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Banking and capital markets insights

Read our latest banking and capital markets insights.
4 Nov 2026

UK FS regulatory affairs newsletter – Q4 2026

In the last quarter of 2026, financial services firms continue to navigate a rapidly evolving landscape shaped by regulatory change, technological innovation, risk management priorities and a heightened focus on operational resilience. Our quarterly financial services regulatory newsletter provides a comprehensive overview of topics relevant to firms operating across the UK financial services sector.

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22 Oct 2026

Tax internal audit in financial services

Technical compliance alone does not give leaders confidence that tax governance and controls work as intended across the organisation. A tax internal audit provides independent tax assurance by assessing how tax risks are identified, owned, controlled and reported.

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21 Oct 2026

Financial crime regulatory developments: Sept 2026

September focused on strengthening anti-money laundering, financial crime and sanctions frameworks, while addressing emerging money laundering risks. Key developments included the UK's new AML and asset recovery strategy, FCA updates on AML supervisory reform, continued crypto-asset enforcement and regulatory changes, and FATF guidance on hawala networks and gaming-related risks.

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2 Oct 2026

How is the role of the CRO changing?

Risk leaders are navigating an increasingly interconnected environment spanning operational resilience, technology, third parties, transformation and artificial intelligence. Yet the answer cannot simply be for the risk function to assume responsibility whenever a new risk emerges.

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24 Sept 2026

Motor finance consumer redress for lenders

While legal challenges have delayed the implementation of the FCA's motor finance consumer redress scheme, firms should use this period to strengthen operational readiness, refine contingency plans and address wider regulatory expectations.

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18 Sept 2026

Motor finance consumer redress for dealers

Although the FCA's latest feedback is aimed primarily at lenders, it has important implications for dealers. With firms expected to continue preparing despite ongoing legal challenges, dealers should take steps now to assess records, strengthen processes and prepare for future information requests.

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14 Sept 2026

Financial crime developments: Aug 2026

August saw significant developments in AML supervision, sanctions compliance and corporate transparency. Regulators increased scrutiny of higher-risk firms, reinforced sanctions obligations through enforcement action and continued to strengthen Companies House reforms aimed at tackling economic crime.

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4 Aug 2026

Double default modelling

Credit guarantees are a fundamental feature of corporate lending. Yet when estimating Expected Credit Losses (ECL), many institutions continue to rely on simplified approaches that may not fully reflect how guarantees work in practice.

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3 Aug 2026

UK FS regulatory affairs newsletter – Q3 2026

In the third quarter of 2026, our experts commented on several key regulatory developments and industry trends. Our quarterly financial services regulatory newsletter provides a comprehensive overview of topics relevant to firms operating across the UK financial services sector.

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20 Jul 2026

IFPR ICARA Assessment A

IFPR is now well into its fourth year since the regime’s introduction. Most firms have completed multiple ICARA cycles, templates are embedded, and firms have significant experience populating the MIF007 returns.

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15 Jul 2026

Navigating uncertainty in UK financial services

UK financial services (FS) leaders enter the second half of 2026 with a striking duality: broad optimism about growth, tempered by a clear-eyed recognition that uncertainty is no longer a passing phase but the new operating environment.

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1 Jul 2026

The importance of stress testing in FS

For banks and insurers, the nature of stress has changed. Risks now emerge faster, interact more closely, and escalate across financial, operational and strategic dimensions at speed. Episodes that once unfolded over months can crystallise in days.

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22 Jun 2026

Liquidity risk lessons for an FS-wide challenge

Liquidity risk has become a fast moving, highly visible threat across financial services. Digital models, social media and intraday pressures demand board level ownership and robust execution, offering critical lessons that extend well beyond banking.

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15 May 2026

New US regulatory capital framework implications

Global banking regulation is entering a new phase. The proposed US regulatory capital reforms represent one of the most consequential changes to the prudential framework in recent years, with significant implications for internationally active banks operating across multiple jurisdictions.

