Contents
Our latest publication, Financial Services Sector: Trends & Insights 2026, is intended to help you navigate the continuing wave of regulatory change facing the sector, and to plan for the short to medium term with greater confidence.
Chapter 2.
The Financial Market Authority’s (FMA's) current priorities point to a more interventionist and outcomes-focused approach. While reducing unnecessary regulatory burden remains a focus, firms should expect continued scrutiny in areas where customer harm, weak governance or poor market practices may arise.
Key areas to watch:
- Custody of client assets, with the regulatory framework under review and licensing of custodians a future possibility.
- Wholesale markets, particularly misleading disclosure, active marketing of wholesale offers and reliance on eligible investor certificates.
- Financial advice reform, with the FMA looking at how to improve access, support digital advice and innovation, and address gaps in the current regime.
- Fees, conflicts, sustainability claims and scams, all of which remain key conduct and enforcement priorities.
Read the full publication for more on the FMA’s priorities and where firms may face heightened scrutiny.
