FSA successor to protect 'irrational' investors

clock

Investors cannot be counted on to make rational choices so regulators need to "step into their footprints" and limit or ban the sale of potentially harmful products, the head of the UK's new consumer protection watchdog said.

In an interview with the Financial Times, Martin Wheatley, who will head up the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), said the 2008 financial crisis had fundamentally reshaped regulators' assumptions about consumers. "You have to assume that you don't have rational consumers. Faced with complex decisions or too much information, they default ...

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

Advertising watchdog censures whisky cask and gold investment firm

Advertising watchdog censures whisky cask and gold investment firm

ASA upholds four complaints against Cap Group

Isabel Baxter
clock 08 July 2026 • 3 min read
FCA review predicts AI will reshape investment management through 'agentic finance'

FCA review predicts AI will reshape investment management through 'agentic finance'

Sheldon Mills review

clock 06 July 2026 • 3 min read
News editor's view: FCA continues to bring the heat 

News editor's view: FCA continues to bring the heat 

The news editor's Friday Night Takeaway from 3 July

Isabel Baxter
clock 03 July 2026 • 3 min read