The FCA's 2026 Safeguarding Reforms

Introduction

The FCA’s upcoming safeguarding reforms - due to take effect in May 2026 - represent the most significant overhaul of payment services and e-money safeguarding requirements since PSD2.

As firms prepare for this new regime, understanding the FCA’s heightened expectations around improved books and records (including more robust reconciliation), enhanced monitoring and reporting, and a range of new obligations designed to strengthen safeguarding practices will be critical.

This webinar will seek to equip delegates with the clarity needed to interpret the new rules, implement compliant safeguarding frameworks ahead of the deadline, and avoid the substantial regulatory and operational risks that arise from getting safeguarding wrong.

Drawing on the latest FCA policy statements, guidance and supervisory messaging, the webinar will offer practical insights, highlight common areas of challenge, and explore the key questions that firms have raised during the implementation period. Delegates will leave with a deeper understanding on the changes and considerations involved in updating their safeguarding controls ahead of the new regime.

What you will learn

This webinar will cover the following:

• An overview of the FCA’s safeguarding reform package, including final rules, guidance, and implementation timelines leading up to the 7 May 2026 deadline
• What has changed and why - the regulatory drivers behind the reforms, including supervisory findings, firm failures, and consumer protection concerns
• Improving books and records - how the reforms strengthen expectations around record-keeping, reconciliation, segregation and operational controls - and what firms should be doing as a result
• Enhanced monitoring and reporting - what the new monitoring, reporting and audit framework looks like - and how firms should prepare
• Governance - practical insights on improving governance, assigning responsibilities and enhancing oversight of safeguarding arrangements
• Strengthening safeguarding practices - how to approach diversification and due diligence on banks, custodians and alternative safeguarding arrangements
• Common challenges firms face when implementing the new rules, and practical solutions to address them ahead of May 2026
• How does this compare to PSD3 - what are the EU’s planned reforms in relation to safeguarding as part of its upcoming PSD3 package

This pre-recorded webinar will be available to view from Wednesday 8th April 2026

Alternatively, you can gain access to this webinar and 2,100+ others via the MBL Webinar Subscription. Please email webinarsubscription@mblseminars.com for more details.