Rachel Macrae and Vicky Pearce unpack another busy week in financial services regulation, covering the FCA’s upcoming bereavement review, new Regulatory Priorities returns, and growing scrutiny around vulnerable customer outcomes under Consumer Duty.

They also discuss the ongoing debate around fair value assessments, recent enforcement action linked to unlawful financial promotions, and the importance of strong governance when using AI in regulated firms following the publication of their latest article in the PIMFA Journal.

In this episode of Beyond the Buzz, Vicky Pearce and Rachel MacRae unpack the latest FCA developments, including proposals to simplify consumer credit financial promotions, cyber resilience insights, ECCTA information sharing, SM&CR reforms, fund tokenisation, and the FCA’s growing focus on anti-greenwashing.

A practical look at the key regulatory updates firms should have on their radar.

In this episode we cover the latest SM&CR updates and what they mean in practice, including changes to criminal record checks, the 12 week rule and certification processes. We also look at the FCA’s expectations around oversight of inactive ARs, before rounding up recent Consumer Duty developments and key takeaways for firms.

In this episode, we unpack the FCA’s latest reflections on year two Consumer Duty Board Reports and what boards should be focusing on as the third reporting cycle approaches. We discuss where firms are making progress, common weaknesses still being flagged by the regulator, and what good, outcome‑focused reporting really looks like in practice. We also touch on the ongoing scrutiny around financial promotions, recent updates on risk warnings, and other regulatory developments firms should have on their radar as they plan ahead for the year.

Vicky Pearce and Rachel MacRae unpack the FCA’s latest operational resilience observations, from mapping and testing to embedding resilience into wider risk frameworks and board decision-making. They also look at what recent cloud outages, cyber incidents and third-party risks mean for firms now, plus a quick update on the FSCS MELL for 2026-27.

This week on Beyond the Buzz, Vicky and Rachel break down two major FCA consultations shaping the future of advice. From a more proportionate approach to suitability and flexible ongoing reviews, to proposed fee changes and new operational guidance, they explore what these updates mean in practice. Plus, a look at targeted support and the latest scrutiny around the British Steel Pension Scheme .

In this episode of Beyond the Buzz, Vicky and Rachel break down key FCA and FOS updates, including proposed complaints handling reforms, new expectations on proactive consumer redress, and upcoming changes to incident and third-party reporting.

The focus is clear: earlier action, stronger governance, and more consistent, transparent processes.

In this episode, Vicky and Rachel explore the FCA’s latest priorities across pensions and mortgages, focusing on value for money, consumer support, innovation, and the continued central role of Consumer Duty. They then unpack the regulator’s findings on consumer understanding, highlighting the need for evidence-based communication, effective testing, and stronger governance rather than assumptions.

The discussion also covers higher-risk areas, including second charge mortgages and the importance of clear advice, affordability assessments, and record-keeping. Finally, they examine the fine line between helping clients understand past advice and straying into regulated complaints activity, emphasising the need for clear internal boundaries, consistency, and strong controls across firms.