MFA sent a letter to the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in response to the Consultation Paper on Payment Optionality for Investment Research.
In the letter, MFA welcomes the proposed new option to allow the ‘bundling’ of payments for thirdparty research and execution services, alongside the existing research payment options. However, MFA is concerned that the proposed guardrails associated with the new payment option may be a deterrent to its adoption by firms, and that this may hinder the achievement of the objectives of the proposal, including the promotion of competition and facilitation of UK firms’ ability to procure research on an international basis.
