UK Regulator Fines Former Investment Banker for Communicating Confidential Information Via WhatsApp

The Financial Conduct Authority fined former investment banker Christopher Niehaus £37,198 for sharing client confidential information over WhatsApp. Mr. Niehaus was previously a managing director in the Investment Banking division at Jefferies International Limited. In this position, and on a number of occasions between January 24 and May 16, 2016, Mr. Niehaus shared confidential information with a personal acquaintance, who was also a client of the firm. The information related to a competitor. Mr. Niehaus shared the information via the instant messaging platform, WhatsApp. The information shared included the identity of the client, details relating to the client mandate and the fee Jefferies would charge for their involvement in the transaction. In exchanging such information the FCA found that Mr. Niehaus had failed to act with due skill, care and diligence and was therefore in breach of the Statements of Principles and Code of Practice for Approved Persons. The FCA reduced the financial penalty imposed by 15% following Mr. Niehaus' full admission in an early interview. Mr. Niehaus qualified for an additional 30% discount by agreeing to settle at an early stage of the investigation.

View the press release.

View the FCA's final notice.