2.) The UK Regulatory Environment Flashcards
Describe the three tier regulation created by the financial services act 1986
Three tier regulation = the involvement of three different levels of regulatory oversight
The treasury delegated its powers under the financial services act 1986
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The FSA
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(Into 5 separate areas):
SROs - self regulating organisation/PIA - Personal investment authority/Investment management regulatory organisation-IMRO/Securities and futures authority-SFA
RPBs - recognised professional body, e.g. Law societies, institute of chartered accountants
Directly authorised businesses
RCH - recognised clearing house
RIEs - recognised investment exchange
From what act did the FSA derive its statutory powers from?
The FSA derived its powers from the financial services and markets act 2000 (FSMA), which came into force at the end of November 2001, replacing the financial services act 1986
The new act had a wider scope than the old one, now extending to all financial services in the UK
Note that that the FSA was created from the SIB in 1997, in order to consolidate regulatory responsibilities under one regulator, after the failure of self regulation was demonstrated in the 1990s by a series of scandals, culminating in the collapse of Barings bank
Why was the FSA abolished?
Due to perceived regulatory failure of the banks during the 2007-08 financial crisis, the U.K. government decided to restructure financial regulation, and abolish the FSA
On 19 December 2012, the financial services act 2012 received royal assent, abolishing the FSA from 1 April 2013, and splitting its responsibilities between two new agencies - the prudential regulation authority (PRA) and the financial conduct authority (FCA) and the Bank of England
How was the FSA abolished?
On 19 December 2012, the financial services act 2012 received royal assent, abolishing the FSA from 1 April 2013, and splitting its responsibilities between two new agencies - the prudential regulation authority (PRA) and the financial conduct authority (FCA) and the Bank of England
What authorities did the financial services act 2012 split the FCA into?
The prudential regulation authority (PRA)
The financial conduct authority (FCA)
What was the overall purpose of the financial services act 2012?
The FSA 2012 set out a new system for regulating financial services, in order to protect and improve the UK’s economy.
Its purpose is to make sure markets work well, so that consumers get a fair deal
What’s the purpose of the FSMA/financial services and markets act 2000?
The FSMA established the FCA as the regulator for the financial services sector
When it took up its powers in December 2001, it replaced a number of other regulatory organisations
The FSMA also simplified regulations governing the financial services industry
Define the most important changes that the FSMA introduced, as part of its simplification of financial services industry regulations
(Main one) Any firm wishing to conduct investment business must get authorisation from the FSA. Failure to do so could result in unlimited funds and two year jail terms form individuals involved. Also, clients would have the right to go back on any transactions entered into
The creation of a single regulator (the FSA)
The creation of a single compensation scheme
The creation of a single ombudsman (watchdog) scheme
Regulation of banks and building societies now under FSMA 2000
The roles of the RPBs (recognised professional body) and SROs (self-regulating organisation) have been absorbed into the FSA
New financial promotion rules
Directors of firms more accountable
New FSA handbook
Eleven new principals for firms
New principals for approved persons
What acts does the financial services act 2012 (the act) amend?
REMEMBER AS BBF
Bank of England act 1998
Banking act 2009
The FSMA/financial services and markets act 2000
What’s the purpose of the FSA/financial services act 2012 (the act)?
The act contains the UK government’s reforms of the U.K. financial regulation framework, by amending the relevant provisions of the FSMA
The financial services act 2012 is a bill amending the:
X The Bank of England act 1998
X The FSMA/financial services and markets act 2000
X The banking act 2009
Under the act, the FSA was abolished from 1 April 2013, and its responsibilities were split between the PRA, FCA and the Bank of England
The act introduced a new framework for handling crises affecting the UK’s financial stability. This requires the governor of the Bank of England to notify the chancellor immediately should a situation arise which may lead to a call to use public funds
What changes were introduced by the financial services act 2012?
X Restructuring and broadening the law relating to market manipulation and misleading statements and impressions
X Extending the scope of the special resolution regime under the banking act 2009
X Creating a new category of regulated activity relating to benchmarks (e.g. LIBOR) and credit ratings
X Changing the regime for the approval, supervision and discipline of sponsors under the FSMA
X Allowing the regulation of consumer credit to be transferred to the FCA
Under the act, the FSA was abolished from 1 April 2013, and its responsibilities were split between the PRA, FCA and the Bank of England
The act introduced a new framework for handling crises affecting the UK’s financial stability. This requires the governor of the Bank of England to notify the chancellor immediately should a situation arise which may lead to a call to use public funds
Describe the acronym ISD/Investment services directive
The ISD contains standards required for businesses providing investment services. Regulation is split between:
Home state - the country of a firm’s head office and registered office. It’s responsible for authorisation, capital adequacy, client asset rules and conduct of business in the home state
Host state - any other member state in which the firm operates. It’s responsible for the conduct of business rules
When was the ISD/investment services directive incorporated into the UK regulatory system
At the beginning of 1996
How does the PRA advance its objectives?
Through:
Regulation - The PRA sets standards or policies that it expects firms to meet
Supervision - The PRA assesses the risks that firms pose to its objectives, and where necessary, take action to reduce them
Describe the characteristics of the PRA’s approach to regulation and supervision, the two key tools it uses to advance its objectives
A JUDGEMENT-BASED approach: the PRA will use judgement in determining whether financial firms are safe and sound, whether insurers provide appropriate protection for policyholders, and whether firms continue to meet the threshold conditions
A FORWARD-LOOKING approach: the PRA will assess firms not just against current risks, but also against those that could plausibly arise in the future. Where the PRA judges it necessary to intervene, it will generally aim to do so at an early stage
A FOCUSED approach: the PRA will focus on those issues that pose the greatest risk to the stability of the U.K. financial system and policyholders
What powers does the FCA have, and what does it use them for?
Rule making, investigative and enforcement powers granted to the FCA are used to protect and regulate the financial services industry
The financial services act 2012 gave the FCA additional poses to those that were held by the FSA, including which powers?
Make temporary product intervention rules, allowing it to block an imminent product launch or stop an existing product
Require firms to withdraw or amend misleading financial promotions immediately
Publish details of the start of enforcement proceedings against a firm for rule beaches or compliance failings (the PRA also has this power)
Impose requirements on certain unregulated parent undertakings that exert influence over authorised persons. The Bank of England and the PRA also have this power
What are the eleven principles of business set out in the FCA handbook, by which all regulated firms are expected to abide?
REMEMBER GRITTY THE DOG
Integrity - a firm must conduct its business with integrity
Skill, care and diligence - a firm must conduct its business with due skill, care and diligence
Management and control - a firm must take reasonable care to organise and control its affairs responsibly and effectively, with adequate risk management systems
Financial prudence - a firm must maintain adequate financial resources
Market conduct - a firm must observe proper standards of market conduct
Customer’s interests - a firm must pay due regard to the interests of its customers, and treat them fairly
Communications with clients - a firm must pay due regard to the info it needs of its clients, and communicate info to them in a way that’s clear, fair and not misleading
Conflicts of interest - a firm must manage conflicts of interest fairly, both between itself and its customers, and between a customer and another client
Customers: relationships of trust - a firm must take reasonable care to ensure the suitability of its advice and discretionary decisions for any customer who’s entitled to rely on its judgement
Client’s assets - a firm must arrange protection for client’s assets when it is responsible for them
Relations with the regulator - a firm must deal with its regulators in an open and cooperative way, and must disclose to the appropriate regulator appropriately anything relating to the firm of which that regulator would reasonably expect notice