The following posts provide a snapshot of selected UK, EU and global wholesale financial regulatory developments of interest to banks, investment firms, broker-dealers, market infrastructures, asset managers and corporates.
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UK Publishes Draft Securitisation (Amendment) Regulations 2024
04/22/2024
The draft Securitisation (Amendment) Regulations 2024 were published on April 22, 2024. In combination with the Securitisation Regulations (S.I. 2024/102), the draft Regulations will provide the U.K.'s new regulatory framework for securitizations as part of HM Treasury's Smarter Regulatory Framework. The Securitisation Regulations 2024 establish the designated activities relating to securitizations and repeal detailed legislative firm-facing requirements, which will move the rulebooks of the Prudential Regulation Authority and the Financial Conduct Authority. The Securitisation Regulations will enter into force when the existing Securitisation Regulations 2017 are repealed, which will be implemented by commencement regulations. The draft Regulations restate due diligence requirements for Occupational Pension Schemes and restate the prohibition on the establishment of Securitisation Special Purpose Entities (SSPEs) in high-risk jurisdictions, modifying it to apply to institutional investors, as well as originators or sponsors.Topic : Securities -
UK Legal Statement on Digital Assets and English Insolvency Law
04/22/2024
The UK Jurisdiction Taskforce (UKJT) has published a Legal Statement on Digital Assets and English Insolvency Law. The main findings are that digital assets are within the definition of "property" in the U.K. Insolvency Act 1986. Despite this, because digital assets are not treated as such, it is not possible to serve a valid statutory demand for a digital asset debt. Nevertheless, a claim to digital assets held by a company or bankrupt individual can (in principle) be a claim to recover property, depending on how the assets are held. In addition, where jurisdiction is to be determined by reference to the Centre of Main Interests, the English courts will apply the existing test to establish the COMI of a company dealing in digital assets. There are existing rules that can be applied to allocate any shortfalls where digital assets belonging to different persons have been pooled. Digital assets do not require a fundamental change to the legal analysis of tracing, mixed accounts and shortfalls (although the technical structure of digital assets may be relevant). The rules in the FCA's Client Assets Sourcebook are unlikely to apply since digital assets are not considered to be money.
The UKJT has previously published two other legal statements relevant to digital assets and cryptocurrencies. The Legal Statement on the Status of Cryptoassets and Smart Contracts was published in November 2019, the analysis of which has been adopted by the courts (e.g., AA v Persons Unknown & Ors, Re Bitcoin [2019] EWHC 3556 (Comm)). The Legal Statement on the Issuance and Transfer of Digital Securities under English private law was published in February 2023.Topic : FinTech -
UK Proposes Design of the Future Entity for UK Open Banking
04/19/2024
On April 19, 2024, the U.K.'s Joint Regulatory Oversight Committee published proposals on the design of the future entity for UK Open Banking. The JROC is composed of the Financial Conduct Authority, the Payment Systems Regulator, HM Treasury and the Competition and Markets Authority. Responses to the proposals may be submitted until May 20, 2024.
The U.K. is seeking to enhance its open banking framework so as to promote competition and innovation for the benefit of consumers and businesses. The JROC is seeking feedback on the structure, governance and funding for both its interim and longer-term model, which involves establishing an interim entity (in H2 2024) and then a "Future Entity" (in 2026). The long-term regulatory framework for open banking will be backed by legislation, including the Data Protection and Digital Information Bill. The Bill features the introduction of Smart Data schemes that would enable, at the customer's request, the secure sharing of data with authorized third parties. The "Future Entity" would replace Open Banking Limited, which was established pursuant to the Retail Banking Market Investigation Order 2017. -
UK Prudential Regulator Granted Power to Disapply Rules
04/19/2024
On April 18, 2024, the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Disapplication or Modification of Financial Regulator Rules in Individual Cases) Regulations 2024 were made. The Financial Services and Markets Act of 2023 (discussed in our client note, "A Boost for UK Financial Services") provides a framework for the revocation of retained EU law (now known as "assimilated law") in financial services, much of which will be replaced by rules of the U.K. regulators. Transferring the detailed rules to the U.K. regulator's rulebooks promotes a more nimble approach by the U.K.'s regulators. The FSM Act 2023 gave new delegated power to the U.K.'s regulators for detailed rulemaking, subject to enhanced oversight by Parliament and HM Treasury, and provided various mechanisms for the operation of the regulatory framework, including granting HM Treasury the power to make regulations bestowing on each of the regulators the ability to disapply or modify its rules.
The Regulations also give the Prudential Regulation Authority the ability to disapply or modify the application of any of its rules made under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000, where appropriate, and in accordance with the procedural requirements set out in the Regulations. The power will allow the PRA to consider the circumstances and business models of individual firms, further enhancing the agile approach to regulation. The Regulations enter into force on June 30, 2024.Topic : Financial Services -
UK Regulators Consult on Digital Securities Sandbox
04/15/2024
On April 3, 2024, the Bank of England and U.K. Financial Conduct Authority published a joint consultation paper on proposed rules for the incoming digital securities sandbox. The Financial Services and Markets Act 2023 (discussed in our client note, A Boost for UK Financial Services) empowered HM Treasury to establish sandboxes to facilitate the use of digital assets in financial markets. HM Treasury confirmed its approach to the DSS, which is the first such sandbox, in December 2023. The DSS will offer eligible firms a modified set of rules and regulations for a period of five years, enabling them to test out services using technology such as distributed ledger technology and give the regulators time to finesse a regulatory regime. It is hoped that digital securities could bring advantages, such as streamlining processes and reducing settlement risk and settlement times.
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Bank of England Consults on Revisions to Statement of Policy on Enforcement
04/15/2024
On March 28, 2024, the Bank of England published a consultation paper on revisions to its Statement of Policy and Procedure on its approach to enforcement, published in January 2024, to reflect enhancements to the BoE's enforcement powers granted under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2023.
