The FCA employs a principle based approach to regulation. Principle 7 states that “A firm must pay due regard to the information needs of its clients, and communicate information to them in a way which is clear, fair and not misleading.”
This is a fundamental cornerstone required of all client communication.
While some degree of technical information is inevitable, your suitability reports should nevertheless be easily understood. One effective way to test the clarity of your suitability reports is to ask a friend or family member, who has no financial services experience, and who is more likely to provide frank observations, to read and to provide critical feedback.
Ensuring the fair treatment of customers in vulnerable circumstances
Richard Foster Compliance 2021, 2022, complaints, FCA, Pension, Pension Transfer, PI, TCF, transfer, vulnerable
With Consumer Duty requirements set to take effect in Q2 2023 and ahead of the final rules being published – expected in July 2022 – firms should consider the FCA’s findings in relation to how firms are dealing with vulnerable customers so far. In February 2021, the FCA published FG21/1 ‘Guidance for firms on […]