July 23 (Reuters) - Britain's markets regulator and a groupof global banks are in talks to reach a first settlement in acurrency-rigging probe, with a deal possible this year,Bloomberg reported.
Meanwhile, Britain's Serious Fraud Office told Reuters onWednesday that prosecutors could charge the first individuals inconnection with a global investigation into alleged manipulationof currency markets as soon as next year.
Bloomberg reported the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) wasin talks with banks, including Barclays Plc, CitigroupInc, JPMorgan Chase & Co and UBS AG , citing sources who asked not to be identified.(http://bit.ly/UtbbSM)
The FCA declined to comment on the Bloomberg story.
Royal Bank of Scotland Group Plc and HSBC HoldingsPlc may also be part of the group settlement, accordingto the sources.
Three of the sources told Bloomberg the FCA was trying tofast-track the process and may levy fines in the coming months.Two sources said the regulator was seeking to keep the scope narrow to speed up a settlement.
The talks were continuing and an agreement may stretch intonext year, the sources told Bloomberg.
The FCA launched its probe last October, and the Bank ofEngland appointed barrister Anthony Grabiner in March to examinewhether any of its officials were involved in foreign exchangerigging. (Reporting by Aashika Jain in Bangalore; Editing by JeffreyBenkoe)
Barclays (BARC)
HSBC Holdings (HSBA)