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UK Conduct Regulator Proposes Payment Optionality for Investment Research
04/11/2024
The U.K. Financial Conduct Authority has opened a consultation setting out proposals for allowing firms to use joint (bundled) payments for third-party research and execution services, subject to certain requirements being met. The proposals follow the recommendations made by the U.K. Investment Research Review in July last year, and which both the U.K. government and FCA accepted. This also follows the removal by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission of its temporary exemption on the need for U.S. firms to register as investment advisors if they sell research separately from execution. Responses to the consultation may be submitted until June 5, 2024. Depending on the scope of feedback received, the FCA is aiming to publish its final rules or guidance by the end of June 2024.
The FCA is proposing to introduce a new option that facilitates bundled payments for third-party research and execution services. The new option would be available alongside the existing methods of a firm making direct payments out of its own resources or from a separate research payment account.
Firms that opt to make bundled payments will need to satisfy certain conditions.
Read more.Topic : MiFID II -
UK To Move to T+1 Settlement by Latest End 2027
04/11/2024
The recently published Accelerated Settlement Taskforce report makes several recommendations to the U.K. government for moving to faster settlement of securities trades in the U.K. The main recommendation is that the U.K. should move to T+1 settlement by no later than the end of 2027. India is already on T+1 and the U.S will move to T+1 on May 28 this year (we discuss the U.S. move in our client note, "T+1 Settlement Coming May 28, 2024"). The Taskforce also recommends that the U.K. continues to explore the potential for alignment with the EU and other European jurisdictions (e.g., Switzerland). However, if that is not attainable, the U.K. should proceed in any event. Another recommendation is that certain operational changes be mandated from a date in 2025, including the establishment of market standards.
Read more.Topic : Securities -
Court of Justice of the European Union Annuls Sanctions Measures
04/11/2024
The Court of Justice of the European Union has decided that the reasons for the EU sanctions measures designating Mr Fridman and Mr Aven (two of the shareholders of LetterOne) were not sufficiently substantiated and their inclusion on EU sanctions lists was not justified (Judgments T-301/22 and T-304/22). The ECJ has annulled the acts that subjected Mr Fridman and Mr Aven to sanctions for the period from February 28, 2022 to March 15, 2023.
Despite this judgment, these two individuals remain subject to EU sanctions. This is because they have also been sanctioned under Council Decision (CFSP) 2023/572 and Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/571, which are more recent and so were not at issue in these proceedings. The two individuals have now separately challenged their designations under that legislation, but those cases remain to be heard (pending cases, Aven v Council, T-283/23, and Fridman v Council, T-296/23).
This ECJ judgment does not impact the U.K. sanctions regime, under which the two individuals remain sanctioned. -
EU MiFID II Review Package Published
04/04/2024
On March 8, 2024, legislation amending the EU's Markets in Financial Instruments Directive and Regulation were published in the Official Journal of the European Union. The amending Directive and amending Regulation aim to enhance the availability of information on trading and companies for investors. Some of the proposed changes are similar to those that the U.K. has made or is contemplating making as part of the Wholesale Markets Review.
Read more.Topic : MiFID II -
New UK Requirements for Payment Account Contract Terminations
04/04/2024
HM Treasury has published a policy note and a draft statutory instrument—The Payment Services and Payment Accounts (Contract Terminations) (Amendment) Regulations 2024—on strengthening requirements in the Payment Services Regulations 2017 on contract terminations. These policy changes follow the furore over the de-banking by NatWest Bank of the prominent U.K. politician Nigel Farage, which led to the resignation of its CEO.
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Draft UK Legislation to Address Push Payment Fraud
04/04/2024
HM Treasury has published a policy note and a draft statutory instrument—The Payment Services (Amendment) Regulations 2024—on a risk-based approach to payments to mitigate against authorized push payment fraud. HM Treasury confirms its policy for allowing payment service providers to delay payments processing when there are reasonable grounds to suspect fraud or dishonesty. The draft statutory instrument amends the Payment Services Regulations 2017 to allow PSPs to delay executing an outbound payment transaction by up to four business days from receipt of the order where there are reasonable grounds to suspect fraud or dishonesty by someone other than the payer and the payer's PSP requires the time to contact the payer (its customer) or a third party (e.g., law enforcement) to determine whether to execute the payment.
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HM Treasury Consults on Amending the Money Laundering Regulations
04/04/2024
HM Treasury has launched a consultation with proposals to improve the effectiveness of the Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing and Transfer of Funds (Information on the Payer) Regulations 2017 (known as the MLRs). The consultation is wide-ranging, covering proposals to:- Ensure customer due diligence is more proportionate and effective.
- Strengthen system coordination to ensure continued coordination in the face of new and emerging threats, technological change and legislative changes.
- Clarify the scope of the MLRs, including as regards changing thresholds from Euro to Pound Sterling.
- Revise registration requirements for the Trust Registration Service to enhance transparency of higher risk trusts.
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UK Approach to Critical Third-Party Supplier Designation Published
03/31/2024
The Financial Services and Markets Act 2023 established a framework for the regulation of third parties who provide significant services to financial institutions, giving HM Treasury power to designate an entity as a "critical third party" if its failure would pose financial stability or confidence risk to the U.K. We discussed this in our client note, "The U.K.'s New Regime for Critical Third Party Supervision". HM Treasury published on March 21, 2024, its policy approach to designation of critical third parties.
When designating CTPs, HM Treasury is required by the FSM Act 2023 to consider the materiality of the third party's services to the delivery of essential activities, services or operations in the financial sector as well as the number and type of licensed firms to which the services are provided. This is a process where HM Treasury carries out the designation; a "critical third party" is not a status that firms would apply for. The policy paper sets out the process for designation, including receipt of a recommendation from one of the financial regulators and assessment of the basis for making a designation decision. HM Treasury discusses how it will engage with the relevant third-party service provider and the regulators, including communicating its decision. The process for de-designating a critical third party is also described.
