Brexit: what are the options for the financial services industry?

2016 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. 45-53 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Sahr ◽  
Mark Compton ◽  
Alexandria Carr ◽  
Guy Wilkes ◽  
Alexander Behrens

Purpose To explain the impact for financial services firms of the UK’s vote to leave the European Union (EU) and to assess the possible options for conducting cross-border financial services between the UK and EU in the future. Key to this is the likely loss of the EU “passport” for financial services that allows a firm licensed in one EU state to offer its services freely throughout all EU states. Design/methodology/approach Explains the process by which the UK will leave the EU and negotiate future trading arrangements; the key considerations for financial services firms doing cross-border business in the EU; the various options for cross-border business in the future; and the key steps financial services firms should be taking to respond to the vote to leave the EU. Findings Many issues still remain uncertain and are unlikely to be resolved for a number of years, but long lead times to implement solutions mean that firms should be considering their options now. Practical implications Firms should be evaluating their current reliance on EU passports and the alternative options that might be suited to their business, such as the “quasi-passports” available under certain specific EU laws or relocation of part or all of their business. Originality/value Legal analysis and practical guidance concerning an unprecedented political development with profound impacts on financial services in Europe, by experts with long-term experience of EU negotiations and financial services gained from working for the British government, regulators and regulated firms.

Subject UK-EU trade talks. Significance The United Kingdom will leave the EU on January 31, 2020, but will abide by EU rules as part of the transition period, which runs to December 31, 2020. During this limited period of time, London and Brussels will seek to negotiate a permanent trading relationship. While the transition deadline can be extended, the UK government has committed not to seek an extension. Impacts The impact of no trade deal or a 'thin' one may force the UK government to increase taxes in order to meet spending pledges. UK financial services will rely on an equivalence deal with the EU; London hopes to agree this by mid-2020. The EU’s future trade policy will focus on having stronger sanction powers as well as legal ones for those that unfairly undercut EU firms.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Marco Brand

Purpose To explain the new Crowdfunding Regulation to market participants and to describe the impact of the Crowdfunding Regulation on current crowdfunding business models in the European Union. Design/methodology/approach This article provides an overview of the new Crowdfunding Regulation with a focus on the provisions concerning cross-border services (“European Passport”) and the new authorization requirements for crowdfunding service providers. Findings In particular the introduction of the European passport will open new funding sources for project owners. This together with the harmonized authorization requirements of crowdfunding service providers is expected to contribute to further growth of the crowdfunding market in the European Union. The Crowdfunding Regulation is a further step on the way to a Capital Markets Union in Europe and regulates crowdfunding for the first time on a European level. Practical implications The Crowdfunding Regulation does not cover all existing crowdfunding business models in Europe (e.g., consumer as project owners and qualified subordinated loans are exempted). Insofar, the rules of the Member States continue to apply with the consequence of a partial fragmentation of applicable regulations. Originality/value Expert guidance from experienced financial-services lawyer.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hamid Moradlou ◽  
Hendrik Reefke ◽  
Heather Skipworth ◽  
Samuel Roscoe

PurposeThis study investigates the impact of geopolitical disruptions on the manufacturing supply chain (SC) location decision of managers in UK multinational firms. The context of study is the UK manufacturing sector and its response to the UK's decision to leave the European Union (EU), or Brexit.Design/methodology/approachThe study adopts an abductive, theory elaboration approach and expands on Dunning's eclectic paradigm of international production. A Delphi study over four iterative rounds is conducted to gather and assess insights into manufacturing SC location issues related to Brexit. The panel consisted of 30 experts and managers from a range of key industries, consultancies, governmental organisations, and academia. The Delphi findings are triangulated using a focus group with 38 participants.FindingsThe findings indicate that the majority of companies planned or have relocated production facilities from the UK to the EU, and distribution centres (DCs) from the EU to the UK. This was because of market-seeking advantages (being close to major centres of demand, ease of access to local and international markets) and efficiency-seeking advantages (costs related to expected delays at ports, tariff and non-tariff barriers). Ownership and internalisation advantages, also suggested by the eclectic paradigm, did not play a role in the location decision.Originality/valueThe study elaborates on the OLI framework by showing that policy-related uncertainty is a primary influencing factor in the manufacturing location decision, outweighing the importance of uncertainty as an influencer of governance mode choices. The authors find that during geopolitical disruptions managers make location decisions in tight time-frames with incomplete and imperfect information, in situations of high perceived uncertainty. The study elaborates on the eclectic paradigm by explaining how managerial cognition and bounded rationality influence the manufacturing location decision-making process.


