Top 10 FCA Compliance Priorities in 2025
4 min read
As we move into 2025, the FCA continues to evolve its regulatory approach. We discuss the major compliance issues facing the financial services industry and what firms need to focus on.
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Highest FCA Fines of 2024 | Skillcast
13 minute read
The FCA had a year of cases involving individuals and firms equally guilty of breaching regulations. We analyse the breaches behind the FCA fines 2024.
Understanding Conduct Risk | FCA Standards | Skillcast
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Learn everything you need to know about conduct risk and the FCA's expectations. Find out how to stay compliant and avoid penalties.
The Seven Principles of Insurance Explained | Skillcast
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Find out the importance of the seven principles of insurance and how they apply to your business - a breakdown of each principle and why they’re important.
What is FCA COBS & How to Comply With These Rules |...
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Discover what FCA COBS rules are, including COBS 4, and learn how to comply with these conduct rules set out in the FCA Handbook.
Consumer Duty Cross Cutting Rules Explained | Skillcast
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Discover the FCA’s Consumer Duty cross-cutting rules, including acting in good faith, and how they ensure the protection of consumers.
Everything You Need to Know About CONC Compliance |...
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Discover what CONC compliance is, the FCA’s requirements for consumer credit firms, and how to align with the Consumer Credit Sourcebook to stay compliant.
How to Comply with CASS Rules: A Guide for UK Businesses |...
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Learn how to comply with CASS rules, including CASS 6 and CASS 7, to protect client assets and stay FCA compliant with the CASS rulebook.
Understanding CeMAP: Who Needs This Training? | Skillcast
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To be a mortgage advisor, you need a Certificate in Mortgage Advice and Practice (CeMAP). Learn more about this training and who it affects in this Skillcast guide.
UK IFA Compliance Requirements | Skillcast
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IFAs need to ensure they are up-to-date with the latest rules and regulations designed to protect consumers and ensure they provide fair and honest advice.
How Charities Can Manage Vulnerable Customer Relationships...
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Learn how charities can effectively manage relationships with vulnerable customers. Discover best practices and guidelines to ensure a compliant approach.
FCA Consumer Duty Implementation Plan | Skillcast
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Companies need to produce their first annual board report assessing implementation. We revise everything that an implementation plan should have.
20 Biggest FCA Fines of All Time | Skillcast
17 minute read
The FCA has been issuing fines since 2013, with some years busier than others. Here's a breakdown of the top 20 penalities to date.
How General Elections Impact the Financial Services Sector...
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Discover how General Elections affect the UK financial services sector and learn how it may impact your business with Skillcast.
Car Dealerships and Finance & Compliance Laws | Skillcast
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Staying compliant with FCA and GDPR laws in the automotive industry is imperative for trust and success. Discover key compliance laws for car dealerships.
Climate Risk Management & FCA Compliance | Skillcast
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Climate risk management constantly undergoes regulatory change. So, how do compliance teams keep up and ensure they meet ethical expectations?
Vulnerable Customer Policy | FCA Vulnerable Customers |...
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Learn more about the FCA's definition of vulnerable customers, creating a vulnerable customer policy and its significance in business compliance.
Building a Compliance-driven Culture | Skillcast
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Establishing a compliance-driven culture is vital for a firm's success. We examined the intricacies of building and maintaining this type of culture.
What are FCA Principles of Business? | Principle 11 |...
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The FCA has 12 principles of business (or PRIN) that must be fulfilled by any regulated firm. Find out what they are and how to avoid enforcement action.
Understanding Market Abuse Regulation | Skillcast
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One of the main policy focuses in FCA's Business Plan is to deliver assertive action on market abuse. But, what is market abuse, and how can you avoid it?
The Biggest Financial Crime Fines | Skillcast
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Monetary fines are a common punishment for financial crime. From bribery to money laundering, we examine the biggest financial crime cases and fines.
FCA Business Plan 2023: Financial Crime & Fraud | Skillcast
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Financial institutions continuously face challenges in tackling financial crime and in protecting their customers and the industry's integrity.
Conducting Fit & Proper Person Tests | Skillcast
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What does the FCA expect when you assess a person’s fitness and propriety to perform their role? We discuss the three key pillars of Fit & Proper tests.
FCA Business Plan 2023: Data-led Regulations | Skillcast
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As financial markets evolve, regulators increasingly rely on data-driven approaches to ensure market integrity, consumer protection and innovation.
Consumer Duty Questions Answered | Skillcast
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The FCA's new Consumer Duty raises the bar for firms it regulates. Find out what this duty entails and how to meet FCA expectations.
Understanding the Financial Services & Markets Act 2023 |...
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The government’s new Financial Services and Markets Act 2023 introduces game-changing legislation that promises to reshape the way businesses operate.
FCA Business Plan 2023: Shaping Digital Markets | Skillcast
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The digital landscape is constantly evolving. We examined how FCA-regulated firms can stay compliant and gain a competitive advantage.
FCA Business Plan 2023: Promotions, Crypto & AML | Skillcast
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The FCA's increased scrutiny of digital assets regulations is a hot topic in the financial sector, discussed in our webinar.
Understanding FCA Operational Resilience | Skillcast
12 minute read
Those regulated by the FCA are expected to have identified vulnerabilities in their operational resilience. But where do you start?