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HM Treasury Publishes Policy Statement on Next Phase of Smarter Financial Services Regulatory Framework
03/21/2024
On March 21, 2024, HM Treasury published a paper on the next phase of its Smarter Financial Services Regulatory Framework, the U.K.’s program of post-Brexit regulatory reforms for financial services. The original policy statement on the smarter regulatory framework was published in December 2022 as part of the so-called Edinburgh Reforms (discussed in our client note, “UK Government Publishes Edinburgh Reforms for Financial Services”). This described the U.K.'s new model for regulation and set out how the U.K. would prioritize the repeal and reform of retained EU law for financial services. In July 2023, HM Treasury published a further policy statement, dividing the review of REUL into tranches, and detailing anticipated dates for reform. Further details of the U.K.'s future financial regulatory framework can be found on our website, Future of Financial Services Regulation in the UK.
Read more.Topic : Brexit for Financial Services -
UK Public Offers and Admissions to Trading Regulations Published
03/06/2024
On January 29, 2024, the Public Offers and Admissions to Trading Regulations 2024 (SI 2024/105) were published. The Regulations implement the new Public Offers and Admission to Trading Regime, part of the new designated activities regime, and revise the existing prospectus regime inherited from the EU that currently sits in the U.K. Prospectus Regulation. The designated activities regime (DAR) is a new U.K. concept to give the Financial Conduct Authority rulemaking powers over financial sector activities, such as public offers and listing, which are not necessarily carried out by regulated firms such as banks (we discussed the DAR in our client note, "A Boost For UK Financial Services"). The new Regulations introduce a general prohibition on public offers of securities, coupled with a collection of exceptions from this prohibition. Many of the existing exemptions in the U.K. Prospectus Regulation, such as offers solely to qualified investors and offers made to fewer than 150 persons, are retained. Certain provisions, such as those establishing the new designated activities and provisions enabling the FCA to make rules, came into force on January 30, 2024. Most of the other provisions will enter into force once the U.K. Prospectus Regulation is revoked using powers under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2023. The FCA has engaged with stakeholders regarding many of the changes that will be housed in its rulebook in the future. It is expected to publish a consultation paper in Summer 2024 on its detailed proposals.
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UK Fifth Commencement Regulations Under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2023 Published
03/04/2024
The Fifth Commencement Regulations - the Financial Services and Markets Act 2023 (Commencement No. 5) Regulations 2024 (SI 2024/250)- under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2023 were made on February 29, 2024. One of the major reforms in the Financial Services and Markets Act 2023 related to regulatory accountability, especially of the Financial Conduct Authority and Prudential Regulation Authority. The Fifth Commencement Regulations now provide, among other things, for the coming into effect of certain provisions relating to the accountability of the Payment Systems Regulator, including:- Starting March 1, 2024, a requirement on the PSR to take certain steps in advance of taking an action where there is a material risk such action would be incompatible with the U.K.'s international trade obligations.
- Starting August 1, 2024, requirements for the PSR's consultations, requiring the PSR to keep general requirements under review, HM Treasury's powers to require the PSR to impose a requirement for a specified activity or for specific firms, detailing the cost-benefit analysis obligations and panel appointment statements of policy.
- Starting January 1, 2025, the remaining provisions on the PSR's accountability that are not already in force.
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UK Securitisation Regulations Published
03/04/2024
The Securitisation Regulations 2024 (SI 2024/102) were made on January 29, 2024, and will come into force for the most part when the Securitisation Regulation 2017 is revoked. This is part of HM Treasury's Smarter Regulatory Framework. The Securitisation Regulations 2024 designate, under the incoming designated activities regime, certain securitization activities when undertaken by a firm in the U.K. These are:- Acting as originator, sponsor, original lender or securitisation special purpose entity in a securitization.
- Selling a securitization position to a U.K. retail client.
The Securitisation Regulations 2024 introduce a new definition of "institutional investor," removing non-U.K. Alternative Investment Fund Managers that market or manage AIFs in the U.K. from due diligence requirements.
In addition, the Securitisation Regulations 2024 repeal detailed legislative firm-facing requirements. These requirements will be moved to the regulator rulebooks. Both the Prudential Regulation Authority and the Financial Conduct Authority consulted last year on their proposed approach and rules, and are expected to publish their final rules in Q2 this year.Topic : Securities -
UK Conduct Authority Consults on New Approach to Enforcement and Publication of Enforcement Investigations
02/27/2024
On February 27, 2024, the U.K. Financial Conduct Authority published a consultation on revisions to its Enforcement Guide, setting out proposals which aim to simplify the guidance and increase transparency around the FCA's enforcement actions. Responses to the consultation may be submitted until April 30, 2024.
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Law Commission Publishes Consultation on Digital Assets as Personal Property
02/22/2024The Law Commission, a U.K. body which makes suggestions for legislative reform, is consulting on wording for a possible draft piece of legislation establishing a third category of personal property that would encompass "digital assets". English law currently recognizes "things in possession" (i.e., physical assets) and "things in action" (i.e., intangible assets). In case law to date, for example AA v Persons Unknown [2019] EWHC 3556 (Comm) and at least 23 other cases, the English courts have had no trouble in identifying, or accepting, various kinds of crypto-assets as constituting property, despite the fact they are neither things in possession nor things in action. However, coverage for asset classes is somewhat patchy, leading to some legal uncertainties. The Law Commission consulted on potential reforms to the law surrounding digital assets in July 2022, publishing a final report in June 2023 which found that, while the common law should be the primary forum for law reform in this area, it should be supplemented with legislation confirming that digital assets are capable of attracting personal property rights. This follows the approach in certain other jurisdictions, which have legislated on the topic - Japan, for example, has arguably brought crypto-tokens within the sphere of property law via amendments to its Payment Services Act, while Liechtenstein has enshrined tokens in legislation as a new form of legal object. A number of other jurisdictions, including Hong Kong, Singapore and New Zealand, have developed case law finding digital assets can attract property rights but have not so far confirmed this in legislation.