2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sven Van Kerckhoven ◽  
Jed Odermatt

Purpose This paper investigates the impact of moving Central Counterparty Clearing Houses (CCPs) that clear euro-denominated transactions to the Eurozone after the withdrawal of the UK from the European Union. Prior to Brexit, the City of London had a dominant position in euro-clearing, but in the aftermath of Brexit, clearing houses might decide to move to the EU27. This paper aims to investigate the impact of moving euro-clearing to the EU27. Design/methodology/approach This paper provides an economic, political and legal investigation based on desk research. It studies the relevant materials, as they relate to the functioning of Central Counterparty Clearing in the aftermath of Brexit, with specific attention to the potential shift of locations and oversight. Findings The development of a EU27 financial hub and the possibility to increase oversight over euro-denominated financial transactions, which were partly at the roots of the financial and Eurozone crisis, could strengthen the market shaping of European financial markets. However, localizing euro-denominated transactions in Europe could potentially give rise to efficiency losses and a higher risk for companies and investors. Furthermore, the European regulatory framework currently faces certain weaknesses, obstructing the regulatory potential of the EU. Research limitations/implications As the Brexit negotiations are not yet finished, this paper does not intend to set out a definite outcome of the processes currently taking place. Practical implications Shifting locations and oversight of CCPs as a result of Brexit could lead to the establishment of a large financial centre within the EU-27. At the same time, it is to be expected that such a development will have a significant impact on the financial infrastructure of the City of London. Originality/value There exists an important trade-off with regard to shifting locations that need to be at the forefront of the discussions and the negotiations when dealing with Brexit. This seems to be neglected in a lot of the current policy debates. This paper takes stock of the ongoing debate and how it relates to the functioning of CCPs.


2020 ◽  
pp. 096977642097581
Author(s):  
Martin Heneghan ◽  
Sarah Hall

The United Kingdom’s (UK) withdrawal from the European Union (EU) will reshape the geography of European finance. From January 2021, the UK will no longer be able to sell financial services cross-border into the EU’s Single Market as it has done as a Member State. Through what are called passporting rights, these financial services exports from London to the EU have been central to London’s competitiveness as an international financial centre and the wider importance of financial services in the UK’s political economy. They have also provided a range of financial services to businesses and individuals in Europe. In this commentary, we examine the implications of Brexit for the financial services sector and for conceptual understandings of finance in economic geography and cognate social sciences. We argue that at the European scale, Brexit is giving rise to growing fragmentation of financial services to a range of European financial centres. Meanwhile, within the UK, finance is likely to become more concentrated in London as renewed processes of spatial concentration that have characterised previous economic shocks develop. Our analysis shows that that in order to understand these seemingly diverging geographies it is necessary to understand financial services as both economic and political practices.


2022 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rita Monteiro ◽  
Sónia Silva

Purpose The purpose of this study is to examine the impact of the transposition of the EU directive that regulates M&As on cross-border deals. Acquirers of targets located in the European Union (EU) must comply not only with takeover rules set individually by member states but also with European Council Directives. The most significant of these Directives in the context of mergers and acquisitions (M&As) is the Takeover Bids Directive (TBD). The intent of the Directive is to ensure equal treatment for all companies launching takeover bids or that are subject to a change in control, providing minimum harmonization rules in view of creating a transparent environment for cross-border takeovers. Design/methodology/approach This study uses the event-study and difference-in-differences approaches. Findings Using a sample of 2,129 M&As conducted between 2000 and 2015, this paper finds positive acquisition synergy for acquirers targeting firms from countries with stronger investor protection rules compared to the average of the EU, but no evidence regarding cross-border deals. The results support the prediction that regulation makes countries diverge more depending on their ex ante level of investor protection. Originality/value This study examines the impact of the enactment of the TBD on announcement returns of M&As in the EU.


