Rapid changes in the payments industry have prompted UK regulators to reassess their collaboration. The Bank of England, Financial Conduct Authority, Prudential Regulation Authority, and Payment Systems Regulator reviewed their Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for payment systems.
According to a statement by the FCA, the regulators identified opportunities to strengthen cooperation and align with the government's National Payments Vision. Under the Financial Services Banking Reform Act 2013, the four authorities review their MoU annually. This agreement outlines how they collaborate on oversight, regulation, and innovation in payment systems.
Gaps and Opportunities
“Over the past year, we have taken steps to improve the sharing of expertise and data between our institutions,” the regulators said. “We recognize that there is scope for further improvement in our cooperation, and we have committed to revise the MoU by Q2 of 2025 in line with the Government's National Payments Vision.”
Bank of England, FCA, PRA and PSR conduct 2024 review of Memorandum of Understanding for payment systems in the UK https://t.co/k8p47hUopV
— Jared Kirui (@kirui_jare12843) December 20, 2024
The 2024 review highlighted improvements in data sharing and expertise exchange. However, senior representatives acknowledged the need for further alignment, committing to an updated MoU by the second quarter of 2025. The UK Government's National Payments Vision, published in November 2024, sets a forward-looking agenda for modernizing payment systems.
The Vision emphasizes innovation, resilience, and inclusivity in payments, guiding regulatory priorities. A joint remit letter issued to the FCA and PSR underscores the necessity for cohesive oversight as the sector evolves. National Payments The rapid pace of technological change and increasing complexity in the payments sector highlight the importance of regulatory collaboration.
Enhancing Payment Systems
Recently, the FCA disclosed plans to streamline information provided to investors. The regulator aims to enhance clarity, boost confidence, and encourage market participation.
Currently, investors reportedly access standardized documents under EU-era rules. These documents reportedly often lack clarity and do not address important information, potentially blocking investment or leading to inadequate decision-making.
Besides that, the FCA recently announced that it is seeking feedback on its plans to enhance transparency in the UK's cryptocurrency markets. The proposal focuses on admissions, disclosures, and proper market regulations to boost the integrity of crypto markets.
This article was written by Jared Kirui at www.financemagnates.com.