Meeting FCA’s 2025 Supervisory Priorities: How ACS Operations Can Help UK Banks
With ongoing developments in the UK’s regulatory environment, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has set out its supervisory priorities for 2025. These priorities include:
- Operational resilience
- Combating financial crime
- Sustainability
- Customer protection
- Banking accessibility
These priorities pose potential risks for financial institutions that will need to be addressed for smooth functioning within the regulatory framework. ACS Operations has developed Managed Services and Advisory Solutions to support banks and SMEs in compliance with key UK laws and regulations.
- Ensuring Operational Resilience
- What It Means:
Operational resilience refers to a financial institution’s ability to prepare for and adapt to disruptions, quickly recover, and sustain essential services during crises like cyber-attacks or financial instability. With the FCA’s keen scrutiny, banks must ensure they have robust risk management and governance frameworks to remain resilient. - How ACS Operations Supports:
ACS Operations helps banks manage large volumes of work and reinforces operational resilience during high-demand periods. Whether reacting to seasonal spikes or requiring expert assistance, our staff ensure business continuity by handling critical processes such as:- KYC (Know Your Customer)
- Transaction monitoring
- Customer screening
- Fraud alerts
By adhering to regulations such as the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (FSMA) and PRA Rulebook, ACS ensures your bank remains resilient and compliant during periods of excessive demand.
- Combating Financial Crime
- Why It Matters:
Financial crime, including money laundering, fraud, and terrorism financing, remains a severe threat to the financial sector. The FCA mandates that banks maintain sufficient controls to identify and prevent such crimes. - How ACS Operations Can Help:
ACS Operations offers comprehensive services to help prevent financial crime, including:- Transaction alerts
- Fraud incident response
- Customer screening
Our Advisory Services work alongside your team to enhance your financial crime prevention framework, ensuring compliance with AML (Anti-Money Laundering) and CTF (Counter-Terrorist Financing) regulations. We perform regular risk assessments and investigations to ensure that your firm remains compliant with Money Laundering Regulations (MLR) 2017 and the Criminal Finances Act 2017, thus safeguarding your business from penalties and reputational risks.
- Assisting Customers in Financial Distress
- What It Means:
The FCA places significant emphasis on providing fair and appropriate assistance to customers in financial difficulty, particularly vulnerable customers. - What ACS Operations Can Do:
ACS Operations helps firms implement the Customer Duty rules, ensuring vulnerable customers are treated fairly. We assist in complying with regulations under the Consumer Credit Act 1974 and the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000, helping your firm avoid regulatory scrutiny and build trust. By ensuring that your processes are designed for fair and equitable treatment, we help you safeguard vulnerable customers against unfair practices.
- Preserving Access to Banking Services
- What It Means:
The FCA’s focus on inclusion aims to ensure that everyone has access to basic banking services, regardless of background, without discrimination. - How ACS Operations Helps With:
ACS Operations partners with banks to ensure they meet FCA standards for accessibility in banking. We help banks maintain compliance with the Equality Act 2010 and the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000, ensuring non-discriminatory access to banking services. This helps mitigate legal and reputational risks while expanding access to essential banking services.
- FCA Compliance and Remediation Support
- What It Is:
FCA compliance requires continuous adherence to regulatory requirements. When compliance gaps are identified, swift remediation is essential to avoid penalties and meet FCA expectations. - How ACS Operations Assists:
ACS Operations provides Remediation Services to close compliance gaps promptly. We offer:- AML/CFT framework design
- Risk assessments and audits
- Step-by-step remediation roadmaps
Our services ensure that your firm aligns with legal requirements and remains compliant with FCA regulations, preventing recurring issues.
Why Choose ACS Operations?
ACS Operations provides critical support in meeting the FCA’s 2025 supervisory priorities for banks:
- Expertise in Regulatory Compliance: A proven track record of working with UK banks to maintain compliance.
- Tailored Services: Managed Services, Advisory, and Remediation Solutions designed for financial institutions.
- Risk Mitigation: Ensure your firm is always prepared for disruptions, fraud, financial crime, and regulatory changes.
- Continuous Improvement: We help you continuously evolve your compliance posture to stay ahead of FCA priorities.
Unlock Resilience with ACS Operations
As the regulatory landscape continues to evolve, ACS Operations remains committed to helping UK banks and financial institutions navigate these challenges. From operational resilience to combating financial crime, ACS ensures that your firm can meet FCA requirements, reduce risks, and maintain a compliant, accessible, and fair banking environment.
Contact ACS Operations today to explore how our services can help your business meet the FCA’s 2025 supervisory priorities and achieve long-term compliance.
