The FCA has published their 2018 Sector Views. Here are a few of the FCA’s focus areas relating to General Insurance.
Operational resilience
Cyber attacks are becoming more frequent and widespread. The issue is potentially made worse by the use of complex and legacy IT systems and greater level of data sharing between firms.
Firms need to ensure they are ready to meet the standards of GDPR.
Financial crime and fraud continues to increase.
Appointed Representatives
A thematic review in 2016 found that over half of the principal firms involved could not consistently demonstrate effective risk management and control over the activities of their Appointed Representatives. The FCA remains concerned about governance issues around Appointed Representatives.
Product Suitability
Many consumers focus on the headline price and may not realise that the product they buy is not suitable until they try to make a claim.
Renewal Pricing
Still on the subject of pricing, switching rates remain low. It is too early to assess whether the new disclosure requirements will be effective in encouraging consumers to shop around at renewal time.
FCS Transitional Arrangements
Steve Bailey Compliance Update
As you will be aware the Financial Services Authority ceased to be and the Financial Conduct Authority took over the regulation of financial advice firms on 01 April 2013.
The FSA issued PS13/05 last week which includes updated rules and transition arrangements. The policy statement itself is 88 pages but the ‘appendix (3)’ that accompanies it is a mere 1990 pages so you must excuse us for not as yet absorbing every word. The document can be seen here.