Chapter Five: Responsibilities and Approach to Regulation Flashcards
What is the three characteristics of the way in which the PRA operates?
Judgement based
Forward looking
Focused
What is the purpose of the FPC?
To scan emerging risks across the financial system and provide strategic direction for the entire regulatory regime
What are the two PRA’s key objectives?
What is its secondary objective?
Promote safety and soundness of firms it regulates
securing an appropriate degree of protection for those who are or become policy holders (insurance providers).
Facilitate effective competition
What are the two ways in which the PRA advances its objectives?
Regulation - sets standards and policies
Supervision - it assesses the risk that firms pose to the PRA’s objectives
What is the role of the European Systematic Risk Board (ESRB)?
Macro prudential oversight of the EU financial system
What are the macro prudential tools the FPC can use?
Setting countercyclical capital buffers - banks increase buffers in the good times, to protect in the bad
Variable risk weights - enforcing higher capital requirements on specific sectors or asset classes
Leverage limits - limiting excessive build up of on and off balance sheet leverage
(policies must not limit economic growth)
Is the FPC allowed to disagree with recommendations from the HM Treasury?
Yes, it can reject recommendations
What must the FPC publish?
Financial Stability report twice per year
Record of meetings within 6 weeks
What are the PRC’s main contribution to economic policy?
Promote safety and the soundness of firms, support strong and stable economic growth
What things does the PRC need to consider in their assessment of costs, burdens and benefits of rules or policies?
Competition Growth Competitiveness Innovation Trade Better outcomes for customers
What are the eight regulatory principles of the FCA?
Efficiency and economy Proportionality Sustainable Growth Responsibility of consumers Senior management responsibility Recognising the differences in the businesses carried out by different regulated persons Openness and disclosure Transparency
What are the the FCA’s principle related objectives?
Provide political and public accountability
Govern the way the FCA carries out its general function
Assist in providing legal accountability
What are the FCA operational objectives?
Protecting customers
Protecting financial markets
Promoting competition
What are the objectives for the FCA in relation to financial markets?
Soundness and resilience of trading infrastructure
Integrity of the financial markets
Combating market abuse
Address the extent to which the UK could be used for financial crime
What are the objectives for the FCA in relation to promoting competition?
Firms must compete for business
Prices offered are in line with costs
New & innovative products are good innovation, not exploitative
What does the competition element of the FCA allow them to do?
Enforce against and fine breaches - such as anti competitive agreements, cartels, breaches of domestic or EU law
Make a market investigation reference to the CMA (Competition Markets Authority)
What is the authorisation to carry out one or more regulated activity called?
Part 4A permission
What is the difference between the authorisations issued by the PRA and the FCA?
PRA - accepting deposits or insurance contracts
FCA - advise on or sell investments, home finance activities, general insurance
What are the three core activities within the scope of the FCA?
Enforcement matters (policing the financial services system) Supervision matters (monitoring the activities of the various recognised bodies) Authorisation matters (direct authorisation and regulation of the UK financial services system)