Speech by Ashley Alder, FCA Chair, at the Michael D. Gill Lecture on International Financial Regulatory Understanding and Cooperation. I wasn’t fortunate enough to work as closely with Mike as many of you in this room.But I knew him well enough during my time with the IOSCO board to appreciate someone who was kind and…
Why this matters
The document is a speech by the FCA Chair at a named lecture, so it is classified as speech. Its themes are cross-cutting horizontal risk, so sector is General. Topics are Operational Resilience / Outsourcing (critical third parties, cloud concentration, dependencies) and Technology & Cyber (CrowdStrike outage, cyber...
Speech by Nikhil Rathi, FCA chief executive at the Corporation of the City of London’s annual City Dinner, Mansion House. The success of the UK’s financial servicesIn August, flight cancellations left my sons and I with an extra day in Boston. A Red Sox game, perhaps?No, the Rathi boys – naturally – headed straight…
Why this matters
This is a speech by the FCA chief executive, so it is classified as speech. It is cross-cutting across financial services, with market integrity as the central theme. The sector tags reflect the explicit discussion of wholesale markets, 24/7 trading, DeFi, and tokenisation.
Speech by Sarah Pritchard, deputy chief executive, at Investment Association Annual Dinner 2026. Reform: more than writing rulesIn this sector, we’re just past peak rule making. The scale of change has been significant – and deliberate.But we’re not done yet.We want to see growth that benefits consumers, supports…
Why this matters
The document is a speech by the FCA deputy CEO to an investment industry audience. It is primarily informational, so urgency is null. Its concrete signals cover advice and targeted-support reform, the Consumer Duty, a fund reporting consultation with a near deadline, T+1 settlement preparedness, tokenisation roadmap...
Jessica Rusu, FCA chief data, information and intelligence officerat Bloomberg's UK Policy Series. The Mills ReviewThat is why we commissioned the Mills Review, published in July, focused on how AI could reshape retail financial services by 2030.Some developments we anticipated are already emerging, including the…
Why this matters
The document is a speech by a named FCA official, so it is classed as speech. It is cross-cutting across retail, wholesale, and payments, so sector is General. Topics reflect the stated focus on consumer outcomes, AI governance and resilience, and cyber/operational risk from autonomous agents.
Speech by Jon Relleen, director of infrastructure and exchanges, at the Reform of the UK Public and Private Capital Markets Summit 2026. The Economic Secretary to the Treasury has discussed the contribution of UK markets to economic growth.I want to build on that by talking about the FCA’s role in reforming capital…
Why this matters
This is an informational speech by FCA leadership summarizing completed reforms and future direction across primary markets (listing rules, public offers), secondary markets (bond/equity consolidated tapes, PISCES for private shares), post-trade (transaction reporting, clearing thresholds), and emerging areas...
Speech by Nikhil Rathi, FCA chief executive at TheCityUK dinner, sponsored by Nasdaq. Thank you to TheCityUK and Nasdaq for bringing us together this evening.It’s a fitting venue for us to discuss market transitions: the former HQ of Midland Bank, which of course became part of HSBC.And now HSBC Orion has become the…
Why this matters
This is a substantive policy speech from FCA leadership outlining strategic regulatory approach to emerging technologies (tokenisation, AI, stablecoins, digital assets) in wholesale markets.
Speech by Lucy Castledine, director of consumer investments, at the 2026 Investor Summit. Speaker: Lucy Castledine, director, consumer investmentsEvent: Investor Summit 2026, LondonDelivered: 18 September 2026Note: This is the speech as drafted and may differ from the delivered versionReading time: 7 minutesKey…
Why this matters
This is an FCA director's speech outlining the regulator's strategic direction on retail investments. It references several live or imminent regulatory changes: the Targeted Support regime (already live in April 2026 with 9 authorised firms), simplified advice framework (consultation completed, policy statement...
