Treating Customers Fairly – TCF
The FCA no longer carries out TCF specific visits, however this does not mean that they no longer think it is important. It does mean that by now they expect the principles of TCF to be embedded in all firms and to be the bed rock of their business models. The principle is to ‘put the customer first’ in everything which we do. Therefore, if during a visit or an interview they get the impression that TCF is no longer a priority, they will certainly investigate further and this is where you will need an experienced compliance consultant by your side.
Haven Risk Management has a comprehensive TCF ‘Gap Analysis’ exercise, which all regulated firms should ideally undertake every two years. For the purposes of this analysis we have broken down the FCA requirements into 6 key areas:
- Senior Management Responsibilities
- Communication with Clients
- The Advice Process
- The Post Advice Process
- Disclosure and Payment for Services
- Staff Competence
In order to facilitate a proper and effective TCF Gap Analysis, Haven Risk Management have developed a TCF Gap Analysis tool. The tool has 46 sub-sections and suggests 162 different areas that may be examined. The Analysis then assesses each area on a traffic light system which leads directly into an Action Plan. If this analysis is used diligently with the complete involvement of senior management then firms should not only comfortably meet the Regulator’s requirements but should also significantly improve the standard of operations of their firms.
Please contact us for further information if you would like a full TCF Gap Analysis completed.