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Defined-contribution (DC) pension schemes are growing in the UK, while defined-benefit (DB) pension schemes are declining. This shift is impacting the property sector, as DC schemes are less risky and complex for companies to manage. However, there are obstacles preventing DC funds from investing in illiquid assets like property, and the Association of Real Estate Funds (AREF) is calling for the government to address these issues. AREF is proposing a move from an Individual Account model to a Collective DC model, where contributions are pooled and invested collectively. The decline in DB funds' property investment could lead to more international investors entering the market, but they may focus on larger assets in major cities rather than smaller regional projects. Some UK DC schemes are considering allocating capital to illiquid assets to improve outcomes for members, and the government supports greater investment in illiquid asset classes. The Financial Conduct Authority, Bank of England, and HM Treasury have recommended measures to encourage investment in illiquid and longer-term assets, including the creation of the long-term asset fund (LTAF). However, there are challenges to the LTAF, and these issues need to be addressed to fully unlock the benefits of DC investment in real assets. The chancellor is expected to use the Autumn Statement to maximize the benefits of DC pension funds and other sources for investment in commercial real estate and infrastructure. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses issues facing would-be corporate whistleblowers in Great Britain. Topics include the role of whistleblowers in fighting white collar crime in the U.S., a comparison of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the British Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) mechanisms for whistleblowers, and an attempt at whistleblowing by former chief executive officer (CEO) George Patellis of the mortgage lender Tiuta Plc.

The article offers information on the agreement of Tesco Stores with the British Serious Fraud Office (SFO) and the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) wherein the company will pay the agencies for compensation of penalties. It mentions that the company has agreed to the Deferred Prosecution Agreement (DPA) of SFO following alleged misstatement of its profits in 2014.

The article states that the British government regulator the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) instituted an experimental program known as the sandbox that waives several regulations for select financial technology industry (fintech) entrepreneurs and businesses attempting to institute new ideas. The article discusses the benefits to firms such as SETL and Epiphyte, the British government's attempt to attract venture capital, and other countries that may implement similar a similar program.

The article reports on the fear of insurance brokers in Great Britain over the possibility of regulatory action related to insurance firm SSP Worldwide's Pure Broking cloud service platform outage as of September 2016. Brokers are reportedly awaiting how industry regulators will respond to SSP's two-week cloud platform outage which made them struggle in issuing quotes and monitor renewals. It notes that the Financial Conduct Authority has requested SSP to reveal those affected by the outage.

The article offers information on the Senior Managers Regime, a rule set for banking companies by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in Great Britain, which makes chief compliance officers (CCOs) accountable for their actions. Topics discussed include a regulation for people's suitability in key management jobs, requiring financial firms to submit statement of responsibilities, and the establishment of the Certification Regime rule.

The article focuses on better understanding of conduct risk among regulators in the banking and financial services industry in Great Britain. Topics discussed include the function of the Prudential Regulation Authority and New York Federal Reserve Bank, results of the Fair and Effective Markets Review (FEMR), published by the Bank of England and the Financial Conduct Authority, and risk culture.

The article discusses several aspects of taking loans for buying automobiles in Great Britain. It mentions decrease in value of financial deals used to buy new cars in March 2017 according to the Finance and Leasing Association; and an increase in irresponsible lending in the motor finance industry in Great Britain according to the Great Britain's Financial Conduct Authority. It also mentions need for getting definitive list price and maximum discount price before buying a new automobile.

The article reports that the changes imposed by the Great Britain Financial Conduct Authority on car insurance renewal documents could save motorists up to 103 million Euro annually.

The article focuses on the mutual fund industry in Great Britain and a report from the British Financial Conduct Authority suggesting the industry isn't properly looking after investors' interests. It comments on the lack of competition by fund managers on price and mentions operating margins of 16 fund-managed firms were between 34 and 39 percent in recent years. It states the report found fund manager charges can eat up a third of the investor's returns over 20 years.

The article reports that Great Britain Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has issued five final notices to dealers in Great Britain for failing to be honest about their policies. The FCA took over the consumer credit sector from the Office of Fair Trading in 2014 and formulated new ways to regulate the market.

The article focuses on the changes in the payment protection insurance (PPI) being offered by the banks. Topics discussed include the challenges faced by investors and savers during the financial crisis, the potential changes on the incentive schemes of financial services firms, and the views of Martin Wheatley, head of the Financial Conduct Authority in Great Britain.

