UK & EU Reg Roundup 28/09/26

The EBA consults on revised technical standards for joint decisions on institution-specific capital and liquidity requirements

25 September 2026

The EBA has launched a consultation on revised technical standards for institution-specific capital and liquidity requirements, aiming to simplify the joint decision process and align it with current supervisory practices.

Key Changes

• Simplified process: Introduces a single, more streamlined risk assessment report.
• SREP alignment: Updates the process to reflect the revised SREP framework and supervisory practices.
• Broader scope: Includes Pillar 2 Guidance and leverage ratio-related requirements and guidance.
• Supervisory measures: Better incorporates qualitative supervisory measures into joint decisions.
• Greater consistency: Aims to improve coordination and consistency in supervisory assessments.

Key Dates

• Consultation deadline: 4 January 2027
• Public hearing: 10 November 2026
• CP ON DRAFT ITS ON THE JOINT DECISION PROCESS FOR INSTITUTION-SPECIFIC PRUDENTIAL REQUIREMENTS
• Revised ITS on joint Decisions EU No 710-2014 Annex.

The EBA identifies priorities for the review of MiCA

24 September 2026

The EBA has outlined key areas for strengthening and clarifying the Markets in Crypto-assets Regulation (MiCA) to keep the framework proportionate, consistent and responsive to the rapidly evolving crypto-asset sector.

Key Changes

• Stablecoins: Strengthen rules for third-country multi-issuer schemes and review reserve requirements.
• Scope and definitions: Clarify the classification of crypto-assets to reduce uncertainty, costs and delays.
• Crypto-asset lending: Consider bringing crypto lending, including DeFi-related activities, within the regulatory framework.
• Reporting: Review reporting requirements for issuers and crypto-asset service providers to improve supervision and risk monitoring.
• EBA response to EC targeted consultation on MiCA review

The EBA publishes its final Guidelines on the management of third-party risk, delivering a more proportionate and consistent framework aligned with DORA

18 September 2026

The EBA has published its final Guidelines on managing third-party risk, introducing a more proportionate and consistent framework aligned with DORA. The Guidelines focus primarily on third-party arrangements supporting critical or important functions (CIFs), reducing unnecessary requirements for lower-risk arrangements while maintaining effective risk management.

Key Changes

• Risk-based approach: Greater focus on third-party arrangements supporting CIFs.
• Full lifecycle coverage: Includes due diligence, contracts, subcontracting, monitoring, documentation and exit strategies.
• ICT and non-ICT services: Applies a holistic approach across both types of third-party arrangements.
• Alignment: Takes account of DORA and international standards, including BCBS principles.
• Implementation: A two-year transitional period will allow firms to implement the Guidelines proportionately.

The EBA publishes updated list of validation rules as part of its regular quarterly reporting frameworks update

14 September 2026

The European Banking Authority (EBA) has published its quarterly update to the validation rules, with changes aimed at improving the accuracy and consistency of regulatory reporting.

Key Changes

• Validation rules: Some rules have been deactivated due to inaccuracies or IT issues, while others have been reactivated.
• Release 4.0: New taxonomy and DPM update packages have been introduced.
• DPM 2.0: Validation rules are now embedded directly in the taxonomy and DPM, improving consistency and traceability.

Validation rules packages

Bank of England 

Statistical Notice 2026/08 - Changes to the criteria for monthly form BT reporting

15 September 2026

The Bank of England has revised the criteria for determining which firms must submit Form BT monthly, with the aim of keeping reporting requirements proportionate while maintaining statistical quality.

Key Changes

• Monthly reporting: Firms required to submit BE, BN, GT or ER returns will generally also submit Form BT monthly.
• Quarterly reporting: Firms not submitting any of these returns will generally submit Form BT quarterly.
• Discretionary requirement: The Bank may still require individual firms to report Form BT monthly.
• Affected firms: The Bank will contact firms directly where their reporting frequency changes.

European Securities and Markets AuthorityESMA sets 2027 priorities for stronger, simpler and more integrated EU capital markets

28 September 2026

ESMA has published its 2027 Work Programme, focusing on strengthening and simplifying EU capital markets while moving several major regulatory and supervisory initiatives into the delivery phase.Key Changes

• Supervision: Expanded oversight of ESG ratings, benchmarks, consolidated tape providers, EU Green Bonds and critical ICT third-party providers.
• Market resilience: Review of EMIR 3 and continued work on stronger EU clearing markets.
• Simplification: Further work to reduce reporting and supervisory burdens, including transaction and funds reporting.
• Digital transformation: Development of ESMA’s Data Platform and greater use of AI and technology in supervision.
• Capital market integration: Implementation of initiatives such as the European Single Access Point and transition to T+1 settlement.
• Crypto and innovation: Continued work on MiCA, crypto-assets, tokenisation and AI-related risks.

Key TakeawayESMA’s 2027 priorities combine regulatory simplification, stronger supervision and greater use of technology, while supporting more integrated and resilient EU capital markets.