R01 Flashcards
Regulation of financial services
What does FSMA stand for?
Financial Services and Markets Act 2000
Regulation of financial services
What did the FSMA create? (3)
- Single Regulator: Financial Services Authority (FSA)
- Single Ombudsman: Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS)
- One compensation scheme: Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS)
Regulation of financial services
What did the FSMA introduce?
General Rule of Prohibition
Regulation of financial services
What are regulated activities under the FSMA?
Dealing, Arranging, Managing and giving advice on the following:
- Banking
- Home Finance
- Insurer
- Scheme Operator
- Investment Intermediary
- Insurance Intermediary
- Investment Manager
- Credit-rated
Regulation of financial services
What did FSA 2012 do? (4)
Financial Services Act:
- Twin Peaks Regulation (PRA and FCA)
- Financial Policy Committee (FPC)
- Created SCOFS
- New supervision powers:
- banning products (up to 12 months)
- withdrawal of misleading financial promotions
- publication of enforcement action
- market intelligence gathering and research
Regulation of financial services
What changes were introduced in the Financial Services (Banking Reform) Act 2013?
Rules of individual accountability
Regulation of financial services
BOEFSA
- When was it introduced?
- What does it stand for?
- 2016
- Bank of England and Financial Services Act 2016
Regulation of financial services
BOEFSA
What did it do? (4)
- Created Prudential Regulation Committee (PRC)
- Replaced PRA Board (Prudential Regulation Authority)
- FPC made statutory committee - with MPC (Monetary Policy Committee) and PRC
- BOE at heart of regulation
Regulation of financial services
What does the Treasury do? (5)
- Investigates financial and economic policies for UK government
- Fiscal policy
- UK Budget
- Overall oversight of financial regulation
- Chairs SCOFS (Standing Committee of Financial Stability)
Regulation of financial services
What are the aims of the Treasury? (3)
- Raise the rate of sustainable growth
- Sustainable jobs
- Achieve rising prosperity by creating economic opportunities
Regulation of financial services
What does the Bank of England do? (4)
- UK central bank and lender of last resort
- Responsible for overall financial stability of the system
- Focused on reducing systemic risk (FPC and PRA)
- Responsible for Monetary Policy through Monetary Policy Committee
Regulation of financial services
Financial Policy Committee (FPC)
When was it established?
What does the FPC do? (4)
Established in April 2013 - has macro responsibility
- Operates and runs within the Bank of England
- Protects and enhances the resilience of UK financial system by identifying action to remove or reduce systemic risk
- Supports UK Government economic policy
- Produces twice yearly Financial Stability Reports to the Treasury and European Regulators
Regulation of financial services
Who chairs the FPC and how many members are there?
Chaired by Governor of the Bank of England with 13 members
Responsibilities and approach to regulation
What are the FPC macro prudential tools and what do they do? (3)
- Setting countercyclical capital buffers - ensure banks increase their capital in good times so they have protection for the bad
- Variable risk weights - requiring banks to hold different levels for capital against assets depending on risk taken
- Leverage limits - reduce amount that firms use their balance sheet in order to borrow to reinvest in the market
Financial services industry: an overview
What does the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) do? (2)
- Enacts monetary policy
- Sets interests rates to meet inflation target set of the Chancellor of the Exchequer
Monetary Policy Committee (MPC)
How far ahead does the MPC look when setting interests rates?
How often does it meet?
What is their target?
18-24 months
8 times a year
Achieve 2% inflation (CPI) set by UK Government
Regulation of financial services
What does PRA stand for?
What does the PRA do? (2)
Prudential Regulation Authority
- Sits within the Bank of England
- Regulates 1700 most systemically important firms
Responsibilities and approach to regulation
List the PRA charactersitics (3)
- Judgement based - uses own judgement to identify where most significant risk is
- Forward-looking - future rather than current risk
- Focused - looking at areas of highest systemic risk
Responsibilities and approach to regulation
What are the objectives of the PRA? (3)
- Promote safety and soundness of firms
- Facilitate effective competition (2016)
- Secure an appropriate degree of consumer protection
Responsibilities and approach to regulation
What does FCA stand for?