Speech by Steve Smart, executive director of enforcement and market oversight, at the Law Society Economic Crime Conference 2026. IntroductionA few weeks ago, I visited the Bank of England Museum to see a new exhibition on financial crime. I had expected banknotes and gold bars – not bees.Rather than bullion, I saw a…
Why this matters
This is an informational speech by FCA leadership outlining regulatory strategy and future supervisory intentions. It provides noteworthy policy signals regarding AML supervision expansion, intelligence-led approaches, and partnership frameworks, but does not impose immediate binding obligations.
Speech by Sarah Pritchard, deputy chief executive, at a Breakfast Briefing at The Whitehall Industry Group. As everyone who has wrestled with a problem knows, getting to the right answer is about more than just understanding the question.It’s about having a firm grasp on your constants.We’re working with 2. And they…
Why this matters
This is an informational speech by FCA deputy chief executive outlining regulatory strategy and operational achievements. It covers broad regulatory priorities including growth, consumer protection, and innovation across multiple sectors.
Speech by Alison Walters, director of consumer finance at the Credit Week: Powering the Future of Finance event. We all recognise that consumer credit plays a vital role in the real economy and in people’s everyday lives, supporting households, enabling opportunity, and helping people manage financial pressures. But…
Why this matters
FCA speech outlining regulatory vision for consumer credit market evolution. Covers Consumer Duty implementation, Buy Now Pay Later regulation, AI/technology adoption, open finance, and data-driven supervision. Informational/strategic guidance rather than urgent enforcement action.
Speech by Nikhil Rathi, FCA chief executive at techUK's Agents of Change: Generative and Agentic AI in Financial Services 2026. On joining the FCA over five years ago, I said we would become as much a data and tech regulator as financial services regulator.Being invited to speak here today reflects that.We’re building…
Why this matters
This is a regulatory speech outlining FCA's strategic approach to AI regulation rather than a binding directive. It addresses cross-sector implications of AI adoption (agentic systems, tokenisation), emphasizes operational resilience risks from third-party dependencies and frontier AI, and discusses market...
Speech by Therese Chambers, joint executive director of enforcement and market oversight, delivered at the International Bar Association (IBA) Anti-Corruption Conference. I’ve been practising law for over 3 decades now.Starting out, I thought every case would be like the ones on US television: dramatic, with a big…
Why this matters
This is an informational speech by FCA leadership outlining enforcement strategy and financial crime prevention approaches. It covers multiple sectors through examples (life sciences fundraising, electronic money services, cryptoasset firms, motor finance) and emphasizes proactive supervision, market oversight, and...
Speech by Emad Aladhal, director of retail banking at the Later Life Lending Summit. IntroductionIn the years ahead, housing wealth will become an increasing part of how many people provide for their retirement. But it continues to be seen as an option of last resort, if thought about at all.Knowing I had this speech…
Why this matters
FCA speech outlining regulatory priorities for later life lending market development. Addresses consumer trust, product design, holistic advice frameworks, and market readiness. Informational content announcing upcoming consultations and market study on retirement interest-only products and later life mortgages.
