Regulation and compliance

In December, the FCA brought out its findings on best execution in UK listed cash equities in relation to wholesale banks. In recent months, we have become used to these multi firm reviews which conceal considerable informal guidance which the FCA is indicating is good or bad practice. So, in that context, I wanted to

On 3 February 2026, the Bank of England (BoE) published a letter from Ruth Smith (Executive Director, Resolution Directorate) to CFOs of the major UK banks, on firms’ preparations for the third Resolvability Assessment Framework (RAF) assessment.

The letter provides information, ahead of the third RAF assessment, to support firms with

On 2 February 2026, the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) published a speech by Rebecca Jackson (Executive Director, Authorisations, Regulatory Technology and International Supervision) entitled Frenemies at the gates.

The speech focuses on a changing market landscape, shaped by rapid advances in new technologies and the growing importance of specialist electronic market makers

On 30 January 2026, Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2026/264 (the Amending Regulation), which contains amendments to regulatory technical standards (RTS) supplementing the Benchmarks Regulation ((EU) 2016/1011) (BMR) on third country administrator recognition applications, was published in the Official Journal of the European Union (the OJ).

The Amending Regulation makes

On 30 January 2026, the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Regulated Activities) (Providing Targeted Support) (Amendment) Order 2026 (SI 2026/74) (the Order) was published on legislation.gov.uk, together with an explanatory memorandum.

The Order amends the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Regulated Activities) Order 2001 (RAO) to create a new regulated activity

On 30 January 2026, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) published a consultation paper setting out proposals to evolve its rules in relation to listed companies’ sustainability disclosures (CP26/5).

Background

The FCA highlight in CP26/5 that there are already rules for listed companies’ sustainability disclosures that are aligned with the Task Force

On 27 January 2026, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) published its Key Issues Outlook 2026 (2026 Outlook). 

Overview

ASIC is tracking significant shifts across Australia’s financial system as pressures on consumers, markets, and businesses intensify. The regulator has identified various system-wide forces that cut across all sectors it regulates