Guide
Financial services regulation and FCA authorisation
Regulatory requirements for financial services businesses.
If you plan to provide financial services in the UK, you may need authorisation from the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). This is not a choice - carrying out regulated activities without authorisation is a criminal offence.
What is a regulated activity?
The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (FSMA) defines regulated activities. Common examples include:
- Accepting deposits
- Dealing in investments
- Arranging deals in investments
- Managing investments
- Advising on investments
- Insurance intermediation
- Consumer credit activities
- Operating a multilateral trading facility
Do I need authorisation?
You need FCA authorisation if you:
- Carry out a regulated activity
- By way of business (not one-off or personal transactions)
- In the UK
There is no size threshold. Authorisation depends on the activity you do, not your turnover or number of employees.
FCA authorisation is a criminal offence requirement
It is a criminal offence to carry out a 'regulated activity' by way of business in the UK without Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) authorisation or an exemption.
Regulated activities include:
- Accepting deposits (banking)
- Dealing in investments (buying/selling securities)
- Arranging deals in investments (brokerage)
- Managing investments (discretionary portfolio management)
- Advising on investments (financial advice)
- Insurance intermediation (insurance brokers, agents)
- Consumer credit (lending, hire purchase, credit brokerage)
- Payment services (PSRs apply)
Exemptions: Some activities have limited exemptions (e.g., appointed representatives, overseas persons exclusion, professional firms exemption for incidental regulated activity).
How to apply for FCA authorisation
The authorisation process typically takes 6-12 months and includes:
- Determine if you need authorisation - Use FCA's 'Connect' service to check
- Prepare your application - Business plan, financial projections, compliance arrangements, key person approvals
- Submit application via FCA Connect - Online portal with supporting documents
- FCA assessment - Threshold conditions assessment (adequate resources, suitability, business model)
- Approval and ongoing supervision - Annual fees, regulatory returns, compliance monitoring
Costs
Authorisation costs vary by firm type:
- Application fee: £1,500 for most firms (higher for banks/insurers)
- Annual fees: £1,000-£250,000+ depending on activity and size
- External costs: Budget £10,000-£50,000+ for legal, compliance, and consulting advice
Appointed Representative (AR) route
An alternative to direct authorisation is becoming an Appointed Representative of an authorised firm (the 'principal').
- Advantages: Faster market entry, lower cost, principal handles regulatory compliance
- Disadvantages: Principal has full liability for your actions, limited control, principal takes % of revenue
- Common in: Financial advice, insurance broking, mortgage intermediation