FCA delays compliance date for certain parts of ESG rule package
The U.K. Financial Conduct Authority is pushing back the date for some firms to comply with its naming and marketing rule amid struggles to prepare for it, the FCA said Monday.
Experts warn U.K. money laundering cases to ‘significantly increase’
The U.K. has an ongoing problem with money laundering, but recent changes to economic crime law and corporate registration requirements could bring more cases to court, according to consultancy KPMG.
Renishaw announces group GC
Global engineering technologies company Renishaw appointed Kasim Hussain as its new group general counsel and company secretary.
Wordsmith appoints general counsel
Wordsmith, an AI-powered workspace for in-house legal teams, announced the appointment of Lucy Tyrrell as general counsel.
CMR Surgical names legal chief
CMR Surgical announces the appointment of Markus Bauman as chief legal & business affairs officer.
Pham cries CFTC overreach against compliance officer in $48M fine of TOTSA
The Commodities Futures Trading Commission fined TOTSA TotalEnergies Trading $48 million for allegedly engaging in price manipulation, with Commissioner Carolyn Pham defending a compliance officer at the Swiss energy company accused of making false statements.
Report: U.K. sanctions enforcement against Russia lacking since invasion of Ukraine
Sanctions imposed against Russia following the 2022 invasion of Ukraine are being undermined by the U.K.’s poor track record of enforcement, according to a report by campaign group Spotlight on Corruption.
U.K. whistleblower protections, awards needed to compensate ‘career suicide’
Discrimination against whistleblowers in the U.K. has risen to such a level that the government may need to actively pursue plans to afford greater legal protection, as well as introduce financial awards to compensate for their “career suicide.”
CPE Webcast: UK Worker Protection Act: Safeguarding rights and responsibilities
This webinar will deep dive into the UK Worker Protection Act, ensuring you know the key facts and advise you on the next steps.
Q&A: APCC chair on culture challenges facing financial services firms
Julie Ampadu, chair of the U.K.’s Association of Professional Compliance Consultants, spoke to Compliance Week about why culture is the biggest issue facing financial services firms.
FCA fines PwC $19.5M for failing to report fraud at London Capital & Finance
PricewaterhouseCoopers agreed to pay 15 million pounds (U.S. $19.5 million) for failing to report suspicions of fraud taking place at investment firm London Capital & Finance before it collapsed, the Financial Conduct Authority announced.
U.K. forced labor ruling raises bar for supply chain monitoring
Companies will need to tighten up how they monitor their supply chains after a recent U.K. ruling determined that corporates could be open to money laundering charges if they fail to act in cases where they believe there is a risk of forced labor.
Experts warn FCA review prompts firms to declassify or retain PEPs
The U.K Financial Conduct Authority published findings showing that financial services firms are implementing its guidance on politically exposed persons related to anti-money laundering inconsistently, with experts warning firms of reputational damage arising from potential enforcement.
Rolls-Royce announces GC for Defense, North America
Rolls-Royce announced the appointment of Kimberly Hicks as general counsel for Defense and Rolls-Royce North America (RRNA).
FCA fines Cyprus trading company $355K for unfair customer treatment
The U.K. Financial Conduct Authority fined a Cyprus-based trading company more than 276,000 pounds (U.S. $354,000) for unfair customer treatment and providing unauthorized investment advice.
ICO proposes $7.8M fine against NHS contractor in warning to IT providers
The U.K. Information Commissioner’s Office proposed a 6.1 million pound (U.S. $7.8 million) fine against Advanced Computer Software Group, an IT contractor for the National Health Service that allegedly failed to secure the data of 83,000 people after a cyberattack.
U.K. pension scheme reforms promise funds consolidation for trustees
The U.K. government has signaled new rules for pension trustees and funds consolidation to boost investment, but questions remain on employee financial literacy.
FRC orders EY to pay $376K over 2021 audit of Evraz
The Financial Reporting Council ordered a unit Ernst & Young UK to pay 296,000 pounds (U.S. $376,000) over the firm’s 2021 audit of Russia mining group Evraz.
LexisNexis survey: Compliance costs soared for U.K. banks in 2023
Nearly all but a tiny minority of financial institutions saw their costs of financial crime compliance rise in 2023, a survey by LexisNexis and Oxford Economics found.
M&G appoints risk, compliance chief
International savings and investments business M&G announced the appointment of Shawn Gamble as chief risk and compliance officer.
SFO staffing shortages improve under new leadership
Staffing shortages that have plagued the U.K. Serious Fraud Office are trending in the right direction since its new director took charge, with the anti-bribery agency forging ahead with initiatives to ensure its future sustainability.
FCA wants input on how Consumer Duty overlaps with existing rules
The U.K. Financial Conduct Authority is asking for input on which of its existing rules for financial services overlap with the year-old consumer duty rule, with an eye toward streamlining and simplifying both rule packages.
Former U.K. Gambling Commission investigator on AML/CFT regulations
Recent events have put a spotlight on the role of the U.K. Gambling Commission, following its investigation into privileged information allegedly being used to bet on the date of the U.K. general election.
FCA fines Coinbase subsidiary $4.5M over providing service to high-risk customers
The U.K. Financial Conduct Authority issued a fine of $4.5 million (3.5 million pounds) against a U.K.-based subsidiary of crypto platform Coinbase for providing services to high-risk customers in violation of FCA rules.
