OFT has published the results of its review of cash ISA transfers. This follows a super-complaint from Consumer Focus in 2010 which resulted in a number of initiatives to improve the market for cash ISA consumers. The review found that more than 90% of all cash ISA transfers carried out last year were completed within 15 working days and that providers of cash ISAs are now back-dating interest if the transfer is delayed beyond this, and are publishing interest rates on cash ISA statements.

This Order amends the National Savings Bank (Investment Deposits) (Limits) Order 1977 (S.I. 1977/1210) by increasing, from £5,340 to £5,640, the annual amount which can be accepted by the Director of Savings from any person by way of deposit in an inpidual savings account at the National Savings Bank.

BIS/BERR has now published the above, in which Vince Cable discusses business financing, suggesting “I would go so far as to say that we have a financial services industry in London that plays in the Champions League, with overseas owners to match, and a British business finance system which struggles in the second pision. … Wherever I meet groups of business people around the country I am given fresh anecdotes about how hard it is to deal with the banks, how few choices there are, how swift and arbitrary the treatment can seem”. He goes on to suggest the creation of a British “business bank” out of RBS, which he concedes would “not be straightforward”.

ESMA has now published the responses to this consultation, available to download inpidually via the following link.

Commentary on the financial securities regulation in China in which Caixin argues criminality at the core of the securities sector results in undermined investor confidence and depletes market integrity.

FSA has published the above for Q4 2011, including a commentary.

Insight into lessons learnt as a result of the Greenlight case. Emphasises the shift away from market regulation solely by those seeking to profit, instead highlighting the FSA’s concern with lax controls, poor and uniformed conclusions and above all the ‘failure to exercise due care, skill and diligence’.

The BIS Quarterly Review includes items on the global impact of European bank deleveraging and bank stock returns, leverage and the business cycle. Items from the review are available to download inpidually via the following link.

A draft report by Othmar Karas which sets out suggested amendments to CRD IV.

On this technical resource webpage, FOS sets out its long-established approach to settling disputes involving old bank or building society passbooks – and whether the accounts in question are still open, closed or dormant. (12/03/12)