Last Friday, 22nd March, the European Commission proposed to increase the tariffs on imports into the EU of cereals, oilseeds, and derived products (‘grain products’) from Russia and Belarus, including wheat, maize, and sunflower meal. These tariffs, while high enough to suppress such imports into the EU in practice, would not affect exports to third countries.
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by Uzi Rosha

Compliance programs serve as a critical foundation for ensuring financial institutions operate within legal and regulatory boundaries. The dynamic and complex nature of financial regulations necessitates a strategic approach to compliance, one that is proactive, adaptable, and comprehensive. Traditional compliance frameworks, while foundational, often struggle to keep pace with the rapid evolution of financial products, services, and regulations. In the rapidly evolving financial sector, technology plays a pivotal role in enhancing the effectiveness and efficiency of compliance programs. Continue reading…

by Ian Jones

As hybrid work models become the new norm, businesses face a complex set of challenges, particularly regarding data compliance and security. Whilst managing remote teams has become more refined in recent years, there is something that threatens this way of working. That threat is unseen, unsafe and unsuspecting. It’s a digital danger that comes in the form of sensitive data loss, cyber-attacks and data breaches, each one looming ever larger in this evolving working model. The stakes are high. Continue reading…

The Chairman of the Belgian Financial Services and Markets Authority (FSMA) and IOSCO Board Chair Jean-Paul Servais has been re-elected chair of the European Regional Committee of the international organization IOSCO. The members of the IOSCO European Regional Committee have re-elected Jean-Paul Servais for a two-year term as chair of the European Regional Committee. He combines this responsibility with the Chairmanship of the IOSCO Board since October 2022. Continue reading…

In its Business Plan for 2024-25, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has set out an ambitious programme of work for the final year of its 3-year strategy to achieve better outcomes for consumers and markets. Nikhil Rathi, Chief Executive of the FCA, said: “We’ve already made significant progress in delivering against the bold vision we set out in our strategy two years ago, including the game-changing introduction of the Consumer Duty and proposing the most far-reaching reforms to wholesale market regulation and the listing regime in decades. We remain resolute in supporting the vital role the financial sector plays in the UK’s long-term economic growth, embracing the potential benefits that technology presents both for us and the firms we regulate, while also continuing to protect consumers and ensure market integrity.”

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Marcusevans is excited to announce that the Chief Litigation Officer Summit returns in June 24-25 at Encore Boston Harbor Boston, MA, USA! The 41st Chief Litigation Officer Summit is an invitation-only, premium Summit bringing leading Litigation executives and innovative suppliers and solution providers together. The Summit’s content is aligned with key litigation challenges and interests, relevant market developments, and practical and progressive ideas and strategies adopted by successful pioneers. Continue reading…

The eleventh European Union (EU) – United States (US) Energy Council (“Council”) met last Friday 15th March, in Washington, chaired by US Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell, US Deputy Secretary of Energy David M. Turk, European Commissioner for Energy Kadri Simson, and EEAS Acting Deputy Secretary General Bélen Martinez Carbonell. The Deputy Head of Mission of the Kingdom of Belgium to the United States of America, Sophie Karlshausen, represented the Presidency of the Council of the European Union. The EU-US Energy Council serves as the lead transatlantic forum for coordinating strategic energy issues at political and technical levels. Transatlantic energy cooperation is vital to advancing diverse and resilient energy systems, bolstering energy security, promoting stability and transparency in global energy markets, and accelerating just energy transitions consistent with our mutual commitment to net-zero greenhouse gas emissions at home and globally by 2050. Continue reading…

by Daoud Abdel Hadi

It’s a new world – defined by rapid technological advancements, and witnessing more organisations embracing AI. To navigate this ever changing landscape, it is essential that regulators recognise traditional governance principles no longer suffice. In fact, relying on these outdated principles could result in more harm than good. Regulators must begin to use the power of AI to modernise their approach and promote responsible innovation. As the world turns, it’s essential for regulators to foster an ecosystem that integrates AI effectively and protects individuals at the same time. Continue reading…

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has committed to investigate the use of personal guarantees by lenders to support loans to certain small businesses. The steps come in response to a super complaint from the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB). The FSB has raised concerns that a growing demand for personal guarantees by lenders has a detrimental impact on small businesses, which they believe dissuades them from borrowing funds to grow. It has particular concerns about small limited companies. The FCA’s remit, which is set by Parliament, does not include lending to limited companies. However, the work announced by the FCA reflects its commitment to do what it can to support small businesses within its defined remit.
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