OpenConsultation consultationoutcome

Review of the SME Banking Undertakings 2002

This consultation has concluded

Detail of outcome

The CMA has published its provisional decision that the remaining provisions of the SME Banking Undertakings 2002 are no longer appropriate and should be released.

We are now consulting on our provisional decision and notice of intention to release.

Feedback received

Allica Bank response

Barclays response

ClearBank response

HSBC response

Innovate Finance response

Lloyds Banking Group response

NatWest response

UK Finance response


Original consultation

Summary

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) isconsulted consulting on a review of those provisions within the SME Banking Undertakings 2002 which remain in force.

This consultation iswas being held on another website.

This consultation closesran atfrom
to

Consultation description

In 2014, the CMA reviewed the SME Banking Undertakings 2002 and decided in 2016 to release all but 4 provisions in the Undertakings. These 4 provisions prohibit 8 designated banks from compelling an SME customer to open or maintain a business current account as a condition of accessing business loans or deposit accounts (the ‘Limitation on Bundling Provisions’).

The purpose of this review is to determine whether, as a result of any change of circumstances, the Limitation on Bundling Provisions are no longer appropriate and need to be varied, superseded or released.

The CMA isconsulted now consulting on:

  • potential changes of circumstances that may mean that the Limitation on Bundling Provisions are no longer appropriate
  • if such changes are identified, whether they mean that the Limitation on Bundling Provisions should be varied, superseded or released
  • in the case of identifying the need to vary the Limitation on Bundling Provisions, what are the proposed changes that could be made

Documents

Consultation document

Updates to this page

Published 2 April 2025
Last updated 13 August 2025 href="#full-history">+ show all updates
  1. Final outcome published.

  2. First published.

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