Overview

In recent times, there have been a number of significant regulatory developments in the market for the distribution of retail investment products in Asia, Europe and the Middle East. These developments have been driven by the underlying need to protect consumers, particularly in view of failings in the regime, many of which have been exposed by the financial crisis. The wide-ranging reforms which have been instigated indicate that a change in the regulatory landscape is inevitable.

This article is the first in a series published by Herbert Smith and alliance firms
Gleiss Lutz and Stibbe, which seeks to assist those with global businesses involved in the distribution of retail investment products in understanding the particular products and practices where regulatory concern and consumer claims have arisen, the reforms on the agenda, the issues that firms will face and how they should prepare for implementation. This article covers the UK and also considers reforms taking place on the European and international front.

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