The director general of the Finance & Leasing Assoociation (FLA) has reiterated concerns over timing after the consultation paper on the transfer of credit regulation in the UK from the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) to the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) closed today.

Following the promise from Martin Wheatley, head of the Financial Services Authority (FSA, which will become the FCA), to "listen" to the UK finance industry and particularly the FLA, which has submitted its response to the paper.

Go deeper with GlobalData

Data Insights

The gold standard of business intelligence.

Find out more

As he has stated previously, the primary concern for Stephen Sklaroff, director general of the FLA, is the timescale by which the handover of regulation will happen.

Scale of change

"It’s important not to underestimate the scale of the Government’s proposal," said Sklaroff.

"We need to make sure the transfer is smooth and efficient, and that it doesn’t end up restricting the availability of credit. To avoid that, we need to plan properly for the logistical challenge of transferring an entire industry to a new regulator, under a brand new regime, in less than a year.

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

"We will need a sensible timetable for implementing the new regime, which allows firms and the regulator to make the necessary changes, while ensuring that consumers remain well-protected and can access credit when they need it."

The FSA said it had confidence in the timetable, given the plans for an interim regime for firms to register with rather than complete a full registration with the FCA.

The application process, which will then lead to full authorisation under the FCA will not be "arduous," a spokesperson for the Authority told Motor Finance. "We’ve been engaging with firms and industry groups right the way through the transition."

The FSA has also been preparing for the move alongside the OFT and will see OFT staff transfer across to the FCA.

Although the FCA will be regulating more than 50,000 companies, the FSA emphasised that firms will be able to carry on working as before from 1 April 2014 provided they are registered with the interim regime. After the deadline, the FCA will continue to work with firms to ensure the change remains "as smooth as possible".

richard.brown@timetric.com