The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has fined Threadneedle Asset Management Limited (TAML) £6,038,504 for failing to put in place adequate controls in the fixed income area of its front office, and for providing inaccurate information to the regulator and for failing to correct the inaccurate representation for four months.
In April 2011, the Financial Services Authority (FSA) wrote to TAML and asked TAML to address specific concerns about the fixed income area of its front office, including the Emerging Markets Debt desk. The FSA was concerned about, among other things, the number of errors occurring in that area as well as the risks of fund managers initiating, booking and executing their own trades. On 29 June 2011, TAML responded to the FSA stating that it had appointed individuals to be responsible for all aspects of dealing on the relevant desks (including the Emerging Markets Debt desk) and that the individuals had taken on those responsibilities. This overstated the position. In fact, the individuals had not taken on all the responsibilities outlined in TAML’s response and consequently, the FSA’s concerns had not been fully addressed.
Shortly after TAML submitted its response, a fund manager on the Emerging Markets Debt desk initiated, executed and booked a $150 million trade on behalf of TAML funds at four times its market value. The fund manager did not have the authority to make the trade. TAML’s outsourced back office identified the problem and did not settle the trade.
The FCA considers these failings to be particularly serious because the deficiencies allowed a fund manager to initiate, execute and book a $150 million trade which, had it settled, could have caused a $110 million loss to the relevant client funds.
TAML received a 20 per cent Stage 2 settlement discount, without which the fine would have been £7,548,130.
Notes for editors
- The Final Notice[1].
- On 1 April 2013 the FCA became responsible for the conduct supervision of all regulated financial firms and the prudential supervision of those not supervised by the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA).
- The FCA has an overarching strategic objective of ensuring the relevant markets function well. To support this it has three operational objectives: to secure an appropriate degree of protection for consumers; to protect and enhance the integrity of the UK financial system; and to promote effective competition in the interests of consumers.
- Find out more information about the FCA[2].