Automation

Charlotte Byrne, Head of Generative AI at financial services consultancy Capco, comments on the FCA’s latest AI announcement and its implications for the UK financial services sector: “The FCA’s live AI testing service is an incredibly positive move for the UK financial services sector, signalling that the FCA is leaning towards a collaborative regulatory environment,  with an appetite towards safe innovation rather than steps to stifle innovation. “Trust in AI is critical as organisations start to roll out scaled AI customer facing products. By providing firms with structured regulatory support, the FCA’s new service will introduce positive guardrails, helping organisations test and benchmark their AI models against key principles like fairness, transparency, and accountability before they reach the market. “It will also help level the playing field, enabling a wider range of firms to innovate responsibly and at pace. For smaller firms that may not have extensive in-house AI expertise or resources, the testing lab offers an opportunity to strengthen governance and build trust with customers and stakeholders. “This isn’t entirely selfless, the lab testing and collaboration with innovators will provide the FCA with valuable insights, from use cases to impact and common challenges to better understand how AI may impact UK financial markets and better prepare for the future. “It’s important the FCA ensures the service remains accessible and genuinely encourages responsible innovation across firms of all sizes. The success of the initiative – and whether it ends up an accelerator rather than a cumbersome and timely process – will depend on the practical support offered and the timeframes the FCA can support given the potential demand

Michael Shand, Managing Principal at financial services focused technology and management consultancy Capco, comments on the Financial Conduct Authority’s new five-year strategy announcement. “The FCA’s new five-year strategy is firmly aligned with the UK government’s growth agenda, but there could be some additional clarity around success metrics – though that task is made more challenging by factors outside of the FCA’s control, such as macroeconomic factors, competition from other jurisdictions, and the take up and future impact of technology.“While banks and other financial services will welcome the spirit of the FCA’s strategy – a growth focus, proportionate oversight, and an ambition to simplify, reduce or remove reporting obligations – its implications could vary widely in practice.“It is welcome that the FCA is placing consumer outcomes at the heart of the new strategy. It is clearly prioritising greater financial inclusion and resilience through a combination of greater participation in more complex, higher risk investing with a robust approach to protection, for example by cracking down on financial crime.“The FCA has also recognised the power of technology and innovation – from AI to Open Finance – as key enablers. There is a focus both on efficiency – for the FCA and the firms it regulates – and access, including unlocking more sources of funding.“The strategy provides a useful reference point for banks and other financial services firms to assess their priorities and opportunities in line with these themes. However, they will no doubt welcome greater clarity as the strategy translates into the FCAs specific plans and actions