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Regulation redux: Dreams, confusion, gateways and hurdles

A close-up of a Metro Bank sign
Photo: Getty Images

Gavin Stewart looks back at last week’s regulatory events, featuring challenger banks, crypto promotions, FCA authorizations and BNPL schemes.

The recent FT interview with Metro’s new owner, with its praise for the branch model, inadvertently highlights the immense problems facing mid-sized “challenger” banks, forced to look for a distinct (riskier) business model as a route to growth.

There has always been an element of smoke and mirrors