New ‘Consumer Protection Code’, the proposed CPC47 going forward.

The original Consumer Protection Code was brought out in 2006 and it was a welcome augmentation to the Regulatory environment, since the financial crisis began we are increasingly hearing calls for ‘more regulation’.

Naturally, good regulation is of benefit to both industry and consumers alike, perhaps industry is actually the greater beneficiary because faith in the financial system allows funds to flow freely and in turn financial firms can make profits with greater ease albeit at lower margins (increased competition tends to go hand in hand with that environment).

However, Regulation that is there to hog-tie or ‘get back’ at either beneficiary of regulation is flawed, so something that hammers banks or consumers is ultimately not an achievement but a regression, and for that reason I can’t help but feel sceptical about the new Consumer Protection Code which will come about from the briefings laid out in consultation paper 47 (recently closed).

Where are the key areas that the failure arose?

Bank …

Read More