Global Trustee and Fiduciary Services Bite-Sized Issue 1 | 2026

AI FCA Helps Firms to Test AI Safely On 3 December 2025, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) stated that its AI Live Testing initiative is the first of its kind in the financial sector to help firms who are ready to use AI in UK financial markets. The FCA explains that participating firms receive tailored support from the FCA’s regulatory team and its technical partner to develop, assess and deploy safe and responsible AI. The FCA says that AI testing is helping firms to address key questions around evaluation frameworks, live monitoring governance and risk management to ensure that AI is deployed safely and responsibly for consumers and markets. The FCA also says that many of the AI applications currently being tested as part of the project focus on retail financial services including use cases to harness AI to support debt resolution or provide financial advice. Applications are also exploring the potential for AI to help improve customer engagement, streamline complaints handling and help consumers to make smarter spending and saving decisions. The FCA states that the project will help the FCA better understand how AI could shape UK financial markets and inform its future approach to the technology. Also, AI Live Testing complements the FCA’s Supercharged Sandbox which helps firms who are in the discovery and experiment phase with AI. Applications for the second cohort for AI Live Testing will open in January 2026 and participating firms will be able to start testing in April. Link to AI and the FCA: Our Approach here Link to FCA Press Release here MAS’ Financial AI Builder Programme – Buildfin.ai On 1 December 2025, the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) introduced its Financial AI Builder Programme to support financial institutions in developing and scaling artificial intelligence applications. MAS says that BuildFin.ai provides a collaborative platform for AI-forward institutions to pioneer cutting-edge solutions within a well-regulated environment. MAS says that the programme facilitates partnerships between financial institutions, technology providers, and research institutes to co-develop AI solutions that address real market needs whilst meeting regulatory requirements. Finally, MAS states that through collaboration, regulatory clarity, and shared expertise, BuildFin. ai supports the responsible development and deployment of AI solutions across the financial services sector. Link to MAS Homepage here Investor Services Bite-Sized Global Trustee and Fiduciary Services QUICK LINKS Issue 1 | 2026 AI BENCHMARKS REGULATION (UK) CRYPTOASSETS EMIR FSB FUND LIQUIDITY MIFID/MIFIR IOSCO RETAIL INVESTMENT STRATEGY SAVINGS & INVESTMENTS UNION SUSTAINABLE FINANCE/ESG ASIA PACIFIC EUROPE IRELAND NORTH AMERICA UNITED KINGDOM