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RegPulseUK

RegPulseUK

Banking

Weekly regulatory insight for UK retail banking professionals.

About us

RegPulseUK brings together expert commentary and digestible insights on the latest developments from the FCA, PRA, and HM Treasury — with a sharp focus on UK retail banking. Through our newsletter (RegPulse) and podcast (RegTalkUK), we help compliance professionals, risk teams, and banking leaders stay one step ahead of regulatory change. Weekly, practical, and jargon-free.

Industry
Banking
Company size
1 employee
Type
Self-Employed

Updates

  • Alasdair Haynes, founder and former CEO of Aquis Exchange, has relocated from London to Dubai shortly after securing a £10 million payday from the sale of Aquis to the Swiss SIX Exchange Group. His move to Dubai is part of a broader trend of wealthy British entrepreneurs relocating abroad. Before stepping down from day-to-day operations at Aquis earlier in 2025 due to health reasons, Haynes transitioned to the role of President, remaining involved in the company's strategic direction. His departure marks a significant shift for someone who had championed the UK market for many years

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  • The industry response has been notably strong. Santander UK, for example, delayed their Q3 earnings announcement, explicitly citing uncertainty around the redress scheme. They went further, publicly calling on the UK government to essentially overrule the FCA on this matter. The situation highlights the complexities and high stakes involved in regulatory decisions. #Finance #Regulation #Banking #UKEconomy

  • Under the current system, approaching buffer breaches triggers automatic restrictions on distributions, like dividends and bonuses. The SCB aims to smooth this out. It enables banks to utilize buffer capacity when it's most needed, avoiding immediate punitive measures. This signals a shift in how the PRA views capital flexibility—allowing for strategic use of resources in challenging times. This change provides a level of capital flexibility previously unavailable. #Banking #Finance #Regulation #RiskManagement

  • The FCA's focus extends beyond banks to include Claims Management Companies (CMCs). Their £1 million ad campaign reminds consumers they don't always need a lawyer or CMC to claim redress and warns against unfair fees. The goal is to empower individuals to navigate the claims process directly, saving money and avoiding unnecessary intermediaries. It's a push for transparency and consumer empowerment in financial redress. #FCA #ClaimsManagement #ConsumerRights #FinancialRegulation

  • The Chancellor faces a significant challenge: potentially needing to find up to 40 billion to bridge a fiscal gap. With property wealth a likely target for tax measures, the timing couldn't be worse for a personal compliance slip concerning a London rental property and a missing landlord license. It introduces unnecessary political friction. Sometimes, symbolism speaks louder than policy. What optics truly matter in leadership? #Leadership #PoliticalStrategy #RealEstate #TaxPolicy

  • The £384 cost may seem low relative to the size of the fraud, but the precedent is what matters most. This ruling goes beyond fining companies. It establishes personal consequences for enabling data misuse that results in financial harm. The implications for those under the Senior Managers and Certification Regime (SMCR) are significant, especially considering this wasn't even bank data; it stemmed from a supply chain issue. This decision sets a new standard for accountability. #DataPrivacy #Compliance #RiskManagement #Leadership

  • This week saw the FCA's first prosecution under the Data Protection Act 2018. Luke Coleman, formerly of Virgin Media O2, pleaded guilty to unlawfully obtaining confidential customer data and selling it. This data was then used in a substantial crypto scam, resulting in prison time for the main perpetrators and a fine for Coleman. The case highlights the importance of data protection and the serious consequences of its breach. #DataProtection #FCA #CyberSecurity #Privacy

  • The PRA is overhauling capital rules for smaller firms, adding to major litigation overhangs like motor finance. New credit risk factors stem from the Renter's Act, plus a landmark enforcement action from the FCA, which pushes individual accountability up the supply chain. Even operational resilience is being tested at the Bank of England. Financial institutions face an unprecedented convergence of regulatory pressures. #RegulatoryCompliance #FinancialRegulation #RiskManagement #Banking #PRA #FCA