UK blockchain startup launches equity crowdfunding round July 12, 2018 | Sponsored For venture-minded investors who have yet to make any major forays into the tantalising yet potentially risky ICO world of blockchain and cryptocurrency, one equity investment opportunity live now on Crowdcube may prove to be a gateway. Introducing: the bank account based on blockchain BABB (Bank Account Based Blockchain) is a UK-based startup. It is building [...]
How the UK’s regulatory framework protects P2P investors December 7, 2017 | Sponsored The peer-to-peer (P2P) lending market was established in 2005, when Zopa became the first platform to connect individual lenders directly with borrowers. Since then, the market has evolved rapidly, as have the regulations underpinning investor protection – and this looks set to continue. In the UK, the sector has been overseen by the [...]
The poorest have most to gain from the Financial Conduct Authority making it easier to innovate August 25, 2015 One of the FCA’s statutory objectives is to promote effective competition in the financial services sector in the interests of consumers. As the economy continues to settle into a new phase, it is fair to ask whether the FCA should adjust the balance of its focus on market enforcement and instead ensure resources are [...]
FCA drops investigation into Quindell in light of Serious Fraud Office probe August 18, 2015 The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has dropped its investigation into troubled insurance outsourcer Quindell with immediate effect, making way for the criminal investigation being carried out by the Serious Fraud Office (SFO). "Quindell announces that it has been informed by the FCA that, in light of the investigation by the SFO into past business and accounting [...]
Struggling banks must not be immune to watchdog’s bite August 12, 2015 It's two years since “saying it with Flowers” gained entry into the lexicon of British banking. This week’s dual censure from the banking and City regulators will have felt like groundhog day to Niall Booker and the rest of the Co-operative Bank’s management. The Treasury Select Committee and a review by Sir Christopher [...]
Regulators rule out huge fines in Co-op Bank probe August 11, 2015 The City’s watchdogs are set to announce the conclusion of their 18-month enforcement probe into the Co-operative Bank today, with the scandal-hit lender expected to avoid any threat of huge fines. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) launched their investigations of the troubled firm in January 2014. The regulators will [...]
Bank executives fear regulation is harming the UK’s international competitiveness August 10, 2015 Tough regulation of the banking sector is harming the UK’s international competitiveness, according to a poll of executives published this morning. Thousands of pages of regulation were written up in response to the financial crisis, and new rules are constantly being added to them. But many of the rules are negatively affecting the UK’s global [...]
Quindell shares expected to resume trading tomorrow it reports £238m loss reported and restates previous year’s results amid FCA investigation August 5, 2015 Quindell shares are expected to resume trading tomorrow after more than a month of suspension from Aim, as it reported annual losses of £238m in the latest chapter in a tumultuous saga which has spurred a second investigation by a City regulator. An investigation by the Financial Reporting Council (FRC) has forced the company to restate [...]
Quindell suspended from Aim as FCA begins investigation August 5, 2015 Quindell has requested temporary suspension from Aim, and is being investigated by the FCA, after admitting some of its practices were “at the aggressive end of acceptable”. The Financial Conduct Authority confirmed it had begun an investigation into public statements made regarding Quindell’s financial accounts during 2013 and 2014. The City watchdog would be [...]
FCA bans ex-trader Lee Stewart over Libor-rigging scandal July 30, 2015 The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has banned another former Rabobank trader over their role in the Libor rate-rigging scandal. The regulator banned Lee Stewart from the financial services industry for lacking honesty and integrity. Earlier this year Stewart pleaded guilty in the US for his role in a conspiracy to manipulate Rabobank’s US dollar Libor submissions. "Mr Stewart [...]