All over Europe, compliance institutions are facing a growing number of challenges related to implementing compliance, risk, governance and internal controls. With an ever increasing number of rules, regulations and directives, 2007 has been the most challenging year to date. The Markets in Financial Instruments Directive, Solvency II, Basel II and the Third Money Laundering Directive have all meant that compliance departments have been stretched as they come to terms with the way businesses operate.

2008 will see the creation of a single European market for financial instruments such as equities and derivatives and increased competition, by allowing banks and new trading platforms to compete with established stock exchanges.

The current sub-prime crisis has meant top global banks including Citigroup, Merrill Lynch and UBS have announced colossal losses and write-downs in the past month. With the FSA remaining committed to implementing more principles-led regulation and recent events surrounding Northern Rock, compliance departments need to reinforce their focus on the outcomes and consequences of management actions. As the role of compliance continues to grow and become more central, compliance officers now need to reassure the regulator that they are aware of, and will respond to, frequent regulatory change. Responsibility for significant regulatory decisions will move to more senior levels, challenging firms' compliance, risk management and internal audit functions as they provide the necessary support to avoid regulatory scrutiny.

Industry experts will convey the message on new regulatory developments and offer practical hands-on direction to establish and update compliance policies and procedures. Complinet's 5th Annual Compliance Conference will deliver practical advice which is essential to steering all compliance organisations and clients through the myriad of complex issues they face every day.

Key benefits of attending:

• Top regulatory officials from the FSA and European Commission discuss the latest regulatory requirements
• Assess the FSA's agenda for 2008 in a principles-led regulatory world
• Network with leading financial figures and exchange ideas on current Basel II, Solvency II and data protection issues
• Get to the heart of treating customers fairly, retail distribution review and enterprise risk management with in-depth advice and topical discussions