Read more.Topic : FinTech -
Law Commission Publishes Call for Evidence on Digital Assets and Electronic Trade Documents in Private International Law
02/22/2024
The Law Commission, a U.K. body which makes suggestions for legislative reform, has published a call for evidence on the operation of English private international law (conflicts of law rules) in relation to digital assets and "electronic trade documents" (trade documents like bills of lading and bills of exchange that are in electronic form).
Read more.Topic : FinTech -
EU Eases EMIR 3 Clearing Mandate
02/19/2024
The Council of the European Union and European Parliament have reached provisional political agreement on the latest revisions to the European Market Infrastructure Regulation, publishing on February 14, 2024, the agreed text of the EMIR 3 Regulation and EMIR 3 Directive. The controversial mandate for EU counterparties to hold "active accounts" at EU CCPs for all products, and to use such accounts for some products, has been substantially watered down from the European Commission's December 2022 proposal (we discussed the Commission's proposals in our client note, "Clearing in the EU After EMIR 3").
According to the final draft text, in-scope counterparties for the new "active account" requirement will be required to open and maintain accounts with EU CCPs and clear some transactions through EU CCPs for in-scope products. However, the Commission's (and some member states') ambitious and misguided attempt to force market relocations into Europe seem to have faltered. Even the largest EU derivatives traders (with EUR 6 billion + of open positions) need only clear a minimum of five (5) trades per annum for sub-categories each of the in-scope categories of products. In-scope products are interest rate derivatives denominated in euro and Polish zloty; and Short-Term Interest Rate Derivatives (STIR) denominated in euro. It had previously been proposed for CDS denominated in euro to be included, but this product is no longer in scope.
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UK Data Reporting Services Regulations 2024 Published
02/19/2024
On January 29, 2024, the Data Reporting Services Regulations 2024 (SI 2024/107) were made. The Data Reporting Services Regulations 2024 will enter into force on the same day that the Data Reporting Services Regulations 2017 are revoked, which is April 5, 2024, according to the Financial Services and Markets Act 2023 (Commencement No. 4 and Transitional and Saving Provisions) (Amendment) Regulations 2023. The Data Reporting Services Regulations 2024 will replace the Data Reporting Services Regulations 2017, restating with modifications some of the 2017 content.
The Financial Services and Markets Act 2023 granted the FCA power to make rules for data reporting service providers (DRSPs), of which there are three types- Approved Publication Arrangements, Approved Reporting Mechanisms and Consolidated Tape Providers. DRSPs generally facilitate compliance by investment firms of their regulatory reporting obligations, ensuring that market data is accessible and supporting effective price formation and best execution.
The Data Reporting Services Regulations 2024 set the regulatory perimeter of the U.K.'s regime for DRSPs, set out the authorization regime for providing a data reporting service, and restate the FCA's supervisory and enforcement powers. The FCA is also given powers to run a tender process to select U.K. CTPs for a particular asset class. No CTP is yet established in the U.K. or the EU. The FCA published its final framework for a consolidated tape for bonds in December 2023, and the tender process for the bond CTP will progress through 2024.Topic : MiFID II -
European Securities and Markets Authority Consults on Guidelines on Reverse Solicitation and Cryptoassets as Financial Instruments under the EU Markets in Crypto Assets Regulation
02/08/2024
The European Securities and Markets Authority has published two consultation papers on proposed guidelines under the EU Markets in Crypto Assets Regulation, one on reverse solicitation and the other on the classification of crypto-assets as financial instruments. Responses to the consultation papers should be submitted by April 29, 2024. ESMA plans to publish final reports on each of the guidelines by the end of 2024 at the latest.
Read more.Topic : FinTech -
UK Prudential Regulation Authority Publishes Review of Bank Ring-Fencing Rules
02/08/2024
The U.K. Prudential Regulation Authority has published a Review of the PRA ring-fencing rules for U.K. banks. The ring-fencing regime came into force in 2019 and the PRA is required to review the rules it has made under the regime every five years. This is the PRA's first such review. The PRA found that most rules have performed satisfactorily and are generally well understood by industry. Some areas for improvement include:- Better aligning the rules relating to the provision of services to ring-fenced banks from non-ring-fenced parts of a group with other PRA rules on operational continuity in resolution and operational resilience.
- Reducing the frequency with which banks must review their internal policies on arm's length transactions.
- Potentially extending the duration of modifications to rules relating to governance arrangements for individual RFBs, where needed.
- Removing the requirement for RFBs to deliver annual regulatory reports on certain tax exposures, given the immateriality of the amounts reported so far.
The PRA plans to consult on potential changes to its rules after more detailed analysis.
Read more.Topic : Bank Structural Reform -
Amendments Proposed to Global Standard for Banks’ Exposures to Crypto-Assets
01/25/2024
Following publication of the final bank prudential requirements for exposures to crypto-assets, the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision is consulting on proposed amendments to the requirements for exposures to stablecoins. The consultation closes on March 28, 2024. The Basel Committee does not state whether these proposals, if they proceed, would need to be implemented by January 1, 2025, which is the implementation date for the final standard for banks' exposures to crypto-assets.
The Basel Committee's final requirements for exposures to crypto-assets apply different prudential approaches depending on whether a crypto-asset meets certain conditions. Crypto-assets that meet all of the conditions are referred to as "Group 1 crypto-assets&" and, within that group, stablecoins fall within Group 1b. The Basel Committee is proposing changes to the requirements that determine whether a bank can include a stablecoin exposure in the Group 1b category. First, the Committee is proposing changes to the composition of reserve assets of stablecoins that will enhance the asset quality criteria for reserve assets under the redemption risk test and provide additional safeguards for reserve assets. Secondly, the Committee proposes that banks should be required to perform due diligence, at the point of acquisition and regularly thereafter, that provides the bank with an adequate understanding of the stabilization mechanism and its effectiveness. Statistical tests will be required as part of the due diligence. A regulator would be capable of overriding a bank's categorization of its exposure on the basis of those test results.
