When Compliance is ignored

The Compliance function runs the gauntlet between ensuring that regulatory conditions are met while engaging constructively with business arms of the firm. But, as a number of enforcement notices bring to light, their voice is frequently sidelined when it counts. Neasa MacErlean explores these dynamics and pitfalls to avoid.

Regulator fines on firms from the past three years show numerous cases when the work of compliance or other professionals was disregarded. There were three major ones in 2025 (Barclays Bank plc, Monzo and Arian). [1] There had also been three in 2024 (Barclays Bank plc, Barclays plc and Metro Bank). [2] That was a fall on 2023 when there were five - Equifax, ADM Investor Services International Ltd, Bastion Capital London Ltd, Al Rayan Bank plc and Guaranty Trust Bank (UK) Ltd. [3] With numbers of corporate fines barely into double figures at the Financial Conduct Authority each year, this pattern is significant. Other firms may well be operating in similar ways but this is not always clear from the final notices, and some firms will end up with no public punishment at all.