Blog

Funds and Asset Management

Avoiding Common Errors in FCA Authorisation: A Guide for Asset Management Firms

In our latest blog fscom explores the most common errors with recent asset management authorisation applications, as published by the FCA.

19/04/2024

Operational Resilience

Operational Resilience: How do we address the risks of Critical Third Parties in the UK financial sector?

In this blog, Senior Manager David Norton discusses the dependence on AWS, Microsoft and other global suppliers by financial services firms, and the struggle to manage this ‘over-reliance’ on critical third parties (CTPs) that are intrinsic to the entire UK financial sector.

20/03/2024

Consumer Duty

The Consumer Duty Annual reports: reporting to the Board and the Board’s report

In this blog, I will explore the type of information to be presented to the Board and, importantly, how the Board should respond. And, as per true, fscom-super-helpful style, we have two templates to share with clients and prospective clients alike.

15/03/2024

Press release

fscom expands asset and fund management offering with acquisition of FMConsult

fscom (www.fscom.co), the leading governance risk and compliance consultancy, has acquired FMConsult, the risk and compliance solutions provider to asset managers across the UK and Ireland. This acquisition accelerates fscom’s expansion into asset and fund management consolidating its position as a leading authority within the sector.

12/03/2024

Press release

fscom Recognised as FT’s Leading Management Consultants in 2024

In this press release, fscom is proud to announce its inclusion in the Financial Times UK’s Leading Management Consultants ratings for 2024.

29/02/2024

Capital Markets

Key Trends Facing the UK Capital Markets Sector in 2024

At our Q1 2024 Capital Markets Regulatory Outlook event, we heard from fscom’s CEO, Jamie Cooke, on the outlook for the industry and the challenges facing firms over the next 12 months. Key focus areas discussed on the evening included innovation and digital assets, sustainable finance, prudential regulation, wind–down planning and CASS, operational resilience, consumer duty and financial crime.

29/02/2024

Regulatory Outlook

2024 Regulatory Outlook Report: The Key Trends Shaping Ireland’s Payment and E-money Sector

This report brings together insights from an event where a number of experts from fscom, Fintech, banking and the broader financial services sector spoke on the key regulatory trends shaping the payments industry last month.

29/02/2024

Regulatory Outlook

The key trends shaping the UK payments and e-money sector

In this blog we bring together insights from an event where eight experts from fscom, Fintech, banking and the regulator spoke on the key regulatory trends shaping the industry last month. The fscom conference in London was attended by over 250 representatives from the payments and e-money sector.

29/02/2024

Banking

Key trends facing the banking sector in 2024

At our Q1 2024 Banking Regulatory Outlook event, we heard from fscom experts, Rick Seehra, Alison Donnelly and David Norton along with guest speaker, Aris Asimakis, CRO of CashPlus. Key focus areas discussed during the lunch included: Building effective relationships between financial institutions and the regulators; Operational resilience; Consumer Duty.

29/02/2024

Prudential Risk

Keeping the funds flowing: how should payment and e-money firms handle prudential risk?

In this blog, we consider the FCA’s expectations of how payment and e-money institutions should handle prudential risk.

27/02/2024

ICARA

Navigating ICARA: Key Priorities for Investment Firms in 2024

In this blog, fscom’s Director Rick Seehra helps firms understand how to develop their ICARA, from a compliance exercise, into a practical risk management tool that adds real value to their business.

22/02/2024

Fincrime

FCA identifies four areas of focus for reducing and preventing financial crime

In this blog, Senior Manager, Anna Sweeney summarises the FCA’s recent update on the progress they have made to address its key priority of reducing and preventing financial crime and the look ahead on the four areas of focus on this for the coming year.

21/02/2024

Safeguarding

Fixing the safeguarding regime to keep the money safe

Read our latest blog by Director and Head of Payments, Alison Donnelly, “Fixing the safeguarding regime to keep the money safe”.

20/02/2024

Press release

fscom partners with Grath to offer enhanced GRC solution

In this press release, fscom partners with leading regulatory compliance platform Grath to offer enhanced financial regulatory technology solutions.

15/02/2024

Press release

‘Keep the customers’ money safe’ is the top priority for payment and e-money institutions in the UK

Read this press release from our 2024 UK Payments Regulatory Outlook which took place in One Moorgate Place, London.

09/02/2024

Financial Promotions

Preparing for the FCA’s Financial Promotions Gateway: Is Your Firm Ready?

Associate Director, Azariah Nukajam discusses the forthcoming deadline which will see a new regulatory gateway through which authorised firms must pass before they can approve the financial promotions of unauthorised firms.

31/01/2024

Banking

2024 Priorities: PRA’s Dear CEO letter to UK Deposit Takers

This blog discusses the PRA’s Dear CEO Letter and the outlined key priorities for UK deposit takers in 2024, shedding light on the crucial areas that demand attention and strategic focus.

24/01/2024

Press release

fscom appoints Nick Owen as Independent Non-Executive Director

fscom announces the appointment of Nick Owen as an Independent Non-Executive Director (INED) to its Board.

11/01/2024

Uncategorized

Guide to authorisation as a payment or e-money institution in the UK

Download this guide to the UK’s authorisation requirements for anyone considering making an application to the FCA to become a payment or e-money institution.