Risk visibility striking fear in companies onboarding new customers
A lack of risk visibility is causing companies to reject customers–and potentially lose money–over fears they might be in danger of violating rules around anti-money laundering and sanctions regulations.
Commercis announces general counsel
Commercis announced the appointment of Thomas Dolan as the company’s new general counsel.
King’s Speech signals major employment law changes ahead in U.K.
Compliance officers should take note of proposed laws in the U.K. with the newly elected Labor government setting the legislative agenda in the King’s Speech last week, promising consultations on enhanced employee rights and a higher minimum wage.
Survey tackles aligning cross-generational views of ethics in the workplace
Companies may need to examine employees by age group to find out how likely some workers might be to ditch compliance to complete tasks.
New U.K. government moves to transform FRC into ARGA
Within two weeks of gaining power, the U.K.’s newly elected Labor government has confirmed its intention to beef up the audit regulator and strengthen corporate governance.
FCA: Most banks don’t subject U.K. politicians to excessive risk checks
The U.K.’s Financial Conduct Authority asked banks and financial institutions “to do more” to ensure that U.K lawmakers and their families are not treated unfairly.
Wildstone appoints general counsel
Outdoor media infrastructure owner Wildstone appointed Bruce Jones as general counsel.
Experts: Further reforms needed beyond revamped London Stock Exchange rules
The U.K. Financial Conduct Authority is revamping the London Stock Exchange rules, but more changes may be needed to achieve growth and attract initial public offers, experts said.
Direct Line Group announces group risk chief
Insurance company Direct Line Group announced that Maz Bown is to be appointed as group chief risk officer.
FRC dings MacIntyre Hudson $156K over public interest entity violations
The U.K.’s Financial Reporting Council fined audit firm MacIntyre Hudson (MHA) and two employees for breaching the agency’s requirements.
Lessons from PwC’s failure to squelch dissent in the ranks with ‘silent layoffs’
It’s been a trying time for staff at firms with redundancies, affecting morale as layoffs mount amid an effort to silence dissent in the ranks for those departing.
Merlin adds general counsel
Digital music licensing partner Merlin welcomed Neil Miller as its new general counsel.
New U.K. codes strive to restore falling trust, integrity
Codes of ethics and conduct are becoming ubiquitous, yet instilling high standards of corporate integrity still seems an elusive goal. Why is corporate culture such a challenge?
Q&A: Seaco general counsel, compliance head on environmental regulations
Dominic Buckwell, general counsel and compliance head at global marine container leasing company Seaco, discussed key themes including anti-money laundering, sanctions, and why the industry needs common environmental reporting standards.
Bank of England report: ’Need to improve’ private equity risk management
A Bank of England report warned of private equity risk management deficiencies as interest rates remain stagnant, with international coordination important.
Argenta appoints group risk chief
Insurance company Argenta Holdings Limited announced the appointment of Niranjan Nathan as group chief risk officer.
Reignited calls to tighten up AML in London, crown dependencies
Despite repeated interventions, fines, and negative publicity, money laundering is rife in U.K. financial services firms, according to Deputy Foreign Secretary Andrew Mitchell.
Big Tech data for finance: Will FCA plans set trend?
Plans in the United Kingdom to share Big Tech data with financial services firms could prompt other industry regulators to follow suit or result in “unintended consequences” that see Meta, Google, and others growing market share.
Experts express skepticism toward ‘challenging’ SFO strategy
The U.K. Serious Fraud Office last month published its five-year strategic plan outlining how it intends to improve information gathering and international cooperation, as well as its enforcement record.
HSBC fined $8M by FCA for mishandling customers in default
The U.K. Financial Conduct Authority fined HSBC nearly £6.3 million (U.S. $8 million) for failing to properly consider the financial position of customers who missed payments.
Citi unit fined $78.6M by U.K. regs for trading control failures
The Financial Conduct Authority and Prudential Regulation Authority combined to fine a London-based Citigroup subsidiary approximately £61.7 million (U.S. $78.6 million) for control failures related to its trading system.
Survey: Social media remains vexing issue for financial firms
A recent survey by surveillance technology firm SteelEye found most financial institutions do not monitor their employees’ use of social media or factor in market risks exacerbated by social media posts.
Crowe U.K. dinged $181K by FRC for Aseana Properties audit failures
Crowe U.K. was assessed a penalty of £144,000 (U.S. $181,000) by the U.K. Financial Reporting Council for failures in its audit of Aseana Properties Limited’s financial statements for the year ended Dec. 31, 2019.
Crypto insurer Meanwhile transitions CCO to senior adviser
Meanwhile, a Bitcoin life insurance company, announced Chief Risk and Compliance Officer Annie Tay will transition to senior adviser.
FRC fines PwC, EY for London Capital & Finance audit failings
Big Four firms PwC and EY were each penalized by the Financial Reporting Council for alleged shortcomings during their respective audits at collapsed investment firm London Capital & Finance.
Lloyds decision to cut risk staff draws criticism, defenders
Lloyds Banking Group is cutting jobs in its risk management function after an internal review reportedly found it was a “blocker” to the organization’s strategic transformation.