Find out when you should use the Financial Services Register or FCA Firm Checker, what it means if you're using an appointed representative, and what to do if a firm is unauthorised.
In the UK, almost all firms that provide financial services must be authorised or registered by us.
Being authorised means that firms must meet certain standards and have our permission to provide certain products and services.
Being registered means that firms must meet certain requirements, but they don’t need to have our permission to provide products and services.
Individuals who work at financial firms will sometimes need to be approved by us or certified at a firm to carry out financial activities as well.
How to check a firm or individual
There are different ways to check what firms and individuals can and can’t do.
Not sure which service to use? Answer a few questions to find the information you need.
FCA Firm Checker
You can use the Firm Checker[4] before you buy a financial product or service, such as a mortgage, insurance or a funeral plan, for example.
Checking a firm before you use them will help you avoid scams and will give you the best chance of protection if something goes wrong.
Financial Service Register
The FS Register[5] is the official public record for all firms and individuals. It contains our full regulatory record for firms, individuals, and other bodies, with detailed information including:
- Historic fines.
- Firms' right to approve financial promotions.
- Firms' ability to handle client money.
You should use the FS Register if you want to search for an individual or find out whether a firm was previously authorised.
Products and services we do and don't regulate
Financial firms offer a wide range of products and services, some of which we regulate, and some of which we don't.
Firms we authorise can offer both regulated and unregulated products and services. But we have more limited powers over unregulated products and services.
Below we've listed a few common types of financial products and services that we do and don't regulate.
Learn more about financial services including mortgages, borrowing money, insurance and bank accounts by visiting MoneyHelper[1].
Firm information and contact details
On the FS Register and Firm Checker, we show whether firms are authorised or registered, and what products and services they're allowed to offer.
But the firm's contact details are provided and confirmed by the firm. This includes the firm's:
- Registered name and other trading names.
- Main place of business.
- Complaint contact details.
- Appointed representatives (if applicable).
Most firms we authorise must update or confirm their contact information, at least once a year.
You'll be able to see if a firm has confirmed its contact details on the FS Register and Firm Checker. Principal firms will do this on behalf of their appointed representatives.
Appointed representatives
You may notice that some firms on the FS Register and the Firm Checker are listed as appointed representatives (ARs). This means they’re carrying out activities on behalf of another firm, known as their principal.
ARs can have more than one principal. The principal agrees what activities the AR can do and is responsible for that business.
It’s important you check with the principal if you have concerns about an AR or the products and services it can offer. If an AR has gone beyond the activities the principal has allowed, you may not be protected by the Financial Ombudsman or the FSCS if something goes wrong.
You can find contact details for ARs and principals on the FS Register and the Firm Checker. You can ask the principal to confirm what activities the AR has permission for and how you'd be protected if something went wrong.
