UK trade data market not working ‘as it should’ as investors pay the cost of lack of competition, says FCA March 2, 2023 A new study from the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has found competition in the wholesale data market is “not working as well as it should”, leading to extra costs for investors and savers. Trading data includes information on the prices and volumes of financial products traded and supplied by venues such as stock exchanges. The [...]
Politicians must step in to protect sport in legal minefield of trans policy – Ed Warner March 2, 2023 The ruck over transgender women participating in female sport is fiercely contested. Opinions are polarised, each side shouting in its own echo chamber. Into my inbox and into the debate drops an email from a PR agent containing a legal opinion that is a reminder that this issue is nuanced. It reinforces my own view [...]
Regulators holding back fintech firms in cost of living crunch, industry body says March 2, 2023 Regulatory red tape is stopping fintech firms from boosting financial inclusion and helping consumers through a cost of living crunch, the industry body and EY said today. In a new report, Innovate Finance and big four firm EY said today that City regulators need to quickly expand the UK’s open banking regime and loosen rules [...]
Inmarsat’s £5.4bn takeover given provisional thumbs up by UK competition agency March 1, 2023 The £5.4 billion takeover of UK satellite giant Inmarsat by US firm Viasat has been given the provisional green light by Britain’s competition watchdog as it said the merged firm would be “challenged” in the rapidly expanding sector. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) said that while the companies compete closely in the aviation sector [...]
Renters’ protection on the cards as competition watchdog launches probe into housing malpractice and land ‘banking’ February 28, 2023 Housing tenants could be given extra protections and housebuilders forced to change their practices, the competition watchdog has warned. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has announced a probe into the building and rental sectors, saying it would “need to find” any competition issues that might be holding back house building in the UK. “The [...]
Red tape for small banks to be reduced as regulator looks to boost sector’s competitiveness February 27, 2023 The banking regulator has announced plans to reduce restrictions on small banks, saying it would take its new competitiveness mandate seriously. Announcing the regulations, Vicky Saporta, executive director at the Bank of England, said: “the importance of competition means that we need to act when rules that are proportionate for large firms are not proportionate [...]
3 Great fintech jobs in London this week February 20, 2023 Searching for your next fintech job move? London should be at the top of your career bucket list. This is a city with everything you could want; bustling nightlife, a wealth of different cultures, great transport links, plus plenty of top companies with exciting opportunities––and of course, a long history of being at the heart [...]
Shadow banks: S&P warns higher borrowing costs risk contagion of ‘financial instability’ February 17, 2023 Risks to financial stability “could emerge from the shadows”, according to a report from S&P Global Ratings. The report found that higher interest rates may put pressure on the highly leveraged shadow banking sector. While traditional banks have limited exposure to shadow banks, the wider financial system could face “indirect” risks of contagion if large [...]
Small businesses risk running out of cash after post Brexit banking rules rollout February 16, 2023 New banking regulations could increase the cost of small business lending by around a third and “fundamentally change” the market as debate around the implementation of international banking rules in the UK intensifies. Regulators in the UK are scrutinising the latest round of Basel regulations, the global regulatory overhaul prompted by the financial crisis. Concerns [...]
Ex-spy chief warns balloon ‘gross transgression’ as US denies alien links February 14, 2023 A former head of MI6 has warned of a “gross transgression” by the Chinese authorities in sending a spy balloon into US airspace and urged the UK to “wake up” to the threat posed. Sir Alex Younger, who ran the UK’s foreign intelligence service from 2014 to 2020, told the BBC on 14 February that [...]