Advice Matters Magazine

IN THIS ISSUE:

Financial services continues to operate against a backdrop of significant regulatory, economic and geopolitical change. For firms and individuals, the challenge is not simply keeping pace with new requirements, but applying sound professional judgement as circumstances become increasingly complex and fast-moving. Regulatory expectations around culture, conduct and individual accountability continue to evolve. From 1 September, the FCA’s changes relating to Non-Financial Misconduct bring greater focus to how firms identify, assess and respond to serious workplace behaviour, reinforcing the relationship between culture, governance, Fitness and Propriety and the Conduct Rules.

At the same time, geopolitical tensions and market volatility demonstrate why approaches to Market Abuse must continue to evolve. Inside information is not limited to corporate results and takeovers. Defence contracts, energy disruption, government decisions and geopolitical events can all create information with significant implications for markets and the professionals operating within them.

Alongside these developments, delivering good customer outcomes remains central to the FCA’s expectations. Identifying and supporting customers in vulnerable circumstances requires more than recognising obvious indicators. Advisers and firms need to notice changes in behaviour, communication and financial resilience and consider how their approach can adapt to individual needs.

We begin by examining the FCA’s approach to Non-Financial Misconduct, considering what it means for managers, HR and Compliance and how firms can demonstrate that their frameworks work in practice. Secondly, exploring the changing face of Market Abuse and how macroeconomic pressures, geopolitical events and professional networks can create new risks. And finally, considering less obvious indicators of customer vulnerability and how these can be translated into practical support and better customer outcomes.

Remember if there are any specific areas you would like Advice Matters to cover in future issues, please get in touch.

Advice Matters Magazine | October 2026

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