07/22/2025
UK borrowing soars just as bond markets crave fiscal stability
Welfare reform was heavily watered down, while winter fuel payments have been reinstated for millions.
Legal, Regulation & Compliance
07/22/2025
Government revives landmark Pensions Commission to confront retirement crisis that risks tomorrow’s pensioners being poorer than today’s
The Commission of 2006 was a huge success, building a consensus for the roll-out of Automatic Enrolment into pension saving that means 88% of eligible employees are now saving, up from 55% in 2012.
07/21/2025
Pension Commission must be ‘bold’ to be successful
The reintroduction of the commission was welcomed by the industry with many urging it to be “brave” in addressing pension under saving.
07/21/2025
Bank of England Warns of Dollar Liquidity Shock
Financial Instability Heightens Due to Trump; EU, Switzerland, and UK Assess Dollar Risks
07/21/2025
Protections to help Buy Now Pay Later borrowers navigate their financial lives
The rules would take effect when BNPL comes under the FCA's remit in 2026.
07/18/2025
The PRA’s approach to waivers and permissions under Own Funds (CRR) Part
This SoP is relevant to banks, building societies, PRA-designated investment firms and PRA-approved, or PRA-designated, financial or mixed financial holding companies.
07/18/2025
Spain violated EU rules by meddling in banking merger, says Brussels
Warning comes as European Commission pushes for more bank mergers to boost European financial sector’s fire power.
07/17/2025
Mansion house speech – uk government's campaign for growth
The government revealed its plans to encourage economic growth by promoting investing to the UK population and loosen banking regulation.
07/17/2025
FCA fines Barclays £42 million for poor handling of financial crime risks
In the first case, Barclays Bank UK PLC failed to check it had gathered sufficient information to understand the money laundering risk, before opening a client money account for WealthTek.
07/17/2025
Getting liquidity where it is needed − speech by Nathanaël Benjamin
Given at OMFIF Economic and Monetary Policy Institute
07/17/2025
Ashurst advises Alpaca on acquisition of UK-based wealth management platform WealthKernel
This strategic acquisition will bring WealthKernel’s UK and EU licensed brokerage infrastructure to Alpaca, supporting their rapid global expansion to achieve its mission of opening financial services to everyone on the planet.
07/17/2025
Seven crypto ATMs seized and two arrested on suspicion of running illegal cryptoasset exchange
During the search, seven crypto ATMs were also found and seized by the FCA.
07/16/2025
Signa proceedings: Charges against René Benko for fraudulent bankruptcy
Charges of fraudulent bankruptcy on facts from the insolvency proceedings of René Benko
07/16/2025
FCA lowers costs for businesses raising capital in support of growth
The changes will lower costs for companies and widen access to investment opportunities for consumers.
07/16/2025
FCA and PRA cut senior manager regime red tape to help boost growth
The changes will make the regime more effective and efficient and drive growth in financial services.
07/16/2025
Redress system reforms to prevent compensation delays and provide predictability needed for innovation
The changes will help firms identify and resolve issues before complaints escalate and aim to give greater predictability, so businesses have confidence to invest, innovate and support UK growth.
07/16/2025
FCA sets faster targets for authorisations
The targets also give firms some time to address feedback and remedy issues, reducing, but not eliminating, the risk of increased refusals.
07/16/2025
ECB launches design contest for future euro banknotes
In January the Governing Council also selected motifs to illustrate the two possible themes.
07/16/2025
Barclays fined £42m over poor handling of financial crime risk
FCA fines bank for failures relating to money laundering risk linked to two businesses
07/16/2025
In the new geopolitical context, Europe’s banking discussions need to go beyond competitiveness
At the same time, the strategy should bolster the euro’s use in trade, finance, and reserves in order to reduce Europe’s exposure to external financial shocks and geopolitical leverage.