Chapter 1 - The Regulatory Environment in the UK Flashcards
What is ESMA?
European Securities and Markets Authority
What does ESMA do?
Safeguards stability of EU financial systems
•Works on securities legislation
•Supports ‘The Lamfalussy Process’ which aims to improve quality and effectiveness of EU FS law
What is FSAP and what does it do?
Financial Services Action Plan - Measures to support integration of EU financial markets
What is the ESFS
European System of Financial Supervision
What is the ESRB and what does it do
European Systemic Risk Board - Promotes EU financial stability in conjunction with ESAs
What are ESAs and what do they do?
European Supervisory Authorities (ESAs)
•The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA): financial markets
•European Banking Authority (EBA): banks
•European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority (EIOPA) : insurance and employer provided pensions
Lamafalussy Process - Level 1
Level 1 – legislative acts
•Framework legislation from EU Commission
Lamafalussy Process - Level 2
Level 2 – implementing measures
Secondary legislation drafted by Commission, in discussion with the four Level 2 committees:
•European Banking Committee (EBC)
•European Securities Committee (ESC)
•European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Committee (EIOPC)
•European Financial Conglomerates Committee (EFCC)
Lamafalussy Process - Level 3
Level 3 – facilitating convergence of regulatory practice
•The ESAs (EBA, ESMA and EIOPA) consult with the industry and advise the Commission
Lamafalussy Process - Level 4
Level 4 – enforcement
•Commission ensures directives are transposed into local law
FSMA 2000 and who is it written by
Financial Services & Markets Act - written by HMT
Secondary legislation (e.g Regulated Activities Order, Financial Promotions Order)
Written by HMT
Financial Services Authority replaces the FSA (Financial Services Authority) What is the new regulatory structure?
The Financial Services Act 2012 replaced the FSA with a new regulatory structure:
•Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) – to regulate the conduct of firms
•Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) – responsible for the financial soundness of significant firms (prudential regulation)
What is a twin peaks approach
The division between conduct and prudential regulation is referred to as a ‘twin-peaks’ approach
What is the role of the FCA
Responsible for ensuring relevant markets function well
•Conduct supervision of all firms and for prudential supervision of non-PRA firms, eg asset managers
•Authorises firms and approves individuals
•Makes rules and supervises and enforces compliance
•Investigates rule breaches, undertakes disciplinary action and sanctions, and enforcement action
•The ‘competent authority’ for listing and prospectuses is referred to as the UK Listing Authority (UKLA) and writes and enforces the listing rules (part of the FCA handbook)
Role of the FCA
What are the FCA’s intervention Powers ( The Financial Services Act 2012 (FSA 2012) gave the FCA specific intervention powers in addition to existing powers)
(a) Product intervention
(i) The FCA has power to prohibit or ban a product for up to 12 months if it judges it will cause consumer detriment
(b) Financial promotions
(ii) The FCA is able to ban misleading financial promotions. This will have immediate effect as opposed to going through the full enforcement process
What are the FCA’s regulatory objectives
FSMA gives the FCA specific objectives:
(a) FCA
(i)Strategic objective: to ensure the relevant markets are working well
(ii)Operational objectives:
•Secure an appropriate degree of protection for consumers
•Protect and enhance the integrity of the financial system
•Promote effective competition in the interests of consumers
Is the FCA private or public
Private
True or false - HMT can appoint and dismiss the FCA board and the chairman
True