In this episode, Vicky Pearce and Rachel MacRae discuss:

• The FCA’s review of the Consumer Duty products and services outcome and what good practice looks like in product governance

• Common weaknesses identified by the regulator, including target market definition, vulnerable customer support and distribution oversight

• The FCA’s increasing focus on evidencing good customer outcomes rather than simply demonstrating processes

• The regulator’s escalation of Consumer Duty supervision and enforcement activity, including live investigations and intervention powers

• The findings of the Mills Review and the growing role of AI, including governance, accountability and algorithmic risk considerations

• A new PIMFA and Macfarlanes guide on information sharing to help firms tackle economic crime

As regulatory expectations continue to evolve, firms are being challenged to demonstrate not only that they have controls in place, but that those controls are delivering measurable outcomes. This episode explores what those expectations mean in practice and highlights key developments firms should have on their radar.

In this episode, Vicky Pearce and Rachel MacRae discuss:

• The FCA’s proposed refinements to the scope of Consumer Duty and what “proportionate” oversight should look like in practice

• The regulator’s concerns around legacy unit-linked pensions and savings products, including fair value challenges

• Findings from the FCA’s review of pre-sale investment disclosures and the drive for clearer consumer communications

• Consultation CP26/24 and proposed changes to simplify investment disclosure requirements

• FCA fees and levies for 2026/27, including the increase in the Financial Ombudsman Service levy

• Developments in the FCA’s thinking on a future regulatory framework for cryptoassets

The discussion explores the practical implications for advisers, compliance teams and regulated firms, highlighting where firms may need to review existing approaches, improve consumer understanding and prepare for future regulatory change.

In this episode of Beyond the Buzz, Vicky Pearce and Rachel MacRae unpack the latest regulatory developments shaping the financial services landscape. They explore the FCA’s renewed focus on the SIPP market through consultation CP26/20, highlighting the shift toward stronger oversight, clearer expectations, and more robust due diligence, particularly for higher-risk investments and third-party reliance.

The discussion also covers PIMFA’s new guide on non-financial misconduct, emphasising why culture, behaviour, and accountability are now firmly in scope for regulators ahead of the FCA’s updated rules coming into force in September 2026.

We also break down insights from the FCA’s review of financial crime controls in insurance, including common weaknesses and the importance of clear accountability frameworks such as RACI. Rounding off the episode are quick updates on shareholder voting practices and a practical FCA guide for smaller credit brokers.

A must-listen for compliance professionals looking to stay ahead of regulatory expectations.

In this episode of Beyond the Buzz, Vicky Pearce and Rachel MacRae unpack the latest regulatory developments from the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). They explore proposed increases to market abuse fines, why the regulator is placing greater emphasis on personal accountability, and what the Carlos Fuenmayor case means for senior managers.

The conversation also examines the growing role of later life lending in retirement planning, the FCA's push for more holistic financial advice, and how firms are expected to balance Consumer Duty obligations with data protection requirements. Finally, they discuss the increasing use of AI and data analytics in preventing financial crime and what these changes mean for firms, advisers, and consumers alike.

Whether you're working in financial services, compliance, or regulation, this episode provides a practical overview of the FCA's evolving expectations and the direction of travel for the UK financial industry.

This week on Beyond the Buzz, Vicky Pearce and Rachel MacRae unpack a busy week of FCA developments. The regulator is proposing greater flexibility in mortgage lending, with changes aimed at supporting borrowers with non-standard incomes and encouraging more proportionate affordability assessments.

The discussion then turns to the latest Anti-Money Laundering updates, including new risk-based due diligence expectations, crypto-related considerations, and the long-awaited conversion of key thresholds from euros to sterling.

The hosts also examine the FCA's response to industry criticism of its controversial enforcement publicity proposals, including the launch of Enforcement Watch and what the regulator's latest comments reveal about its evolving approach to transparency.

Finally, they explore the FCA's latest thinking on artificial intelligence and emerging technologies, covering governance expectations, synthetic crime risks, programmable finance, and why firms should expect increasing regulatory attention on AI without necessarily seeing new AI-specific rules.

In this week's episode of Beyond the Buzz, Vicky Pearce and Rachel MacRae unpack the FCA's latest quarterly consultation paper, including proposals to simplify climate-related reporting requirements for asset managers and reduce regulatory burden while maintaining meaningful disclosures for investors.

They also discuss the recent RegData submission deadline and why firms should view the FCA's Regulatory Priorities Report as more than a compliance exercise. The conversation then turns to the FCA's warning to football clubs over cryptoasset sponsorship arrangements, the regulator's continued focus on finfluencers, forthcoming changes to AML guidance, and proposals to simplify pension value assessments for consumers.

Join us as we cut through the noise and explore the latest developments shaping the regulatory landscape.

In this episode of Beyond the Buzz, Vicky Pearce and Rachel MacRae unpack the FCA’s latest review of firms’ sanctions systems and controls, highlighting persistent weaknesses in customer due diligence, screening, alert handling, and governance. They also explore the FCA’s findings on financial promotion approvers, the importance of Consumer Duty in promotion approvals, and the regulatory risks of relying on templates and inadequate oversight.

The pair then provide a quick-fire overview of key updates from FCA Handbook Notice 141, including changes to consumer credit reporting requirements and amendments to UK EMIR clearing thresholds for commodity derivatives. Finally, they discuss the FCA’s call for new members of the Smaller Business Practitioner Panel and why it represents an important opportunity for senior leaders in smaller regulated firms to help shape future regulation.

In this episode of Beyond the Buzz, we break down the rapid rise of frontier AI and why regulators are starting to sound the alarm. From cyber risks that could escalate at machine speed to the growing responsibility on senior management, the message is clear: doing the basics well is no longer enough.

We also explore a more supportive side of the FCA as it expands its Scale-up Unit, offering hands-on guidance for fast-growing firms navigating regulation.

Plus, we unpack a staggering real-world cyber failure that led to a £963,900 fine, showing exactly how small weaknesses can spiral into major incidents.

To round things off, we look at ChatGPT’s move into personal finance in the US and what it could mean for UK firms, advisers, and the future of financial advice.