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UK Seeks to Enhance Resolution Regime for Small Banks Following SVB Failure
01/18/2024
HM Treasury has launched a consultation that sets out proposals for enhancing the Special Resolution Regime by introducing a new means for the Bank of England, as the U.K. resolution authority, to use stabilization powers to manage the failure of a smaller bank. The proposal arises from the lessons learned from the failure of SVB, which resulted in its U.K. subsidiary, SVB UK, becoming unviable. SVB UK was transferred to HSBC using the resolution powers of the Bank of England.
The government does not intend to remove the Bank Insolvency procedure from the SRR. However, it is believed that the SRR could be enhanced to better manage the failure of smaller banks which are not identified as systemically important but which may be collectively impacted so as to create a systemic risk for the U.K. financial markets.
Instead of insolvency, the current regime allows for a failing bank to be transferred to a bridge bank or a private owner. However, there is concern about the potential risk to taxpayers as the bank may need to be recapitalized. HM Treasury is proposing that the Bank of England should be permitted to use funds provided by the banking sector to cover the costs linked to a resolution, including those related to recapitalizing and operating the failed bank. The funds would be levied on the banking sector.
Responses to the consultation may be submitted until March 7, 2024. The government will issue its response once it has analyzed feedback to the proposals and, if appropriate, legislate to bring the proposals into effect. If the proposal proceeds, changes will also be made to the Special Resolution Regime Code of Practice.Topic : Recovery & Resolution -
Fourth Commencement Regulations Under Financial Services and Markets Act 2023 Published
01/18/2024
The Fourth Commencement Regulations - the Financial Services and Markets Act 2023 (Commencement No. 4 and Transitional and Saving Provisions) (Amendment) Regulations 2023 - under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2023 were made on December 14, 2023. The Fourth Commencement Regulations provide, among other things, for:- The repeal of HM Treasury’s obligation to review legislation in various financial services legislation, including but not limited to, the Short Selling Regulation, the Securitization Regulation, the Alternative Investment Fund Managers Regulations and the U.K. version of the European Market Infrastructure Regulation. These repeals took effect on December 15, 2023.
- The revocation from April 5, 2024 of the Data Reporting Services Regulations 2017 and related implementing legislation such as (i) the provisions in the onshored Markets in Financial Instruments Regulations that provide HM Treasury and the regulators with powers to specify further detail relating to data reporting services; and (ii) the provisions in the MiFIR Delegated Regulation on the provision of data on reasonable commercial basis. The revocation of these provisions on this date aligns with HM Treasury's aim of the draft Data Reporting Services Regulations 2023 entering into force on April 5, 2024. The draft Data Reporting Services Regulations 2023 will replace the Data Reporting Services Regulations 2017, restating with modifications some of the 2017 content. The FCA has confirmed the final framework for a consolidated tape for bonds, which will also enter into force on April 5, 2024.
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UK Financial Conduct Authority Publishes Rule Review Framework
01/16/2024
The U.K. Financial Conduct Authority has published its Rule Review Framework, setting out how it will set, measure and monitor the outcomes of its Handbook rules. The Rule Review Framework was mandated under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2023 (discussed in our client note, A Boost for UK Financial Services). The FSM Act 2023 transferred responsibility for making detailed rules to the U.K.'s regulators, significantly increasing their powers. To ensure proper oversight of the use of those powers, the FSM Act 2023 provides for an enhanced regulatory accountability framework, which includes requiring the FCA (and the Prudential Regulation Authority, which consulted on its proposed in 2023) to keep their rules under review and publish a statement of policy on how they conduct those reviews.
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HM Treasury Publishes Special Resolution Regime Code of Practice for Central Counterparties
01/16/2024
HM Treasury has published the Central Counterparties Special Resolution Regime Code of Practice, setting out guidance on the operation of the expanded resolution regime for CCPs established under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2023 (discussed in our client note, A Boost for UK Financial Services). The FSM Act 2023 replicates some, but not all, aspects of the EU's CCP Recovery and Resolution Regulation (which came into effect post-Brexit), granting powers to the Bank of England, as the U.K. resolution authority, to safely resolve a CCP. The expanded U.K. regime came into effect on December 31, 2023 (by virtue of The Financial Services and Markets Act 2023 (Commencement No. 4 and Transitional and Saving Provisions) (Amendment) Regulations 2023), applying to any resolution that commences from that date. The Code applies to the Bank of England as well as HM Treasury, the Prudential Regulation Authority and the Financial Conduct Authority (all of which have roles in the operation of the special resolution regime).
Read more.Topic : Financial Market Infrastructure -
UK Legislates to Implement the Digital Securities Sandbox
01/12/2024
Legislation implementing the U.K.'s first digital sandbox – the Financial Services and Markets Act 2023 (Digital Securities Sandbox) Regulations 2023 – came into force on January 8, 2024. The DSS Regulations enable the Digital Securities Sandbox to be established. The regulators are expected to consult soon on the proposed application process and rule changes.
U.K. recognized investment exchanges, recognized central securities depositories and investment firms that are licensed to operate a multilateral trading facility or organised trading facility, as well as any other U.K. firms identified by the Financial Conduct Authority or Prudential Regulation Authority, may participate in the FMI sandbox as a "sandbox entrant". Sandbox arrangements carried out by a sandbox entrant must relate to either the activity of operating a trading venue or carrying on maintenance, notary or settlement functions in relation to in-scope instruments, or be ancillary to those activities. In addition to the ability of the primary sandbox entrant to carry out those activities within the sandbox, the following classes of firms may participate in FMI sandbox arrangements: firms using the services provided by the sandbox entrant; firms providing services to the sandbox entrant or its users; and firms carrying on activities or providing services in connection with an in-scope instrument used in connection with the FMI sandbox arrangements. By including this third class of firms, firms would be allowed to provide services that are ancillary or complementary to trading and settlement activities, such as clearing, within the sandbox.
