Financial regulation is a broad set of policies that apply to the financial sector in most jurisdictions, justified by two main features of finance: systemic risk, which implies that the failure of financial firms involves public interest considerations; and information asymmetry, which justifies curbs on freedom of contract in selected areas of financial services, particularly those that involve retail clients and/or Principal–agent problems. An integral part of financial regulation is the supervision of designated financial firms and markets by specialized authorities such as securities commissions and bank supervisors.
The Financial Services Authority (FSA) was a quasi-judicial body accountable for the regulation of the financial services industry in the United Kingdom between 2001 and 2013. It was founded as the Securities and Investments Board (SIB) in 1985. Its board was appointed by the Treasury, although it operated independently of government. It was structured as a company limited by guarantee and was funded entirely by fees charged to the financial services industry.
In financial services, a broker-dealer is a natural person, company or other organization that engages in the business of trading securities for its own account or on behalf of its customers. Broker-dealers are at the heart of the securities and derivatives trading process.
The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) is an independent commission of the Australian Government tasked as the national corporate regulator. ASIC's role is to regulate company and financial services and enforce laws to protect Australian consumers, investors and creditors. ASIC was established on 1 July 1998 following recommendations from the Wallis Inquiry. ASIC's authority and scope are determined by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission Act 2001.
The United Kingdom's Financial Services and Markets Tribunal was an independent judicial body established under Section 132 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000, which heard references arising from decision notices issued by the Financial Services Authority (FSA). In April 2010 the tribunal was abolished and its functions were transferred to the Upper Tribunal.
An open-ended investment company or investment company with variable capital is a type of open-ended collective investment formed as a corporation under the Open-Ended Investment Company Regulations 2001 in the United Kingdom. The terms "OEIC" and "ICVC" are used interchangeably with different investment managers favouring one over the other. In the UK OEICs are the preferred legal form for new open-ended investment over the older unit trust.
The Financial Ombudsman Service is an ombudsman in the United Kingdom. It was established in 2000, and given statutory powers in 2001 by the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000, to help settle disputes between consumers and UK-based businesses providing financial services, such as banks, building societies, insurance companies, investment firms, financial advisers and finance companies.
The Bank Holding Company Act of 1956 is a United States Act of Congress that regulates the actions of bank holding companies.
Land banking is the practice of aggregating parcels of land for future sale or development.
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) is the regulatory body for solicitors in England and Wales.
The Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) is the UK's statutory compensation scheme for customers of UK authorised financial services firms. This means that FSCS can step in to pay compensation if a firm is unable, or likely to be unable, to pay claims against it. Compensation can be in any form and by any method that at the FSCS determines is appropriate. FSCS is an operationally independent body, set up under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (FSMA), and funded by a levy on authorised financial services firms. The scheme rules of the FSCS are made by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and are contained in the FCA's Handbook. The FCA also appoint its Board and the FSCS is ultimately accountable to the FCA. The scheme covers deposits, insurance, debt management, funeral plans, insurance, investments, pensions, mortgages and payment protection insurance.
The Legal Services Act 2007 is an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom that seeks to liberalise and regulate the market for legal services in England and Wales, to encourage more competition and to provide a new route for consumer complaints. It also makes provisions about the Legal Profession and Legal Aid (Scotland) Act 2007.
In England and Wales, a claims management company is a business that offers claims management services to the public. Claims management services consist of advice or services in respect of claims for compensation, restitution, repayment or any other remedy for loss or damage, or in respect of some other obligation. Claims management services cover litigation, or claims under regulation schemes or voluntary arrangements.
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) is a financial regulatory body in the United Kingdom which operates independently of the UK Government and is financed by charging fees to members of the financial services industry. The FCA regulates financial firms providing services to consumers and maintains the integrity of the financial markets in the United Kingdom.
The Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) is a United Kingdom financial services regulatory body, formed as one of the successors to the Financial Services Authority (FSA). The authority is responsible for the prudential regulation and supervision of banks, building societies, credit unions, insurers and major investment firms. It sets standards and supervises financial institutions at the level of the individual firm. Although it was initially structured as a limited company wholly owned by the Bank of England, the PRA's functions have now been taken over by the Bank and are exercised through the Prudential Regulation Committee. The company has since been liquidated.
Moneycorp is an international payments fintech that provides payment products and services. The company was founded in London in 1979. Its clients include corporations, financial institutions, and individuals and it has a footprint in the United Kingdom, North America, Europe, Brazil, Hong Kong, and the United Arab Emirates.
Financial regulation in Australia is extensive and detailed.
The Controlled Functions of the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) are simplifying code names given to various functions within the financial services and relating to the carrying on of regulated activities by a firm. These are specified, under section 59 of the Financial Services and Markets Act which still stands as the reference after the FSA split into the FCA and the PRA. The FCA is solely responsible for all applications for approval for FCA Designated Controlled Functions for all FCA solo regulated firms.
Plus500 is a global fintech firm providing online trading services in contracts for difference (CFDs), share dealing, futures trading and options on futures. The company has subsidiaries in the UK, Cyprus, Australia, Israel, Seychelles, Singapore, Bulgaria, Estonia, the United States and Japan. It is listed on the London Stock Exchange and is a constituent of the FTSE 250 Index.
The WeRe Bank of England is a Manchester-based website created in 2015 by sovereign citizen Alan Peter Smith, which presents itself as a banking organization. The site promotes various pseudolaw conspiracy theories, and sells books of cheques which resemble standard British bank cheques but which have no value, that are falsely implied to be a means of debt elimination Various financial regulators in the UK and in other jurisdictions have issued public warnings noting that it is not a legitimate banking institution.
