i-law

Compliance Monitor

FCA bans two ex-Credit Suisse directors in corrupt Mozambique loans case

The regulator has banned two former Credit Suisse managing directors after reviewing their guilty pleas and subsequent incriminating evidence in the United States but without waiting to hear - as originally planned - the comments of the judge upon sentencing.
Online Published Date:  04 March 2025
Appeared in issue:  Vol 37 No 7 - 01 April 2025

Vulnerable customers fall behind peers in contact with firms, finds FCA research

Customers with challenging personal circumstances are a third more likely to feel negatively after contact with the financial services sector than other members of the population, according to new research from the regulator.
Online Published Date:  07 March 2025
Appeared in issue:  Vol 37 No 7 - 01 April 2025

Starmer lashes out at "hiding behind regulators", as PSR axed

Government plans to abolish the Payment Systems Regulator and merge it in fully with the FCA are leading to speculation that budget changes could also hit the Financial Ombudsman Service.
Online Published Date:  12 March 2025
Appeared in issue:  Vol 37 No 7 - 01 April 2025

FCA scraps 'name and shame' enforcement plan and stalls on D&I

In two major volte-faces, the FCA has dropped its intention to publish names of firms under investigation and has delayed its programme on diversity and inclusion (D&I). The first proposal had already been considerably watered down after meeting with sustained industry opposition. The second was set as one of chief executive Nikhil Rathi's priorities when he joined in 2020. The Prudential Regulation Authority is also understood to be delaying its D&I plans.
Online Published Date:  12 March 2025
Appeared in issue:  Vol 37 No 7 - 01 April 2025

Zeux's failed cryptoasset business registration elucidates FCA expectations

The regulator has given a comprehensive explanation as to what it expects from cryptoasset exchange providers in a decision notice that lists numerous reasons for turning down Zeux Ltd of Berkeley Square in London.
Online Published Date:  17 March 2025
Appeared in issue:  Vol 37 No 7 - 01 April 2025

Odey appeals FCA ban and fine over his response to sexual harrassment claims

An FCA decision notice to fine Crispin Odey £1.8 million and ban him from the sector followed a sequence of events at Odey Asset Management LLP (OAM) in which he twice removed members of the executive committee, threatened personal litigation against them, told them "HR law did not matter here" and refused to co-operate with a proposed safeguarding plan (to protect female employees) that had been suggested by the compliance officer and executive committee members.
Online Published Date:  17 March 2025
Appeared in issue:  Vol 37 No 7 - 01 April 2025

LME fined £9.2m after "relatively junior" staff left to manage disorderly nickel market

One of the world's biggest commodities markets, the London Metals Exchange (LME), has become the first recognised investment exchange to be fined in an enforcement action by the FCA.
Online Published Date:  20 March 2025
Appeared in issue:  Vol 37 No 7 - 01 April 2025

Supervisory shake-up and plans to streamline rules feature in new FCA strategy

The regulator has announced a range of plans to increase efficiency, including its new five-year strategy, a commitment to launch Open Finance and a set of other streamlining proposals.
Online Published Date:  25 March 2025
Appeared in issue:  Vol 37 No 7 - 01 April 2025

What DEI developments mean for UK-regulated firms

The FCA and PRA's decision not to proceed with new Diversity, Equity and Inclusion reporting requirements created a stir in the financial media last month. Viewed in light of the Government's de-regulating growth drive as well as moves in the United States to rollback DEI programmes, fears of regression were raised for inclusivity agendas. Lucy Blake provides further context.
Online Published Date:  02 April 2025
Appeared in issue:  Vol 37 No 7 - 01 April 2025

Where now for FCA's enforcement strategy?

Therese Chambers and Steve Smart have made their mark since they stepped into view as co-directors of Enforcement at the Financial Conduct Authority two years ago. Despite battling controversies, the duo appear to be making progress towards some of their goals, reports Neasa MacErlean.
Online Published Date:  02 April 2025
Appeared in issue:  Vol 37 No 7 - 01 April 2025

Authorisation of cryptoasset firms under MiCA clarified

The European Union's comprehensive framework for the regulation of cryptoassets has been supplemented with a briefing on threshold requirements for market participants. Martin Dowdall and Shaanil Senarath-Dassanayake unpack the contents and set out what this means for cryptoasset service providers seeking authorisation under MiCA.
Online Published Date:  02 April 2025
Appeared in issue:  Vol 37 No 7 - 01 April 2025

Refocus on Training and Competence

Amid the constant pressure of regulatory exigencies, it's easy to neglect the fundamentals. Training and competence matters; indeed, the scope of this rulebook should extend to more players in the financial services ecosystem, writes Adam Samuel.
Online Published Date:  02 April 2025
Appeared in issue:  Vol 37 No 7 - 01 April 2025

A costly miscalculation: Nvayo and the price of resistance

Regulatory battles may often best be fought in remediation efforts rather than legal challenges, a recent case illustrates. By Christian Blackwell
Online Published Date:  02 April 2025
Appeared in issue:  Vol 37 No 7 - 01 April 2025

Omnibus Regulation sets EU ESG reforms in motion

Draft proposals to simplify and streamline the European Union's multiple corporate sustainability regimes were published at the end of February. Alessandro De Nicola discusses this key initiative.
Online Published Date:  02 April 2025
Appeared in issue:  Vol 37 No 7 - 01 April 2025

Traders' online chats cost banks £100m in competition penalties

A group of five banks were caught out when their employees' private internet exchanges were considered by authorities to have breached the Competition Act 1998. Firms face legal risks in this area that need to be identified, monitored and managed, writes Denis O'Connor.
Online Published Date:  02 April 2025
Appeared in issue:  Vol 37 No 7 - 01 April 2025

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