The FCA has launched a drive to assist corporations by way of the transition to the brand new Shopper Obligation necessities in July.
The regulator says that it’ll assist corporations with a “programme of engagement” together with regional in-person occasions for particular teams of small and medium-sized corporations.
The FCA can also be writing to corporations setting out the brand new necessities with completely different letters for key sectors equivalent to asset administration, shopper investments and life insurance coverage.
The Shopper Obligation would require corporations to deal with clients pretty and transparently all through their buyer journey. The watchdog believes the Obligation will increase shopper safety requirements.
The ‘Expensive CEO’ letters will set out the Obligation expectations for corporations. Some letters have already been despatched with others, for instance to retail finance suppliers and mortgage intermediaries, to be despatched shortly.
As corporations proceed to prepare for the implementation of the Shopper Obligation, the Monetary Conduct Authority (FCA) says it’ll assist corporations embed the brand new Obligation necessities.
Sheldon Mills, govt director of customers and competitors on the FCA, mentioned: “We need to thank corporations for the onerous work they’re placing into embedding the Obligation. We had been inspired to see many examples of fine observe in our evaluation of implementation plans and located that many corporations are embracing the shift that the Shopper Obligation brings.
“Placing good outcomes for purchasers on the coronary heart of corporations’ methods and enterprise targets will construct belief and modernise how we regulate monetary providers.
“Leaders have a key function to play right here. We’ve a world-leading monetary providers business which serves its clients, colleagues and shareholders properly by way of competitors, innovation and leveraging expertise. We need to see boards and senior administration additional embed the pursuits of consumers into their corporations’ tradition and objective.”
The FCA says the Shopper Obligation is a “cornerstone” of its three-year technique and can introduce a extra “outcomes-focused” method to shopper safety and units greater expectations for the usual of care that corporations present clients.
The FCA additionally believes the Obligation will result in a “simplified and fewer reactive” type of regulation, which can permit corporations to innovate and compete extra successfully.