Speech by Nikhil Rathi, FCA chief executive at the FCA's financial crime conference. A new threat landscapeFinancial crime is changing – fast.It’s more technologically enabled. More organised than ever before. And moving at speed.Which is why the fight against financial crime sits at the heart of our 5-year…
Speech by Sarah Pritchard, deputy chief executive, at the Investment Association's Private Markets Summit 2026. Headlines are always a tough read when funds run into difficulty.And lately, the language has been stark.Some have even asked if private credit has a canary in the coal mine.That’ll make you sit up a bit…
Our objective has been, and remains, to ensure consumers receive fair compensation as quickly as possible and to maintain a healthy motor finance market. An industry-wide scheme is the fastest, simplest route for consumers and the most efficient way for firms to put things right and give certainty to their investors…
Speech by Nikhil Rathi, FCA chief executive, at the Association of Foreign Banks (AFB) luncheon. When I saw that a boxing ring had been temporarily installed in this room last autumn, I wasn’t quite sure whether it was a warning to us regulators…Or some kind of art installation commenting on the past few years in…
Speech by Sarah Pritchard, FCA deputy chief executive, at the BSA Annual Conference, Edinburgh. As a history lover, it’s thrilling to be in a city like Edinburgh – called a ‘hot-bed of genius’ during the Scottish Enlightenment.What defined the Enlightenment spirit was the refusal to settle, and a determination to make…
Speech by Sheree Howard at the APCC Spring Conference 2026. This weekend, tens of thousands of runners will line up in Greenwich Park for the start of the London Marathon.Well done to them – a Netflix marathon is much more my speed.Unlike what’s needed to prepare for a Netflix marathon – opening a bag of sweet and…
Speech by Jessica Rusu, FCA chief data, information and intelligence officer at IFGS. Key pointsAgentic commerce will change how financial decisions and transactions are made, demanding a fundamentally new approach.We are expanding practical support for firms through the next phase of our AI Lab.Open Finance will…
We sympathise with former members of the British Steel Pension Scheme (BSPS) who lost money after they were given unsuitable advice from people they trusted. Complaints are a valuable source of feedback which help us improve and learn. There have also been 4 independent reports into the BSPS since 2018, which have…
AI Analysis
The FCA's response to the Complaint Commissioner's report on the British Steel Pension Scheme addresses systemic failures in pension transfer advice that affected approximately 7,700 members, with 47% receiving unsuitable advice. This statement demonstrates the FCA's acknowledgment of regulatory shortcomings and outlines remedial measures implemented to prevent similar harm, including enhanced inter-agency collaboration, stricter product governance rules, and a £106 million redress scheme now benefiting 1,870 affected members.
Key dates
Late 2017
- FCA received initial intelligence about poor pension transfer advice quality
December 2018
- FCA published initial findings showing less than 50% of reviewed advice was suitable
May 2020
- FCA directed 45 firms to conduct suitability assessments (Past Business Reviews)
April 2022
- FCA imposed asset retention rules for DB pension transfers
April 2023
- BSPS redress scheme formally introduced, requiring firms to review advice suitability and pay redress
Suggested considerations
*For firms that provided DB pension transfer advice:
*Conduct retrospective suitability reviews of all DB pension transfer advice provided, particularly during 2015-2018, identifying unsuitable recommendations
*Calculate and pay redress to affected customers to restore them to their pre-transfer financial position, with reference to the FSCS redress methodology
*Implement enhanced governance for DB pension transfer advice, including:
Documented suitability assessments with clear rationale
What changed
The FCA has implemented the following regulatory and operational changes in response to BSPS failures:
Enhanced inter-agency collaboration: Closer coordination between the FCA, The Pensions Regulator, Pension Protection Fund, and Money and Pensions Service to improve intelligence sharing on defined...
Data collection and monitoring: Expanded collection of pension transfer data from advisory firms to proactively identify emerging risks and market trends
Contingent charging ban: Prohibition of contingent charging arrangements for DB pension transfers to eliminate conflicts of interest where adviser compensation depends on transfer completion
Consumer transparency tool: Development of a self-assessment mechanism enabling consumers to identify whether they may have received unsuitable DB pension transfer advice
Speech by Nikhil Rathi, FCA chief executive, at the JP Morgan Pensions and Savings Symposium 2026. Last year, I spoke about the importance of getting on the right track.That if we want better consumer outcomes – as well as stronger capital markets to support growth – we need to think beyond individual products and…
Why this matters
This speech covers how technology is impacting the pensions industry, including the implications of pension dashboards, consumer engagement and behavior, risk management, and the need for a more holistic approach to retirement planning.
Speech by David Geale, executive director, payments and digital finance, and PSR managing director at the MoneyLIVE Summit 2026, London. ConsolidationRule 1 is ‘Out of clutter, find simplicity.’The Government announced its intention to consolidate the PSR into the FCA about a year ago. It was a decision we…
Why this matters
This speech covers regulatory updates and changes across the payments and digital finance ecosystem, including the consolidation of the PSR into the FCA, simplification of rules, and new approaches to regulating emerging areas like cryptocurrencies and stablecoins.
