Insurance regulatory update
Insurance regulatory update
Welcome to this edition of our Insurance Regulatory eBulletin, which aims to keep you updated with significant regulatory developments from November 2024 and their implications across the insurance sector.
In her Mansion House speech, the Chancellor highlighted the need to make the UK financial services sector more competitive. New growth-focused remit letters have been sent to financial services Regulators, and the Government has launched several consultations and outlined the next steps for policy initiatives.
A call for evidence has been launched to inform the Government's development of a financial services growth and competitiveness strategy, set to be published in Spring 2025. This strategy will guide the sector's growth for the next decade, with insurance and reinsurance identified as key growth opportunities.
The PRA has published its final policy statement on Solvency II consultations, along with related policy statements. Details of the joint regulatory oversight regime for Critical Third Parties (CTPs) have been released, with final rules effective from 1 January 2025. Additionally, businesses within the EIOPA regulated area must comply with the Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA) from 17 January 2025, and BDO can assist with compliance measures.
I hope you will find this edition is helpful in keeping yourself abreast of recent Regulatory activity. Please do not hesitate to contact myself or your usual BDO contact if you have any concerns over any matter highlighted in this update. For more information about our audit, tax and advisory services to the insurance sector, visit our insurance services page.
I hope you enjoy reading this latest update.
Archive
October 2024
October has been busy for regulatory speeches, not just the US election. We've included relevant speeches in this edition. The Climate Financial Risk Forum, set up by the PRA and FCA, has issued publications this month.
These are in the FCA section of the Bulletin and offer guidance for financial institutions on climate change risks and investment opportunities. In the Enforcement section, we cover TSB Bank Plc's £10.9m fine for not treating customers in arrears fairly. TSB knew of potential issues in December 2016 but only took effective action in 2020. EIOPA has started consultations on potential Solvency II changes in the EU, with responses due by 2 January 2025. We've also summarised the budget's impact on the financial services industry and provided a full analysis.
September 2024
The FCA has released its Annual Report & Accounts along with several reports on specific operational aspects. They also provided feedback on principals' oversight of appointed representatives and fair value assessments.
In corporate governance, we cover the FRC’s Annual Review of Corporate Reporting and findings from its thematic reviews on financial statement offsetting and IFRS 17 insurance contracts. Additionally, we include details of Lloyd’s ongoing consultation on its Poor Conduct and Behaviours Framework.
August 2024
August has been quieter for regulatory initiatives, with no relevant speeches. This edition covers several annual reports from the Bank, PRA, and sub-committees. The FCA published results of their themed review on Product Oversight and Governance, highlighting weaknesses in firms' measurement and monitoring of product value and customer outcomes. They also proposed terms for a market study on pure protection product distribution to retail consumers.
Regarding Governance, there’s an update to Lloyd’s Principle on Culture, set for implementation in 2025. Managing agents should prepare for this change.
July 2024
This month, the focus has been on advancing international competitiveness and growth. Sheldon Mills of the FCA highlighted a shift towards outcomes over rules to streamline regulations and support competitiveness while ensuring good consumer outcomes. The FCA published its first International Competitiveness & Growth Report and finalised the new UK Listing Rules sourcebook. Gareth Truran of the PRA discussed Solvency UK and the PRA's role in enhancing international competitiveness, with their annual report due soon. The FRC announced updates to the UK Stewardship Code and welcomed the Government’s draft legislation to modernise its powers and strengthen UK corporate governance, financial reporting, and audit. The FRC also reviewed audit quality of Tier 1 firms.
June 2024
The date for the next General Election was announced on 22 May. This has had the effect of ceasing publication of any major regulatory consultations or significant final rules, until after the election. Therefore, with the exception of the EIOPA Section, this month’s edition is lighter than normal. One policy statement was issued by the PRA in respect of the Solvency II and the, post-Brexit, reform of the Matching Adjustment. The FCA has now published the results of its insurance related multi-firm review of outcomes monitoring under the Consumer Duty, this review emphasises the need for robust monitoring to ensure good customer outcomes rather than solely placing a reliance on processes. In addition, as noted in previous editions, the extension to the Consumer Duty, is coming into force for closed products and services on 31 July 2024, the FCA have once again reminded the Market of this change.
Heading into the General Election there was a significant degree of high-level policy consensus between the parties in relation to financial services. We will now await the actions of the new government once installed, for confirmation as to the direction of travel and any impact upon the insurance industry.
May 2024
The upcoming General Election, announced for 22 May, has paused the release of major regulatory consultations and significant final rules until post-election, making this month's updates less extensive. However, key regulatory developments are still included. The PRA released a Policy Statement on insurance branches, clarifying the authorisation and supervision of third-country insurance branches and when a subsidiary is preferable. Emily Shepperd from the FCA highlighted the importance of value in commission design for brokers, referencing actions taken with GAP insurance. The FCA has also allowed some firms to resume GAP insurance sales after ensuring fair value. Additionally, the FCA issued guidance through Dear CEO letters about the Consumer Duty extension for closed products and services, effective 31 July 2024, urging firms to prepare.
