On October 6, 2015, the Prudential Regulation Authority and Financial Conduct Authority jointly published a consultation paper on proposals for regulatory references that are employment references passed between firms when an individual moves roles. The proposals form part of the wider reforms aiming to strengthen accountability in the banking and insurance sectors and are relevant to candidates applying for new roles, including senior management functions under the Senior Managers Regime, significant harm functions under the Certification Regime and other roles within insurance firms and credit unions. The proposals include: (i) a requirement for firms to request regulatory references covering a period of six years from former employers; (ii) specific disclosures for inclusion in regulatory references, such as whether the firm has ever concluded that a candidate was at any point in the last six years deemed not fit and proper to perform a function, the details and basis of any disciplinary action taken and details of any other roles performed by a candidate within a firm whilst working as an employee of that firm; and (iii) a requirement for firms not to enter into any arrangements that would prevent them from disclosing relevant information. Final rules are expected to be in place for the start of the accountability regime on March 7, 2016. Comments on the consultation are due by December 7, 2015.
The consultation is available at: http://www.bankofengland.co.uk/pra/Documents/publications/cp/2015/cp3615.pdf.
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