Here you can check whether you’re the type of firm that needs to be authorised by us and, if you are, what to do next.
We are bound by the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (FSMA) to regulate certain financial activities. You’ll probably need to be authorised by us if you’re a financial services firm carrying on regulated activities, or if you’re a firm offering loans, car financing deals or other consumer credit.
Authorisation vs registration
Depending on the financial activities you carry on, you’ll either have to be authorised or registered with us – or, in some cases, be both authorised and registered.
Registration involves sending us less information about your business than authorisation.
Financial services firms
Banks, credit unions and insurance firms are regulated by both us and the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA). The PRA is your single point of contact for the application process.
How to apply
Consumer credit firms
If you’re a consumer credit firm carrying on regulated financial activities such as credit broking and consumer lending, you’ll have to apply to us for either limited or full permission.
How to apply
- Limited permissions for consumer credit firms
- Full permissions for consumer credit firms
- Consumer credit firm authorisation
Investment firms
If you’re an investment firm carrying on certain activities in relation to financial instruments such as shares and bonds, the Markets in Financial Instruments Directive (MiFID) requires you to be authorised by us.
How to apply
- Wholesale investment firm authorisation
- Retail investment firm, insurance intermediary and mortgage broker authorisation
Payment services and e-money firms
If you offer people payment accounts, pre-paid cards or other such financial services, you may need to be authorised or registered with us – or both authorised and registered.
How to apply
Fintech firms
- Request tailored regulatory support from Direct Support
- Firms who are ready to test their innovations can apply to our Regulatory Sandbox
- Seek feedback on automated advice and guidance models from the Advice Unit
Detailed information
See a list of regulated activities
If you’re an investment firm, find out how MiFID II could affect you