Regulation in Motion: What the FCA Moved This Week
Regulation in Motion: What the FCA Moved This Week
This week, the FCA sent a message that was part warning, part opportunity. Whether you’re running a retail bank, managing a fund, or navigating compliance in a startup, the themes were clear: open access, tougher oversight, and consumer-first policy.
Leadership Isn’t Exempt
Top story? The FCA hit the former Deputy CEO of H2O Asset Management with a £1 million fine and a lifetime ban. The reason? Misleading the regulator.
It’s a reminder that senior titles come with serious accountability. Integrity at the top isn’t optional — it’s under the microscope.
Simplifying the Financial Maze
Two major reforms rolled out this week:
- Mortgage access is now easier for people with complex income patterns — a win for inclusivity.
- Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) lending is getting cleaner and clearer, thanks to new rules on transparency and borrower protection.
If your firm touches lending in any way, these aren’t changes to skim — they shape how you communicate, approve, and support your customers.
Insurers Put on Notice
Rising premiums have drawn FCA attention — and with it, a clear message: justify the cost, or improve the service.
Claims handling is now centre stage. If your process is clunky or slow, this is your chance to fix it before the regulator fixes it for you.
Two More Firms Down
Fund Ourselves and Argentex LLP both entered administration. These aren’t isolated events — they’re signals.
Whether it’s P2P lending or cross-border payments, operational resilience matters more than ever. Review your exposure. Tighten your risk.
UK + Switzerland: A New Gateway
Thanks to the Berne Financial Services Agreement, firms in the UK and Switzerland just got better access to each other’s markets.
This is more than a handshake — it’s an opening for growth. If cross-border expansion is part of your roadmap, now’s the time to explore what’s unlocked.
Final Word
The FCA isn’t slowing down — it’s speeding up, sharpening its tone, and expecting firms to keep up.
Whether the topic is mortgage access or misconduct at the executive level, one thing is clear: the bar is rising.
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