We are sure you do not wish to be the victim of a fraud by potentially unscrupulous lenders, which is why you need to know how to access and use the Financial Services Register.

The Financial Services Register lists all regulated financial services and individuals approved to perform specified functions. It is a public record.

For peace of mind, you may want to use their online directory to find out if you are working with a registered company or individual and find out, “Is it safe to release equity?“

Our editorial team at EveryInvestor strives to keep you up-to-date with the latest information you need.

What Is the Financial Services Register (FS Register) in the UK?

The Financial Services Register (FS Register) is a public record maintained by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the UK.

It lists firms, individuals, and other bodies that are, or have been, regulated by the FCA.

Its importance is emphasised as it offers transparency and trust.

By consulting the Register, you can verify the legitimacy of financial firms or professionals you are considering for equity release.

This tool is vital for informed decisions.

What Is the Purpose of the Financial Services Register in the UK?

The Financial Services Register in the UK serves a vital purpose in maintaining transparency and fostering trust in the financial industry.

It is a public record that provides information about firms, individuals, and other bodies that are, or have been, authorised by the UK’s financial regulatory body, the FCA. Please note that a separate register for the Prudential Regulatory Authority can be found on the Bank of England’s website.

Aside from its essential regulatory function, the Financial Services Register also offers protection to consumers.

It allows anyone to check the status of an entity before engaging in financial transactions, thereby aiding in fraud prevention.

It is a unique tool that empowers consumers, giving them the information necessary to make informed decisions.

Thus, the Register not only promotes ethical practices in the financial industry but also safeguards the interests of its consumers.

FS Register FCA: Understanding Its Role in Regulation

The FS Register, managed by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), is a critical tool for verifying the authorisation of firms and individuals offering financial services in the UK.

It provides details about their regulatory status, allowing consumers to make informed decisions before entering into financial agreements.

The FCA plays a crucial role in regulating the financial industry, ensuring firms adhere to strict standards to protect consumers.

By using the FS Register, you can easily check if a firm or adviser is authorised, reducing the risk of fraud or unauthorised services.

Using the FCA FS Register: A Guide

To make things easier, we have compiled a guide to using the FCA FS register.

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)¹ approves almost all financial services activities in the UK, and it manages the Register.

You can find firms and people in the Financial Services Register (the FS Register), as well as the activities for which firms have regulatory permissions.

Services you can search on the Register include‌:

• banking
• investments
• insurance
• borrowing
• mortgages
• credit cards
• money transfer

We recommend you always double-check that the company you are working with is on the FS Register and that its permissions/activities correspond to the service it is providing you.

The FS Register is a list of all the companies and individuals who are currently or previously approved to engage in regulated activities. 

It reveals whether the FCA and/or Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA)² regulate the firm you are using or planning to use. 

You can also confirm what they are allowed to do and what your rights are when dealing with them.

Important…

It is recommended that you use only the contact information stated on the FS Register. 

Many con artists pose as respectable businesses (cloned firms). 

Before conducting business with a company, check the contact information on the FS Register to make sure you are working with the right one.

How to Find Your Financial Services Register Number

Your Financial Services Register number is a unique identifier that helps verify the legitimacy of a firm or individual in the financial sector.

You can find this number by searching the Financial Services Register using the company’s name or individual’s details.

The number is listed alongside the firm’s authorised status and contact information.

This number is essential for confirming that the firm is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).

Whether you’re dealing with a financial adviser or equity release provider, checking this number ensures you’re working with a reputable and authorised entity.

Unauthorised Firms

The Register includes, with prominent warnings, firms accused of offering regulated items or services without the proper authorisation, or of running scams (cloned firms).

Other information on unlicensed businesses includes the various details provided and whether they claim to be from a legitimate, licenced business.

The Financial Ombudsman Service³ or the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS)⁴ may not cover you if you deal with an unregulated firm (or individual).

Publication of Directory Persons Data

The FS Register now publishes Directory Persons Data for firms regulated only by the FCA and firms regulated by both the FCA and the PRA. 

Firms that are regulated alone and dually regulated must adhere to the Policy. 

You can double-check the FS Register for the details of anyone hired to do regulated activities on behalf of a firm, including current roles and any disciplinary or regulatory action.

For additional information, go to the Directory of Certified and Assessed Persons website⁵.

Obtaining Data Extracts

You can purchase a regular subscription or a once-off data ‘cut’ if you want to use data from the Financial Services Register. 

The data is available on CD or via the Internet. 

You can find more information regarding the Register Extract Service (RES)⁶.

You can also register for the FS Register API Developer Portal. 

This service, which is currently free, allows users to generate a unique key for accessing the Register APIs and provides self-help support materials.

Accessing the Financial Services Register UK: What You Need to Know

There are some practical things you need to know about accessing the Financial Services Register.

Web browsers that enable JavaScript and accept session-based cookies are required for some FCA web pages and web-based applications.

It sets the major web browsers up to handle these needs by default.

Pages and web-based applications will work with Mozilla Firefox, Apple Safari, Google Chrome, and Microsoft Edge in their current stable and one preceding release.

Regarding the reCaptcha challenge used on this site, please refer to Google’s minimum criteria.

It is necessary to have access to Google.com domains.

The Financial Services Authority Register: What Happened to It?

The Financial Services Authority (FSA) was the UK’s regulatory body for financial services until it was replaced by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in 2013.

Many still search for the FSA register, but all regulation responsibilities have since transferred to the FCA.

Basically

The Financial Services Register is now managed by the FCA.

If you’re looking for information that was once on the FSA register, you’ll find it on the FCA’s Financial Services Register.

The transition ensures greater protection and transparency for consumers, especially when checking the credentials of firms and advisers.

Common Questions

The Financial Services Register UK: Briefly

The Financial Services Register is a public record that lists all regulated and approved financial services and individuals in the UK.

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), which approves almost all financial services activities in the UK, manages the Register. 

To identify a registered service, firm, or individual, you can search via their internet directory. You will also be able to confirm the activities it may perform.

It is recommended you always double-check that the company or individual you are working with is on the FS Register and that its permissions/activities correspond to the service it provides.

The FS Register also includes, with prominent warnings, firms accused of offering regulated items or services without the proper authorisation, of running scams, and of cloned firms.

Utilising the Financial Services Register will help you avoid scams and ensure you are working with legitimate financial service providers.