Financial Services Risk and Regulation Unravelled Podcast

In this episode, we delve into the key aspects of motor insurance total loss claims. Blandine Arzur-Kean, Managing Director, Grant Thornton is joined by colleague Philip Tregurtha, Director, Grant Thornton and Kate Pender, CEO, Fair4All Finance, to discuss: best practices for vehicle valuation and settlement processesfair and standardised processes for settling claimssupporting vulnerable customersbuilding trust with policy holdersvaluation challenges and claim frequencies associated with electric vehicles.

David Morrey, Head of Financial Services Regulatory Advisory, and Paul Garbutt, Head of Banking, discuss the recent Court of Appeal decision regarding motor finance complaints, which requires greater disclosure of commissions paid to brokers and explicit consent from borrowers. This decision has significant implications for the industry, extending beyond regulatory requirements to contract law. During the episode we cover judgement overview, disclosure requirements, industry impact, implications for lending contracts and industry reaction, and risk mitigation.

It’s been over a year since the financial services industry began embedding the Consumer Duty for existing products. The FCA’s relentless focus on good consumer outcomes is reshaping the landscape.  In our latest podcast episode Blandine Arzur-Kean is joined by regulatory experts David Morrey, Peter Lovegrove, and Supriya Manchanda to discuss:  the impact of the Consumer Duty challenges firms are facing around management information, data, outcomes testing, and ensuring good results for customers product governance and fair value assessments future of conduct regulation opportunities with AI  Do you need guidance on the Consumer Duty? You can get regular updates from our dedicated hub. Visit our Consumer Duty Hub here.

As the eighth edition of the FCA's Regulatory Initiatives Grid was delayed due to the General Election, an interim update to the November 2023 publication has been released for the period October 2024 to March 2025. In this episode of the podcast, David Morrey and Ben Farmer pull out 10 key takeaways: Diversity and inclusionBasel 3.1 rulesPrudential frameworkFCA's updated enforcement guideRemuneration regime consultationMulti-firm review of vulnerable customers adviceGuidance boundary reviewExternal redress and remediation rulesCapital requirements for financial advice firmsInvestment advice assessment tool

David Morrey and Ben Farmer dive into the latest key regulatory updates. Consumer Duty The FCA's thematic review 24/2 on product governance and its implications for the market, including the importance of firms adhering to product governance rules and the FCA's expectations around product reviews, fair value assessments, and the need for firms to provide evidence to support their conclusions. There is also similar feedback on Consumer Duty outcomes monitoring. Audit firms' fines Recent actions taken by the FCA against audit firms, specifically fines imposed on PwC and McIntyre Hudson for failings in their audits of Wealth Tech and London Capital and Finance plc, respectively. This conversation underscored the regulatory expectations and consequences for audit firms failing to detect or report fraudulent activities.   Financial Regulators Complaints Commissioner A case reviewed by the Financial Regulators Complaints Commissioner involving a firm's complaint about the FCA's handling of a Voluntary Requirement (VREQ). The case highlighted issues with the FCA's communication and process around VREQs, leading to recommendations for the FCA to develop better guidance and processes.   Do you need guidance on the Consumer Duty? You can get regular updates from our dedicated hub. Visit our Consumer Duty Hub here.    Get the latest insights and guidance for financial services professionals straight to your inbox, subscribe here.

David Morrey and Ben Farmer dive into the latest key regulatory update topics, which include: Consumer Duty: discussion of the Consumer Duty one year after its establishment, focusing on the consequential changes and the FCA's call for input on updating the handbook to align with the Consumer Duty principlesHandbook changes: insights into the Financial Conduct Authority’s (FCA) request for firms to identify areas in the handbook that create complexity or confusion, potentially leading to updates in the handbookCommercial insurance: examination of the definition of a consumer in the context of commercial insurance, with a discussion on potential changes to align with the Consumer Duty's scopeDefined contributions pension schemes: a consultation on changing the rules for value for money assessments in defined contributions pension schemes to align with Consumer Duty standardsMotor finance complaints: update on the FCA's review of motor finance complaints, including an extension of the pause on handling complaints and the likelihood of a consumer redress schemeEnforcement Case: a £250 million enforcement case involving H2O Asset Management, focusing on investment due diligence failures and misleading the FCA Get the latest insights and guidance for financial services professionals straight to your inbox, subscribe here.  Do you need guidance on the Consumer Duty? You can get regular updates from our dedicated hub. Visit our Consumer Duty Hub here.

