Brokers & Trading Firms

Practical regulatory expertise for wholesale brokers, interdealer brokers, and proprietary trading firms.

We provide specialist compliance support for brokers and trading firms operating in fast-moving markets. Our consultants understand the unique pressures of broking and trading environments, where commercial imperatives and regulatory obligations must be balanced in real time.

With ongoing regulatory focus on market conduct, transaction reporting, and surveillance, we help firms build proportionate frameworks that satisfy FCA expectations without impeding business.

Sector Overview

Brokers and trading firms face intense regulatory scrutiny of their market conduct, surveillance arrangements, and client relationships. In the UK, the FCA maintains particular focus on best execution, conflicts of interest, and market abuse controls in this sector.

Whether you operate as an interdealer broker, agency broker, or proprietary trading firm, the regulatory expectations are demanding. Our compliance support for brokers draws on practical experience across different trading models and asset classes.

Sector-Specific Challenges

Wholesale brokers and trading firms we work with, commonly face pressures such as:

  • Building effective market abuse surveillance across voice, electronic, and hybrid execution
  • Meeting MiFID II best execution and order handling requirements
  • Managing transaction and trade reporting obligations accurately
  • Implementing robust conflicts of interest frameworks
  • Satisfying inducements and research payment requirements
  • Maintaining appropriate client categorisation and professional client assessments
  • Responding to FCA thematic reviews and data requests

We help firms tackle these sector challenges proactively. Reducing risk and improving operational confidence.

RESOURCES

Recent insights and articles for wholesale brokers and trading firms

client categorisation: beware the tick box, follow the facts

client categorisation
Explore how UK COBS rules classify clients, with Retail Clients receiving the highest protection due to limited investment experience.

FCA Intensifies Focus on Transaction Reporting and STORs

graph and pen Brokers & Trading Firms
FCA ramps up scrutiny on transaction reporting and STORs amid rising market abuse risks, targeting spread betting and CFD sectors.

A New Look at Market Conduct

Financial market abuse 1 Brokers & Trading Firms
Explore how Market Abuse Regulation (MAR) ensures fair, transparent markets and why recent cases challenge its enforcement.

CFD’s – FCA turns up the heat on investor protection 

office buildings warm Brokers & Trading Firms
FCA warns investors on CFD trading risks with overseas or unregulated providers, citing poor conduct and influencer-driven marketing.

FOS Fee Reform and FCA Redress Changes

7F0A3110 Brokers & Trading Firms
Discover more about the FOS fee reform and FCA redress changes. Discover how the latest consultations impact complaint handling and costs.

FCA Intensifies Focus on Transaction Reporting and STORs Amid Growing Market Abuse Risks 

Transaction Reporting
FCA tightens oversight on transaction reporting and STORs, focusing on spread betting and CFD sectors to enhance market integrity

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Let’s discuss how we can support your business.