Compliance
FCA broker c-suite approval times soar with CEOs waiting 151 days for sign-off
The average time taken for the Financial Conduct Authority to approve CEO applications from brokers has nearly tripled from 57 days in 2019 to 151 days this year, a Freedom of Information request by Post has revealed.
FCA ‘Dear CEO letter’ warns brokers about client money amid concern of widespread non-compliance
The Financial Conduct Authority has issued a stark warning to brokers about client money shortcomings it has seen in the market stressing that it will take action.
Prince of Wales launches sustainable insurance task force; Aviva joins forces with WWF; Ford links up with By Miles; and LV reveals PI panel
Post wraps up the major insurance deals, launches, investments and strategic moves of the week.
Broker and insurer FSCS levies still up despite forecasts being slashed
The Financial Services Compensation Scheme has issued final levies for 2021/22 of £73.8m for brokers and £189.8m for insurers, down significantly on initial estimates but still up on this year’s bills.
FCA urged to speed up broker authorisations with approvals taking 121 days
A freedom of information request by Post to the Financial Conduct Authority has revealed the watchdog is taking an average of 129 days to make a decision on authorising firms applying for permission to trade as general insurance brokers selling non…
Government will hold insurers' 'feet to the fire' on whiplash savings: MoJ's Chalk
Whiplash rules have edged closer to their 31 May commencement, as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice Alex Chalk said the government and regulator will hold insurers' "feet to the fire" on consumer savings if necessary.
FCA contacts 2800 firms about missing SMCR directory data
Experts have warned of the potential for fines and regulatory permissions being removed as the Financial Conduct Authority contacted 2800 firms about their directory persons information after the deadline for submissions passed on 31 March.
‘Reporting gap’ warning as less than 1% of intermediaries reported conduct breaches under first year of SMCR rules
Last year just 15 insurance brokers or intermediaries reported conduct rule breaches under the Senior Managers & Certification Regime, a freedom of information request has revealed.
Analysis: Brokers face PI exclusion dangers
Compliance consultants have highlighted the dangers for brokers of buying professional indemnity insurance with Covid-19 exclusions, warning that the Financial Conduct Authority can suspend permissions if firms do not get the right cover
Brokers urge push back on soaring contributions as FSCS levy total poised to break £1bn
Brokers have called for the insurance industry to kick back against the increase in their Financial Services Compensation Scheme levy with the sector’s bill set to more than triple to £146.8m in 2021/22.
FCA adds four to exec team
The Financial Conduct Authority has recruited four people to its executive leadership team including its first chief data, information and intelligence officer.
Intelligence: Operational resilience - Regulators raise the bar for crisis response
After drawn-out consultations financial regulators will soon lay out what they expect from firms in terms of operational resilience. Harry Curtis investigates.
GRP strikes biggest deal since Searchlight investment with Marsh Networks buy
Global Risk Partners has agreed to buy Marsh’s UK networks for an undisclosed sum in a deal expected to close next quarter.
Kingfisher refutes 'bad faith' dismissals accusation in High Court case
Kingfisher has responded to claims by the sellers of Fresh Insurance that it exited key directors in “bad faith” in a further filing at the High Court.
Ex-ABI leader Hugh Savill joins Sicsic Advisory
Hugh Savill, the Association of British Insurer’s director of regulation for 17 years, has joined boutique financial services risk and regulation consultancy Sicsic Advisory as a senior advisor, Post can reveal.
Be Wiser’s David Russell on the FCA’s pricing review
David Russell, chief compliance officer at Be Wiser Insurance, was part of the Financial Services Authority team that brought in the Insurance Mediation Directive and statutory regulation of brokers. Here he looks at the implications of the Financial…
The Supreme Court BI test case judgment in summary
The Supreme Court has substantially found in favour of the Financial Conduct Authority in the final stage of the Covid-19 business interruption test case. Post highlights key points given among the reasons behind the ruling.
Blog: Should we return to a standard BI policy wording?
The Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted a split between what policyholders expect from business interruption cover and what insurers say it offers. Damian Glynn, Sedgwick International UK head of financial risks, asks whether customers are ensnared in a…
FCA fines more than halve to £192.6m in 2020
The Financial Conduct Authority imposed fines of £192,570,018 in 2020, the third lowest total on record since the watchdog was formed in 2013.
FCA reports 30% drop in broker liquidity and warns 4000 financial firms are at risk of failure
The Financial Conduct Authority’s coronavirus financial resilience survey has revealed that insurance broker liquidity fell by 30% due to the pandemic, the largest drop measured in any sector.
Fresh defendants strike back against Kingfisher denying sale and data wrongdoing
The seven defendants in the ongoing legal case between the sellers of Fresh Insurance and Kingfisher have struck back denying the accusations of data protection breaches and fraudulent misrepresentation while claiming that the buyers sacked key directors…
Ardonagh’s Sarah Dalgarno on conduct and culture
As the year draws to a close and people prepare for some long overdue down time, it’s worth pausing to reflect on the role of conduct and culture in how insurance has dealt with challenges and how they can shape responses in 2021, says Sarah Dalgarno,…
Brexit: Looking forward, looking back
With the Brexit transition period ending on 31 December, Post asked insurance trade bodies and associations about the biggest challenges and changes for the market.
Insurers face £1.4m shortfall from Inspire failure
Insurance providers are set to be left with a £1.4m hole from the collapse of Coventry-based Inspire Insurance Services, with the broker's total deficit estimated at £2.7m by liquidators.