Last year was a really important one for the Amplified Global team, including from a regulatory point of view.  And the start of 2026 is bringing a particularly heady mix of energy and ideas, and a slightly over-ambitious to-do list.

As such, I’d like to take a moment to reflect on what we’ve learned and achieved, and to tell you why we’re so excited about what’s ahead.

So, as we kick things off, I’ll share a little snapshot of where our heads are at: what we’re focusing on in the first quarter, what really matters to us this year, and where we’re pushing ourselves to do things differently (and better).

A quick look back on 2025

Influencing the CCA Review

Firstly, we were delighted to see HM Treasury and FCA move forward with the Consumer Credit Act reforms.  We feel the rationale and the way forward that the Treasury has indicated are both really strong.

We’ve provided some hard-hitting research which has directly informed the Review: 

“Existing disclosure requirements can be confusing for consumers (e.g. statutory references in documents such as the credit agreement and technical legal language in pre-contract information, arrears and default notices), potentially leading to poor outcomes for consumers.”

Consumer Credit Act Reform – Phase 1 Consultation

The quote above from the Phase 1 consultation published in September referenced a number of the specific areas we’ve previously tested in the FCA Sandbox.  We also shared our more recent deeper work with the FCA team.  Working with both Nottingham and Cardiff Universities, our in depth research explored how customers interact with credit agreements.  This helped to provide specific evidence of the problem areas, and how to solve them.

Comprehension Testing: FCA using our framework

We also collaborated with Solicitors Regulation Authority, which resulted in a new, detailed way to test comprehension of key information at different levels, depending on the needs of the customer.  These levels might be to provide the reader with means to reflect on the information, to encourage informed action, or merely provide a reference for the reader.

Our Multi-Level Comprehension Framework was a major step forward in a post- Consumer Duty world where firms are being asked to test and evidence the understanding outcomes their customers have achieved.

To see the FCA acknowledge their use of our framework as part of their own research was a massive honour.  It shows the impact that external innovation can have for regulators themselves, as well as for firms.  The sharing of our research has been a big feature of our ongoing engagement with the FCA team.

Our focus for 2026

The first few months of our regulatory work in 2026 are all about building momentum. 

The year started with a really powerful moment, as we welcomed our first regulator client to our roster.

Our unique research with the Solicitors Regulation Authority previously showed the impact that simplifying regulatory communications can have – even for seasoned professionals!  Simpler information is better understood by all, not just lay readers.

Following a roundtable to discuss the research with other legal regulators we received a great deal of interest.  From those discussions we’ve successfully piloted our platform with one of them, with more trials planned in the near future.

Working with this other legal regulator (who will remain anonymous - we take our client confidentiality very seriously) is a major milestone for us.  It also shows the wider spotlight regulators from different sectors are putting on better communications, and improving understanding.

Back to the Sandbox

We’re already working in the FCA Digital Sandbox, and we’re aiming to enter the Regulatory Sandbox for a second time later in Q1.

This time we will be testing our latest innovation – a new approach to contract design and dynamic disclosure.  The research we’ve carried out so far has been hugely positive, showing our method can provide a more engaging way to communicate even complex information (things like product information, and terms and conditions).  Crucially, it also leads to better levels of understanding and less negative emotional impact for the reader, and a host of rich evidence for the firm.

We’re testing this with three initial use cases:

• Targeted Support
• Deferred Credit (Buy Now Pay Later)
• Credit Card agreements

Working with partners we’ll be honing the method and ensuring that it remains fully compliant, but focused on delivering better outcomes for consumers, and for firms.

Ongoing CCA Reforms

2026 will also see HM Treasury and FCA cement their reforms to the Consumer Credit Act.  We’re expecting fresh consultations, and major changes to the way that credit agreements will be communicated to consumers in future.

At present (and our research has evidence to back this up), the prescribed way that credit agreements and consumer disclosures have to be presented works directly at odds with the Consumer Duty, and in particular consumer understanding.  The new rules are likely to provide firms with much greater flexibility to present key information in a different, more engaging and informative way.

But with flexibility comes responsibility.  Firms will need to be able to evidence the understanding outcomes, and why they feel their approach works.  This makes our testing of new innovative ways to disclose key information, and evidence consumer comprehension, all the more timely.

Exciting times

The year ahead feels full of possibility.  While our plans will inevitably evolve (because they always do!), our direction is clear. We’re committed to moving forward with focus, curiosity, and a lot of enthusiasm.  All with the aim of ensuring that consumers are better informed and able to act with the understanding they need.

Thanks for being part of our journey. 

As ever, if you want to find out more, or see our work in action, just email us at info@amplified.global 

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