As the initial implementation phase of the CMA’s Open Banking remedies comes to an end at the end of this year, Open Banking continues to make strides in its mission to enable customers to gain access to new and innovative products to manage their finances more easily and efficiently. Moreover, the willingness of banks to go beyond the requirements mandated by the CMA is ultimately likely to bolster the attractiveness of Open Banking-powered products to the end customer and encourage more wide-scale adoption.

As we discussed in our recent article (available here), VRPs are just one of several action items set out in the OBIE’s Roadmap for the implementation of Open Banking. However, the OBIE’s role will come to an end as the CMA looks to transition the OBIE’s functions to a suitable successor body (the future entity) once the CMA agrees the initial Roadmap has been completed.

We look take a look here at the background to the initial Roadmap and the CMA’s recent response to its consultation on the future oversight of Open Banking.

Background to the consultation

Back in 2016 the CMA carried out a market investigation into the retail banking market for personal current accounts, business current accounts and SME lending which resulted in the Retail Banking Market Investigation Order 2017 (Order) and the CMA’s subsequent Open Banking remedies. The OBIE then, in consultation with the CMA, created a project plan and timetable (the Roadmap) which provided a framework for the implementation of Open Banking[1].

The actions set out in the Roadmap for the Implementation of Open Banking, have now nearly all been implemented by the banking industry. In anticipation of the conclusion of this implementation phase, in March 2021 the CMA undertook a consultation on the future oversight of the CMA’s Open Banking remedies. The CMA’s response to the consultation was published in March of this year.

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Read more here.