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Payment Systems Regulator Publishes New Rules for Mandatory Reimbursement of Authorized Push Payment Scams
01/11/2024
The Payment Systems Regulator has published its Final Policy Statement on its new regime for fighting authorized push payment scams. The Financial Services and Markets Act 2023 (discussed in our client note, “A Boost for UK Financial Services”) imposed a new obligation on the PSR to require payment service providers to reimburse consumers when a payment is executed over the Faster Payments Scheme and the payment was executed following fraud or dishonesty.
Read more.Topic : Payment Services -
UK Conduct Authority Sets Out Detailed Changes to Listing Rules
01/11/2024
The U.K. Financial Conduct Authority is consulting on detailed proposals to reform its listing rules which are focused on a single listing segment, a more disclosure-based regime and changes to the sponsor regime. The FCA is proceeding with its original proposal to introduce a single listing segment, which it put forward in its consultation last year, discussed in our client note, "FCA Moves Ahead with a Single Equity Listing Category". Taking into account feedback to its consultation, the FCA sets out how the proposed 'commercial companies' equity share listings framework would work, including eligibility, significant and related party transactions, dual/multiple class share structures and sponsors. The 'commercial companies' category would replace the existing 'premium' and 'standard' listing segments. The FCA also describes details of the other listing segments changes it is proposing to make.
Read more.Topic : Securities -
International Organization of Securities Commissions Publishes Recommendations on Decentralized Finance
01/10/2024
Following its consultation in 2023, the International Organization of Securities Commissions published its Policy Recommendations for Decentralized Finance on December 19, 2023. The nine recommendations are intended to promote consistency of global regulatory frameworks for DeFi in the interests of market integrity and investor protection.
Read more.Topic : FinTech -
International Organization of Securities Commissions Publishes Recommendations for Crypto and Digital Assets Markets
01/08/2024Following its consultation in 2023, the International Organization of Securities Commissions published its Policy Recommendations for Crypto and Digital Asset Markets on November 16, 2023. The 18 recommendations are intended to promote consistency of regulatory frameworks for cryptoasset service providers. The recommendations apply to both cryptoassets and stablecoins, although regulators are encouraged to consider any particular issues posed by stablecoin arrangements when applying the recommendations.
Read more.Topic : FinTech -
UK Conduct Regulator Consults on Bond and Derivatives Markets Transparency Requirements
01/08/2024
The U.K. Financial Conduct Authority has opened a consultation on proposals for improving transparency for bond and derivatives markets. Following the Wholesale Markets Review, the Financial Services and Markets Act 2023 grants powers to the FCA to make rules which will replace the current pre-trade and post-trade disclosure rules for bonds, structured finance products, emission allowances and derivatives set out in the U.K. Markets in Financial Instruments Regulation. The FCA's rules must ensure efficient price formation and the fair evaluation of financial assets. This consultation sets out the FCA's proposed approach to those rules. Responses to the FCA's consultation may be submitted until March 6, 2024.
The FCA is proposing that trading venues and investment firms dealing OTC will be subject to minimum harmonized transparency requirements for sovereign bonds, corporate bonds and certain derivatives subject to the clearing obligation. For these financial instruments, there will be large in scale thresholds. Pre-transparency waivers will be available for orders above the threshold and deferrals for post-trade requirements. For other financial instruments, the FCA is proposing to set the standards and criteria to which trading venues should refer in order to meet the FCA's transparency expectations. Investment firms dealing in other financial instruments will not be required to report their transactions to the public.
Read more.Topic : MiFID II -
UK Finalizes Framework for Consolidated Tape for Bonds
01/08/2024
Following its consultation last year, the U.K. Financial Conduct Authority has published its final framework for a consolidated tape for bonds. MiFID II introduced requirements for a CT for transactions in equity and non-equity instruments. It requires a consolidated tape provider to collect post-trade information published by trading venues and approved publication arrangements and to consolidate this into a continuous live data stream made available to the public. No consolidated tape has yet been set up in either the U.K. or the EU. The Financial Services and Markets Act 2023 gave the FCA rule-making powers for Data Reporting Service Providers, enabling it to set a framework for the development of a CT.
The FCA's policy statement sets out its rules and guidance on the bond CT, which are due to come into force on April 5, 2024, which is the anticipated date that the draft Data Reporting Services Regulations 2023 are expected to enter into force, subject to Parliamentary process. The DRSRs 2023 will replace the Data Reporting Services Regulations 2017, restating with modifications some of the 2017 content. The tender process for the bond CTP will kick-off in 2024.
The FCA's final policy is set out in a paper that also gives the FCA's response to feedback on a CT for equities and sets out proposals on payments to data providers by the bond CTP and forms for a Data Reporting Service Provider, adapted to reflect the DRSRs 2023 and the FCA's Handbook amendments. Responses to the FCA's proposals may be submitted until February 9, 2024. The FCA is aiming to finalize those rules and forms for April 5, 2024 too.Topic : MiFID II -
UK Extends Transitional Period for Third-Country Benchmarks
01/08/2024
The Financial Services and Markets Act 2023 (Benchmarks and Capital Requirements) (Amendment) Regulations 2023 were enacted on December 19, 2023. The Regulations amend two pieces of legislation that are set to be repealed by the Financial Services and Markets Act 2023, both of which are subject to a transitional period until that repeal takes place. HM Treasury is able to amend the legislation during the transitional period to ensure that it remains up to date.
