Wheatley: FSA was too robotic

Laura Miller
clock

Martin Wheatley, chief executive of the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), has branded the previous watchdog - the Financial Services Authority (FSA) - "too robotic" in its approach to regulation.

In a speech in London yesterday, Wheatley criticised the FSA for pushing a "box ticking" culture in financial services which was "too captured by the interests of firms" and which did not always result in the best outcome for consumers. "Too often our response was overly reliant on regulation by rote. We built ever more rules and guidance about how to build a compliant process. It was robotic. Too captured by the interests of firms. "What we did too little was look at outcomes, so not ask ‘was the sale compliant?', but ‘did it achieve a good outcome?'" Wheatley said "mechanistic pr...

To continue reading this article...

Join Professional Adviser for free

  • Unlimited access to real-time news, industry insights and market intelligence
  • Stay ahead of the curve with spotlights on emerging trends and technologies
  • Receive breaking news stories straight to your inbox in the daily newsletters
  • Make smart business decisions with the latest developments in regulation, investing retirement and protection
  • Members-only access to the editor’s weekly Friday commentary
  • Be the first to hear about our events and awards programmes

Join

 

Already a Professional Adviser member?

Login

More on Regulation

FSCS declares Glasgow firm Atlantic Investors (Scotland) failed

FSCS declares Glasgow firm Atlantic Investors (Scotland) failed

The firm was voluntarily wound up by its director at the end of 2020

Hope Coumbe
clock 22 April 2024 • 1 min read
The advice/guidance boundary review: More shades of grey?

The advice/guidance boundary review: More shades of grey?

'The feedback to the FCA is clear: rules are preferred to guidance'

Nina Cherry and Aneta Murdza
clock 09 April 2024 • 4 min read
Unauthorised director to hand investors £1.6m following FCA probe

Unauthorised director to hand investors £1.6m following FCA probe

Amount secured for investors by the FCA following High Court approval

Isabel Baxter
clock 04 April 2024 • 1 min read