The UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) today announced they have agreed two Memoranda of Understanding to ensure there is continuity once the UK leaves the European Union. The MoUs cover trade repositories and alternative investment funds (AIFs).

These agreements will provide reassurance by ensuring arrangements are in place for cross-border cooperation between the FCA and ASIC. The FCA and ASIC also support the continuity of existing equivalence decisions to provide certainty to businesses post-Brexit.

Commenting on the news, the Chief Executive of the UK FCA, Andrew Bailey, said: “The FCA and ASIC have always had a strong relationship, which will continue after Brexit. The MoUs we have agreed today will ensure the FCA and ASIC have an uninterrupted exchange of information and can supervise the cross-border activity of firms. They provide a strong signal to the markets that the UK will continue to play an important role after Brexit. The MoUs will also provide much-needed assurance to our regulated stakeholders.”

These MoUs will enter into force on the date EU legislation ceases to have direct effect in the UK. This will occur when the UK leaves the EU, or at the end of the transition period if a Withdrawal Agreement is in place.

ASIC remains committed to take steps to provide, where appropriate, for continuing recognition post-Brexit of the equivalence of the UK’s regulatory and supervisory regime in relation to UK-based foreign financial services providers and market operators that operate in Australia under licences and exemptions or are otherwise recognised for the purposes of the Australian regulatory regime.