UK Regulator details its plan for key benchmark regulation

The UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has updated its website concerning benchmarks. The FCA has updated the text of “Future Policy Reforms”. In the text the FCA states that it intends to consult on introducing new rules on benchmark pricing in Q2 2015.

These proposals will be designed to modify the rules for benchmark administrators, submitters and firms that contribute to benchmarks as set out in Chapter 8 of the Market Conduct sourcebook (MAR 8) and in Policy Statement 15/6: Bringing additional benchmarks into the regulatory and supervisory regime. In this Policy Statement the FCA noted that there were concerns regarding the pricing and costs being passed onto the users of benchmarks. The FCA stated that it would consider whether additions to the rules in MAR 8 are necessary and would conduct a further public consultation requiring administrators to offer fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory access and pricing arrangements if necessary.

“We will continue to engage with these groups, HM Treasury and the Bank of England on domestic and international policy initiatives, including the development of new EU benchmark regulation and FEMR’s work on the fixed income, currency and commodity markets.” The FCA state on their website.

Policy Statement PS15/6 is available here.

The FCA updated web pages on benchmarks are available here.