In a speech at the 2026 Investor Summit, Financial Conduct Authority Director of Consumer Investments Lucy Castledine outlined how the regulator is combining wider access to investment support, simpler disclosures and action against financial crime to strengthen the UK investment market. The targeted support regime went live in April, and nine firms have been authorized to provide it. Monzo found that customers receiving an investment recommendation were 33% more likely to open an investment account than comparable customers who did not. The FCA is also seeking to broaden regulated investment options while improving how firms explain risks and protections. Its Consumer Composite Investments regime replaces prescriptive disclosure templates with greater flexibility, after a review found only 6% of pre-sale documents were written in plain English. The regulator expects to issue final rules on other investment-service disclosures and cash-interest explanations, as well as a policy statement on ongoing advice services, by the end of the year. It also plans to reassess pre-sale disclosures next year and is reviewing financial-promotion rules and guidance. Castledine linked market participation to stronger safeguards against scams and illegal promotions. An international operation led by the FCA in April involved 17 regulators and resulted in UK criminal prosecutions, 48 alerts against unauthorized firms and 120 requests for social media platforms to remove content. She also urged reporting of concerns about high-risk investments, including loan notes and mini-bonds, and called for stronger action by technology platforms against fraudulent adverts, deepfakes and lookalike accounts.

Original source