Independent investigation into London Capital & Finance

We set out the background to the investigation and publish our response to the review’s recommendations.

The Gloster Review

The Independent Reviewer, Dame Elizabeth Gloster, was approved by HM Treasury to investigate the circumstances surrounding the collapse of LCF. HM Treasury published her report[1] on 17 December 2020, assessing the FCA’s actions, policies and approach when regulating LCF between April 2014 and January 2019.

FCA response

In our response[2], published on 17 December 2020, we explain we have accepted the review’s 9 recommendations for us. We set out what we have done and what we will do next to implement fully the review’s recommendations.

Background to the LCF review

On 30 January 2019, LCF entered administration following FCA action in December 2018 directing LCF to immediately withdraw its promotional material. This was on the basis that the way the firm was marketing its retail investment products (often referred to as ‘mini-bonds’) was misleading, not fair and unclear.

LCF issued mini-bonds to 11,625 investors, with a value of £237,207,497. Issuing mini-bonds is not normally a regulated activity, so firms issuing mini-bonds do not usually need to be authorised by the FCA. However, when an authorised firm approves a promotion for mini-bonds, they must ensure that it is in line with FCA rules that the financial promotion is fair, clear and not misleading. This means, for example, that risks are required to be appropriately communicated.

On 23 May 2019, following a request from the FCA’s Board, the Economic Secretary to the Treasury directed the FCA to carry out an independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the collapse of LCF. A Protocol[3] setting out the approach to the conduct of the investigation, led by Dame Elizabeth Gloster, and underlining the nature of the review was published on 25 July 2019.

Alongside this, the Treasury announced it would review the wider policy questions raised by the case of LCF. These relate to the regulatory and tax treatment of the kinds of retail investment products issued by LCF (often referred to as ’mini-bonds’).

Dame Elizabeth Gloster’s biography

Dame Elizabeth has had a distinguished career as a barrister and as a judge on the High Court and the Court of Appeal. As well as her current work as an international arbitrator, she has deep experience in commercial law and brought expertise in financial services, insolvencies and regulation to this role.

Next steps

We accept and will implement each of the 9 recommendations made to the FCA in the LCF Review. The LCF Review has also made 4 additional recommendations for the Treasury and wider Government and we will provide them with any advice and support they need as they consider these.

The FCA Board – and its Audit and Risk Committees – will oversee the implementation of the recommendations of this and the Connaught Review[4] (led by Mr Raj Parker). In July 2021, we issued an update[5] alongside our annual report. In December 2021, we provided a full report[6] on our work against each recommendation. Our implementation work concluded in June 2022 and is now subject to an assurance review carried out by an independent function in the FCA

We will update this website with the progress of our continuing transformation programme.

PA Consulting report

The final report of the Independent Review into the FCA’s regulation of London Capital and Finance makes reference to a report produced by PA Consulting for the FCA in 2016. Read the PA Consulting report[7]. 

Complaints

We announced our broad approach to LCF complaints[8] in April 2021, and, given the exceptional circumstances surrounding LCF, individuals will continue to be able to make complaints to the FCA about LCF until 17 March 2022. We will continue to have the flexibility to investigate complaints after that time if the complainant can show reasonable grounds for delay, as per the terms of the Complaints Scheme[9]. 

If you do have a complaint about the FCA, there are several ways you can contact us. You can find further details about how to contact us by visiting our complaints page[10]. We will continue to consider all LCF complaints individually and in line with the broad approach as previously outlined and linked above.