The importance of having financial governance and clear regulations in today’s world can’t be overemphasized. Having effective regulations is essential to maintaining trustworthiness among business owners. In the financial services, insurance, or fintech sector, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) is in charge of regulating how businesses run. For instance, as someone who is looking to set up a business in any of these sectors, you need FCA authorization.
You need to understand that FCA authorization is not for all businesses. To understand whether or not your business needs it, you need to speak with the right compliance consultant, such as Mema Consultants.
What exactly is FCA authorization?
FCA regulation or authorization is something that anybody looking to start a business in the financial sector needs to apply for. It has a lot to do with how businesses measure and minimize risks. Furthermore, authorization also covers how businesses can be completely transparent about how they handle their buyers’ assets and data.
Does your business need to be FCA-approved?
Authorization by the FCA is available in different types, based on the type of company involved. For instance, every investment firm needs to become FCA-authorized to be able to run their businesses smoothly. Any business in this sector that fails to get FCA authorization will face a series of penalties, including fines and suspensions.
Apart from investment firms, other businesses that need to be FCA-approved are:
Payment services
If you’re looking to set up a business in the payment services sector, you certainly need the approval of the Financial Conduct Authority. Businesses in this sector mostly make use of money transfer and e-payment services.
Crowdfunding
Crowdfunding, in simple terms, is a practice that requires a large number of people to raise money to fund a business. Like most financial services, crowdfunding needs to be regulated to promote transparency and trustworthiness. So, if you’re looking to start a business in this sector, you certainly need to apply for the FCA authorization.
You need to understand that not all businesses in the crowdfunding sector need to become FCA-authorized. For instance, if the business offers a service that’s donation-based or rewards-based, there’s certainly no need for you to pass through the regulation process. However, if the service is investment-based or loan-based, you certainly need the approval of the FCA.
Consumer credit companies
Are you looking to become a lender, in-store finance provider, or broker? If yes, your business certainly needs FCA regulation. Also, if your business has a lot to do with the provision of credit cards to people, it needs to be FCA-authorized.
Insurance
If the business you’re looking to start is insurance-based, you need approval from FCA before offering your services. Failure to do so, you might get penalized or fined by the Financial Conduct Authority.
Banking
Banking businesses certainly need to be regulated for a lot of reasons. One of them is to ensure that the banks have good management measures in place to prevent bad investments. Two bodies regulate banks in the UK; the FCA and the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA). PRA focuses on regulating the risks and safety of the banks. FCA, on the other hand, is responsible for regulating the market behavior of banks, as well as how they relate with their customers. So, since you’re looking to set up a banking business, you need to apply for FCA authorization.
Interestingly, applying for authorization isn’t as difficult as you may have thought. With a suitable compliance consultant, such as Mema Consultants, you’re good to go. This company will assign you a dedicated Regulatory Director, who will be in charge of running the whole FCA application for you.
Also Read: 123Movies Review How to Avoid Legal Trouble With 123Movies.