What does the FCA do? (2)
Financial Conduct Authority
- Independent limited company
- Oversees most UK firms’ conduct and prudential supervision
Regulation of financial services
Who is the FCA responsible for? (3)
- FOS
- FSCS and CMCs
- Money and Pensions Service (MaPS)
The FCA Handbook
Where does the FCA derive it’s power from?
FSMA 2000 and FSA 2012
Regulatory advice framework
What did the Treasury declare in March 2016, which established a new guidance body at start of 2019?
Combining - Money Advice Service, Pensions Advisory Service and Pension Wise to make Money and Pensions Service (MaPS)
Regulation of financial services
FCA has 1 strategic and 3 operational objectives - what are they?
Strategic - to ensure that the relevant markets function well
Operational -
- Protect Consumers
- Protect financial markets
- Promote competition
Responsibilities and approach to regulation
RDC
What does it stand for?
Who chairs it?
Regulatory Decisions Committee
An employee of the FCA
Responsibilities and approach to regulation
RDC
What does it do? (2)
- Decides on enforcement and supervisory actions
- Issues warnings, decisions and supervisory notices
Regulation of financial services
SCOFS
What does it stand for?
Who chairs it?
The Standing Committee on Financial Stability
Treasury
Regulation of financial services
SCOFS
Composed of?
What does it do?
Treasury, Bank of England and FCA
Creates tripartite working practices relevant to financial stability
Regulation of financial services
What is passporting? (2)
- Once licensed for an activity in an EEA state a firm is allowed to carry out that activity in the EU
- Passporting rights arise under EU single market directive
Regulation of financial services
EU legislative acts can take different forms starting with treaties - what are treaties?
EU’s primary form of legislation
Require member state government approval
Regulation of financial services
EU legislative acts can take different forms - Secondary after treaties is legislation - what is legislation? (Binding and non-binding)
Binding legal instruments: Decisions, regulations and directives
Non binding legal instruments: recommendations and opinions (UK has some discretion)
Regulation of financial services
EU legislative acts can take different forms - what are regulations?
Take effect?
No what?
- Usually concerned with day-to-day administration
- Take effect immediately in all member states
- No discretion as legally binding in their entirety
Regulation of financial services
EU legislative acts can take different forms - what are directives? (3)
- Focus on desired results, binding on member states from a set date
- Methods to achieve left to discretion of member state (eg MiFID)
- Need to be transposed into national law therefore require ratification
Regulation of financial services
EU legislative acts can take different forms - who is affected mostly by Directives?
Mostly affects Financial Services Industry
Regulation of financial services
EU legislative acts can take different forms - what are decisions and who do they effect?
Individual measures addressed to an individual or member state
Regulation of financial services
EU legislative acts can take different forms - Decisions are enforceable when?
Fully binding, enforceable immediately
Financial services industry: an overview
What percentage of FCA policy making comes from EU initiatives?
70%
Financial services industry: an overview
What is FSAP and what is its primary objective?
Financial Services Action Plan
Primary objective to improve single market for Financial Services
(42 measures, including 24 directives)
Financial services industry: an overview
What are the FSAP objectives? (3)
- Create a single EU wholesale market
- Achieve open and secure retail markets
- Create state of the art prudential rules and structure of supervision
Financial services industry: an overview
ESRB What does it stand for?
When was it established?
European Systemic Risk Board
Established in 201
Financial services industry: an overview
What does ESRB do? (3)
- Oversees financial system of the EU
- Monitors and assesses risks to stability of financial system as a whole
- Issues warnings and recommendations
Regulation of financial services
ESA
What does it stand for?
European Supervisory Authorities
Regulation of financial services
ESAs
Who do they work with to achieve what?
Work with the ESRB to ensure financial stability and to strengthen and enhance EU supervisory framework. Improve coordination between national supervisory authorities, including FCA to reduce risk
Regulation of financial services
What are the three main European Supervisory Authorities?
- EBA - European Banking Authority
- ESMA- European Securities and Markets Authority
- EIOPA - European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority
Regulation of financial services
What is the ultimate aim of the ESA?
How is this achieved?
Create a single EU rulebook
Draft technical standards, issuing guidance and recommendations to member states
Regulation of financial services
What is the ESAs’ role with member states? (6)
- Investigate to ensure compliance with EU law
- Ban financial activities
- Peer review to ensure consistency and share information
- Improve consistency of EU supervision
- Mediate disagreements
- Gather and share data
Regulation of financial services
What does the ESMA have direct supervisory responsibility over?