The Regulations amend the U.K. Capital Requirements Regulation to reintroduce the inadvertently removed "discount factor" that reduces the amount of capital that small- and medium-sized firms must hold for their trading and derivative activities. The amendment took effect on December 20, 2023. This move is in line with the approach of other leading jurisdictions and aligns with the government's policy to enhance the competitiveness of the U.K. markets. It also accords with the Prudential Regulation Authority's introduction of a simpler prudential regime for Small Domestic Deposit Takers.
The Regulations also amend the U.K. Benchmarks Regulation to extend the transitional period for third-country benchmarks from the end of 2025 to the end of 2030. This change is in line with HM Treasury’s policy announced in November 2023. The extension took effect on January 1, 2024. -
UK Consultation on the Emissions Trading Scheme’s Free Allocation Methodology
01/08/2024
The U.K. Emissions Trading Scheme Authority has launched a consultation on its approach to free allocations. The ETS is proposing options to amend the free allocation methodology, focusing on its approach to accounting for activity levels, benchmarking and the manner in which carbon leakage risk is assessed. Carbon leakage occurs when production and associated emissions are transferred from one country to another by a business in order to benefit from lower carbon pricing and climate regulation in other jurisdictions. The free allocation policy is intended to reduce a firm's exposure to the carbon price in the U.K.
Responses to this consultation may be submitted until March 11, 2024. A government response is expected to be published in 2024, with changes implemented in the lead up to the next free allocation period in 2026. The ETS Authority is also consulting on changes to the U.K. ETS markets policy.Topic : Climate & Sustainable Finance -
UK Consultation on Revisions to Emissions Trading Scheme Markets Policy
01/08/2024
The U.K. Emissions Trading Scheme Authority has launched a second consultation on the review of the ETS markets policy. Feedback to the first consultation has been taken into account to prepare the proposals discussed in this second consultation. Responses to this second consultation may be submitted until March 11, 2024. The ETS Authority is also consulting on changes to the U.K. ETS free allocation framework.
The ETS Authority identifies the most significant risks to effective market functioning and proposes various policy options to address those risks as well as how individual market stability policies could address market risks while minimizing intervention and disruption in the market. The ETS Authority is proposing to: (i) introduce a quantity-triggered Supply Adjustment Mechanism to mitigate the risk of demand shift with long-term market impacts; (ii) retain a re-designed Auction Reserve Price, as well as possible additional mechanisms, to alleviate the risk of sudden, significant and sustained price decreases; and (iii) retain the Cost Containment Mechanism to mitigate against sudden, significant and sustained price increases, including whether to maintain the use of discretion to act upon the trigger or whether some automation could be introduced.Topic : Climate & Sustainable Finance -
UK Statutory Instrument Made to Ensure Legislation Remains Consistent with Latest Repeals
01/08/2024
The Financial Services and Markets Act 2023 (Consequential Amendments) Regulations 2023 make consequential amendments to various pieces of legislation arising from the repeal by the Financial Services and Markets Act 2023 of certain retained EU financial services laws. The Regulations took effect on January 1, 2024. The Financial Services and Markets Act 2023 (Commencement No. 1) Regulations 2023 provided for the repeal of 98 statutory instruments on August 29, 2023, and further revocations from January 1, 2024, including the European Long-Term Investment Funds Regulation (and related SI and tertiary legislation) and a provision from the Capital Requirements Regulation so as to allow the Bank of England more flexibility to set internal Minimum Requirements for Own Funds and Eligible Liabilities for U.K. subsidiaries of non-U.K. global systemically important banks. These latest Regulations make consequential amendments to ensure that legislation remains consistent with the January 2024 repeals.
Consequential amendments are also made to account for the removal of the double volume cap from the U.K.'s Markets in Financial Instruments regime. The DVC limited the level of dark trading to a certain proportion of total trading in an equity. Instead, the Financial Conduct Authority must monitor trading and has new powers to direct that transparency waivers should be suspended if the ongoing use of the waiver would impact market integrity. In addition, consequential amendments are made following the Electronic Money, Payment Card Interchange Fee and Payment Services (Amendment) Regulations 2023 which amended payments-related REUL. -
UK Finalizes Amendments to Financial Promotions Regime High-Net-Worth and Sophisticated Investors Exemptions
01/08/2024
The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) (Amendment) (No. 2) Order 2023 implements the governments' policy to reform the high-net-worth and sophisticated investor exemptions under the financial promotions regime. The changes are brought in to mitigate the misuse of the exemptions by some firms marketing inappropriate products to ordinary retail customers and to update certain aspects that were introduced about 20 years ago. The Treasury Select Committee's report on the failure of London Capital & Finance recommended that the exemptions be rethought to ensure greater consumer protection.
The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 restricts the communication of an "invitation or inducement to engage in investment activity" either in the U.K. or in a way that could have an effect in the U.K., such that these can be made only by regulated firms, subject to certain exemptions. The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005 provides for exemptions from the restriction, including exemptions for financial promotions of unlisted companies to be made to high-net-worth individuals and self-certified sophisticated investors. The Order makes several changes to the FPO exemptions, including increasing the financial thresholds for high-net-worth individuals, amending the eligibility criteria for the self-certified sophisticated investor exemption and requiring businesses to provide details of themselves in communications made in reliance on the exemptions.
Read more.Topic : Consumer Protection -
Bank of England Publishes Policy Statement on Implementation of Basel 3.1 Standards
01/03/2024
The Bank of England has published a Policy Statement on the Implementation of the Basel 3.1 standards in the U.K., taking account of responses to its Consultation Paper 16/22 published in November 2022. The Basel 3.1 changes introduce the as yet unimplemented Basel reforms to banks' regulatory capital frameworks, intended to restore credibility in the calculation of risk-weighted assets and improve the comparability of banks' capital ratios.
