FCA launches whistleblower campaign | Mortgage Introducer

The FCA has launched a campaign designed to encourage individuals working in financial services to report potential wrongdoing to the regulator.

As part of the campaign, titled ‘in confidence, with confidence’, the FCA has published materials for firms to share with employees, as well as using its events to highlight the campaign.

It has also produced a digital toolkit for industry bodies, consumer groups and whistleblowing groups to encourage individuals to have confidence to step forward.

Recording all client interactions should become the new normal

Whistleblowers that report to the FCA will have a dedicated case manager.

They can meet with the FCA to discuss their concerns and can receive optional regular updates throughout the investigation.

Every report the FCA receives is reviewed and the FCA will protect individual whistleblowers’ identities.

The FCA has been investing in increased resourcing to support whistleblower interaction, including increasing the headcount on its whistleblowing team.

As part of its aim to provide a smoother internal process, it has introduced a mandatory e-learning module for all staff, to help identify potential whistleblowers.

This module will also support staff in making sure any intelligence received by the FCA is dealt with correctly and that identities are protected.

The FCA’s whistleblowing rules require firms to have effective arrangements in place for employees to raise concerns, and to guarantee these concerns are handled appropriately and confidentially.

It has introduced a requirement for firms to appoint a whistleblowers’ champion to make sure there is senior management oversight over the integrity, independence and effectiveness of the firm’s arrangements.

These include those arrangements designed to protect whistleblowers from victimisation, as well as overseeing the preparation of an annual report to the firm’s governing body.

Mark Steward, executive director of enforcement and market oversight at the FCA said: “We want all whistleblowers to feel welcomed by us and to feel safe because of us.

“We listen to all whistleblowers and, if they shine a light on serious misconduct, we want to make sure we act responsibly.

“When whistleblowing works well it helps consumers, markets and firms and keeps everyone safe and that is our aim.”