Finance Firm Debacle Shows Light Touch Failed - Watchdog Is Looking For The Regulation Sweet Spot, Writes Financial Markets Authority's Sean Hughes

A lot of newsprint has been devoted to the investigation of failed finance companies.

During the past eight months, the Financial Markets Authority announced its intention to file civil proceedings in relation to the Hanover group, laid charges against three people associated with Belgrave Finance, secured some guilty pleas in the Bridgecorp, National Finance and Huljich Wealth Management cases and negotiated a settlement with Kiwi Finance that saw investors paid in full.

It has been a busy time and frustratingly retrospective in its focus.