The FCA has announced a call for input.
We’ve published a call for input on whether the thresholds for small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) to be able to refer complaints to the Financial Ombudsman Service (Ombudsman Service) remain appropriate.
In 2018, we made new rules extending access to the Ombudsman Service for more SMEs. We’re carrying out a review to understand whether the rules remain appropriate and to ensure that access to the Ombudsman Service remains available for SMEs that are unlikely to be able to resolve disputes with financial services firms through the legal system.
Feedback is requested by 28 April 2023 and will help inform our review, along with analysis of independent survey data and data received from partner organisations including the LSB, the SME Financial Monitor survey, the Ombudsman Service and the Business Banking Resolution Service (BBRS).
Change to FOS compensation limit
The FOS has increased its maximum award limit from £375,000 to £415,000. This takes effect from April 1, the FOS award limit will change to £415,000 for complaints referred to it about acts or omissions by firms on or after April 1 2019 (for complaints referred to it about acts or omissions by firms before April 1 2019, the award limit is now £190,000).
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.