FCA refers six firms to enforcement over exit charges

Further work planned following closed book review

Carmen Reichman
clock • 3 min read

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has referred six firms to its enforcement division for investigation after it found problems with the way they treated their closed-book life insurance clients.

The regulator said in its thematic review published on 3 March it was concerned the firms had failed to inform their customers about exit or paid-up charges on certain policies. The firms being investigated, which make up more than half of the eleven firms sampled, are Abbey Life, Countrywide, Old Mutual, Police Mutual, Prudential and Scottish Widows. The FCA will investigate the firms' behaviour around disclosing exit and paid-up charges to customers after December 2008, when regulatory rules around treating customers fairly took effect. It wants to establish the reasons for the p...

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

Viewing Consumer Duty through the vulnerability lens

Viewing Consumer Duty through the vulnerability lens

Clients can be vulnerable in many ways

Mark Sanderson
clock 14 August 2025 • 4 min read
Why the FCA's data request demands more than compliance

Why the FCA's data request demands more than compliance

Shift towards data-driven regulation arrives at a 'pivotal juncture'

Claire Cherrington
clock 31 July 2025 • 4 min read
The FCA and non-financial misconduct: Updated rules and guidance

The FCA and non-financial misconduct: Updated rules and guidance

'The FCA hopes that the proposed amendments will increase clarity and consistency'

Claire Cross
clock 29 July 2025 • 4 min read