Conduct
Third-party BNPL lenders and their distributors now need FCA authorisation, affordability checks, and Consumer Duty compliance. Merchant credit arrangements may still sit outside the regime.
Policy
Two consultations published on 14 July 2026 propose a growth allowance, shared back-office functions, and a wider product range for ring-fenced banks. Directly affects the five largest retail banks; for everyone else, this is low-priority background.
Policy
The PRA and FCA are consulting on a bespoke framework for captive insurers — a first for the UK market. Larger corporates and their advisers should read this one.
Policy
The FCA is proposing to replace the inherited EU rulebook for alternative fund managers with a purpose-built UK regime. If you manage or market AIFs in the UK, this one is for you. The first response deadline falls on 18 September 2026.
Policy
Action required. Investment firms, AIFMs, UCITS (Undertakings for Collective Investment in Transferable Securities) managers and group firms face a redrawn remuneration framework if CP26/27 is finalised.
Policy
Chancellor Reeves's November 2024 remit letter sets the FCA's direction for this Parliament. The FCA's July 2026 response maps it to strategy and flags that harm trade-offs will become more explicit.
Operational resilience
The Bank of England, PRA and FCA began supervising the UK's first Critical Third Parties on 13 July 2026. If your firm runs on any of the four designated cloud providers, here is what the regime means for you.
Conduct
The FCA has published good and poor practice findings on products and services, drawn from 38 firms. If you are in Consumer Duty scope, this is where the regulator is looking, and enforcement is rising.
Conduct
Action required for platforms, advisers and wealth managers. CP26/24 proposes a unified cost disclosure regime aligned to the new consumer investment disclosure framework coming into force June 2027. Responses close 21 August 2026.
Pensions
The FCA has reviewed legacy non-workplace pension products and found customers in closed books are likely getting worse value. Providers holding closed books face an explicit expectation to act.
Conduct
The Upper Tribunal has suspended payment obligations under the FCA's motor finance redress scheme. Lenders still have live preparation duties, and the FCA expects firms to hold capital and liquidity now against the risk the scheme is quashed entirely.
Enforcement
A solicitor allegedly traded in a client company's shares using confidential M&A information on five separate occasions. Criminal proceedings are now before the Crown Court.