North West next for FSA visits

Jonathan Fischel, head of mortgages and credit unions at the FSA, said smaller regulated firms in the North West were currently being assessed. FSA has already held two roadshows in the North West at Bolton and Liverpool ahead of its programme of assessments.

Fischel said: "The next region to be assessed is the North West including Manchester. We want to see if and how firms' efforts are being translated into fair outcomes for their customers."

Fischel added that the FSA wanted to work with as many firms as possible and that its enhanced strategy, which had already been in practice in Northern Ireland, was offering firms information on the assessment experience and the FSA's expectations of firms.

"We are communicating to firms through our roadshows," added Fischel. "The aim is to deliver the message to firms during a period when they are being assessed."

Fischel issued a warning for firms who did not work with the regulator. "Those few firms failing to engage with the FSA will face disciplinary action."