The global CSA landscape in 2026 reflects growing alignment across the UK, EU, and U.S., reducing nearly a decade of fragmentation. Buy-side firms are adopting unified CSA frameworks to enhance governance, transparency, and efficiency, while sell-side brokers face strategic decisions on investing in CSA capabilities or risking competitive disadvantage.

Deloitte, EY and S&P warn of relentless fee compression and rising cost pressure in 2026. Yet firms still overspend on legacy terminals while using only a fraction of features. Discover why active managers need a smarter, leaner research hub and how Castine RMS unlocks major savings and efficiency gains.

The FCA marks a significant shift for UK buy-side trading desks, reopening the door to funding research through trading commissions after years of separation under MiFID II. With Commission Sharing Agreements once again permitted, Heads of Trading are being pulled back into decisions around research funding, broker engagement, and budget control. This change elevates trading’s role beyond execution, placing greater emphasis on governance, transparency, and commercial oversight. Firms that respond proactively can unlock stronger broker partnerships and better alignment between research spend and investment outcomes, while those that delay risk operational and compliance challenges in a rapidly evolving landscape.