ROAR Insights.

Published by: Financial Conduct Authority Search for original: Link Key Take Aways The FCA is establishing a proportionate regulatory framework for Deferred Payment Credit (DPC), currently known as Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL), bringing it into the FCA’s regulatory perimeter from July 2026. The regime relies on expanding existing high-level standards, including the Consumer Duty, alongside bespoke rules to address current gaps posed by legislation and market practices. A core focus is providing consumers with clear, timely, and effective information… Read more

Published by: Financial Conduct Authority Search for original: Link Key Take Aways The FCA aims to become a smarter regulator by leveraging technology and fostering responsible AI adoption in UK financial services. Introduction of AI Live Testing within the FCA’s existing AI Lab to support safe, responsible deployment of AI models in live markets. The regulatory approach is principles-based and outcomes-focused, relying on existing frameworks to support innovation without additional regulation. The initiative seeks to build confidence in AI model… Read more

Published by: Financial Ombudsman Service Search for original: Link Key Take Aways The Financial Ombudsman Service is proactively evolving its funding model to better reflect case complexity, demand forecasting, and industry workload distribution, with a focus on fairness and simplicity. A significant shift is proposed towards differentiation of case fees based on either case stage or case outcome, aiming to align costs with effort and minimise cross-subsidisation. The organisation has already introduced charges for professional representatives, with proposals to extend… Read more

Published by: Financial Conduct Authority Search for original: Link Key Take Aways Digital design practices significantly influence consumer understanding and decision-making in financial services. Obscured information—where key facts are made less accessible—dampens product comprehension, particularly around product-specific knowledge. Simplification and timely presentation of information enhance understanding of critical product features. Techniques like clicking through menus or links to access information can diminish consumer comprehension. The presentation of information does not directly impact behavioural outcomes such as accepting offers or borrowing… Read more

Published by: Ofgem Search for original: Link Key Take Aways Most consumers perceive standing charges on energy bills as somewhat or very unfair, with nearly two-thirds holding this view. Conversely, the majority perceive unit rates as fair, indicating differing consumer attitudes towards various components of energy pricing. A significant portion of consumers exhibit confusion regarding the trade-off between standing charges and unit rates, with almost a third perceiving both as unfair and fair simultaneously. Preferences lean towards removing or reducing… Read more

Published by: HM Treasury Search for original: Link Key Take Aways The UK government has launched a comprehensive review of the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS), aiming to enhance its simplicity, impartiality, and effectiveness in dispute resolution. The review seeks to address concerns of regulatory inconsistency where FOS decisions have, at times, acted in a quasi-regulatory capacity, creating uncertainty for firms. A key recommendation is to adapt the ‘Fair and Reasonable’ test, aligning it with FCA rules to ensure decisions are… Read more