07/07/2009
FSA gets tougher on financial violations
The British Financial Servies Authority (FSA) on 6 July unveiled a new grid to calculate financial sanctions which will triple some penalties. The initiative aims to alter the behaviour of those who violate regulations, by imposing adequate sanctions to cancel out any potential benefits of infraction, the FSA says in a statement. The British market authority says the move will create “credible” deterrents. “By affecting individuals and companies in the portfolio where it hurts, the fines will create a serious warning for others who may be considering breaking the rules,” says Margaret Cole, in charge of applying the FSA’s regulations. As part of the proposed reforms, companies which admit to having broken the rules will pay a fee of up to 20% of profits from the activities concerned by the infraction. For an employee, the fine may be up to 40% of pay (including bonuses) for an infraction outside the market. For market violations, the minimal fee will be GBP100,000 (EUR116,000) for an individual. The FSA’s proposals are subject to a consultation until 21 October. The new fee grid would apply to all violations committed after February 2010.