Credit rating agencies
Regulation of financial services
What are the key European Directives? (6)
- Markets in Financial Instrument Directive (MiFID)
- Insurance Mediation Directive (IMD)
- Capital Requirements Directive (CRD)
- Fourth Money Laundering Directive (4MLD)
- Alternative Investment Fund Managers (AIFMD)
- Mortgage Credit Directive (MCD)
Regulation in financial services
MiFID
What does it stand for and when did it come into effect?
Markets in Financial Instruments Directive
1 November 2007
Regulation in financial services
MiFID
What was its aim
What did it do? (5)
Essentially a maximum harmonisation directive
- More emphasis on senior management responsibility
- Concerned with the conduct of business and internal structure of investment firms
- Widen scope of core investment products
- Easier to trade across the EU
- Introduced capital requirements directive (CRD) - governing the reserves firms must hold
Regulation of financial services
MiFID II
When did it come into effect?
3 January 2018
Regulation of financial services
MiFID II
What did it do? (2)
- Improve functioning of financial markets following financial crisis and strengthen investor protection
- Greater transparency pre and post trading
Regulation of financial services
IMD
What does it stand for?
When did it come into effect?
Insurance Mediation Directive
January 2005
Regulation of financial services
IMD
What did it do? (2)
- Moved unregulated insurance business into the regulated world
- Set EU wide rules on introducing, concluding and assisting in insurance
Regulation of financial services
CRD
What does it stand for?
What is it also known as?
Capital Requirements Directive
Basel Accord
Regulation of financial services
CRD
Why was it introduced?
Help to strengthen the soundness and stability of the international banking system as a result of higher capital ratios
Regulation of financial services
CRD
What was the revised version and what did it do?
Basel II, further strengthened risk management practices of modern banking
Regulation of financial services
CRD
Introduced 3 Pillars of risk management and what are they?
Pillar 1: Minimum capital requirements for risk purposes
Pillar 2: View on whether additional capital above the minimum is required
Pillar 3: Requirement to publish firm’s risk management details and capital levels
Regulation of financial services
CRD IV
What does it stand for and when was it introduced?
Capital Requirements Directive IV
1 January 2014
Regulation of financial services
CRD IV
What is its aim?
To minimise the negative effects of firms failing by ensuring they hold enough financial resources to cover risks associated with their business
Regulation of financial services
MLDs
What does it stand for?
What does it focus on?
Money Laundering Directives
Fighting financial crime & terrorist financing
Regulation of financial services
What does 4MLD do? (4)
- Bring guidance up to date
- Provided a common EU basis for implementing the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) recommendations
- Factors in new risks and practices developed since previous directives
- Making industry best practices into mandatory requirements
Regulation of financial services
How was 4MLD introduced in the UK
The Money Laundering Regulations 2017 implemented the 4MLD directive in the UK
Regulation of financial services
4MLD
What did it change?
Introduced new concepts allowing firms to be more risk-based in their approach of Simplified & Enhanced due diligence
Regulation of financial services
When did 5MLD become effective in the UK?
24 July 2020
Regulation of financial services
5MLD
Amendments to include what providers? (2)
- crypto asset exchange
- custodian wallet
Regulation of financial services
AIFMD
What does it stand for?
Alternative Investment Fund Managers Directive
Regulation of financial services
AIFMD
What does it do? (2)
- Concerned with management, administration and marketing of alternative investment funds (AIFs)
- Regulates the alternative investment fund manager (AIFM)
Regulation of financial services
MCD
What does it do?
When was it implemented?
Mortgage Credit Directive is an EU Framework of conduct rules for mortgage firms
21 March 2016
Regulation of financial services
PRIIPs
What does it stand for?
When was it implemented?
Packaged Retail and Insurance-based Investment Products Regulation
1 January 2018
Regulation of financial services
PRIIPs
What does it do?
Help investors to better understand and compare the key features, rewards and costs of different PRIIPs, through the Key Information Document (KID)
Regulation of financial services
PRIIPs
When should a KID be provided to the consumer?
In good time before a transaction is concluded
Regulation of financial services
TPR
What does it stand for?
What year was it introduced?
