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Banks urged to seize ‘Senior Manager Certification Regime’ change opportunity

KPMG LLP | KPMG LLP

3 min read Partner content

KPMG warns that poor implementation of the regime will lead to a culture of tick-boxing and worse decision-making

KPMG is calling for banks to embrace the opportunity to improve standards within their organisations and not wait for the new Senior Managers’ Certification Regime (SMCR) to come into force.

The SMCR is a regulatory regime set out by the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) and the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), designed to make senior individuals within banks and insurance firms personally accountable for their actions.

The effective date for the new regime is 7th March 2016, and will apply not only to UK-based banks, but also to branches of foreign banks.

Kara Cauter, financial services partner at KPMG, said: “Banks cannot just treat the SMCR as a box-ticking exercise.

“This is all about governance. Banks should focus on improving the clarity, process and documentation of their existing governance framework rather than building a parallel framework just to comply with the new regime. This way, changes will remain consistent and achievable.

“Smart banks are already taking pre-emptive action. Bringing about positive change in bank culture is not only necessary and desirable, it is now also possible.”

KPMG also welcomed the regulator’s recent announcement to include foreign branches in the new regime.

Suvro Dutta, banking partner at KPMG, said: “The inclusion of foreign branches reduces the chance of cultural inconsistencies within different parts of the banking sector. Senior managers should be held to the same standards, irrespective of whether you run a large foreign branch or a UK-registered bank.

“The important issue is how pragmatically and proportionately SMCR is implemented. That is why continued constructive dialogue between the industry and the regulator is vital. A common sense approach is required."

He added that one of the key challenges will be that the new regime views management responsibility and accountability entirely through a legal entity lens. "But that is not how global banking business models actually operate. Large overseas banks will have to demonstrate how they manage risks at a local legal entity level rather than just at a global level.

“The implementation timetable for SMCR is tight and the preparation task required is complex,” Dutta continued. He also noted that despite the considerable focus on senior managers, the implementation of the certification regime will require equal focus as it captured a far larger group of people and it will also be the first time that banks will self-supervise their staff

He concluded: “Implemented poorly, the new regime may actually result in worse decision-making. Implemented well, it will help secure the UK as a leading financial centre, and a pioneer once again in developing a blueprint for accountability; helping make our banks and insurers safer and more accountable.

“We are hopeful this regime will catch on and step from the financial into the corporate world.  Responsible conduct should be sector agnostic. This would not be the first time the UK has led the world in setting an improved benchmark for global markets.”  

Read the most recent article written by KPMG LLP - KPMG - 2015 party conferences

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