Speech by Steve Smart, joint executive director of enforcement and market oversight, at the 1LoD Financial Crime Summit. Financial crime is still too often seen as a lesser offence. Research by Lloyds Banking Group found that nearly 40% of fraud victims had lost confidence in online platforms.When people lose money to fraud, they understandably become more cautious. They lose trust in the system.And that has consequences, because trust is the foundation of growth.Without it, fewer people invest. Capital doesn’t flow where it’s needed.So if we want a confident, competitive economy, tackling financial crime isn’t optional – it’s a prerequisite for growth.It’s how we keep the game clean and attract new players.