Would your team recognise a vulnerable customer – and know what to do next?
Vulnerability isn’t always obvious. It’s not just someone in financial difficulty. It can be someone experiencing bereavement, mental health challenges, illness, relationship breakdown, job loss, or simply feeling overwhelmed and unable to process information clearly. Under the FCA’s Consumer Duty, firms are expected not only to treat customers fairly, but to actively identify and support […]
Stressing HR out because an employee keeps making the same mistakes?
The problem might not be the person — it might be the training. When mistakes happen repeatedly, it creates pressure for everyone. You start questioning your processes.Your employee loses confidence.And the risk to your business quietly increases. In FCA-regulated firms, even small errors can have serious consequences — from complaints to regulatory scrutiny. But in […]
The FCA’s latest update on Year 2 Consumer Duty board reports sends a clear message:
We’ve moved beyond implementation. This is now about evidence, challenge, and outcomes. After reviewing 180 firms, the FCA found that while progress is being made, too many board reports still fall short where it matters most, demonstrating real impact on customer outcomes. What good looks like: Where firms are still struggling: 💡 The direction of […]
Feeling Stressed About Returning to Work? Let Compliance Be One Less Thing to Worry About
Feeling Stressed About Returning to Work? Let Compliance Be One Less Thing to Worry About Returning to work after time away, whether following annual leave, a busy period, organisational change, or wider business disruption, can feel overwhelming. For many business owners, directors, and senior managers, the pressure isn’t just about catching up on emails or […]
FCA compliance is too important to sit in a drawer – or sit with the wrong person.
One of the biggest risks we see in regulated firms is compliance being handled informally. It’s often added to someone’s existing role, reviewed occasionally, and revisited only when something goes wrong. Not because businesses don’t care – but because compliance is complex, constantly evolving, and difficult to stay fully on top of internally. This is […]
Are You Prepared for the 28th? Understanding the FCA CCR009 Return
Are You Prepared for the 28th? Understanding the FCA CCR009 Return Is your firm ready to submit its CCR009 Return? For many consumer credit firms, regulatory reporting deadlines arrive faster than expected, and the CCR009 Return is one that should never be overlooked. Submitting accurate regulatory data is a key part of demonstrating compliance with […]
Three Times Firms Got It Wrong – and Why FCA Compliance Matters
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) is stronger than ever in enforcing compliance – and getting it wrong can cost firms millions, damage reputation, and harm customers. Here are three recent examples that show why compliance isn’t optional: £44m fine for weak financial crime controls — Nationwide Building Society The FCA fined Nationwide £44 million for […]
Small mistakes rarely start as big problems
In most regulated businesses, the issues that eventually lead to FCA scrutiny, complaints, or even enforcement action usually begin with something small: a process skipped, a note not recorded, a customer vulnerability not recognised, or a policy that exists on paper but isn’t being followed in practice. At first, these things seem minor. A one-off […]
When FCA Applications Keep Getting Rejected: Why a Fresh Compliance Review Can Make the Difference
If you work in financial services, you will know that FCA applications are rarely a simple process. For many firms, it can become frustrating, time-consuming, and, at times, demoralising. Rejections, requests for further information, and repeated delays can leave business owners wondering whether they will ever reach authorisation. Recently, we supported a firm that had […]
Are you a Senior Manager or Director responsible for FCA compliance? This course was built for you.
Our FCA Consumer Compliance Full Course is designed specifically for leadership teams who carry accountability under the regulator. Because when you hold a senior role, compliance isn’t something you delegate — it’s something you are personally responsible for. This complete programme guides you through every core area you need to understand to operate safely, legally, […]