Finance glossary
FCA — Financial Conduct Authority
Also known as: Financial Conduct Authority
In simple terms
The FCA is the UK’s financial regulator. It authorises and supervises financial firms, sets the rules they must follow, and lets you check whether a firm is legitimate.
On this page
What is the FCA?
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) is the conduct regulator for financial services in the UK. It oversees banks, lenders, insurers, investment firms, payment services and many others, aiming to protect consumers, keep markets clean and support competition.
Most firms must be authorised by the FCA before they can offer financial products or services. Authorisation means the firm has met the FCA’s standards and is bound by its rules.
How the FCA works
The FCA writes and enforces rules — set out in its Handbook — covering how firms treat customers, from clear advertising to fair complaint handling and its Consumer Duty. It can fine firms, restrict their activities or withdraw authorisation.
You can check whether a firm or individual is authorised on the FCA’s free public register at register.fca.org.uk. Dealing with an authorised firm generally means you also have access to the Financial Ombudsman Service and, where relevant, the Financial Services Compensation Scheme.
How could this affect me?
Checking the FCA Register before you hand over money is one of the simplest ways to avoid scams and unregulated operators. If a firm is not authorised for the activity it is offering, that is a serious warning sign.
The FCA is a regulator, not a compensation body — it does not pay you back or settle your individual dispute. For that you would use the firm’s complaints process, the Ombudsman, or the FSCS if the firm has failed.
Things to watch out for
- The FCA does not resolve individual complaints or pay compensation — use the firm, the Ombudsman or the FSCS for that.
- Always check the FCA Register at register.fca.org.uk before dealing with a firm, and watch for “clone” firms copying a real firm’s details.
- Being on the register for one activity does not mean a firm is authorised for everything it offers.
- Unauthorised firms usually leave you with no access to the Ombudsman or FSCS.
Know your rights
- FCA-authorised firms must follow its rules, including treating customers fairly under the Consumer Duty.
- You can check a firm’s authorisation, permissions and status free on the FCA Register.
- Dealing with an authorised firm generally gives you access to the Financial Ombudsman Service and, where eligible, the FSCS.
General information, not personal advice
Consumer Credit is an independent information service. We do not provide regulated financial advice or sell financial products. For advice on your own situation, speak to an appropriately authorised firm or a free service such as MoneyHelper. About Consumer Credit.
Sources
We checked this page against these official and authoritative sources.
- FCA, About the FCA (opens in a new tab). Accessed 22 Aug 2026.
- FCA, Financial Services Register (opens in a new tab). Accessed 22 Aug 2026.