By AML Intelligence Correspondent
BRITAIN’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has announced it is formally investigating NatWest’s governance, systems and controls over the Nigel Farage “debanking” controversy.
The authority said it is “working to identify and address any significant shortcomings” at the banks. The controversy led to NatWest Group ceo Alison Rose losing her job.
The agency on Friday said this “supervisory work will include use of our statutory information gathering powers, interviews with relevant bank staff and reviews of appropriate policies or procedures”
The FCA has been intensifying supervisory work in relation to NatWest Group and its subsidiary Coutts since the contoversy earlier this year.
In a statement the authority said it had reviewed the findings of the initial independent report, commissioned by NatWest, into decisions on potential account closures and data protection breaches.
“This report, and additional information we have considered, has highlighted potential regulatory breaches and a number of areas for improvement,” the agency said.
These include:
- the firms’ processes, systems and controls around how they consider potential closure of accounts and handle complaints from their customers.
- the allocation of responsibilities and effectiveness of the firms’ governance mechanisms.
“In recent weeks, we have confirmed to both firms that we are now reviewing how the firms’ governance, systems and controls are working to identify and address any significant shortcomings. This supervisory work will include use of our statutory information gathering powers, interviews with relevant bank staff and reviews of appropriate policies or procedures,” the authority disclosed.
This will also include how these issues may impact on the wider fair treatment of customers. Any complaints about handling of individual cases remain a matter for the Financial Ombudsman Service, with which we cooperate.
We hope you enjoyed reading this article
If you would like unlimited access to AML Intelligence premium articles, newsletter delivered twice a week, access to our Global Bank Fines and Penalties database, free access to Boardroom Series events and much more, select one of our subscription options and become a subscriber!
