Becoming FCA Licensed
Assisting financial services firms through the authorisation process and beyond
ESMA Compliance Consultants assists many firms each year to become authorised: we understand what the regulator expects from an application and help our clients to meet and demonstrate those standards.
Our experience in preparing firms for authorisation is extensive. The types of firms we have assisted include:
- FX/CFD/Derivatives market makers, matched principal firms
- Fund managers including property managers
- Broking firms
- Corporate finance firms
- Lenders
- Insurance firms
ESMA Compliance Consultant’s authorisation services
Advice and Scoping |
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Application Pack |
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Regulatory business plan |
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Financial Projections |
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Employees and owners |
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Queries |
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Compliance framework |
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Training |
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We tailor our service to each client’s needs, supporting you, as you require.
What is the FCA looking for?
Business model
The proposed business model complies with the FCA rules and objectives
Suitability
The firm is seen as generally suitable posing low risk of misconduct, financial crime and non- cooperation
Effective supervision
The FCA must be satisfied that a firm can be effectively supervised
Appropriate resources
The quality and quantity of resources available including financial and human resources
Most Common Questions
How long does it take?
The length of time varies but currently firms should allow 6 to 9 months for the process including preparation and submission of the application pack, allocation to a case officer, FCA review of the application and dealing with enquiries from FCA.
How should my firm prepare?
Having a clear idea of your firms business plan in the short to medium term is invaluable. The likely business lines, target client base and geographical reach will affect everything from deciding the permissions you will need, identifying your key risk areas and collating the right application documents.
How likely is that the FCA refuse my firms application?
We have not had any applications we are involved in refused to date.