Speech by Lucy Castledine, director of consumer investments, at the TISA Inclusive Investing Conference 2026. Speaker: Lucy Castledine, director, consumer investmentsEvent: TISA Inclusive Investing Conference 2026Delivered: 4 March 2026Note: this is the speech as drafted and may differ from the delivered…
Why this matters
This speech covers the FCA's priorities for the consumer investments sector, including building a stronger investment culture, strengthening trust, securing good customer outcomes, and strengthening financial crime controls.
Speech by Nikhil Rathi, FCA chief executive, at the Goldman Sachs EMEA Head of Trading conference 2026. And as we roll with the punches, we also shouldn’t sell ourselves short.We gained ground last year - London just one point behind New York in the latest Global Financial Centres Index.There is understandable focus…
Why this matters
This speech covers key regulatory updates and priorities for the UK wholesale finance sector, including actions on market integrity, operational resilience, and embracing technological innovation like AI and crypto.
Speech by Sarah Pritchard, FCA deputy chief executive, at the ABI Annual Conference. IntroductionIt’s hard to think of a more symbolic venue to discuss driving change in the insurance sector than the QEII Centre.Step outside, and you’re in the shadow of both the Houses of Parliament, and Westminster Abbey. Scrutiny…
Why this matters
This speech by the FCA deputy chief executive covers key regulatory priorities for the insurance sector, including supporting innovation, improving consumer trust and outcomes, and balancing oversight between retail and wholesale markets.
Speech by David Geale, executive director, payments and digital finance and Payment Systems Regulator (PSR) managing director, at the Payments Regulation and Innovation Summit 2026. A payments system that works for everyoneJust before Christmas I was in Billericay for the opening of the 200th banking hub.I got to chat…
Why this matters
This speech covers the role of the FCA and PSR in delivering the National Payments Vision, which aims to ensure the UK payments system is safe, accessible, delivers good value, and meets user needs.
Speech by Sheldon Mills, at the FCA's Supercharged Sandbox Showcase event. Before we begin, take a look around this room. This is the Supercharged Sandbox. 23 firms at the frontier of retail financial services, chosen from 132 applications. If anyone still doubts the pace of AI change in our sector, this room is the…
Why this matters
This speech by the FCA discusses a long-term review into the impact of AI on retail financial services, covering opportunities, risks, and implications for regulation.
Speech by Sheree Howard at the FCA's Gateway to growth, Chicago Booth London Conference Centre. The first time I flew was in my teenage years, and like many of my generation, that was a flight to Europe for a family holiday. I didn’t make it further afield until I was in my mid to late twenties.Today, most, if not all…
Why this matters
This speech from the FCA discusses updates to the authorization process, including efforts to streamline and digitize the application review, as well as new initiatives to support firms through the authorization journey.
The FCA welcomes the Government’s consultation on a new benchmarks regime for the UK. Since the introduction of the current regulatory framework, the financial landscape has evolved significantly. We now have an opportunity to build a regime that is more targeted to current market conditions and to reduce unnecessary…
AI Analysis
The FCA welcomes HM Treasury's consultation on reforming the UK Benchmarks Regulation (BMR) to create a narrower, risk-based **Specified Authorised Benchmarks Regime (SABR)**, reducing regulatory scope by 80-90% to target only systemically important benchmarks and administrators while easing burdens on industry. This matters for compliance professionals as it shifts from broad regulation of all benchmarks to targeted oversight, requiring firms to reassess benchmark usage, prepare for transition, and adapt to FCA rules on risk management, enhancing UK competitiveness post-FSMA 2023 repeal of assimilated laws.
Key dates
17 December 2025
- HM Treasury publishes consultation on benchmarks regime reform
1 January 2026
- Reforms take initial effect; UK becomes only jurisdiction regulating all local benchmarks pre-reform; EU BMR reforms effective, highlighting UK divergence
Due course 2026 Deadline
- FCA consults on regulatory requirements for designated administrators/users
2026
- FCA expected to publish updated guidance on critical benchmarks and implement SABR refinements
Suggested considerations
Review current benchmarks for potential designation risk (systemic impact criteria) and map usage across portfolios.
