
The ECB has outlined plans to streamline bank supervision. The European Central Bank moved to simplify oversight for smaller lenders while rejecting calls to loosen capital buffers, underscoring its focus on resilience as the EU’s revised banking framework approaches implementation next year.

Rachel Reeves has delivered a tax-heavy Autumn Budget for business. Markets have taken the measures in their stride, but leaders now face a higher, more complex tax burden and big questions about investment, skills, and productivity that our BQX deep-dive will unpack in full, as they plan for 2026 ahead.

Russia’s central bank has accused state agencies of violating shareholder rights in a high-profile nationalisation case, exposing friction within Moscow’s financial establishment and raising fresh warnings for European companies with remaining exposure to Russia.

Independent workplace investigations are now central to leadership accountability. Daniel Stander, an international employment lawyer in the London office of Vedder Price LLP, explains why UK employers must prepare for NDA reforms and ensure credible, well-scoped probes to safeguard reputation, culture, and compliance when allegations arise.

HSBC warns of compromised identity documents after data breach. The bank reassured customers that its systems remain unaffected, urging vigilance against potential fraud. Affected individuals receive a complimentary Experian Identity Plus subscription and can access a dedicated helpline until 8 October 2025.

SEON secures $80m Series C funding led by Sixth Street. The AI-driven fraud prevention platform, based in Budapest and Austin, serves clients like Revolut and Spotify. It aims to enhance fraud detection and compliance amidst rising regulatory pressures.

FCA warns firms against excessive compliance with Consumer Duty rules. The financial watchdog aims to simplify compliance, addressing concerns about regulatory burden and cost. The FCA seeks to clarify expectations and improve flexibility, ensuring businesses do not overinterpret requirements.

Europe is losing climate ground, warns the bloc’s first commissioner. Former EU climate chief Connie Hedegaard has warned that political and corporate complacency is eroding the European Union’s environmental leadership. Her remarks follow a series of policy rollbacks and investor concerns over the credibility of Europe’s net zero transition.

Whistleblowing reform in the UK remains a slow process. Francesca Titus examines the gaps in the Office of the Whistleblower Bill, from insufficient protections to missing financial incentives, and asks what companies should be doing now to prepare for a new era of corporate accountability.

HMRC confirms AI use in monitoring taxpayers’ social media accounts. The tax authority employs AI tools for analysing online posts in criminal tax fraud cases, raising concerns among MPs about potential errors due to automated systems.