Welcome to the April edition of our Banks Briefing, a newsletter produced specifically for lawyers working for banks in the UK.

In this newsletter we cover:-

Barclays becomes first UK bank to receive ring-fencing approval
A UK High Court judge has given Barclays the go-ahead to complete the ring-fencing of its retail banking activities into a new entity.

PCP mis-selling findings remain a risk in light of FCA report
Risk of a mis-selling scandal around the sale of 'personal contract purchases' remains following the publication of a report by the UK's Financial Conduct Authority.

PISPs and AISPs to face complaints-handling duties
All businesses active in the EU's payment services market will be subject to complaints-handling duties under plans outlined by the European Banking Authority.

Fintech sector strategy set out by the UK government
New standards will be developed to help major banks and insurers to collaborate with fledgling fintech companies, the UK government has announced.

Supreme Court: actions in contempt of court can be 'unlawful means'
Multiple breaches of worldwide freezing orders in contempt of court can form the basis of an action for damages caused by 'unlawful means' conspiracy, the UK's highest court has confirmed

ICOs not a current risk to financial stability, says Carney
Initial coin offerings do not pose a current risk to financial stability, Mark Carney has said in a letter to senior officials at the world's biggest economies

New figures reveal loss of £236 million through authorised push payment frauds
Businesses and consumers lost £236 million last year through authorised push payment frauds, new data has shown.

PSD2: communication standards written into EU law
Regulatory technical standards on 'strong customer authentication and common and secure open standards of communication' for payment services businesses have been formally written into EU law.

European Investment Bank pushes growth in financing for tech start-ups
The European Investment Bank has called for the introduction of a European-wide database to pull together all available information on financing for technology companies.

Brexit expected to impact on private equity-backed IPOs
The amount of investment businesses can expect to raise floating on London stock exchanges

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.