Bloomberg Talks FCA's Walls Talks UK Deregulation, 'Golden Age' For The City
Jan 19, 2026
Simon Walls, Executive Director for Markets at the Financial Conduct Authority, discusses exciting reforms aimed at making it easier for retail investors to access corporate bonds, including new rules allowing purchases from just £1. He highlights a pro-competition agenda to increase market participation and improve the UK’s capital-raising efficiency. With a focus on balancing risk and retail protection, Walls emphasizes London's strengths in competitive markets. This visionary approach signals a new era for the City, driven by innovation and inclusivity.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Hotfoot From Launch To Studio
- Simon Walls described hotfooting from the Stock Exchange launch where the new reforms were unveiled.
- He said there was real energy and broad industry support despite the Chancellor's absence.
Lower Costs To Raise Capital
- The FCA raised prospectus thresholds and simplified small-denomination bond rules to lower capital-raising costs.
- Simon Walls expects retail investors to be able to buy bonds from as little as £1 under the new rules.
Replace Gates With Disclosures
- The FCA is replacing preemptive regulatory gates with disclosure where appropriate to trust market price formation.
- The reform program aims to boost UK market competitiveness across asset classes, not just equities.