Following industry feedback - in particular prudential concerns for some smaller firms in the market – and work with the FCA, the Payment Systems Regulator (PSR) is consulting on a proposal to reduce the maximum level of...more
Following the January 2024 launch of a review of historical motor finance commission arrangements and sales across several firms, the FCA has announced that it now plans to set out the findings from the review in May 2025...more
On 8 May 2024 the House of Commons Treasury Select Committee (TSC) published its Report on SME Finance. Recognising that SMEs are a key part of the UK’s economy, the TSC Report focusses on 5 areas which may act as barriers...more
The Bank of England has published the final versions of three Codes of Practice on wholesale cash distribution and accompanying Guidance relating to information gathering, third-party arrangements and cash centre closures and...more
From 31 July 2024, the FCA's Consumer Duty will apply to closed products and services (that is, products that were closed prior to the 31 July 2023 deadline for new and existing products or services open to sale or renewal)....more
Following the publication in July 2023 of a policy statement on payment service contract termination rules and freedom of expression, HM Treasury (HMT) has now published a further statement on implementation, timings and next...more
As part of a June 2023 action plan between the UK government and key regulators to ensure fair treatment of consumers and help those struggling to make payments, the FCA has agreed to focus on the savings market, with a...more
HM Treasury has published its response to the first-stage consultation on the strategic approach to reforming the Consumer Credit Act 1974 (CCA), described in the response as ‘an ambitious overhaul’ of the regime. The...more
Under the new Consumer Understanding Outcome, firms in scope of the Consumer Duty must support retail customer understanding so that all communications meet the information needs of retail customers; are likely to be...more
The outlook for 2023 looks uncertain, following another tumultuous year. The collapse of a number of large cryptocurrency exchanges has shone another spotlight on the digital asset market. The financial system’s resilience...more
Following a government announcement in June this year of a commitment to 'ambitious long-term reform' to create a consumer credit regulatory regime that fosters innovation but also maintains high levels of consumer...more
The UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has set out new proposals for the credit information market to help deliver better lending decisions for borrowers. The proposals will be of interest to firms in the consumer lending...more
At a time when there is an increased focus on the UK's economic outlook, the FCA has published a report highlighting how firms are treating customers in financial difficulties. The FCA review has already led to significant...more
For many firms, the "price and value" outcome will raise many new issues, and assessing whether a product or service represents fair value will require a wholly new approach....more
This article is the second in a series on areas impacted by AI. It focuses on the upcoming implementation of a new Consumer Duty, a higher standard of behaviour for financial services firms directly or indirectly interacting...more
In the discussion paper, the UK financial supervisory authorities have not provided a new legal framework or their intended future approaches for regulating the use of AI and machine learning in financial services. However,...more
The FCA has published a policy statement and final rules aimed at improving the appointed representatives (ARs) regime. Previous FCA data analysis had shown that there are more issues arising from principals and ARs than from...more
With the publication of the final rules there is now only a year to go before firms must comply with their Consumer Duty obligations. The FCA has emphasised that this must be a major cultural shift. While it’s good news that...more
Key developments of interest over the last month include: UK Financial Services and Markets Bill 2022-23 introduced to Parliament; US Treasury publishes framework for international engagement on digital assets; and European...more
Key developments of interest over the last month include: UK Payment Systems Regulator announces two market reviews on card fees; Reserve Bank of India publishes Payments Vision 2025; and U.S. Department of Commerce solicits...more
6/30/2022
/ Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDCs) ,
Digital Assets ,
Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) ,
Financial Institutions ,
Financial Services Industry ,
Interchange Fees ,
Payment Systems ,
Popular ,
Public Comment ,
U.S. Commerce Department ,
UK ,
UK Payment Systems Regulator
Almost 50 years after its entry into force, HM Treasury has announced a commitment to reform the Consumer Credit Act 1974 (CCA) with a plan to consult on the direction of reform by the end of this year. The reforms will build...more
Key developments of interest over the last month include: Queen's Speech 2022 announces forthcoming Financial Services and Markets Bill; European Commission consultations and calls for evidence on PSD2 review and open...more
5/31/2022
/ Cryptocurrency ,
Electronic Payment Transactions ,
EU ,
European Commission ,
Financial Institutions ,
Financial Regulatory Reform ,
Financial Services Industry ,
FinTech ,
HM Treasury ,
Payment Services Directive ,
PSD2
There has been a recent flurry of EU developments relating to a number of ongoing initiatives relevant to firms in the retail banking and payments sectors, including some movement on the European Commission's review of PSD2...more
The FCA has just published its Strategy for the next three years, together with its 2022/23 Business Plan. In a continuation of the drive for the FCA to become more innovative, assertive and adaptive, both publications...more
Key developments of interest over the last month include: In this Newsletter: For previous editions of the Global Payments Newsletter, please visit our Financial Services practice page. On 9 March 2022, President Biden signed...more
3/31/2022
/ Bank of England ,
Biden Administration ,
Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDCs) ,
Cryptoassets ,
Cryptocurrency ,
Digital Assets ,
EU ,
European Banking Authority (EBA) ,
Executive Orders ,
Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) ,
Financial Services Industry ,
Financial Stability Board ,
HM Treasury ,
Monetary Authority of Singapore ,
PSD2 ,
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)