Compliance & Ethics

The FCA has published guidance explaining how the UK's new cryptoasset regime applies to firms and which activities may require authorization. With the authorization gateway opening on September 30, 2026 and the regime taking effect on October 25, 2027, compliance teams should use the guidance now to assess perimeter exposure and prepare applications. Further targeted changes are expected through an October consultation.

The ECB's September 2026 wage tracker update shows negotiated wage growth of 2.7% in Q1 2027 and 2.8% in Q2 2027, up modestly from 2.2% in 2026 (smoothed). This is a statistical release, not a regulatory mandate, but it informs the monetary policy outlook, interest rate expectations, and the wage and inflation assumptions used in financial institutions' risk models and stress tests. Employee coverage for 2027 is still low (32.5% in Q1 and 25.1% in Q2), so the forward-looking figures are likely to be revised.

The SEC approved FINRA's new Rule 3290 on September 15, 2026. It replaces Rules 3270 (Outside Business Activities) and 3280 (Private Securities Transactions) with a single consolidated rule and eliminates reporting of non-investment-related activities. The effective date has not been announced, so compliance teams should begin planning policy and procedure updates now.

The European Parliament has confirmed Thomas Gstädtner as Executive Director of the European Banking Authority (EBA) for a renewable five-year term. The appointment introduces no new regulatory requirements, but it marks a leadership transition that compliance teams should monitor for possible shifts in the EBA's operational priorities and supervisory engagement.

The Deutsche Bundesbank Executive Board held its hearing on September 16, 2026, on the nomination of Dr. Philipp Nimmermann and raised no objections. The outcome has been communicated to the Federal Council. This is a governance and personnel update with no direct regulatory obligations, but it is relevant for compliance teams that track German and Eurosystem supervisory leadership.

ASIC Form 2205 is the prescribed form for notifying ASIC of company resolutions affecting shares, including share rights alterations, consolidations and subdivisions, capital reductions, and financial assistance approvals. Lodgement deadlines are short (14 days for most categories, one month for consolidations and subdivisions), so compliance teams need clear internal processes to avoid late lodgement and the associated public register and penalty exposure.

The FCA's annual report for the year ended March 31, 2026 (the first year of its 2025 to 2030 strategy) describes a shift from risk elimination to risk rebalancing, with earlier intervention and clearer expectations. Compliance teams should note the Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) regime effective July 2026, the motor finance redress scheme, the Payment Systems Regulator (PSR) consolidation, and the FCA's expanded AML supervision of professional services firms.