Significance There are concerns in Switzerland that the IFA would undermine its sovereignty, reduce wages and subject Swiss businesses to greater competition. A referendum on ending Switzerland’s freedom of movement regime with the EU on September 27 will have a crucial bearing on the future of the IFA. Impacts The EU could soften its tough approach to Switzerland once the EU-UK future trade relationship is resolved. The restoration of Swiss contributions to the EU’s regional development funds would help generate goodwill between Brussels and Bern. Switzerland’s export industries and financial services firms would be worst affected if the IFA collapses.


2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 242-266 ◽  
Author(s):  
Derek Walker ◽  
Beverley Lloyd-Walker

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore recent literature on the impact of changes in the workplace environment and projected trends through to the year 2030. This allows the authors to identify and discuss what key trends are changing the nature of project organising work. The authors aim to identify what knowledge and which skills, attributes and experiences will be most likely valued and needed in 2030. Design/methodology/approach This paper is essentially a reflective review and is explorative in nature. The authors focus on several recent reports published in the UK and Australia that discuss the way that the future workforce will adapt and prepare for radical changes in the workplace environment. The authors focus on project organising work and the changing workplace knowledge, skills, attributes and experience (KSAE) needs of those working in project teams in 2030 and beyond. The authors draw upon existing KSAE literature including findings from a study undertaken into the KSAEs of project alliance managers working in a highly collaborative form of project delivery. Findings The analysis suggests that there is good and bad news about project workers prospects in 2030. The good news is that for those working in non-routine roles their work will be more interesting and rewarding than is the case for today. The bad news is that for workers in routine work roles, they will be replaced by advanced digital technology. Research limitations/implications Few, if any, papers published in the project organising literature speculate about what this discipline may look like or what KSAEs will be valued and needed. Practical implications This paper opens up a debate about how project management/project organising work will be undertaken in future and what skills and expertise will be required. It also prompts project managers to think about how they will craft their careers in 2030 in response to expected work environment demands. This will have professional and learning implications. Social implications The issue of the future workplace environment is highly relevant to the social context. Originality/value This paper is about a projected future some 12 years onward from today. It bridges a gap in any future debate about how project organising jobs may change and how they will be delivered in the 2030s.


Significance E-payment transaction volumes have risen dramatically as more people shop online and embrace non-cash payments. Moreover, fintechs are expanding into new segments of the financial services market such as crowdfunding and insurance. The future growth and resilience of this ecosystem depend on updating the regulatory and data protections framework, which is underway. Impacts Legislation on cross-institution and cross-border data sharing would be crucial to boost public confidence in fintechs. Continued growth of fintechs will increase the demand for cybersecurity services. Tier 2 cities will become increasingly important digital markets.


Author(s):  
Anthony Salamone

As Scottish Conservative leader, Ruth Davidson was a prominent campaigner for a ‘Remain’ vote in the European Union referendum of June 2016. Following the 2017 general election, meanwhile, Davidson repositioned herself as someone who could – aided by 13 Scottish Tory MPs in the House of Commons – influence the Brexit negotiations and nudge the UK Conservative Party towards a ‘soft’ rather than ‘hard’ deal with the EU. This chapter considers the impact of Brexit on the Scottish Conservatives during the leadership of Ruth Davidson in four dimensions: Brexit’s distinct Scottish political context, its electoral consequences, the conduct of Brexit within the UK, and the Brexit negotiations themselves. It concludes with reflections on the future prospects for the Scottish party in light of all four dimensions.


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