NYC Debt Collection Regulation Finalized

The New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection issued a Notice of Adoption finalizing comprehensive revisions to the city's debt collection regulations on February 26, 2026. The rule, effective September 1, 2026, explicitly extends conduct requirements to original creditors collecting their own debts, contrary to federal and state exclusions. The revisions stem from a regulatory process that began in November 2022.

SEC Interpretive Guidance on Crypto Asset Classification

The SEC released an interpretive guidance (Release No. 34-9268380) on March 17, 2026, establishing a five-category taxonomy for classifying crypto assets under federal securities laws. The guidance categorizes crypto assets as digital commodities, digital collectibles, digital tools, stablecoins, or digital securities. Notably, digital commodities, digital collectibles, and digital tools are explicitly classified as non-securities. This guidance supersedes the SEC's 2019 Framework for Investment Contract Analysis of Digital Assets.

UK FCA confirms motor finance redress scheme timing

The UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has published a statement confirming the timing of its announcement on the motor finance redress scheme. The FCA consulted on the scheme in October 2025 and indicated proposed changes in March 2026. The FCA stated it intends to set out its approach shortly after markets close on Monday 30 March.

New FCA Rules on Non-Financial Misconduct in Financial Services

The UK FCA published a new webpage and final rules on non-financial misconduct (NFM) including bullying, harassment and violence, effective September 1, 2026. The FCA introduces new rule COCON 1.1.7FR extending conduct rules to cover bullying, harassment or violence against colleagues, and updates FIT guidance for fitness assessments. Affected firms must review and update staff policies, conduct breach reporting, FIT assessments, and regulatory references.

UK FCA guidance on consumer segmentation for targeted support

The UK Financial Conduct Authority published new guidance on April 2, 2026, setting out good and poor practice examples for firms designing consumer segments under the new targeted support regime. The guidance covers three key areas: defining common characteristics at appropriate granularity, considering readily accessible consumer data, and using reasonable assumptions in ready-made suggestions. The FCA emphasizes that examples are illustrative only and firms retain flexibility in compliance approaches.

ECJ C-51/25: Clarifying The Interpretation Of Payment Services

Advocate General Manuel Campos Sánchez-Bordona published an opinion in ECJ case C-51/25 advocating a narrower interpretation of payment services under PSD2 (Directive EU 2015/2366) than currently applied in several member states including Germany. The opinion addresses whether Betaal Garant Nederland's construction security deposit service constitutes a payment service requiring a license under PSD2. The Dutch supervisory authority DNB had imposed penalties for operating without the required payment services license.

BCBS clarifies rental income treatment for operational risk capital

The Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (BCBS) published a finalised technical amendment (TA) clarifying the treatment of rental income from investment properties under the business indicator used in calculating operational risk capital requirements. The amendment also incorporates similar changes to the treatment of interest expenses and includes a finalised FAQ on market risk. Banks must implement the revised standard by 1 April 2029.

FCA Reminds Firms of Risks with Unregulated Lenders

The UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has published a statement reminding regulated firms of the risks when dealing with unregulated lenders and 'Annex 1' firms. Annex 1 firms are registered with the FCA solely for anti-money laundering (AML) purposes and are not subject to the FCA's wider regulatory rulebook. The FCA expects regulated firms to conduct robust due diligence, including direct confirmation of Annex 1 registration status and independent verification of information.

EBA RTS Shortens Own Funds Reduction Application Timeline to 3 Months

The European Banking Authority published final draft amending regulatory technical standards (RTS) under Articles 77, 78 and 78a of CRR (Regulation 575/2013), shortening the timeframe for authorities to process applications for prior permission to reduce own funds and eligible liabilities instruments from four to three months. The amendments also remove simplified procedures for liquidation entities following the Daisy Chain Directive (2024/1174).

Mexico AML amendments introduce new obligations, shorter deadlines

Mexico AML amendments introduce new obligations, shorter deadlines