A model of protecting financial service clients in the UK

Abstract

Aim: The purpose of the paper is to describe changes occurring in the UK in consequence of the financial crisis with regard to protecting financial service customers, which prompts towards the answer to the question about the optimum protection model when it comes to protecting financial market customers. The author analyses whether regulations in use in the UK are sufficient to ensure cohesion between the public supervision of the financial market and customer protection. In practice, these value may be in opposition. Design / Research methods: The basic research method used in the paper is analysing sources of law and the literature of the subject. Conclusions: The most recent financial market crises undermined the assumption that public and legal supervision is a sufficient tool preventing market turbulences. The financial market supervision should expand beyond professional financial service providers. At the same time, it is also necessary to ensure customer protection. Having conducted the research, the Author recognises that the model used to supervise the financial market and protect financial service customers adopted in the UK deserves to be multiplied on the basis of Polish law, with a particular focus on transferring the supervisory function to the central bank. Originality / value of the article: The topic is pertinent and important as, in the EU member states, adaptation of new legal solutions in the area of financial supervision is considered. However, the problem tackled in the paper has not received any wider coverage in the literature of the subject. The UK regulations may and, according to the author - should serve as a model for the Polish legislator who is planning to challenge the issue of organising supervision over the Polish financial market in the near future.