Financial Services Regulatory

Our dedicated Financial Services Regulatory Practice provides both expert and solutions-focused advice to UK and international clients on all aspects of financial services law and regulation affecting their businesses. We combine industry knowledge and technical excellence, to produce solutions that are both commercial and compliant. Members of the practice work closely with colleagues in other jurisdictions on cross-border financial services issues and the impact of global reforms.

Our financial services specialists have expert knowledge, relevant in-house and regulator experience and a practical understanding of the financial services industry, its products and regulatory environment.

Our key areas of sector focus are:

  • Private banking and wealth management
  • Insurance
  • IT/technology rich businesses
  • Banking
  • Mortgages and consumer finance
  • Payment services
  • Securities and Custody
  • Corporate finance
  • Funds

We advise on all aspects of setting up, operating and developing financial services businesses, including:

  • Project work, such as regulated business start-up and expansion, product launches and implementation of new rules
  • Compliance with the rules: the requirement for authorisation, conduct of business regulation, prudential requirements and implementing necessary systems and controls
  • The relationship with the FCA and/or PRA, both at the authorisation stage, on an ongoing basis at supervision points and on a change of control
  • Addressing conduct risk and client outcome considerations in the product-design process
  • Implementing commercial arrangements, including client-facing documentation, product disclosure, investment management, trading and custody agreements, distribution and outsourcing arrangements
  • Market-related issues, such as market abuse and insider dealing, and putting in place appropriate compliance programmes
  • The impact of regulatory change and European legislation, including AIFMD, EMIR, MiFID II and MAD II/MAR, the Mortgage Market Review and RDR
  • Preparing and guiding you through regulatory enquiries and investigations
  • Structuring, setting up and marketing funds

On regulatory enforcement matters we work closely with our colleagues in Taylor Wessing’s Financial Disputes and Investigations practice; see Banking & Finance Disputes.