As we've discussed in the past, the UK financial regulatory universe is undergoing, in the words of Financial Services Authority Chairman Adair Turner, a "major shift in philosophy". Under the new system of regulation, the Financial Policy Committee of the Bank of England will be responsible for macro-prudential regulation, a new Prudential Regulation Authority is being created as a subsidiary of the Bank of England to supervise deposit takers, insurers and significant investment firms and a new Financial Conduct Authority will be responsible for regulating conduct in retail and wholesale markets.
In preparation for the upcoming changes, the FSA recently published a document outlining how the FCA is expected to approach the delivery of its objectives. Specifically, the document sets out the objectives and powers of the FCA and the regulatory approach expected to be taken. The document also provides a summary of the FCA's plans to coordinate with regulatory authorities in the UK and internationally.
The FSA's paper follows publication of a consultation document by HM Treasury in February that provided further details on the UK Government's proposals for regulatory reform and the more recent White Paper, which takes into account public response to the consultation document.
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