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UK Government Signs Agreement with Switzerland on Mutual Recognition for Wholesale Financial Services
01/03/2024
The U.K. Government has signed the Berne Financial Services Agreement with Switzerland, confirming mutual recognition of aspects of the financial services regulatory and supervisory regimes in each jurisdiction. The Agreement permits specified financial services providers in one jurisdiction to supply specified services to wholesale or sophisticated clients in the other jurisdiction in various sectors (including asset management, banking, investment services activities and insurance) on the basis of deference, domestic law or other arrangements.
Read more.Topic : Financial Services -
Retained EU Law and EU Interpretive Principles Revoked from UK Statute Book
01/03/2024
The Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Act 2023 (Consequential Amendment) Regulations 2023 (with related Explanatory Memorandum) came into force on January 1, 2024, clarifying that certain changes provided for under the Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Act 2023 have come into effect.
Read more.Topic : Brexit for Financial Services -
UK Prudential Regulator's Rules for Small Banks Coming at Start of 2024
12/22/2023
The U.K. Prudential Regulation Authority has published a policy statement and rules for implementing the Strong and Simple Framework. The framework is intended to simplify the prudential regulation of non-systemic banks and building societies that are not internationally active, reducing costs for firms, but maintaining their resilience. Up until now, the regulatory approach has broadly applied the same requirements to all banks and building societies, irrespective of their size and activities. Certain prudential rules are simplified for smaller banks and building societies, but to a lesser extent than in some other jurisdictions.
The policy statement sets out the scope criteria, liquidity and disclosure requirements, and confirms certain timings. The PRA has decided to rename Simpler-regime Firms to Small Domestic Deposit Takers (SDDTs), and Simpler-regime consolidation entities to SDDT consolidation entities. The rules providing for eligible firms to become SDDTs, definitions and disclosure requirements take effect on January 1, 2024. The other rules covered by the policy statement will apply from July 1, 2024. The PRA will consult in Q2 2024 on amending the Pillar 2 and buffer requirements for SDDTs.
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UK Legislates on Differentiating Risk of Domestic Politically Exposed Persons
12/22/2023
The Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing (Amendment) Regulations 2023, which amend the Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing and Transfer of Funds (Information on the Payer) Regulations 2017 (known as the MLRs), come into force on January 10, 2024. The Financial Services and Markets Act 2023 imposed on HM Treasury a duty to use its powers under the Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering Act 2018 to amend the MLR customer due diligence measures required where a customer is a domestic (U.K.) politically exposed person (i.e., a PEP entrusted with prominent public functions by the U.K. government, as opposed to a foreign government). The Amendment Regulations fulfil that obligation, providing that unless there are other enhanced risk factors, the due diligence measures applicable to a domestic PEP are reduced compared to those applicable to a non-domestic PEP. The change follows concerns by many members of Parliament that banks and other financial institutions were imposing overly burdensome requirements for information and, in some instances, denying accounts to U.K. politicians and their family members, and also follows the furore over the de-banking by NatWest Bank of the prominent U.K. politician Nigel Farage, which led to the resignation of its CEO.
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HM Treasury Confirms Equivalence of US Commodity Futures Trading Commission Regime for Central Counterparties
12/18/2023
A U.K. statutory instrument has been published specifying that the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission regime for central counterparties is equivalent to the U.K. regime (which is set out under the U.K. European Market Infrastructure Regulation). The new SI — The Central Counterparties (Equivalence) (United States of America) (Commodity Futures Trading Commission) Regulations 2023 (with accompanying explanatory note) — will take effect from December 28, 2023. The CFTC equivalence decision will only apply to CCPs that are registered with the CFTC and have either been classified as systemically important by the CFTC or otherwise voluntarily comply with the CFTC requirements for systemically important CCPs.
Read more.Topic : Financial Market Infrastructure -
New UK Retail Disclosure Framework for Consumer Composite Investments
12/13/2023
Following its July response to its consultation, HM Treasury has published a draft of the statutory instrument that will implement the U.K.'s revised retail disclosure framework. The draft Consumer Composite Investments (Designated Activities) Regulations 2024 will replace the existing onshored Packaged Retail and Insurance-Based Investment Products Regulation which contains rules on disclosures for complex retail investment and insurance products. The PRIIPs Regulation is often cited as an example sine qua non of poorly conceived, poorly drafted, ill-thought through EU legislation with unintended consequences. In particular, it is aimed at packaged retail products, such as FTSE-trackers and insurance-wrapped investments, but was drafted so as to impose onerous and unnecessary disclosure rules on bonds and other standardized securities, effectively foreclosing retail activity in a broad range of "vanilla" investments in the EU (and, when it was in the EU, the U.K.), as well as largely frustrating the EU's "capital markets union" project. These issues are discussed in our client note, "PRIIPS and Capital Markets Transactions: A Better Way Forward?". Replacing the PRIIPs Regulation was therefore identified as a post-Brexit U.K. priority under HM Treasury's Smarter Regulatory Framework. The new rules will allow for a revised U.K. retail disclosure regime that is applicable only to more complex products, suitable to the U.K.'s capital markets and encourages informed retail investor participation in those markets.
Read more.Topic : Consumer Protection -
HM Treasury Confirms Approach to Digital Securities Sandbox
12/12/2023
Following its consultation earlier this year, HM Treasury has published a response to its consultation on the Digital Securities Sandbox, confirming that it will mostly adopt the approach consulted on to establish the DSS. The DSS, which will be the first sandbox to be established using new powers granted by the U.K. Financial Services and Markets Act 2023, is intended to facilitate the use of digital assets in financial markets. The DSS is designed to allow firms to: (i) establish and operate FMIs using digital asset technology; and (ii) perform the activities of central securities depositories and trading venues in relation to existing security classes.
HM Treasury intends to lay before Parliament draft legislation to implement the DSS, which will be run by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Bank of England. The regulators will be consulting soon on their proposed approaches to the DSS, including the application process and proposed rule changes.
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