MyComplianceOffice Blog

The Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) and Financial Markets Authority (FMA) recently released their findings on life insurers’ responses to the joint Conduct and Culture Review. The regulators were disappointed by the information provided.  Both the RBNZ and FMA say the insurers have much work to do in order to address weak governance practices and ineffective conduct risk management.  

Prominent regulators around the globe agree data-driven regulation and compliance is key to a healthy financial services industry. The Financial Conduct Authority (FSA), the Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC), the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), and the BVI’s Financial Services Commission are all championing, and in many cases, investing in new data technologies. 

It’s a tricky thing to understand what a high-performing compliance program actually looks like. Aside from activities and checklists and even anonymous tips, a high-performing compliance program must include the human element. Do we, as a company, believe we’re always doing the right thing? Because in the end, that is what compliance is all about.

We’ve been fortunate to work with and have at MCO some of the most respected leaders in the compliance space. And from them, we’ve crafted a few best practices for high-performing compliance programs that everyone can easily put into place.

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) announced it has received just 29 responses to a call for feedback on its final consultation regarding planned Senior Managers and Certification Regime (SMCR) changes. The FCA said "most" responses were supportive of its proposals, but some firms asked for additional clarity on how the new rules would apply to them. 

On May 7, 2019, U.S. Representative James Himes (D-Conn) introduced the “Insider Trading Prohibition Act,” which would amend the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, by inserting a new section that defines the elements of criminal insider trading. The bill was passed unanimously in the House Financial Services Committee on May 10.