Financial Regulation: The International Regulatory Environment

A key component to the development of financial markets is to agree standards of behaviour and provide mechanisms for dispute resolution. These standards, rules and codes of conduct may be established through self-regulation of the industry, or by means of a statutory approach where governments provide enabling legislation and establish statutory-based regulatory authorities. Integrity and ethical behaviour are key parts of any code of conduct and have, as a result of the financial crisis, experienced renewed focus from professional bodies, governments and regulators. As financial markets have become increasingly global in nature and interdependence has grown, the financial sector has moved from self-regulation to a statutory approach. This has facilitated international cooperation and the development of improved and common standards. The objectives and benefits of regulation is summarised as follows: • increase in confidence and trust in financial markets, systems and products< br> • establish an environment to encourage economic development and wealth creation • reduce the risk of market and system failures including their economic consequences • enhance consumer protection, giving them the reassurance they need to save and invest, and • reduce financial crime by ensuring financial systems cannot easily be exploited. By attending this course participants will be able to understand the objectives and benefits of regulation and the various agencies that make up the current international and national regulatory environment.