FCA uncovers widespread financial promotions failings

Carmen Reichman
clock

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has said firms must do more to ensure advertisements do not mislead consumers after it found 227 cases of non-compliant promotions in the consumer credit sector.

The regulator reviewed 1,500 financial promotions for consumer credit products and said it opened 227 cases about non-compliant promotions for products such as payday loans, debt management services and credit brokers. It said a predominant problem was firms' failure to display a suitable risk warning or representative APR in advertisements of high-cost short-term credit. The vast majority (80%) of problems occurred in digital media, such as websites, emails and text messages, it said. The FCA said firms "responded positively" when contacted and were quick to make the required chan...

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

SDR extension plans will ensure 'uniform standard' for portfolios

SDR extension plans will ensure 'uniform standard' for portfolios

The Financial Conduct Authority’s (FCA) plan to include portfolio management in the remit of the Sustainable Disclosure Requirements (SDR) has been described as a “crucial” step for inclusion and the protection of retail investors.

Cristian Angeloni
clock 24 April 2024 • 4 min read
FCA proposes advisers and platforms 'must' communicate SDR labels

FCA proposes advisers and platforms 'must' communicate SDR labels

Distributors also must provide access to consumer-facing disclosures

Isabel Baxter
clock 23 April 2024 • 1 min read
Scenario modelling: Meeting the FCA's retirement expectations

Scenario modelling: Meeting the FCA's retirement expectations

Meeting regulatory standards and maximising good client outcomes

Stephen Ford
clock 22 April 2024 • 5 min read