David Morrey and Ben Farmer discuss the impact of the general election on the financial services sector, such as the delays to the Regulatory Initiatives Grid, the Finance Act, the alternative investment fund designation bill, and the FCA's proposals on naming and shaming. Other topics discussed include:  The FCA's decision to allow four insurers to resume selling GAP insurance after withdrawing it from the market due to concerns over fair value and commission levelsThe speech by the chair of the FCA on the future regulatory framework for asset management, including the potential for simplifying the Alternative Investment Fund Managers Directive (AIFMD), diverging from EU standards, and supporting technology innovationThe Treasury Select Committee's questioning of the FCA's enforcement proposals, diversity and inclusion proposals, de-banking issues, access to cash, and the motor finance investigation

In this episode we discuss the latest developments and challenges in the motor finance industry. Irina Velkova is joined by two of her Grant Thornton colleagues; fellow Director, Darren Castle, and Supriya Manchanda, Partner, as well as Adrian Dally, Motor Finance and Strategy Director at the Finance and Leasing Association. The podcast looks at the FCA’s investigation into the historical discretionary commission arrangements and potential implications for consumers, lenders, dealers, and brokers. They also discuss the regulator's actions and timelines for reviewing the DCAs and assessing consumer harm and potential redress. Finally, the panel also explain best practices and preparations that firms should be doing now to deal with the complaints.

The controversy over the FCA’s proposal to name and shame firms under investigation and the political and industry opposition to it, PRA Business Plan and its focus on international policy, growth and AI regulation and the FCA’s finalised guidance on anti-greenwashing are just some of the key topics discussed by David Morrey and Ben Farmer in this episode. Other developments discussed include; FCA’s consultations on extending the sustainability disclosure regime to portfolio managers and FCA’s enforcement action against Link Financial Services for its failures in overseeing the Woodford funds.

The FCA Business Plan 2024/25 landed slightly earlier than usual, but the content and structure are very similar to last year's plan. There's a continuation of familiar regulatory proprieties, but the growing remit and responsibilities of the FCA are clear. David Morrey and Ben Farmer delve into it, and discuss what it means for businesses in the rest of the year and beyond. Other key topics include the FCA’s enforcement consultation paper, Treasury Select Committee’s Sexism in the City report, social media financial promotions guidance, and more.

The insurance industry is undergoing a transformative journey driven by digital innovation, regulatory scrutiny, and enhanced consumer expectations. In our latest podcast, Head of Financial Services, Alex Ellerton is joined by Rob Benson, Partner, Head of Insurance, and Stuart Riddell, Director, to explore the key themes for the sector in 2024. The conversation covers Consumer Duty, AI, climate and sustainability, data and governance and mergers and acquisitions.

Volatile interest rates, AI, and technology, regulation, and macroeconomic uncertainties are just some of the challenges the banking and capital markets will continue to face this year. The sector will need to ensure they have the correct processes, governance, and agility to adapt effectively. In our latest podcast, Head of Financial Services, Alex Ellerton is joined by Paul Garbutt, Partner, Head of Banking Advisory, and Ed Allen, Managing Director of BRS, to explore the key themes for the sector in 2024.

The FCA has published an insight setting out examples of good and bad practice that it has observed in firms' implementation of the Consumer Duty. David Morrey and Ben Farmer discuss the FCA’s thematic feedback on the implementation, highlighting good and bad practices. Other developments discussed include: the FCA’s intervention in the GAP insurance market, the PRA’s sector letters for insurance and banking, and a significant consultation on how the FCA Enforcement approach could change.

The year ahead is set to bring both opportunities and reasons for caution to investment managers, with challenges spanning the uncertain impact of regulatory change, emerging technologies, and the long-running struggle with shrinking margins. In our latest podcast, Head of Financial Services, Alex Ellerton is joined by David Morrey, Partner, Head of Investment Management, and Jonathan Charles, Director, to explore the key themes for the sector in 2024. The conversation covers Consumer Duty, AI, sustainability, macroeconomic factors, and future proofing.

Could the ongoing Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) investigation into the motor finance industry could be as big as the PPI scandal? David Morrey and Ben Farmer discuss the ongoing motor finance market review and what it could mean for the industry. Other developments discussed include: the overseas fund regime, PRA sector priority letters, an update on the Ringfencing Regime review, a near-record fine from the PRA, Labour’s FS policy, and much more.

David Morrey and Ben Farmer discuss regulatory topics for 2024 that will have a significant impact on institutions operating in the financial services space. They also touch upon Consumer Duty next steps, operational resilience and expected supervisory activity over the next 12 months.

In this episode Irina Velkova welcomes Eric Usher, head of the UNEP Finance Initiative, to discuss its Principles for Responsible Banking (PRB). We also addressed The Paris Agreement, critical agreements for COP28, challenges hindering global efforts to finance sustainable projects, and delivering climate goals.

In this episode, Irina Velkova welcomes Niki Mardas, Executive Director of Global Canopy, to discuss nature-positive investments, COP28 notable moments and key takeaways, the State of Finance for Nature report, and TNFD final recommendations for nature-risk management and disclosure.

In our final podcast of the year David Morrey and Ben Farmer discuss the latest edition of the Regulatory Initiatives Grid and recap on regulatory policy publications covering access to cash, sustainability disclosures, critical third parties, the advice guidance boundary and much more.

In this episode Irina Velkova welcomes Chris Dodwell, Head of Policy and Advocacy at Impax Asset Management, live at COP28, to discuss the role of investors in contributing to climate solutions. We also covered what's happened since The Paris Agreement, critical agreements for COP28, and investors approach to risk, including policy risk and country risks.