Topic hub
Regulatory Change and External Expectations
Regulatory expectations rarely announce themselves in a single publication. By the time a requirement is codified, supervisors have often already signalled intent through enforcement patterns, public statements and informal conversations, leaving firms who only read the text exposed.
Polar Insight's view
Polar Insight helps leadership teams read regulator intent early, prepare for change before it is formalised, and enter submissions, approvals and reviews with evidence rather than assumption.
Featured insights
Agentic finance arrives: the FCA signals testing over consultation
Jessica Rusu's 19 October speech confirms the FCA will embed six of the seven Mills Review recommendations into live supervisory work rather than consult further, as 86% of surveyed firms now use AI. Senior leaders should expect direct engagement, assurance testing and surveillance on AI deployments, not another rulebook.
FCA's AI guidance: no new rules, but nowhere to hide
The FCA has published good and poor practice guidance for AI in financial services, clarifying how existing frameworks apply rather than creating new ones. For senior leaders, the message is that accountability for AI outcomes already sits with them under rules they know well.
Money markets stay calm as QT, leverage reform and ECP shift the plumbing
The Bank of England's Money Markets Committee reports stable funding and ample liquidity even as Quantitative Tightening, leverage ratio reform and growing European Commercial Paper issuance reshape the sterling funding mix. For treasurers, CFOs and ALCO chairs, the calm surface hides structural changes that demand repositioning now rather than at the next quarter-end.
FCA's dawn raids signal a tougher posture on organised insider dealing
The FCA and NCA arrested three suspects in a coordinated operation against an alleged organised insider dealing and money laundering ring, deploying more than 100 staff across five London and Manchester properties. The scale and partnership model mark a shift in how market abuse enforcement is being prosecuted, with direct implications for how banks, brokers and asset managers supervise information flows.
SIMEX26: the cloud outage drill that redraws board-level resilience duties
The Bank of England and UK Finance ran a sector-wide simulation of a global cloud services disruption involving the 38 largest and most systemically important banks and market infrastructure operators. The exercise sets a clear expectation that firms now act on the findings, raising the bar for how boards govern third-party concentration risk.
FCA tightens the clock on illiquid funds: 90 days to sell, two years to adjust
The FCA has proposed a mandatory 90-day notice period for authorised funds investing in illiquid assets such as property, with existing funds given two years to comply. For asset managers, distributors and platforms, this reshapes the economics of open-ended private market vehicles and forces a difficult client conversation.
Relevant guides
How to Structure a Variation of Permission Application That Holds Up
A practical guide to preparing a VoP application that gives the FCA what it needs to assess the request properly, first time. Readers will finish with a clear view of how to sequence the work, what to evidence, and where applications typically stall.
How to Structure a SIF Interview Preparation Pack for an Incoming Chair
A practical guide to building a Significant Influence Function interview pack that prepares an incoming Chair to engage credibly with the FCA and PRA. Covers what to include, how to sequence rehearsal, and the judgement calls that separate a confident candidate from an exposed one.
How to Structure a Skilled Person Review Response That Minimises Supervisory Escalation
This guide sets out how to respond to a Section 166 review in a way that demonstrates genuine engagement, accurate self-assessment, and credible remediation. After reading, you will know how to sequence your response, manage the skilled person relationship, and present findings to your regulator in a way that supports supervisory confidence.
How to Structure a Wind-Down Plan That Supports Solvent Exit
A practical guide to building a Wind-Down Plan that meets the FCA's expectations under WDPG and genuinely supports a solvent exit. After reading, you will know what the FCA tests for, where firms commonly fall short, and how to sequence the work so your plan holds up under supervisory review.
How to Structure an SMCR Statement of Responsibilities That Withstands FCA Scrutiny
A practical guide to drafting Statements of Responsibilities that give the FCA a clear, defensible picture of individual accountability. Readers will finish with a working method for identifying gaps, allocating Prescribed Responsibilities cleanly, and keeping SoRs aligned with how the firm actually runs.
How to Structure a Section 165 Information Request Response
A practical guide for senior leaders on responding to FCA or PRA Section 165 information requests in a way that is accurate, complete, and legally sound. After reading, you will know how to coordinate the response, protect legitimate privilege, and reduce the likelihood of avoidable follow-up.