April 2024
Amongst many other things, this edition contains details of the month’s relevant regulatory speeches which are useful in providing colour to current regulatory issues and direction regulatory of travel. There is also useful information issued by the FCA in relation to the Finalised Non-Handbook Guidance on anti-greenwashing rules and feedback on the findings from the review conducted by the FCA in relation to travel insurance signposting.
March 2024
This edition contains details of the various publications arising from the PRA review of the Solvency II regime. In addition, it contains details of the FCA’s business plan for 2024-2025 and therefore its areas of emphasis over the next 12 months. Details have also been provided regarding the FCA’s updated documents setting out its approach to supervision, customers and international firms. For motor insurers the findings of the FCA’s review into insurers valuation of vehicles also will be of significant interest.
With regards of corporate governance, March saw the publication by the FRC of the details of extensive upgrades to the financial reporting standards applicable in the UK and the Republic of Ireland
February 2024
The PRA has released a policy statement with feedback on CP12/23, focusing on adapting Solvency II for the UK insurance market. They've also detailed their methods for handling internal model applications and capital add-ons, as well as their strategy for insurance group supervision.
Additionally, there's been a flurry of speeches on conduct regulation, sketching out what's coming up on the regulatory front. The FCA has kicked off a consultation on making its enforcement approach clearer, including potentially announcing investigations as they open, based on public interest.
January 2024
The start of 2024 has seen a number of publications in relation to corporate governance, in particular, in relation to a revised UK Corporate Governance Code and a revised set of Global Internal Audit Standards. Businesses (and internal audit functions) will therefore need to be ensuring they are aligned to these, as appropriate.
The PRA’s priorities for 2024 have been communicated by way of a Dear CEO letter and businesses will need to be taking note of these. In addition, HM Treasury has announced that the UK has signed an agreement with Switzerland on Mutual Recognition in Financial Services. This uses outcomes-based mutual recognition of domestic laws and regulations to enable cross-border trade in financial services to wholesale and sophisticated clients.
December 2023
December saw a flurry of regulatory developments, including an annual report from the Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation and interim changes to Solvency II requirements by the PRA. The PRA also communicated key findings from its review of expected underwriting profit in internal models for general insurance firms. The FCA issued a Policy Statement with final rules on post-Brexit changes to the Insurance Distribution Directive, maintaining regulatory continuity for insurance-related activities. The FCA, PRA, and Bank also released the annual CBEST thematic report, offering insights into good practices and observed weaknesses in the UK financial sector. Additionally, there was significant activity in EU regulation with numerous consultations published.
November 2023
The FCA have published a revised regulatory Initiatives grid overing the forthcoming 24 months providing the timing and the identification of closely interconnected initiatives. The are also continuing initiatives noted within this edition related to developing smarter regulation, in line with the international competitiveness and growth objective under the Financial Services & Markets Act. The Corporate Governance section also notes some interesting developments, including the results of a thematic review published by the FRC in relation to IFRS 17 disclosures.
October 2023
October has seen several speeches of interest providing insight into the thinking of regulators in the areas of Mutual insurers, financial inclusion, artificial intelligence and the need for collaboration to boost the UK’s competitiveness. The month has also seen several consultations commenced. The PRA has published the last of its consultations in respect of the Solvency II regime. There is also a PRA consultation underway in respect of the regulation of branches. The deadlines for submissions to each of these being early January 2024.
September 2023
September has seen the resurgence of regulatory activity in terms of speeches and issuing of guidance. There is continuing activity to formulate a post-Brexit regulatory environment and there has also been a joint consultation by the PRA & FCA in respect of Diversity & Inclusion.
The FCA have issued a series of Dear CEO letters across each of the differing insurance sectors. These set out the FCA’s priorities for 2023 – 2025, the specific risks of harm it is most concerned about and what it wants firms to do about them. In addition, during the month the FCA has issued useful guidance regarding key findings from its assessments of sanctions systems and controls in financial services firms. This includes areas of good practice and areas for improvement.
August 2023
There were no speeches to report in August. Whilst the final structure of the regulators joint Complaints Scheme has been set out in a Policy Statement, no other policy statements have been published this month. The FCA has announced it will be undertaking a review of firms’ compliance with obligations regarding the risk management and treatment of Politically Exposed Persons, as well as their relatives and known close associates. There have also been several announcements regarding developments in the regulatory framework.
July 2023
Following on from a busy June, July has also been a bumper month for regulatory output. July sees the publication of annual reports for both the FCA and PRA, together with various other related annual reports including associated committees.
