Consumer Panel responds to Northern Rock Review

26 March

The Financial Services Consumer Panel today welcomed the FSA's Internal Review of Northern Rock, but was disappointed that there had not been more independent input to the Review. The Panel believes the FSA is to be congratulated for acknowledging its shortcomings, but independent auditors could have provided a valuable wider perspective.

Panel Chairman John Howard commented, "The FSA concludes that even if supervision had been acceptable it was by no means the case that that would have changed the outcome. This suggests to me that the events surrounding the failure of Northern Rock, including the sudden collapse in credit markets, were testing the limits of regulation anyway. No regulator can guarantee to prevent all failures. In those circumstances, a realistic compensation scheme which pays out quickly is vital to prevent another bank run."

 

Notes to editors

1. The FSA established the independent Financial Services Consumer Panel in December 1998 to advise its Board on the interests and concerns of consumers and to report on the FSA’s performance in meeting its objectives. The Consumer Panel has statutory status.

2. The emphasis of the Panel’s work is on activities that are regulated by the FSA, although it may also look at the impact on consumers of activities outside but related to the FSA’s remit. More information about the Panel's work is available on our website – www.fs-cp.org.uk.

3. The Consumer Panel brings together a wide range of relevant experience. This includes financial services regulation, working with vulnerable consumers, consumer protection, consumer education, front-line money advice, legal expertise, competition policy, public policy analysis, market research and media.

4. There are currently twelve members of the Panel as listed below (for further information on individual members, see the Panel's website – www.fs-cp.org.uk)

   John Howard (Chairman)
   Adam Phillips (Vice Chairman)
   Kay Blair
   Michael Chapman
   Stephen Crampton
   Caroline Gardner

   Jenny Hamilton
   Tony Hetherington
   Nick Lord
   David Metz
   Lindsey Rogerson
   Carol Stewart