30/11/2023

Press release

fscom appoints Rick Seehra as Head of Banking

Read this blog where, fscom announces the appointment of Rick Seehra as Head of Banking. With 13 years’ experience in the financial services sector, Rick brings extensive expertise in prudential risk and compliance knowledge.

06/11/2023

Operational Resilience

Strengthening Operational Resilience as Ireland’s Regulatory Deadline Approaches

In this blog, we look at the rising importance of operational resilience to all financial services firms in Ireland and the EU, and explain the steps companies should take to satisfy the regulator’s expectations.

25/10/2023

Safeguarding

CBI’s safeguarding expectations of payment and e-money institutions – a timely reminder

As the safeguarding deadline approaches for payment and e-money institutions in Ireland, this blog sets out the main takeaways from fscom’s safeguarding webinar held earlier this year.

19/10/2023

Press release

fscom wins big at Compliance Register Platinum Awards

fscom was named ‘Best Consultancy Firm’ in the client-nominated awards, while consultant Heather O’Gorman achieved the ‘Compliance Rising Star’ award and Azariah Nukajam was named ‘Best Compliance Consultant’.

13/10/2023

Individual Accountability Framework, SEAR

Individual Accountability Framework Report 2023: Your Guide to Success

This blog discusses the key areas within the “Individual Accountability Regime (IAF) Report 2023,” written by our Head of Investments, Azariah Nukajam.

11/10/2023

Cryptoassets

What the Travel Rule means for cryptoasset transfers in the UK

In this blog, we summarise a recent Partners in finCrime Podcast episode on the new regulation, its impact on firms and their expert analysis of the Travel Rule.

21/09/2023

AML, Fincrime

Unveiling Key Challenges in Financial Crime Compliance: The Financial Crime Compliance Report 2023

In this blog, we unveil key challenges in Financial Crime Compliance from the Financial Crime Compliance Report 2023.

20/09/2023

CASS Audit

Planning for your annual CASS Audit

In this blog, we identify the key steps investment firms should take to perform well in an audit, and to improve their overall confidence in safeguarding client money and assets.

01/09/2023

Financial Promotions

Qualifying cryptoassets to be brought within the UK financial promotions regime

Azariah Nukajam discusses the impending deadline which will see cryptoasset firms brought within the UK financial promotions regime, what that practically means for qualifying firms and the steps they should take now to ensure they are ready by October.

22/08/2023

Fincrime

What does the Nigel Farage story mean for banks’ requirements to manage PEP risk?

Evan McGookin and Chris Vaughan from fscom’s financial crime team went behind the headlines in a recent episode of our podcast, Partners in fincrime. In this blog, we summarise their expert analysis of the Farage case and wider PEP risk in general.

18/08/2023

Safeguarding

Fixing the safeguarding regime to keep the money safe

Read our latest blog by Director and Head of Payments, Alison Donnelly, “Fixing the safeguarding regime to keep the money safe”.

20/02/2024

Safeguarding

CBI’s safeguarding expectations of payment and e-money institutions – a timely reminder

As the safeguarding deadline approaches for payment and e-money institutions in Ireland, this blog sets out the main takeaways from fscom’s safeguarding webinar held earlier this year.

19/10/2023

Cybersecurity

How to secure your information with ISO 27001

fscom’s cyber security experts Nick Gumbley and Will Finn recently held a webinar on how to use ISO 27001 to secure your company’s information.

24/11/2022

Cybersecurity

fscom continues expansion of Cyber Risk Team

fscom has announced its continued investment and expansion of its Cyber Risk Team with the recent appointment of Senior Manager, Will Finn.

21/07/2022

Cybersecurity, Operational Resilience

The building blocks of operational resilience for financial services firms

fscom’s experts in financial crime, cyber security and regulatory compliance offered their advice in a recent webinar.

09/12/2021

Cybersecurity

New Associate Director appointed to fscom’s Cyber Security team

fscom is delighted to expand its growing team with the appointment of a new Associate Director of Cyber Security, Nick Gumbley.

13/09/2021

Cryptoassets

What the Travel Rule means for cryptoasset transfers in the UK

In this blog, we summarise a recent Partners in finCrime Podcast episode on the new regulation, its impact on firms and their expert analysis of the Travel Rule.

21/09/2023

Cryptoassets

How To Conduct Crypto and Token Financial Crime Risk Assessments

In this blog, Chris Vaughan, explains how firms should carry out risk assessments to understand and mitigate the financial crime risk from cryptoassets and tokens.

04/07/2023

AML, Cryptoassets

AML in Crypto: A beginners Guide

Senior Compliance Associate, Chris Vaughan created a handbook that aims to be the go-to guide for financial crime compliance professionals of any level of seniority who are starting out in the world of cryptoassets.

12/04/2022

Cryptoassets, fscom Ireland

The 5th Money Laundering Directive – Transposition into Irish Law

The Criminal Justice Act (CJA) 2021 became effective on 23rd April 2021 with the transposition of the 5th Anti-Money Laundering Directive (5MLD) into Irish Law.

02/09/2021

Cryptoassets, Fincrime

UK Cryptoasset Registration – How To Best Prepare Your Firm

Crypto firms operating in the UK, prior to 10th January 2020, are required, in compliance with the 5th Anti-Money Laundering Directive (5MLD), to register with the FCA and be compliant with the MLRs 2017, as amended.

29/07/2021

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