reports replace portfolio letters and are published annually. They act as a guide for firms’ boards and chief executives and pull together all that the FCA is doing in a particular
The Dutch Authority for the Financial Markets (Autoriteit Financiële Markten, the AFM) and the Dutch Central Bank (De Nederlandsche Bank, DNB) have updated their Simplified Fine Procedure (Procedure vereenvoudigde afdoening boetezaken). This procedure allows for simplified settlement of a fine imposed by AFM or DNB. It was originally