Consolidation is back on the agenda
Last month 10 of the Rockstead team, along with approximately 5,000 delegates, attended Global ABS in Barcelona. For over a decade Rockstead has supported this event and without doubt, this was the biggest ABS event so far. There was a significant buzz of energy and enthusiasm, despite the backdrop of increasing geopolitical volatility which continues today.
Global ABS Barcelona – let’s continue the conversation
We were delighted to attend Global ABS Barcelona 2025 – a fantastic opportunity to connect with the market and discuss the challenges and opportunities facing our industry.
We are heading back to Global ABS – let’s meet up!
We’re thrilled to announce that Rockstead will be returning to Global ABS in Barcelona this June—and this time, we’re bringing 10 of our finest team members to make sure we catch up with as many of you as possible!
Have regulators started to tear down barriers?
It’s nearly 6 months since the Chancellor challenged key regulators to ‘tear down the regulatory barriers’ that hold back economic growth. This week however, both the PRA and FCA used the recent BSA conference to announce major reforms. It is becoming clear there is a regulatory will to satisfy Government demands, but will the loosening of controls see a return to the slack standards seen before the global financial crisis?
Transitional Risk and EPCs
Even though it is a reasonably recent category, transitional risk is going to be a significant issue for lenders, servicers or holders of buy to let mortgage assets.
Horizon scanning for risk managers
Regulators often remind firms that they are expected to learn from all their outputs, so risk manager horizon scanning should not be limited to regulator rules and updates. Their scanning should encompass, for example, consultation papers, speeches, press releases and portfolio letters. It should also consider portfolio letters addressed to other regulated sectors.
Managing risks in a light touch world
We have seen several market cycles and in most cases regulation and regulators are seen as followers, tightening regulation after an event – ‘after the horse has bolted’ if you like. This was certainly the case after the Global Financial Crash (GFC) of 2008/9, which led to expansion and significant tightening of regulation within the financial sector. However, we are now witnessing a substantial swing in the regulatory pendulum leading to some CROs fearing a new ’race to the bottom’.
The FCA continues to drive for consumer protection
The FCA final guidance (FG24/2) has just come into force, replacing and building on the earlier Covid Tailored Support Guidance, and further protecting the ongoing needs of borrowers in financial difficulty.
The fines keep coming….
Less than a month ago we wrote about the ‘cost of non-compliance’ exceeding £1bn for poor arrears handling, through FCA fines and redress. Since then, we have seen yet another one. It is clear to us that the FCA is fining firms to drive home the need for a behavioural change in the way lenders treat their customers and arrears strategies.
FCA fines approach £1bn for arrears breaches
Following the most recent FCA lender fine, conversations with our business partners have been ‘off the scale.’ Everyone is shocked that collection teams are still getting it so wrong. FCA fines for the poor treatment of arrears and vulnerable customers is nothing new, and although they appear to relate to historic cases, be in no doubt, everyone is starting to question their own policies and procedures – again.
