LONDON, (Reuters) – Britain’s financial watchdog called on Monday for immediate coordination with European Union counterparts to ensure that Brexit is as smooth and stable as possible for markets.
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has said financial firms should feel comfortable about relying on a transition deal agreed last month between Britain and the EU.
This covers the period between Britain’s planned departure from the bloc next March and the end of 2020, but EU officials say this was a political deal and will not be legally ratified until at least later in the year.
Firms should therefore press ahead with plans in case of a “hard” Brexit next March, such as setting up new EU hubs.
“It’s important that we have regulatory engagement now because we are dealing with practical issues… and they affect both sides,” FCA Chief Executive Andrew Bailey said.
He told a news conference to discuss the watchdog’s latest business plan that he wants coordination to avoid disruption to derivatives and insurance contracts that straddle borders.
Starting coordination now would mean a framework is ready once transition has been legally ratified, Bailey said.