The article reports that the Financial Conduct Authority of Great Britain has banned Jonathan Paul Burrows, former investment manager for BlackRock, for personal dishonesty after it found that Burrows has avoided train fares worth 43,000 pounds on his daily commute into London, England.

The article reports on the introduction by the British Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in 2014 of tougher rules on firms that assist people in finding a loan.

The article reports on the fine imposed by the Financial Conduct Authority in Great Britain against banking and financial services company Barclays for allegedly exposing customers to unnecessary risks, as of October 2014.

The article reports on a study conducted by British law firm RPC that highlights the 14 percent increase in requests for assistance from regulators around the world from Great Britain's Financial Conduct Authority in 2013 as investigations are increasingly global.

Investment managers in the U.K. will be barred from using client money to arrange interviews with top executives of companies they may invest in, according to the Financial Conduct Authority. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The number of fines issued to senior bankers by the U.K. Financial Conduct Authority has fallen by 40% since 2010. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The U.K. Financial Conduct Authority said it has hired David Saunders and Gunner Burkhart to advise it on competition and investment banking issues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reports on a new set of rules announced by the British Financial Conduct Authority, which will force banks to publish the details of major security and operational incidents including the outdated information technology (IT) infrastructure.

The article reports on the alternative rules adopted by the British Financial Conduct Authority that favor bankers and brokers in September 2013 after rejecting formal European Union (EU) guidance on regulations.

The article reports on the steps on financial regulation that Great Britain has taken in 2013. In early 2013, the Financial Conduct Authority took over much of what had been the Financial Services Authority. The government has also plans to introduce a law enabling bankers to be jailed for reckless misconduct. The City of London Police and British Standards Institution has also announced on July 4, 2013 that they will be working together to help businesses tackle corruption.

The article reports that British financial services outsourcing group Equiniti pulled out its high yield bond between pricing and settlement and then returned offering the bond with adjusted terms. Equiniti was forced to re-sell its 5.5 year senior secured deal after the Financial Conduct Authority of Great Britain failed to approve the changes it made on the structure. The company offers services like acting as a share registrar and other services to pension funds.

The article presents the views of Martin Wheatley, chief executive officer (CEO) of the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in Great Britain. Particular focus was given on the implementation of the Retail Distribution Review (RDR) of the Financial Services Authority (FSA), a set of rules which aimed at improving the transparency and fairness in the British investment industry.

The article reports on the change in Great Britain's regulation which places responsibility on sellers of financial products, according to Martin Wheatley, managing director of Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) which replaced the Financial Services Authority.

The article reveals that Barclays has topped the list of the most complained about British financial institutions in the second half of 2012, according to the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).

The article reports on the decision of the Treasury Select Committee of Great Britain to urge John Griffith-Jones, chairman of the new Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), to adopt a judgement-led approach to regulation. The committee encouraged the board of FCA to provide stronger leadership than their predecessors at the Financial Services Authority (FSA). The statement of Andrew Tyrie, chairman of the committe, about the FSA is presented.

The article reports on the plans of Martin Wheatley, chief executive officer (CEO) designate of the British Financial Conduct Authority, for the operation of the agency.

The article reports on the plans of chief executive officer (CEO) Martin Wheatley for the operation of the British Financial Conduct Authority.

The article reports that John Griffith-Jones was appointed by the Financial Conduct Authority as its non-executive chair and will serve in the board of the British Financial Services Authority.

The article presents information technology (IT) industry-related news briefs as of April 14, 2014. It states that Mike Errington, head of IT at the Royal Bank of Scotland, is planning on retiring. It mentions that the British Prudential Regulation Authority, Financial Conduct Authority and Bank of England are investigating banking industry IT after several high-profile outages left customers unable to access their money. It comments that Britain is updating its 1988 copyright laws.

The article reports on the decision of Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in Great Britain to no longer recognize heightened regulatory risk as a legitimate reason to drop customer relationships. Topics mentioned include FCA's plan to pursue banks that drop business lines if it causes consumer protection issues, the need for banks to take a risk-based approach according to the Financial Action Task Force, and the potential for consumer protection penalties to the de-risking dilemma.

Crowdfunding has become all the rage, and it's making some banks nervous about losing small business clients. But investUP, a "supermarket of crowdfunding platforms" that launched during Finovate Europe in London this week, thinks banks can benefit from the trend. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]