Regulation
FCA within a whisker of green sweep on authorisations
The Financial Conduct Authority delivered a top rating of ‘green’ across 16 authorisation metrics with only one ranked as ‘amber’ and none in the red zone during October to December last year.
6% of FCA financial promotions cases caused by GI & Protection
The Financial Conduct Authority has revealed the general insurance and protection sector accounted for 6% of its workload in the final quarter of last year against firms breaching financial promotion rules.
FCA actions against misleading financial adverts nearly doubles in 2024
The Financial Conduct Authority intervened to get nearly 20,000 financial promotions withdrawn or amended in 2024, almost double the amount compared to 2023.
Lords Committee ‘unconvinced’ on FCA name and shame proposal
The House of Lords Financial Services Regulation Committee is unconvinced on the FCA’s name and shame plans as it branded the consultation an “abject failure” and urged if concerns have not been addressed in the regulator’s second consultation the…
FCA issues restrictions on Scottish broker because of personal lines premium concerns
The Financial Conduct Authority has taken action to stop Arthur Temlett, trading as Abacus Insurance Consultants, from carrying out any regulated activities, including acting as an insurance broker.
Liiba seeks to quantify London brokers value to global economy
A trade body has launched a project to quantify the monetary value of London’s brokers to the global economy.
FCA targets 400 headcount as it continues Leeds office expansion
The Financial Conduct Authority has expanded its Leeds regional office, with 100 more people expected to join this year.
Economic Secretary Emma Reynolds supports calls for proportionate regulation
At the British Insurance Brokers’ Association manifesto launch Economic Secretary to the Treasury Emma Reynolds stated regulation “must be proportionate”.
Manifesto 2025: A ‘golden opportunity’, says Biba
The British Insurance Brokers’ Association has unveiled its 2025 Manifesto, titled ‘Partnering to deliver value’, labelling the year as a golden opportunity on regulation.
FCA insurance related fines total £1.1m in 2024
The Financial Conduct Authority handed out £1.11m in fines to two general insurance broking individuals in 2024, as firms achieved the second year in a row of zero fines.
Somerset Bridge and DLG breach Private Motor Insurance Order
Somerset Bridge and Direct Line Group have both received a letter from the Competition and Markets Authority for breaches of the Private Motor Insurance Market Investigation Order 2015.
Sicsic FOI uncovers insurance firms’ £2.7m S166 bill
Insurers and insurance intermediaries paid a total of £2.7m for Financial Conduct Authority-commissioned skilled persons reviews in the financial year 2023/24, according to a Freedom of Information request by Sicsic Advisory.
FCA reveals review findings of first annual Consumer Duty board reports
The Financial Conduct Authority has set out five areas for improvements and five good aspects having reviewed the first annual Consumer Duty board reports from 180 firms.
FOS forecasts levy freeze at £70m
The Financial Ombudsman Service is planning to maintain its levy for 2025/26 at the £70m total set this financial year.
FCA not seeking further headcount boost, says CEO Rathi
The Financial Conduct Authority is not “anticipating further significant growth” in headcount with the figure having risen from around 4,000 in 2020 to just over 5,000 today, CEO Nikhil Rathi has confirmed to the Treasury Committee.
FCA makes “significant changes” to ‘name and shame’ proposals
The Financial Conduct Authority is making four “significant changes” to its initial transparency proposals labelled ‘name and shame’.
MPs and peers slam “incompetent at best, dishonest at worst” FCA
A cross-party group of MPs and peers has hit out at the Financial Conduct Authority and demanded substantial changes after its call for evidence found the regulator “is seen as incompetent at best, dishonest at worst”.
Blog: What implications could the motor finance scandal have on insurance brokers?
As the industry shoots itself in the foot. Again. Matthew Maxwell Scott, founder and executive director of the Association of Consumer Support Organisations explores how the motor finance scandal fallout might see brokers caught in the cross-fire.
Government to consult on leasehold commission ban “very shortly”
The Government has revealed it plans to consult on a proposed ban on leasehold insurance commission next year.
FSCS gives first insight on increasing levy to £394m
The Financial Services Compensation Scheme has indicated its levy for 2025/26 will rise to £394m from £265m this financial year as it cited having lower surpluses to carry forward and offset bills – a factor that has benefited brokers for two years in a…
FCA promises reframed and revised ‘name and shame’ plans but no decision until early next year
In a House of Lords Financial Services Regulation Committee evidence session earlier today, Financial Conduct Authority CEO Nikhil Rathi said no decision will be made on its investigation transparency proposals consultation until early next year.
FCA closes in on authorisation targets as performance rises again
The Financial Conduct Authority has improved its delivery on the two broker-related authorisation metrics that remain in the ‘amber’ zone as it hones in on delivering a ‘green’ performance in all five relevant categories.
FCA bans broker and issues £1.1m fine for misusing insurer funds
Leigh Mackey, formerly sole director of closed broker Inspire Insurance Services, has been banned by the Financial Conduct Authority and fined £1.1m after using insurer funds to support the firm’s operating costs and pay for personal living expenses.
FCA reopens parts of commercial and bespoke insurance discussion paper for feedback
The Financial Conduct Authority has reopened parts of its discussion paper on commercial and bespoke insurance business in response to demand.