How the FSMA will impact on retail financial services

The Financial Services and Markets Act (FSMA) will have a significant impact on the UK financial services industry, but it is suggested that it will make relatively few changes in relation to retail financial services. The new regime will regulate some additional retail investments, and it is possible that the design of polarisation will be altered. The greatest impact, however, is likely to result from the FSA's emphasis on senior management responsibility, whereby firms' senior management will be held personally liable if the firm fails to discharge the key retail duties such as know your customer and giving suitable advice.