NRF Global Regulation Tomorrow Podcast

In this episode, Alan Bainbridge and Sebastien Praicheux examine Article 21c of the Capital Requirements Directive VI (CRD VI) and its implications for cross-border bank M&A.

They explain the new requirement for certain non-EU banks and investment firms to establish an authorised branch or subsidiary when providing core banking services in the EU, discuss the scope of the available exemptions and grandfathering provisions, and highlight the key deadlines. The conversation also explores the practical steps prospective buyers should consider, including mapping jurisdictional exposure, assessing transaction-specific exemptions and evaluating potential structural changes.

Speakers: Alan Bainbridge and Sebastien Praicheux

The new inheritance tax rules for pensions will bring significant new responsibilities for scheme administrators, with DC schemes particularly affected. In this podcast, we follow a practical case study through the new regime, looking at the information requirements, withholding and payment notices, potential liability and what administrators should be doing now to prepare for April 2027.

Our podcast mini-series on 'Crypto under the FCA' examines the FCA's highly anticipated policy statements published on 30 June 2026, which collectively shape the new regulatory regime for cryptoassets in the United Kingdom. In this episode we unpack the authorisation process — what firms need to know, where the pitfalls lie, and how the FCA is approaching applications in practice.   This is a special edition: we are joined by Val Smith (Head of Department for Payments and Digital Assets Authorisation at the FCA) for a candid conversation on what the regulator expects and how firms can put their best foot forward.  

Listen to this episode here.  

Contacts: Hannah Meakin, Haney Saadah, Simon Lovegrove

This podcast mini-series on the ‘UK Asset Management Framework Reforms’ examines the FCA’s highly anticipated consultation papers published on July 14, 2026, setting out a proposed a package of reforms intended to tailor requirements more proportionately for asset managers. This podcast in the series focuses on further proposals in CP26/28, in particular the FCA’s discussion chapter reviewing the prudential regime for fund managers.

In the first episode Jochen Vester, Counsel based in our Frankfurt office specialising in Financial Services Regulation, joins us and we ask “are bail-in clauses always needed in Bank M&A deals?”

In particular, Alan and Jochen examine the concept of “impracticability” under the EU and UK bail-in regimes, and the circumstances in which a bank may determine that a contractual bail-in clause does not need to be included.

Look out for new episodes fortnightly with a range of additional topics.

Future of Payments series | Episode 5 - Spotlight on the United States   In the latest episode of our global podcast mini-series ‘Future of Payments’ we discuss recent developments in the United States covering five important topics:  

• The use of AI in the payments space
• The ever-challenging patchwork of state licensing requirements
• The GENIUS Act and stablecoins
• Consumer protection and the thorny issue of fraudulent transactions
• Federal access to the payment system for banks with special charters and non-banks.

Contacts: Tom Delaney, Tim Byrne and Simon Lovegrove

This podcast mini-series on the ‘UK Asset Management Framework Reforms’ examines the FCA’s highly anticipated consultation papers published on 14 July 2026, setting out a proposed package of reforms intended to tailor requirements more proportionately for asset managers. This podcast in the series focuses on two chapters of CP26/28, chapter 11 (closed-ended investment funds trading on UK markets and internally managed investment companies) and chapter 15 (consequential changes to operating conditions).  

Listen to this episode here.  

Contacts: Lucy Dodson, Hannah Meakin, Simon Lovegrove

This podcast in the Split the Difference podcast series examines the Financial Conduct Authority’s highly anticipated policy statement on the consolidated tape provider regime for equities and ETFs, which was published in the end of July, and its similarities and differences to the EU regime.

Listen to this episode here.  

Contacts: Hannah Meakin, Floortje Nakelkerke, Georgia Karamani, Flupke van den Bogart

This podcast mini-series on the ‘UK Asset Management Framework Reforms’ examines the FCA’s highly anticipated consultation papers published on 14 July 2026, setting out a proposed a package of reforms intended to tailor requirements more proportionately for asset managers. This podcast in the series focuses on chapter 6 of CP26/28 which covers risk management.

Contacts: Lucy Dodson, Hannah Meakin, Simon Lovegrove

This podcast mini-series on the ‘UK Asset Management Framework Reforms’ examines the FCA’s highly anticipated consultation papers published on 14 July 2026, setting out a proposed a package of reforms intended to tailor requirements more proportionately for asset managers. This podcast in the series focuses on chapter 7 of CP26/28which covers liquidity risk management.

Contacts: Lucy Dodson, Hannah Meakin, Simon Lovegrove