FCA updates : Regulatory simplification, financial crime controls, and the future of digital payments

December 11, 2025

FCA updates : Regulatory simplification, financial crime controls, and the future of digital payments

  • Regulatory Fee Reduction: The FCA proposes reducing late fees for regulatory returns, easing the administrative burden. Firms should review their return processes to stay compliant and optimize reporting timelines.
  • Financial Crime Prevention: The launch of Firm Checker is a major step in combating financial crime. Firms must integrate this tool to help verify firm authenticity and detect fraudulent activities.
  • Stablecoin Payments and Digital Finance: With stablecoins set as a priority for 2026, firms should assess their involvement in the digital finance ecosystem and review their governance and risk frameworks related to digital assets.
  • Insurance Rule Simplification: The FCA's simplification of insurance rules aims to reduce complexity. Firms should stay on top of simplified insurance compliance and be prepared for further reviews.
  • Investment and Pensions Support: The FCA’s focus on providing better consumer support for investment and pension decisions will require firms to enhance their customer support offerings. Tailoring advice and guidance will be crucial in this evolving regulatory environment.
  • Headline Why it matters Next 30 days actions
    FCA sets out proposals to make ESG ratings more transparent (12/1/2025) FCA aims to increase trust in ESG ratings by introducing a voluntary code of conduct and clearer regulatory oversight frameworks.
    • Review ESG data sources.
    • Assess rating provider relationships.
    • Update sustainability disclosures.
    FCA censures Institute of Certified Bookkeepers (12/2/2025) Highlights weaknesses in industry AML supervision, emphasizing the need for professional body supervisors to maintain robust oversight.
    • Review AML supervision gaps.
    • Test staff training levels.
    • Strengthen monitoring controls.
    Pause on motor finance complaints (12/3/2025) Firms must prepare for a restart of motor finance complaints handling as the pause extension provides time for the outcome of the Court of Appeal decision.
    • Review complaint backlogs.
    • Update consumer communication plans.
    • Prepare operational capacity.
    FCA helps firms to test AI safely (12/3/2025) FCA will support firms in safe AI experimentation through the Digital Sandbox and Innovation Pathways to foster responsible innovation.
    • Review AI risk frameworks.
    • Identify AI models needing testing.
    • Engage with FCA pilot opportunities.
    FCA simplifies complaints reporting (12/3/2025) New reporting changes reduce burden and streamline data collection, requiring firms to adapt their regulatory return processes.
    • Update reporting procedures.
    • Train staff on new process.
    • Test system changes.
    Establishing a bond consolidated tape (12/3/2025) FCA moves forward with bond consolidated tape provider plans to improve market data transparency and competitiveness in fixed income.
    • Prepare for bond tape changes.
    • Assess data needs.
    • Engage in consultations.
    ESE Capital Limited FRN 469499 – firm enters liquidation (12/3/2025) Highlights governance and financial stability risks, serving as a warning on capital adequacy and orderly wind-down planning.
    • Review counterparty exposure.
    • Communicate with impacted clients.
    • Check risk oversight gaps.
    FCA consults on reducing late fees (12/5/2025) FCA proposes lower late fees to reduce administrative burdens on smaller firms while maintaining incentives for timely reporting.
    • Review regulatory return submission timelines.
    • Assess impact of reduced late fees.
    • Update internal compliance calendars.
    FCA sets out landmark package to boost UK investment culture (12/8/2025) FCA launches reforms aimed at improving the attractiveness of UK markets, focusing on listing rules and investor engagement.
    • Review product alignment with investment reforms.
    • Brief senior leadership on package details.
    • Assess consumer communications.
    Hearing date – FCA's application to distribute investor fund (12/8/2025) Court process progresses for distribution of recovered funds to investors, a key step in concluding long-running enforcement cases.
    • Monitor hearing outcomes.
    • Review investor communications.
    • Check exposure to related cases.
    FCA simplifies insurance rules and plans further reviews (12/9/2025) Simplification aims to reduce complexity in the insurance rulebook, potentially lowering compliance costs while maintaining protection.
    • Review updated insurance requirements.
    • Identify compliance simplifications.
    • Prepare for future rule reviews.
    Sophie Hutcherson reappointed as Non-Executive Director to FCA Board (12/9/2025) Board continuity supports regulatory stability and consistent strategic direction for the FCA's long-term transformation plans.
    • Note governance continuity.
    • Monitor board priorities.
    • Update regulatory horizon scanning.
    FCA launches Firm Checker to fight financial crime (12/10/2025) New tool supports firms and consumers in verifying the legitimacy of financial entities, strengthening defenses against scams.
    • Integrate Firm Checker into onboarding.
    • Update financial crime procedures.
    • Train staff on tool usage.
    Stablecoin payments a priority for 2026 (12/10/2025) FCA confirms stablecoins as a core payments priority, signaling upcoming detailed rulemaking for digital assets in payments.
    • Review stablecoin exposure.
    • Assess payments strategy.
    • Update digital asset governance.
    Motor insurance pricing and local areas (12/10/2025) FCA analysis raises fairness and data risks regarding how location data impacts motor insurance pricing, hinting at future scrutiny.
    • Review pricing model inputs.
    • Assess fairness risks.
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