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12 May 2026

Navigating regulatory complexity in FS

Despite continued geopolitical, regulatory and technological uncertainty, confidence across the financial services sector remains strong. This year’s C-suite barometer points to a broadly positive outlook, with leaders remaining confident in their ability to grow, transform and manage disruption in an increasingly complex business environment.

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30 Apr 2026

Basel III: The new US proposals

US regulators recently proposed a significant recalibration of their capital framework. As Basel III now plays out differently across the US, UK and EU, this article compares the approaches and assesses the implications for internationally active banks.

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29 Apr 2026

AMLA: a unified, data-driven AML/CFT framework

The Authority for Anti-Money Laundering (AMLA) has released its 2026-2028 work programme, marking the operational launch of Europe’s AML/CFT framework into a unified, data‑driven supervisory architecture. The programme strengthens systemic supervision, ensuring consistent risk assessment and supervision across the Union and in doing so, redefines supervisory expectations for European financial institutions.

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29 Apr 2026

Motor Finance Consumer Redress Scheme

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has recently published its Motor Finance Consumer Redress Scheme. This article sets out the key components of an automated tool that is auditable and gives the regulator confidence in its completeness, accuracy and appropriateness.

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23 Apr 2026

Basel 3.1: changes to Pillar 2A

The Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) published consultation paper CP12/25 in May 2025 as the first phase of a two-stage overhaul of Pillar 2A methodologies, with final rules published in January 2026.

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9 Apr 2026

FCA consumer understanding

The FCA’s latest report, published on 13 March 2026, provides valuable insight into how effectively firms are meeting the consumer understanding outcome of the Consumer Duty.

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31 Mar 2026

Motor Finance Redress Scheme final publication

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) published its final Motor Finance Consumer redress scheme on 30 March, marking a pivotal development for lenders and dealers/brokers in the motor finance sector. This scheme introduces several significant operational and methodological changes, reshaping the landscape of consumer compensation for historic motor finance commission arrangements.

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5 Mar 2026

Interest Rate Risk Management

The International Accounting Standard Board (IASB) has published proposals to replace existing IAS 39 macro-hedge accounting requirements and intends to withdraw IAS 39 in its entirety. In addition new disclosure requirements about interest rate management activities are being proposed to be mandated.

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4 Feb 2026

Basel 3.1: Are you ready for the new rules?

The delay in implementation of Basel 3.1 offers banks a valuable window to recalibrate compliance strategies, strengthen system capabilities, and position themselves to navigate the complexities of the new framework with confidence.

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Basel 3.1: Final rules key focus

The Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) has now published the final Basel 3.1 rules in Policy Statement PS1/26, marking the completion of one of the most significant overhauls of the UK capital framework in over a decade.

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20 Jan 2026

PRA Supervisory Priorities 2026

The Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) published its supervisory priorities for 2026 in two letters, one for the UK deposit takers[1] and one for international banks[2], on 15 January 2026, outlining how it will deliver its strategic priorities for the coming year.

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15 Jan 2026

Cyber risks are disclosed on annual reports

Investors and other stakeholders want to understand how cyber and other digital risks affect an organisation and the governance processes in place to manage these risks. We provide top tips for effective reporting on cyber risks by financial institutions in their annual report and accounts.

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12 Jan 2026

Preparing for the Declaration under Provision 29

In 2024, the Financial Reporting Council (FRC) revised the UK Corporate Governance Code (the “new Code”). While this is mandatory for UK-listed companies, building societies are encouraged to disclose their corporate governance arrangements in their annual reports, although they are not subject to specific statutory requirements.

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8 Oct 2025

FCA consults on Motor Finance Redress Scheme

The FCA has launched a six-week consultation on a proposed redress scheme for Motor Finance commission arrangements, aiming to resolve longstanding concerns, provide clarity for consumers, and guide lenders through a structured path to compensation and compliance.

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Understanding Basel 3.1

On 1 January 2027, the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) is implementing the biggest changes to the capital regime for banks in over a decade. This reform package is commonly known as Basel 3.1.

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