Thematic reviews
Overview
Thematic work is one of two main approaches we use to supervise regulated firms. It involves analysing a particular product, market or practice to see if there are widescale issues that we need to act on. The other approach is monitoring firms to check if they are complying with our regulatory requirements and taking action as necessary. Our monitoring assesses risk in individual firms and our thematic work assesses risks within a particular market or sector.
We can use either, or both, of these approaches to best manage the risks we identify. The main risk we focus on is that of the consumer detriment caused by unfair, unclear or misleading promotions.
Why we undertake thematic work
Thematic work helps us identify the scale and nature of risks that emerge from our surveillance of markets and, where appropriate, to take action to address these risks. It enables us to consider the activity taken by different firms across a particular sector in a consistent way and helps us identify good and bad practice.
A thematic approach allows us to look at specific issues using a specialised team and helps us focus our resources and information efficiently.
Thematic reviews since 2004
Our thematic reviews refer to the rules and guidance that were in place when they were published. This means many are based on the rules that were in place before 1 November 2007 rather than the new Conduct of Business Sourcebook rules that have been in place since. Although many of the concepts and lessons in the reviews remain relevant, firms should refer to the current rules to check how they apply now.
Please note that the themeatic reviews are listed in alphabetical rather than date order.
- Aggregators
Review into general insurance comparison websites - May 2008
Examples of good and poor practice in general insurance comparison websites - May 2008 - Capital secured structured products
Capital secured structured products - 2005 review - Critical illness
Financial promotions bulletin [PDF] - August 2005 review - Direct mail
Financial promotions bulletin [PDF] - August 2007 review - Home and motor insurance
FSA review into 'savings claims' in home, motor and travel insurance promotions - January 2007 review'Savings claims' in home and motor insurance promotions - April 2007 review
- Home Reversion Plans
Financial promotions bulletin [PDF] - April 2007 review - Investments for children
Investments for children - 2004 review - Individual Savings Accounts (ISAs)
ISAs - February 2006 review - Mortgages
October 2007 review - Payment Protection
Financial promotions bulletin [PDF] - March 2006 reviewBuilding on firm foundations - FSA review of property investment financial promotions
- Savings advertising
Review into savings advertising standards - October 2008 - SIPPS
Financial promotions bulletin [PDF] - April 2007 review - Sponsored links
FSA review into sponsored links - November 2007 - Spread betting
Spread betting review - March 2007 review - Venture Capital Trusts (VCTs)
Venture Capital Trusts - August 2005 reviewVenture Capital Trusts review - May 2006 review
- Websites
Website promotions - March 2005 review
Web promotions - February 2006 review
FSA review of website financial promotions - November 2007 review

