Banks could face competition probe if they do not improve service, OFT warns

Banks The UK's 'big four' lending banks could face a referral to the Competition Commission (CC) and potential break-up if they do not change their approach to consumer banking, the head of regulator the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) has warned. 20 Feb 2012

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Treasury files second legal challenge to ECB clearing house location policy

Banks The Treasury has filed a second legal challenge to a new European Central Bank (ECB) policy that would force clearing houses dealing with large euro-based transactions to move within the eurozone, it has confirmed. 17 Feb 2012

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Out-Law Guides

Tax treatment of Shari'a finance

This guide was last updated in August 2011.
Product intervention

This guide is subject to UK law and was last updated on 7th February 2011. How far should a financial regulator be allowed to interfere with product design and price in the interests of protecting...
The FSA's remuneration code

This guide is subject to UK law and was last updated on 19th January 2011 . Over 2500 financial services firms are likely to be affected by changes to the Remuneration Code which came into effect o...
Financial promotions using new media

This guide is based on UK law and was last updated on 15th June 2010. Firms using new media channels such as Twitter and Facebook to advertise financial services and products still need to abide by...
What is a platform?

This guide is subject to UK law and was last updated on 5th May 2010. A platform is an online service that allows financial advisers to manage their clients' investment portfolios. Some platforms c...
The Payment Services Directive

This guide is based on an EU Directive and how it applies in the UK. It was last reviewed in September 2009. The aim of the Payment Services Directive (PSD) is to enhance efficiency, competition an...

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Government extends small business loan guarantee scheme

More businesses are now eligible for a support scheme which allows smaller companies without the credit history to secure a normal bank loan to access Government-backed funding, the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) has announced. 16 Feb 2012

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Corporate

PFI investors overcharging for risk, NAO warns

Public sector authorities could be paying more than they should to equity investors who are charging more than they should to offset risk in projects funded by way of the private finance initiative (PFI), the Government's spending watchdog has warned. 15 Feb 2012

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Pinsent Masons

Expertise in Banks

With globalisation and technological progress, banks and financial institutions are having to access customers in more innovative ways, but against a backcloth of tighter governance and increased regulation. We have developed a market-leading position as one of a handful of firms providing a full range of services to banks.

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