The FCA has published two new bite-size SM&CR podcasts. These will be useful for firms currently preparing for SM&CR.
- Certification and regulatory references: The purpose and scope, plus practical steps firms can take to prepare.
- Conduct rules: The five Conduct Rules will apply to everyone doing financial services work. The podcast explains the training requirements around them and offers practical tips for training staff.
The latest guidance and information on SM&CR can be found here. We would recommend that firms check this link regularly between now and 9 December 2019.
In particular, firms should note the deadline of 24 November for submitting Form O (Opt Up Notification – for Core and Limited Scope firms only) and Form K (Conversion Notification – for Core and Enhanced firms only) if these are applicable.



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.