FSA's Turner launches fresh bank attack

clock

Lord Adair Turner, the head of the FSA, last night launched an outspoken attack on the banks, claiming their ability to create credit and money is ‘potentially dangerous'.

He also called for new powers for regulators to intervene in their lending, the Daily Mail reports. Turner, who is a member of the interim Financial Policy Committee, said the country should not rely on free markets to ensure bank lending goes to ‘socially optimal' borrowers such as small firms. He said only a fifth of the vast expansion in bank balance sheets in the run-up to the credit crunch had made its way into the real economy. Measures to control the banks might include risk-weightings for loans to small firms being set by regulators instead of the banks themselves. He ...

To continue reading this article...

Join Professional Adviser for free

  • Unlimited access to real-time news, industry insights and market intelligence
  • Stay ahead of the curve with spotlights on emerging trends and technologies
  • Receive breaking news stories straight to your inbox in the daily newsletters
  • Make smart business decisions with the latest developments in regulation, investing retirement and protection
  • Members-only access to the editor’s weekly Friday commentary
  • Be the first to hear about our events and awards programmes

Join

 

Already a Professional Adviser member?

Login

More on Regulation

FCA's vulnerability findings flag lack of tailored training and understanding

FCA's vulnerability findings flag lack of tailored training and understanding

Many firms had taken positive action but ‘areas for improvement remain’

Isabel Baxter
clock 07 March 2025 • 6 min read
FCA urges principal firms to check PII cover

FCA urges principal firms to check PII cover

Regulator finds 10% of sampled firms may not have adequate cover in place

Isabel Baxter
clock 28 February 2025 • 1 min read
FCA to undertake MPS Consumer Duty review

FCA to undertake MPS Consumer Duty review

Regulator recognises the sector has been ‘growing at pace’

Isabel Baxter
clock 26 February 2025 • 2 min read