Financial Regulation International

Partner Matthew Barnard and senior associates Andrew Shiu and Julian Donnan look at measures to further liberalise the investment regime in the People’s Republic of China (PRC) by providing greater access to overseas markets to certain qualified domestic investors.

Andrew Cornford, research fellow, Financial Markets Center and Anthony Travis, partner, Gainsbury & Consorts

Joanna Gray, University of Newcastle

The EC is taking initiatives to increase the financial capability of EU consumers: ensuring that they understand the financial products available in the market, are able to manage their personal finances efficiently, and can make informed choices between different bank accounts, insurance policies or credit agreements. The participation of several high-ranking EU officials at a conference on ‘Increasing Financial Capability’, hosted by the Commission in Brussels in March 2007, shows that the European institutions are taking this issue to heart. This ECRI policy brief examines why these policies are needed, analyses the EU action in this area and assesses the likely future developments.

On 10 July the European Commission published a proposal for a framework directive on its Solvency II project. This note provides an overview of Solvency II and its implications for UK insurers.