On 18th of November, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) announced further details on its market study into UK’s asset management industry, as part of wider efforts to promote fair, transparent and competitive financial markets. First signposted in its March 2015 Business Plan, the FCA will review how asset managers compete with each other and whether they… Continue reading FCA launch competition probe into asset management industry
Regulatory scrutiny for the asset and wealth management industry will continue to increase in the coming years as it grows in scale, scope and significance. Firms are having to make corresponding increases in risk and compliance resources to cope with these demands and the challenges of implementing reforms effectively. Baringa’s Asset and Wealth Management Regulatory… Continue reading Baringa’s Asset and Wealth Management Guide is now Live
It’s looking increasingly likely that MiFID II will be delayed by a year to give financial institutions and regulators more time to prepare for reforms aimed at overhauling the way EU financial markets operate. Speaking to the European Parliament’s economic affairs (ECON) committee, Martin Merlin, a director in the European Commission’s financial services unit, said… Continue reading EC wants to delay MiFID II
On 28 September 2015, ESMA published its final draft RTS on the MiFID II, MAR and CSDR. These regulations are amongst the most important in the post-crisis reform agenda and will significantly alter how European financial markets operate by increasing their transparency, safety and resilience as well as investor protection. The magnitude of these changes… Continue reading Latest developments in market reforms
On 28 September 2015, ESMA published its final draft regulatory technical standards (RTS) on the Markets in Financial Instruments Directive (MiFID II), the Market Abuse Regulation (MAR) and the Central Securities Depositories Regulation (CSDR). These regulations are amongst the most important in the post-crisis reform agenda and will significantly alter how European financial markets operate… Continue reading Preparing for MiFID II: ESMA publishes draft RTS
The European Commission announced the first set of measures to integrate capital markets across the EU, as part of the much lauded CMU. As part of its plans, the Commission intends to kick-start high-quality securitisation and promote long-term investment in infrastructural projects across the EU. The CMU will be built around the following key principles: Creating more opportunities… Continue reading Building a capital markets union
Thousands of asset managers, hedge funds and FICC dealers will be subjected to the SM&CR under plans announced from the UK Government in October. The extended SC&CR framework will seek to embed a clearer system of accountability and responsibility for all individuals working in financial service firms. New governance requirements will also be introduced that… Continue reading Extending the Senior Managers and Certification Regime
Mark Carney delivered an important speech on Brexit on 21 October. The speech was limited to looking at the impact of the UK’s EU membership on the Bank of England’s objectives, namely price and financial stability. The speech is thoughtful and measured, if not very insightful. Clearly he sees many benefits in remaining in the EU. In particular he… Continue reading Mark Carney on EU membership
This morning the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) published provisional findings on its retail banking investigation. The CMA identifies competition problems in both the personal current account and SME banking markets. It suggests that high levels of customer inertia and low switching rates mean that banks aren’t put under enough ‘competitive pressure’ to bring down… Continue reading UK retail banking is not competitive enough
Abstract: Purpose – This paper explores the Irish banking crisis. It attempts to explain how various factors contributed to a collapse in asset prices, an economic recession and the near failure of the banking system. The paper will seek to document the dangers of pro-cyclical monetary and government policies, particularly in an environment of benign financial… Continue reading What Caused the Irish Banking Crisis?
Vincent O'Sullivan 