In addition, in early July, there was the Mansion House speech by the Chancellor, setting out his vision for the future regulation of the financial services sector. There have also been various developments following the passing into law of the Financial Services and Markets Act. The FCA have therefore, issued a statement introducing its new secondary international competitiveness and growth objective. HM Treasury has issued a Policy paper outlining the government's plans for delivering a Smarter Regulatory Framework for the UK through the replacement of retained EU law on financial services. In addition, a Policy Statement has been issued detailing the PRA's final rules and policy following responses received to the Consultation Paper CP17/21 'Solvency II: definition of an insurance holding company'. A further consultation has now been commenced in relation to proposed reforms to Solvency II that seek to simplify the calculation of the transitional measure on technical provisions. The Consultation Paper notes that this principally applies to 24 Life insurers.
On immediate matters, the FCA has been urging home and motor insurers that they must improve their treatment of vulnerable customers and how they handle customers’ claims. Detailed indications of good and poor practice have been provided.
June 2023
June has been the hottest on record for the UK. Whilst not correlated, it has also been a busy month on the regulatory front. The Financial Services and Markets Bill received Royal Assent. We will now await the impact of this legislation to filter through into the regulatory environment. There have also been a number of speeches made by regulators during the month, including by Sheldon Mills of the FCA in anticipation of the Bill receiving Royal Assent. A consultation paper regarding the review of Solvency II has been issued by the PRA and the FCA has been making its final communications with firms, prior to the Consumer Duty coming into effect from 31 July.
Towards the end on the month a Policy Statement regarding a Memorandum of Understanding on Financial Services cooperation with the EC was issued by the HM Treasury. This coincided Jeremy Hunt signing this Memorandum of Understanding, on behalf of the UK, during the first visit of a UK Chancellor to Brussels for over three years.
May 2023
A lead news item this month has been the UK / EU memorandum of understanding regarding the financial services industry. The FCA have been ensuring that firms are alert to the impending deadline for the implementation of Consumer Duty at the end of July. They have also published feedback from their review of fair value frameworks in relation to Consumer Duty.
The FCA have published details of their new secondary objective, in relation to international competitiveness and growth. We have also noted the opening of consultation by the Bank in relation to proposed changes to its enforcement policy. These represent a further example of lighter touch regulation.
March 2023
The particular matters of interest contained in this month’s edition are a speech by Shoib Khan, Chief Executive of the PRA, highlighting the responsibilities of the insurance sector in respect of the use of models, the use of stress testing and exit planning, in order to cease underwriting new business. In respect of exit planning, the planned release of a Consultation Paper, later in 2023, was heralded. This will set out the PRA’s expected approach to exit planning for insurers.
Climate issues have again been to the fore in various aspects. The Bank issued a report setting out its latest thinking on climate-related risks and regulatory capital frameworks. Later in the month, HMT and the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy published a policy paper setting out the strategy for UK’s financial services sector to support the UK's climate and environmental objectives.
In addition, the FCA has set out its assessment of the risks observed, and issues identified, in its ESG Benchmarks Review.
The thematic findings of the PRA’s Cyber Stress Test, performed in 2022, in respect of retail payments will also be of interest to many readers.
February 2023
This month on the Prudential side, there have been a couple of speeches referring to potential changes in the solvency rules and also to the Government’s desire to promote growth and competitiveness in the insurance sector. There have also been several pieces of updated guidance regarding financial sanctions and cyber crime.
On the Conduct side, the FCA have issued separate letters to the life and general insurance sectors to help them implement and embed the Consumer Duty effectively. In addition, Sheldon Mills, of the FCA, in a speech at the Countdown to Implementation of the Consumer Duty event, likened the preparation for the Consumer Duty to the advice from Mark Twain who said: “Eat a live frog first thing in the morning and nothing worse will happen to you the rest of the day”. He thanked those who had taken the time to tackle a task of preparing for the Consumer Duty, that at first may have seemed overwhelming. In so doing he stated: “Many of you have eaten that frog. Or at least devoured a leg”.
January 2023
The PRA have issued a dear CEO letter, setting out 2023 priorities. This summarises that the focus will be on financial resilience; risk management; implementing financial reforms; reinsurance risk; operational resilience; and ease of exit for insurers.
This edition also notes the publishing of proposals to introduce a dedicated resolution regime for insurance firms. Under these proposals, the Bank of England would be provided with new powers and tools to effectively manage the failure of a major insurance firm, these proposals are currently in the consultation phase.
Two fines imposed by the FCA have been noted, both relating to money laundering. In the case of one of the banks, fined £7.6m, there is a clear message of the need to address weaknesses identified by the regulator, as it had previously been fined in August 2013 for serious and systemic failings. The FCA has commented that this bank should have acted quickly to put in place adequate AML controls.
The Financial Services and Markets Bill is now progressed to the Committee stage in the House of Lords and we shall await the passage of this legislation.