Global Trustee and Fiduciary Services Bite-Sized Issue 4 2026

26 QUICK LINKS CMU CONDUCT CRYPTO ASSETS EMIR FINTECH FUND LIQUIDITY IOSCO OPERATIONAL RESILIENCE SUSTAINABLE FINANCE/ESG T+1 ASIA EUROPE LUXEMBOURG NORTH AMERICA UNITED KINGDOM Global Trustee and Fiduciary Services Bite-Sized | Issue 4 | 2026 FCA Regulatory Priorities – Consumer Investments On 4 March 2026, the FCA published its Regulatory Priorities – Consumer Investments report, one of a series of reports designed to replace more than 40 portfolio letters. The report on the FCA’s consumer investments priorities for the next year cover: • Building a stronger investment culture » The FCA says it wants consumers to feel confident about investing. Firms should help them by communicating clearly and honestly, without jargon. Firms must explain fees and charges, as well as risks and rewards, before consumers make decisions. » The FCA says it will focus on firms giving consumers products and services that meet their needs at a fair price. It says it will help firms prepare for the Consumer Composite Investments (CCI) rules and continue its Advice Guidance Boundary Review (AGBR). Its targeted support policy comes into force in April, and it aims to publish new proposals for simplifying its advice rules soon. • Strengthening trust – The FCA says it wants consumers to trust the sector. It says it will work with firms to ensure strong governance, robust risk systems, and responsible innovation. It says it will also make sure firms act quickly when risks emerge, stay resilient, and pay redress where due. – The FCA says it will support responsible innovation by helping firms test AI applications and other propositions through its sandbox. • Securing good consumer outcomes – The FCA says consumers are more likely to get good outcomes when products and services meet their needs, including those in vulnerable circumstances. Firms should monitor outcomes, have clear, fair pricing, and give consumers timely information and support. – The FCA says it will consult on clarifying the application of the Consumer Duty across distribution chains and review feedback on its client categorisation proposals. We’ll support new channels, with a guide for finfluencers promoting accurate, responsible content. • Strengthening financial crime controls – The FCA says that firms need to have robust systems and controls, strengthen surveillance, and enhance their reporting. The FCA says it will continue partnering with Ofcom and domestic and international bodies to tackle scams and fraud. – The FCA says it will use its enforcement powers to punish bad actors, including finfluencers who promote fraud and scams. Link to Consumer Investments Priorities here