The Pensions Regulator
2005
Regulation of financial services
TPR
What are its objectives? (6)
- Protect the benefits of members of occupational pension schemes
- Protect the benefits of members of personal pension schemes where there is a direct payment arrangement
- Promoting smooth operation of work based pension from an admin perspective
- Reduce the risk on the pensions protection fund
- Enforcing auto-enrolment for employer compliance with work based pensions
- Minimise any adverse impact on the sustainable growth of an employer
Regulation of financial services
TPR remit extends to? (5)
- Employers
- Trustees
- Managers
- Administrators
- Anyone else running work based pension schemes
Regulation of financial services
What is the Occupational Pensions Registry (OPR)?
Helps individuals trace old company schemes
Regulation of financial services
OPR
What else does the OPR keep a register on?
Anyone who is prohibited in acting as a scheme trustee
Regulation of financial services
TPR
Has the power to do what? (3)
- Remove, suspend and appoint new trustees
- Fine individuals up to £5,000 and fine companies, employers and trustees up to £50,000
- Wind up schemes if best for members
Regulation of financial services
TPR
Appeals against decisions of the TPR are made to whom?
Pensions Regulator Tribunal
Regulation of financial services
Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO)
What is its main duty?
Independent public body who oversees and enforces compliance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and Data Protection Act 2018
Regulation of financial services
Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO)
Breaches are…..?
Breaches are punishable in a court of law
Financial Services industry: an overview
Payments Systems Regulator (PSR)
When did it become operational?
April 2015
Financial Services industry: an overview
Payments Systems Regulator (PSR)
What are its strategic objectives? (3)
- Promotes interests of businesses and consumers
- Promote competition
- Promote development and innovation
Financial Services industry: an overview
Payments Systems Regulator (PSR)
What is its purpose?
Make payment systems work well in retail market
Financial Services industry: an overview
Payments Systems Regulator (PSR)
What is it a subsidiary of?
Subsidiary of the FCA, independent with own Director and Board
Financial Services industry: an overview
Payments Systems Regulator (PSR)
How is it funded?
By industry
Financial Services industry: an overview
Payments Systems Regulator (PSR)
Who is it accountable to?
Parliament
Regulation of financial services
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA)
What does it do?
Ensures fair competition between UK companies to benefit consumers, businesses and UK economy
Regulation of financial services
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA)
Who does it work closely with?
Treasury and FCA
Regulation of financial services
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA)
What are its key responsibilities? (6)
- Investigating mergers and effect on competition
- Conduct market studies and investigating markets e.g. whether sufficient competition and consumers
- Investigating anti-competitive behaviour
- Enforcing consumer protection legislation aimed at removing market market practices and conditions which result in less choice for consumers
- Criminal prosecution of cartel offences
- Co-operating with other regulators
Responsibilities and approach to regulation
FCA
What are the 8 regulatory principles?
- Efficiency and economy
- Proportionality - burdens on firms proportional to outcomes
- Sustainable growth
- Senior management responsibility
- Recognition of business differences
- Openness and disclosure
- Transparency
- Consumer responsibility
Responsibilities and approach to regulation
FCA
List the Supervision principles? (10)
- Ensure fair outcomes for consumers
- Forward looking and pre-emptive
- Focus on the big issues
- Judgement based approach
- Ensure firms act in the right spirit
- Examine business models and culture
- Individual accountability
- Be robust when things go wrong
- Communicate openly
- Joined up approach
Responsibilities and approach to regulation
FCA
Ultimately accountable to whom?
Treasury
Responsibilities and approach to regulation
FCA
Practitioner Group Panels provide feedback to the FCA - who are they? (4)
- FSPP - Financial Services Practitioner Panel
- FSCP - Financial Services Consumer Panel
- SBPP - Smaller Business Practitioner Panel
- MPP - Markets Practitioner Panel
Responsibilities and approach to regulation
FCA
The FCA has to…….but don’t have to……?
FCA has to LISTEN but not ACT
Responsibilities and approach to regulation
FCA
Subject to several additional bodies? (3)
- Upper Tribunal
- Complaints Commission
- Competition and Markets Authority
The FCA Handbook
General Rule of Prohibition
What is it?
To conduct a regulated activity a firm must be either authorised or exempt
The FCA Handbook
General Rule of Prohibition
What happens if this is breached?
This is a criminal offence, punishable by up to 2 years in prison and an unlimited fine