Regulators extend transitional direction powers in line with Brexit delay

The Financial Conduct Authority ("FCA"), Bank of England ("BoE") and Prudential Regulation Authority ("PRA") yesterday announced measures to extend certain UK-specific Brexit transitional relief provisions for a further six months until 31 December 2020, in line with the extension of Exit Day until 31 October. This is generally in line with industry expectations and does not signal any material changes to the regulators' policy or approach. (It should be noted that these timelines are separate from the 3-year maximum period applicable under the (separate) Temporary Permissions Regime ("TPR"), which remains unchanged in terms of overall maximum duration).

The FCA has issued a statement confirming its intention to extend the proposed duration of the directions issued under its temporary transitional power ("TTP") to the 31 December 2020, reflecting the six-month extension of Article 50. The TTP is intended to minimise disruption for firms and other regulated entities if the UK leaves the EU without a withdrawal agreement. For those areas covered by the TTP, firms do not generally need to prepare now to meet the changes to their UK regulatory obligations that are connected to Brexit.

The FCA's statement clarifies that other than the additional time, the FCA’s approach to the use of the TTP remains unchanged from that previously communicated. Firms are reminded, in particular, that certain obligations will not be covered by the TTP: these include some significant areas such as reporting under EMIR and the MiFID II transaction reporting regime, which will present particular challenges for EEA firms operating in the EEA under the TPR. The FCA reiterates that it expects TPR firms to use the additional time between now and the end of October to prepare to meet these obligations and confirms that it will publish further information before exit day on how firms should comply with post-exit rules.

The PRA and BoE have published a related consultation paper, which provides an update on the BoE and PRA's approach to the TTP. The consultation also briefly explains and consults on the proposals to amend further certain regulatory requirements to take account of changes to EU law taking effect between March and October 2019. On use of the TTP, the PRA and BoE confirm, consistent with the FCA, that the proposed adjusted fixed end date for the TTP directions will be 31 December 2020, and that the overall approach to use of the TTP remains generally unchanged from the approach previously outlined by the PRA and BoE.

PRA-regulated firms within the scope of the TPR are reminded that for the most part, the TTP will not apply to obligations arising in consequence of their status change upon entering the TPR. The PRA and BoE are also consulting on proposals to fix deficiencies arising from the UK's withdrawal from the EU and to make consequential changes in light of the extension to the Article 50 period (in order to deal with EU binding technical standards ("BTS") entering into force between March and October 2019). The PRA does not expect material changes to be required to address this. Changes required to take account of EU laws and regulations other than BTS remain the responsibility of HM Treasury, which is separately engaged on this exercise.