EY UK Regulatory Outlook for Financial Services launch
Chris Woolard, EY global regulatory network chair; UK LLP board member; partner, financial services, comments:“Over the last year, regulatory reform has become a core part of the UK government’s growth agenda. It was clear from the recent Autumn Budget that there’s an ongoing challenge to balance short-term fiscal necessities with long-term economic growth. We can expect HM Treasury and UK regulators to work more closely together, and firms need to be ready to engage with and adapt to these reforms.
“However, while growth remains the primary political objective, as acknowledged by the chancellor’s annual letter to the Financial Policy Committee, central banks and regulators have many competing priorities to protect against consumer harm and market shocks, including geopolitical or technological disruption. In 2026, it will be key for financial firms to navigate both of these drivers for reform, with a continued regulatory focus on consumers, security and stability.”
The report is a UK-specific outlook, linking global trends to the national market. It covers:
- Four key cross-cutting regulatory priorities for all financial services firms in 2026:
- Financial crime
- Operational resilience and cyber
- AI in compliance
- Navigating volatility
- Practical insights on what to expect from regulators
- Suggestions for how firms can prepare for regulatory attention in the year ahead
- Across sector-specific perspectives, including wholesale and retail banking, insurance, payments, pensions, and wealth and asset management