Tagged: christopher woolard

Lessons Learned: UK FCA Shares Insight into Fintech Sandbox Operation After First Year

Following the first full year of operations of the Fintech Sandbox, the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has published a report outlining lessons learned. The UK has been the trailblazer in the concept of creating a regulatory sandbox to allow innovative financial firms to work… Read More

Insurtech: FCA & Hong Kong Insurance Authority to Cooperate on Fintech

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has entered into a co-operation agreement with the Hong Kong Insurance Authority (IA) designed to enhance collaboration in supporting Fintech innovation.  The FCA explains the agreement includes information sharing and mutual referrals of Fintech firms looking to enter into either… Read More

FCA Publishes PSD2 Approach

The UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has published their approach to the EU directive known as PSD2.  This directive defines the requirements for firms that provide payment services and impacts a wide range of financial service firms including Fintechs. PSD2 ostensibly aims to improve consumer… Read More

FCA Provides Details on Scope of Investment Platforms Market Study

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has published the Terms of Reference regarding the Investment Platforms Market Study. The document will be used as a guide in the FCA review of platform. For the purposes of this study the FCA defines “platforms” broadly. The study is said… Read More

FCA Director of Competition Chris Woolard Cautions on Usage of Bitcoin

Chris Woolard, the Financial Conduct Authority’s competition Czar, has commented on the usage of cryptocurrencies. As reported by FN news, Woolard said; “We don’t prohibit regulated firms from engaging in digital currency trading, nor do we prohibit banks from offering banking services to deal with… Read More

FCA Inks Fintech Cooperation Agreement with Hong Kong

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has signed a co-operation agreement with the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) in Hong Kong. The intent of the agreement is to encourage collaboration that supports Fintech innovation. According to the document, the FCA and SFC will co-operate on information… Read More

FCA: It is Our Job to Provide the Conditions that Simplify Regulatory Complexities & Give Space for Firms to Innovate

Christopher Woolard, Executive Director of Strategy and Competition at the FCA, delivered a Keynote address today at the Innovative Finance Global Summit 2017. Woolard, the FCA’s champion for competition and thus a champion for consumers, delivered an important message regarding their regulatory mission: “It is… Read More

UK & Japan Governments Partner to Promote & Support Fintech Innovators

The Financial Services Agency of Japan (JFSA) and the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) have announced a “Co-operation Framework” to support innovative Fintech firms. This “Exchange of Letters” between the JFSA and the FCA is intended to provide a regulatory referral system for “Innovator Businesses”… Read More

FCA Publishes Consultation Paper Seeking to Improve the IPO Process

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has published a consultation paper on the initial public offering (IPO) process. The paper is part of an initiative designed to reform the UK IPO ecosystem by improving the quality of information provided to market participants. Christopher Woolard, Executive Director… Read More

Ontario Securities Commission & UK Financial Conduct Authority Sign Cooperation Agreement

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), the securities regulator in the UK, has signed a cooperation agreement with the Ontario Securities Commission (OSC).  The agreement is designed to provide support to innovative Fintech firms seeking entry into either market. The Agreement allows the FCA and the… Read More

FCA Launches Study to See if Mortgage Sector Needs More Competition

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has launched a market study to review the mortgage sector. The research hopes to determine whether or not there is sufficient competition in this sector of finance.  Competition helps consumers as providers are compelled to provide better services.  When a… Read More

UK FCA & Hong Kong Monetary Authority to Collaborate on Fintech Innovation

The UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has signed a new collaboration agreement. This time the FCA has formed a co-operation agreement with the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA).  The arrangement is for the two securities regulators to collaborate on promoting financial innovation and is similar… Read More

Marketplace Lending: The Challenge of Keeping It Simple And Transparent

LendIt Europe gathered over 900 attendees from 50 countries on the banks of the Thames river to network and hear about the latest trends in online direct lending. The tone of the conference was clearly set by the UK keynote speakers. The UK being 4… Read More

Final Report: FCA on Investment & Corporate Banking

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has published its final report on the investment and corporate banking sector.  The document was created to help foster competition in the this sector of finance.  The report reflects the interim publication that was released this past April. Christopher Woolard,… Read More

FinTech Week Speech: Christopher Woolard Chats Up RegTech Innovation

Last week at the opening of Fintech Week in the UK, Christopher Woolard, Director of Strategy and Competition at the FCA, delivered a speech on Fintech innovation and the benefits of RegTech. He also provided an update on Project Innovate since launch. Woolard, as one… Read More

London Fintech Week Opens Next Week as UK Fintech Investment Slows

The annual London Fintech Week will open on Monday with Rajesh Agrawal, Deputy Mayor for Business, kicking off the event. London is well recognized as perhaps the leading Fintech hub in the world so it is interesting to note the gathering takes place as Fintech… Read More

Financial Conduct Authority Prepares for Crowdfunding Regulatory Review

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has announced a “call for input” in preparation for an expected review of existing crowdfunding regulations in the UK. The FCA will be revisiting rules surrounding investment based crowdfunding including both debt and equity. In early 2015, the FCA conducted an… Read More

UK’s FCA Forms “Fintech Bridge” with Singapore’s MAS

The UK and Singapore have established a “fintech bridge” that will help financial technology firms and investors from each country gain access to the other. Billed as the first of its kind, the bridge enables the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and the Monetary Authority of Singapore… Read More

UK Financial Conduct Authority is Accepting Applications for Fintech Regulatory Sandbox

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) is accepting applications now for its newly minted regulatory Sandbox.  Applicants have until July 8th to sign up for a chance to be part of a regulatory “safe space” to experiment and challenge existing financial norms. Christopher Woolard, FCA Directory… Read More

FCA Prepares UK #FinTech “Regulatory Sandbox” for Early May

The FCA is preparing to launch a #FinTech “regulatory sandbox“ which will include two sandbox cohorts a year; the FCA will accept applications for a place in the first from 9 May 2016.  Successful applicants will be able to test their ideas “without immediately incurring all the normal regulatory consequences”… Read More

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