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

FCA bans three behind £35.5m scheme designed to bypass investor visa rules

FCA bans three behind £35.5m scheme designed to bypass investor visa rules

Dolfin Financial’s Denisz Nagy, Sanjay Maraj and Roman Joukovski banned

Sophia Panayi
clock 26 August 2026 • 2 min read
Cost of FCA action over illegal finfluencer promotions hits almost £250,000

Cost of FCA action over illegal finfluencer promotions hits almost £250,000

FOI request

Michael Nelson
clock 21 August 2026 • 4 min read
FOS reveals next phase of reforms

FOS reveals next phase of reforms

Including new powers to dismiss certain cases

Isabel Baxter
clock 11 August 2026 • 3 min read