In this end-of-year episode, David Morrey and Ben Farmer take stock of the evolving regulatory landscape in financial services, exploring the impact of the UK’s “growthy regulator” agenda over the past twelve months.

Key themes include:

Financial Services UK | Regulatory Handbook 2025

Join hosts David Morrey and Ben Farmer as they break down the latest regulatory developments and what they mean for firms and professionals navigating compliance, risk and operational change.

Explore new safeguarding rules for payment and e-money firms, the impact of wealth management consolidation, and the FCA’s growing role in ESG and anti-money laundering oversight.

In this episode:

FCA’s new safeguarding regime

The introduction of CASS 15 and what the new client money and asset rules mean for payment services and e-money institutions, including timelines and compliance challenges.

Wealth management sector consolidation

Key findings from the FCA’s Thematic Review, with a focus on conduct, financial resilience, and the impact of leveraged buyouts on regulated businesses.

Contracts for Difference (CFD) sector scrutiny

Regulatory warnings about client categorisation, 'finfluencers', and the treatment of vulnerable customers, plus a look at recent thematic reviews on price and value outcomes.

Expanding FCA responsibilities

The regulator’s new powers over ESG ratings providers and proposed changes to the UK’s anti-money laundering supervision framework – and what this means for professional services.

PRA policy updates

The increase in the depositor protection limit, reforms to remuneration rules for banks and investment firms, and the implications for risk and reward in the sector.

Motor finance redress consultation

An update on the ongoing consultation, industry feedback, and what to expect as the FCA prepares to publish final rules.

Financial Services UK | Regulatory Handbook 2025

In this episode, David Morrey and Ben Farmer dive into latest developments on motor finance compensation claims, including the Financial Conduct Authority’s (FCA):

Listen to unpack the scheme’s opt-in process, eligibility criteria, potential legal challenges, and the broader implications for firms and consumers. 

David and Ben also touch on the FCA's consultation on fund tokenisation, the move to T+1 settlement for investment instruments, and recent survey findings on industry satisfaction. 

The episode wraps with updates on regulatory reporting changes and a look ahead to what’s next in the world of financial services regulation.

Discover more on the FCA consultation and industry implications following motor finance redress scheme, Motor Finance Redress Scheme: FCA Consultation and Industry Implications | Grant Thornton 

In this episode, Alex Ellerton, Head of Financial Services, and Sarah Bell, Partner, are joined by The Rt Hon. Lord Mayor of London, Alastair King, for a wide-ranging discussion on how financial services can drive the UK's economic growth. They unpack the opportunities and challenges facing the sector—from regulatory shifts to innovation and investment.

The conversation covers:

Listen for analysis of everything that's happening across the industry. 

For more insight and guidance, get in touch with Alex Ellerton or Sarah Bell. 

In this episode, David Morrey and Ben Farmer unpack the latest regulatory developments in UK financial services. 

They discuss the FCA's campaign on motor finance compensation, the recent insurance sector redress payments, and a major consumer rights super-complaint. 

The conversation also explores new consultations from the regulator, including cryptoassets and payments, and its push for growth and productivity. 

Innovation is shaping the future of the payments industry, and the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) is keen to ensure it heads in the right direction. 

In this episode, host Paul Staples is joined by Paul Olukoya, Managing Director, Alison Kopra, Director, and guest Robert Courtneidge, Policy Advisor at The Payments Association.

They discuss the latest trends in digital money, the regulatory challenges of stablecoins, the effectiveness of authorised push payment (APP) fraud reimbursement, and safeguarding customer funds.

In this episode, David Morrey and Ben Farmer unpack the Supreme Court judgement on motor finance commissions and its far-reaching implications for lenders, dealers and consumers, alongside the FCA’s proposed redress scheme.

They discuss recent FCA rule changes – from buy now pay later regulation to the reversal of the ban on crypto exchange-traded notes (ETNs) – and reflect on thematic reviews covering digital journeys, premium finance, and insurance claims.

The conversation also brings up enforcement actions against major firms, offering insights into regulatory accountability and the skilled person panel. Plus, a look at trends in FCA Handbook usage reveals where firms are focusing their compliance efforts.  

In this episode David Morrey and Ben Farmer discuss the Financial Conduct Authority's (FCA) new rules on tackling non-financial misconduct. The rules, which previously only applied to banks, will be extended to 37,000 non-bank financial service firms from September 2026. 

The conversation covers:

The Government launched its Financial Services Growth and Competitiveness Strategy, the sector-specific paper to support the broader Industrial Strategy and drive economic development across the UK. Aligning with the Chancellor’s annual Mansion House speech, the Government also launched the Leeds Reforms to simplify the regulatory landscape and catapult the strategy into action.

In this episode David Morrey and Ben Farmer highlight the key takeaways for financial service firms and outline how the Government will be supporting the sector. 

Tune in for the latest regulatory developments shaping the UK financial services landscape and what these mean for you.

In this episode, David Morrey and Ben Farmer examine the FCA’s proposals to simplify complaints reporting, including the removal of group-level submissions and the introduction of standardised six-monthly intervals.

They also talk about the FCA’s review of the Register, updates to value assessments for authorised fund managers, and the final rules for trading unlisted securities under the new Private Intermittent Securities and Capital Exchange System (PISCES) regime.

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