NBSP – Fine Assets & Local News – Friday, 12 December 2025

✓📈 Millions of people set to get extra help with investments and pensions decisions The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has announced plans to introduce targeted support aimed at helping at least 18 million people with their investments and pensions over the next decade. This new service will enable firms to provide tailored suggestions to consumers,…
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✓📈 Millions of people set to get extra help with investments and pensions decisions
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has announced plans to introduce targeted support aimed at helping at least 18 million people with their investments and pensions over the next decade. This new service will enable firms to provide tailored suggestions to consumers, allowing them to make more informed financial decisions. The initiative is part of a broader effort by the FCA to enhance consumer protection and empower individuals in managing their financial futures. By offering personalized advice and support, the FCA hopes to address the complexities of investment and pension choices that many consumers face. This initiative underscores the FCA’s commitment to ensuring that consumers have access to the necessary resources and guidance as they navigate their financial journeys.
[Date: 12 December 2025]
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📝 Establishing a bond consolidated tape provider
The FCA has reached a significant milestone in the establishment of a bond consolidated tape provider by lifting the freeze on the contract award process. Following a High Court order, the suspension has been lifted, allowing the FCA to proceed with signing a contract with Etrading Software (ETS). This development is crucial as it paves the way for the delivery of the bond consolidated tape, which aims to enhance transparency and efficiency in the bond market. The initiative reflects the FCA’s ongoing efforts to improve market infrastructure and ensure that investors have access to reliable data. The successful implementation of the consolidated tape is expected to bolster investor confidence and facilitate better decision-making in the financial markets.
[Date: 12 December 2025]
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📋 FCA simplifies complaints reporting process
In a move to enhance consumer protection and data quality, the FCA has announced plans to simplify the complaints reporting process for firms. This new approach will replace five existing complaints returns with a single consolidated return, streamlining the reporting process and making it easier for firms to comply. The FCA aims to strengthen oversight and improve the overall handling of consumer complaints in the financial sector. By simplifying the process, the FCA hopes to encourage more firms to report complaints accurately and efficiently, ultimately benefiting consumers and reinforcing trust in the financial system. This initiative is part of a wider strategy to enhance regulatory efficiency and responsiveness.
[Date: 12 December 2025]
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🤖 FCA helps firms to test AI safely
The FCA has launched an innovative initiative to assist major firms in safely testing artificial intelligence (AI) technologies within the financial sector. Known as the AI Live Testing initiative, this program provides firms ready to implement AI in UK financial markets with tailored support and a controlled environment to evaluate the benefits and risks associated with AI applications. This initiative is groundbreaking in the financial industry, reflecting the FCA’s commitment to fostering innovation while ensuring that new technologies are deployed responsibly. By collaborating with participating firms, the FCA aims to gain insights that will inform future regulations and best practices for the use of AI in finance.
[Date: 12 December 2025]
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🚗 Pause on motor finance complaints handling to lift on 31 May 2026
The FCA has announced that it will lift the current pause on handling motor finance complaints on 31 May 2026. This decision comes after a period of review that began in January 2024, during which the FCA assessed the need for a compensation scheme for affected consumers. The timeline allows the FCA to finalize its plans and gives firms adequate time to prepare for the resumption of complaint processing. This move is part of the FCA’s ongoing commitment to ensuring fair treatment for consumers in the motor finance sector and aims to facilitate a smoother resolution process for any outstanding complaints.
[Date: 12 December 2025]
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🔍 FCA censures Institute of Certified Bookkeepers for failings in anti-money laundering supervision
In a significant enforcement action, the FCA has censured the Institute of Certified Bookkeepers (ICB) for serious deficiencies in its anti-money laundering (AML) supervision. This action marks the FCA’s first sanction against a professional body supervisor, highlighting the importance of compliance within the sector. The ICB, responsible for overseeing AML practices, failed to meet the required standards, prompting the FCA to take decisive action to uphold regulatory integrity. This move emphasizes the FCA’s commitment to ensuring that all supervisory bodies adhere to robust AML frameworks to prevent financial crime and protect the integrity of the financial system.
[Date: 12 December 2025]
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Looking to unlock value in fine assets, art, or luxury items? Visit New Bond Street Pawnbrokers, explore loans on watches, or discover lending on fine watches.

David Sonnenthal

Founder of the multi-award-winning pawn shop New Bond Street Pawnbrokers, located in Blenheim Street, Mayfair, Central London.

David took an unusual route into pawnbroking, moving into the industry after a successful career in show business. Between the ages of 17 and 26, he worked as a professional actor, appearing in a variety of productions on both stage and screen. In 1996 he even won the prestigious Perrier Award for acting at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

His pawnbroking career in London started quite by chance after he discovered the future site of New Bond Street Pawnbrokers during an acting audition in 1999. Immediately seeing the shop s potential, he turned it into a successful pawn shop London business and went on to become one of the UKs top pawnbrokers.

David is a highly respected figure in the pawnbroking industry, winning the National Pawnbroker Associations award five times in 2023, 2022, 2021, 2019 and 2008. Over the course of his 30-year career, he has gained a reputation as one of the pioneers of UK and Londons pawnbroking. He is a regular fixture in the British media, often providing expert advice on market value, and trends in pawnbroking.

Never one to lose touch with his roots, David has even managed to continue his entertainment career as the resident dealer on Channel 4 s popular Four Rooms TV series.

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Constantin Singureanu

Constantin leads our multi-award digital marketing team, with an exclusive focus on delivering the best possible digital experience for our clients, from the moment they reach our website, finding the information they need, and getting in touch, to learning interesting facts about the fascinating world of luxury via our comprehensive blog.

Mariana Vlad

Mariana has been working in the pawnbroking industry since 2014. She enthusiastically embraces her newly found interest in watches. Mariana thoroughly enjoys working with customers, building strong relationships, and over her long and distinguished career, she has distinguished herself through excellent communication skills and high personal integrity. In 2025, Mariana won the prestigious “Employee of the Year” Award from the National Pawnbroking Association (NPA).

Employee of the Year 2025 – National Pawnbroking Association Awards (NPA) 

Susana Figueiredo

Having worked in the pawnbroking industry for 20 years, Susana offers a high level of knowledge within the lending sector.  Her expertise is key to the daily business at New Bond Street Pawnbrokers where she ensures that compliance is adhered to. With a keen interest in the satisfaction and experience of our clients, Susana is a huge asset to the team and is a fundamental part of the day-to-day running of the company.

Employee of the Year 2021 – National Pawnbroking Association Awards (NPA) 

David Sonnenthal

David Sonnenthal took an unusual route into pawnbroking, moving into the industry after a successful career in show business. Between the ages of 17 and 26, he worked as a professional actor, appearing in a variety of productions on both stage and screen. In 1996 he even won the prestigious Perrier Award for acting at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

His pawnbroking career in London started quite by chance after he discovered the future site of New Bond Street Pawnbrokers during an acting audition in 1999. Immediately seeing the shop’s potential, he turned it into a successful pawn shop London business and went on to become one of the UK’s top pawnbrokers.

David is a highly respected figure in the pawnbroking industry, winning the National Pawnbroker Association’s award six times in 2025, 2024, 2022, 2021, 2019, and 2008. Over the course of his 25-year career, he has gained a reputation as one of the pioneers of UK and London’s pawnbroking. He is a regular fixture in the British media, often providing expert advice on market values.

Never one to lose touch with his roots, David has even managed to continue his entertainment career as the resident dealer on Channel 4’s popular Four Rooms TV series.

New Bond Street Pawnbrokers
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