22 January 2007

Financial Services Authority

http://www.fsa.gov.uk

FSA Crack Down on Financial Crime

The Financial Services Authority (FSA) unveiled a new division today to tackle the risks posed by the evolution of financial crime.

Speaking at the FSA's Annual Financial Crime Sector Conference, John Tiner, the FSA's Chief Executive, told the audience that the new Financial Crime and Intelligence Division would further raise the FSA's game - and the UK's - by creating a recognised centre of excellence to provide the leadership, tools and expertise needed to meet the increased challenges ahead and maintain the integrity of the UK's Financial Sector.

John Tiner said:

"All of us involved in the fight against financial crime have to recognise that risks in this area inevitably evolve quickly and our responses have to match them. This is a continuing challenge: as we react to the most recent attacks, so the criminals move onto new ways of achieving their objectives. We have to keep raising our game and the FSA is responding to this by creating the Financial Crime and Intelligence Division."

Amongst the tasks facing the new division, which is led by director Philip Robinson, and came into effect on January 1, will be examining the risks facing consumers from increasing information security and hi-tech crime, working closely with other regulators. This will include the potential for low-tech breaches of security, such as the careless disposal of sensitive data.

The division will also be working with a broad range of economic experts from inside and outside the FSA to create an effective means of measuring the real scale of the problem posed by financial crime.

The Financial Crime and Intelligence Division has brought together all of the financial crime expertise that was previously spread throughout the FSA. It will work closely with law enforcement and other regulators to identify, assess and manage criminal threats in the UK's financial sector.

Notes for Editors

1. One of the FSA's statutory objectives is to reduce the extent to which it is possible for a business to be used for a purpose connected with financial crime.

2. The FSA is concerned with three broad areas in financial crime: fraud, money laundering and market abuse, and works closely with other agencies including law enforcement and other regulators.

3. The FSA last year approved a new intelligence strategy, which will be implemented by the division. It has three aims: to gain a better understanding of the scale and incidence of financial crime and its impact on the UK and financial institutions; target poor performing firms and sectors; and encourage risk-based implementation of financial crime policy internationally and domestically.

4. The FSA regulates the financial services industry and has four objectives under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000: maintaining market confidence; promoting public understanding of the financial system; securing the appropriate degree of protection for consumers; and fighting financial crime.

5. The FSA aims to promote efficient, orderly and fair markets, help retail consumers achieve a fair deal and improve its business capability and effectiveness.

ENQUIRIES

Press: Cerris Tavinor 020 7066 3232
Outside office hours 07795 351 956
Public: FSA Consumer Helpline 0845 606 1234 (call rates may vary)
Website: www.fsa.gov.uk

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Contact

25 The North Colonnade,
Canary Wharf,
London E14 5HS

Main switchboard
020 7066 1000

Consumer Helpline
0845 606 1234

Firms Contact Centre
0845 606 9966

http://www.fsa.gov.uk

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