2023 finally sees the Financial Conduct Authority’s (FCA) Consumer Duty requirement come into force. It brings with it a simple principle – to deliver good outcomes for retail customers. This is underpinned by cross-cutting rules that bring clarity to the relationship firms must develop with their customers.
“Our rules require firms to consider the needs, characteristics and objectives of their customers – including those with characteristics of vulnerability – and how they behave, at every stage of the customer journey. As well as acting to deliver good customer outcomes, firms will need to understand and evidence whether those outcomes are being met.” (FCA)
As well as promising to end ‘rip-off charges and fees’, the aim is to make it easier for customers to cancel or switch products and access customer support.
But this is about much more than improving service and removing sludge. It is fundamentally about creating an impetus to ensure the cultures of FS firms embrace a customer-first approach.