London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Friday, Jun 20, 2025

People could be asked to watch educational video before investing

People could be asked to watch educational video before investing

Financial Conduct Authority says current ‘risk warnings’ are often ignored by consumers
People looking to put money into higher-risk investments could be required to watch educational videos or pass an online test first, the City regulator has suggested.

The Financial Conduct Authority said the current “risk warnings” on investments were often ignored by consumers, and it also floated the idea that people might have to disclose their salary and other personal information as part of the sign-up process for certain products.

The regulator is concerned that too many investors – particularly a new breed of mainly younger DIY investors – are taking big financial risks by putting money into products that may be inappropriate for them, such as cryptocurrencies and foreign exchange, and could end up losing some or all of their cash.

It has expressed concern about the growing influence that sites such as YouTube, Instagram and TikTok are wielding.

Some commentators say the FCA has been stung by criticism over its mishandling of previous high-risk investment schemes that have gone wrong. It has been slated over its failure to properly regulate the “mini-bond” firm London Capital & Finance (LC&F) before it collapsed in 2019. Taxpayers now face a £120m bill for compensating thousands of people who lost money in that scandal.

Publishing proposals to strengthen the rules relating to “financial promotions”, the FCA said: “Too often consumers are investing in high-risk investments they don’t understand and [which] can lead to significant and unexpected losses.”

Other investments defined as potentially high-risk include investment-based crowdfunding and peer-to-peer lending.

Many financial adverts and websites carry warnings along the lines of “your capital is at risk”, but the FCA said these were often perceived as “white noise” by many investors.

Some investments already carry restrictions, but the regulator said it wanted to do more to prevent people from simply “clicking through” and signing up for risky products they did not understand and which did not match their risk appetite.

It said measures it might consider included requiring would-be investors to watch educational videos on topics such as investment risk and “the benefits of diversification”, and flushing out those people who were not sufficiently knowledgable about financial products by requiring that they take, and pass, an online test.

Other ideas floated include introducing “frictions” into the process such as requiring a text message confirmation before an investment is made, and making people provide additional information such as details of their salary, net assets and how much they have previously invested in other high‑risk schemes.

Becky O’Connor, head of pensions and savings at the website Interactive Investor, said: “In a world of TikTok investment influencers and bitcoin advertisements on the London Underground, and at a time when some people are feeling flush after lockdown and keen on finding quick ways to make a profit, there are real risks that people will succumb to high-risk investments that aren’t right for their circumstances.”
Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
16 Billion Login Credentials Leaked in Unprecedented Cybersecurity Breach
Senate hearing on who was 'really running' Biden White House kicks off
Iranian Military Officers Reportedly Seek Contact with Reza Pahlavi, Signal Intent to Defect
FBI and Senate Investigate Allegations of Chinese Plot to Influence the 2020 Election in Biden’s Favor Using Fake U.S. Driver’s Licenses
Vietnam Emerges as Luxury Yacht Destination for Ultra‑Rich
Plans to Sell Dutch Embassy in Bangkok Face Local Opposition
China's Iranian Oil Imports Face Disruption Amid Escalating Middle East Tensions
Trump's $5 Million 'Trump Card' Visa Program Draws Nearly 70,000 Applicants
DGCA Finds No Major Safety Concerns in Air India's Boeing 787 Fleet
Airlines Reroute Flights Amid Expanding Middle East Conflict Zones
Elon Musk's xAI Seeks $9.3 Billion in Funding Amid AI Expansion
Trump Demands Iran's Unconditional Surrender Amid Escalating Conflict
Israeli Airstrike Targets Iranian State TV in Central Tehran
President Trump is leaving the G7 summit early and has ordered the National Security Council to the Situation Room
Taiwan Imposes Export Ban on Chips to Huawei and SMIC
Israel has just announced plans to strike Tehran again, and in response, Trump has urged people to evacuate
Netanyahu Signals Potential Regime Change in Iran
Juncker Criticizes EU Inaction on Trump Tariffs
EU Proposes Ban on New Russian Gas Contracts
Analysts Warn Iran May Resort to Unconventional Warfare
Iranian Regime Faces Existential Threat Amid Conflict
Energy Infrastructure Becomes War Zone in Middle East
UK Home Secretary Apologizes Over Child Grooming Failures
Trump Organization Launches 5G Mobile Network and Golden Handset
Towcester Hosts 2025 English Greyhound Derby Amid Industry Scrutiny
Gary Oldman and David Beckham Knighted in King's Birthday Honours
Over 30,000 Lightning Strikes Recorded Across UK During Overnight Storms
Princess of Wales Returns to Public Duties at Trooping the Colour
Red Arrows Use Sustainable Fuel in Historic Trooping the Colour Flypast
Former Welsh First Minister Addresses Unionist Concerns Over Irish Language
Iran Signals Openness to Nuclear Negotiations Amid Ongoing Regional Tensions
France Bars Israeli Arms Companies from Paris Defense Expo
King Charles Leads Tribute to Air India Crash Victims at Trooping the Colour
Jack Pitchford Embarks on 200-Mile Walk to Support Stem Cell Charity
Surrey Hikers Take on Challenge of Climbing 11 Peaks in a Single Day
UK Deploys RAF Jets to Middle East Amid Israel-Iran Tensions
Two Skydivers Die in 'Tragic Accident' at Devon Airfield
Sainsbury's and Morrisons Accused of Displaying Prohibited Tobacco Ads
UK Launches National Inquiry into Grooming Gangs
Families Seek Closure After Air India Crash
Gold Emerges as Global Safe Haven Amid Uncertainty
Trump Reports $57 Million Earnings from Crypto Venture
Trump's Military Parade Sparks Concerns Over Authoritarianism
Nationwide 'No Kings' Protests Challenge Trump's Leadership
UK Deploys Jets to Middle East Amid Rising Tensions
Trump's Anti-War Stance Tested Amid Israel-Iran Conflict
Germany Holds First Veterans Celebration Since WWII
U.S. Health Secretary Dismisses CDC Vaccine Advisory Committee
Minnesota Lawmaker Melissa Hortman and Husband Killed in Targeted Attack; Senator John Hoffman and Wife Injured
Exiled Iranian Prince Reza Pahlavi Urges Overthrow of Khamenei Regime
×