Preventing Harm & the SMCR | Skillcast
7 minute read
The financial services sector has an opportunity to show society we've changed substantially post the global financial crisis of 2008. Don't waste it.
Understanding the FCA Code of Conduct | Skillcast
7 minute read
Regulators expect employees in all financial firms to comply with the FCA Code of Conduct. Failure to do so results in fines. Is your firm compliant?
10 Ways to Prevent Insider Trading | Skillcast
4 minute read
The FCA is concerned insider trading risks are increasing as remote working becomes a norm. We have 10 tips to protect your firm from the consequences.
Streamlining SMCR for Kentro Capital | Skillcast
2 minute read
When Kentro wanted to find a way to improve the efficiency of their SMCR compliance processes, they turned to Skillcast for advice and support.
Understanding Proliferation Financing Obligations |...
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Proliferation financing is a financial crime which is heavily fined. That's why it's important not to miss a beat with new regulations.
What is SMCR Duty of Responsibility? | Skillcast
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Sharon Williams examines how Senior Managers can protect themselves from enforcement action arising from the SMCR Duty of Responsibility.
Digitising SMCR Compliance | Skillcast
3 minute read
SMCR compliance consumes valuable management time and yet may still leave you exposed to breach risks. But there is a proven effective digital solution.
5 Steps to Prevent WhatsApp Compliance Fines | Skillcast
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Firms have come under fire for using unapproved electronic channels like WhatsApp, Signal and Telegram. Learn how to stay on the right side of the regulator with business communication.
FCA Business Plan Roundtable Insights | Skillcast
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Skillcast's breakfast roundtables bring together compliance professionals, industry insiders and ex-regulators together to discuss key FCA-related issues.
How to Stop SMCR Training Demotivating Staff | Skillcast
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SMCR training can damage staff motivation. We have some practical tips on how to prevent this from happening to your firm.
SMCR Scenario Tests
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By using practical examples that reflect real-world FCA dilemmas you can ensure that staff know how to apply what they have learned in training.
Aligning with SMCR Compliance | Skillcast
5 minute read
By understanding the aims of the FCA that underpin the SMCR, you can better meet its expectations. But what are these aims?
SMCR & Non-financial Misconduct | Skillcast
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Falling public confidence and damaging press have renewed the FCA's focus on conduct, including non-financial misconduct. So how can you stay compliant?
Financial Services Social Media Compliance | Skillcast
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Financial firms are increasingly using social media to communicate information and promote products. But, how can you do so and stay compliant?
Simple 3-Step SMCR Training Model | Skillcast
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Whether you are new to SMCR or reviewing existing processes, our 3-step training model will help you ensure your corporate SMCR training is on track.
What is the UK Criminal Finances Act? | Skillcast
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The Criminal Finances Act 2017 targets corruption, money laundering and tax evasion. How does this legislation affect UK organisations?
RegTech ROI for Financial Services | Skillcast
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RegTech is attracting increasing interest and investment from compliance professionals at FS firms. How will this emerging technology benefit you?
Financial Services, Fraud & Remote Working | Skillcast
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With remote working becoming the new normal, companies in financial services are at increased risk of fraud. Do you have the necessary controls in place?
Best Practices in Financial Services Compliance Training |...
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The pandemic meant that over 8 in 10 financial services staff worked from home. But the FCA has warned that even so, compliance standards must not drop.
SMCR for Insurance Firms Key Questions Answered | Skillcast
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We answer 17 FAQs about how the extension of SM&CR to insurers will impact on almost every employee an insurance firm.
SMCR for Solo-Regulated Firms Key Questions Answered |...
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The extension of SMCR to solo-regulated financial firms affected 50,000 companies. We answer the 17 most frequently asked questions.
How to Evidence your SMCR Competence | Skillcast
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What is SMCR competence? We explain the FCA expectations, who should own certification and how to truly evidence your competence.
SMCR - The People Dimension | Skillcast
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SMCR is a real opportunity to build healthy cultures, effective governance & personal responsibility and as a result a more profitable & sustainable future.
SMCR Breakfast Briefing | Skillcast
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Networking breakfast focusing on SM&CR training and implementation tools for banking, insurance and solo-regulated firms.
Key MiFID II Research Checks | Skillcast
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Martyn Oughton writes about the all-important MiFID II research checks. Follow his checklist to make sure your firm is prepared for the new regulations.
6 Tips to Avoid Financial Mis-selling | Skillcast
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The UK financial services industry has been hit with billions in fines as a result of mis-selling products. We have some tips to avoid another scandal.
5 Ways to Avoid Conflicts of Interest with Customers |...
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Read this blog post and follow our top tips to be sure you put your customer needs first ahead of the introduction of MiFID II.
How to Achieve MiFID II Compliance | Skillcast
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MiFID arrived in response to the market crash. Following the PPI scandal, it was strengthened with the introduction of MiFID II. Understand the changes.
5 Steps to Take for Direct Electronic Access | Skillcast
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Read this blog pot to find out the steps you should be taking to prepare for direct electronic access (DEA) under MiFID II.
Key High Frequency Algorithmic Trading Controls | Skillcast
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Understand high frequency algorithmic trading (HFAT) and the 5 key controls you need in light of the MiFID II regime.