Participate in HMT consultation (responses via gov.uk) and prepare for FCA consultation on rules.
Develop/revise policies for benchmark risk management, including cessation/wind-down plans for regulated/non-regulated benchmarks per future FCA guidance.
Assess transition from current authorisation (if non-designated, prepare for deregistration); overseas firms evaluate ORR eligibility.
Update governance/conflicts frameworks for any designated activities; monitor ESG data inclusion in rules.
What changed
- Narrower scope: Regulation limited to benchmarks/administrators designated by HM Treasury (HMT) on FCA advice, based on criteria like systemic impact on UK financial integrity, consumers, or...
FCA-led firm-facing rules: HMT delegates requirements (governance, conflicts, oversight, methodology transparency, record-keeping) to FCA Handbook; removes legislative obligations on users to only...
Overseas benchmarks: Replaces equivalence/endorsement with Overseas Recognition Regime (ORR); designated overseas administrators may avoid dual regulation if ORR-eligible.
No opt-in: Non-designated benchmarks/administrators unregulated; contributor obligations shift to FCA rules.
Enhanced FCA powers: Potential extension to intervene/wind-down designated benchmarks and direct firms to restrict usage; may cover non-price data like ESG metrics.
Compliance impact
Urgency: High - Significant scope reduction eases burdens but introduces transition risks, new FCA rules, and designation uncertainty; firms must act now on consultation (post-Dec 2025) and prep for 2026 FCA changes to avoid non-compliance during shift, especially with 1 Jan 2026 milestone amplifying competitiveness pressures.
With over 20 years’ experience and responsibility for supervising 5,000 firms, I know that when an issue arises, the first question is often: 'What action will you take?'That’s a fair question – enforcement is one of the most visible ways we act. It often grabs headlines with big fines and publicity.But our role as…
AI Analysis
This FCA blog post outlines the regulator's supervisory "toolkit" for addressing consumer harm, emphasizing proactive supervision over enforcement to achieve faster outcomes like redress and market-wide improvements. It matters because it signals FCA's preference for swift, non-enforcement interventions (e.g., skilled person reviews, voluntary requirements), urging firms to respond promptly to supervisory feedback to avoid escalation. Compliance teams should view this as a reminder to prioritize Consumer Duty compliance, as supervision tools are increasingly tied to it for rapid harm prevention.
Suggested considerations
Embed proactive monitoring: Regularly review customer outcomes under Consumer Duty, acting on foreseeable harm (e.g., communication barriers, vulnerable customer support).
Respond swiftly to FCA contact: Engage with supervision teams on identified issues; prepare for tools like skilled person reviews or voluntary restrictions.
Improve practices market-wide: Use FCA guidance (e.g., good/poor examples) to self-assess; ensure clear information, fair value, and accessible support.
Evidence compliance: Map business to Consumer Duty, monitor biases, and demonstrate senior manager oversight via SM&CR.
Facilitate redress: Identify and pay compensation promptly when issues arise, as seen in FCA interventions (£200m vehicle claims; £350k home insurance).
What changed
No new rules or requirements are introduced; this is a supervisory strategy update highlighting FCA's full range of tools beyond enforcement. Key emphases include:
Prioritizing supervision for quick fixes, such as multi-firm reviews, good/poor practice guidance, and skilled person reviews (s.166) under FSMA.
Integration of Consumer Duty (Principle 12) as a core principle for assessing and remedying poor outcomes, e.g., unclear policy renewals or inadequate support.
Examples from insurance (e.g., stolen vehicle claims yielding £200m redress; home emergency cover improvements reducing complaints by 61%).
Compliance impact
Urgency: Medium – This reinforces existing obligations under Consumer Duty and Principles, but underscores risk of supervisory escalation if firms ignore early warnings. It matters because FCA prioritizes speed (supervision over enforcement), enabling quick harm fixes but exposing non-responsive firms to s.166 reviews (costly, used 20+ times in insurance since 2022) or restrictions, impacting reputation and finances. Firms with consumer-facing products must audit processes now to align with "good outcomes" expectations.