UK Financial Regulation
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End-to-end FCA authorisation support from application to approval. Get authorised faster with our proven process and free regulatory technology tools.
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Launching a regulated firm or adding permissions? Scope what you need and build an application that gets approved.
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Already authorised? Keep your obligations evidenced and your controls audit-ready, without a large in-house team.
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Firms Authorised
FCA-regulated firms trust our expertise
Submission-Ready
Typical MEMA prep from kickoff to FCA submission. The FCA's own determination then takes 6–12 months.
Ongoing Compliance Managed
Continuous monitoring and regulatory oversight
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Free Compliance Tools
Professional regulatory tools used by UK financial services firms. Free to use, no registration required.
Regulatory Perimeter Assessment
Discover your FCA regulatory requirements instantly with interactive assessment mapping.
- PERG/RAO mapping
- Sourcebook explainers
- Artefact templates
FCA Fee Calculator
Calculate your annual FCA regulatory fees instantly with our wizard-style calculator.
- Instant calculations
- Pre-defined firm types
- Accurate estimates
SM&CR Navigator
Build your SM&CR framework step-by-step with our comprehensive navigator tool.
- Six-step wizard
- SMF library
- F&P tracking
Consumer Duty Outcomes Checker
Rapid structured assessment against the four Consumer Duty outcomes.
- Four outcomes assessment
- Board report export
- Evidence tracking
Financial Promotions Quick Guidance
Media-neutral pre-clearance aid for financial promotions compliance.
- All channels covered
- Product-specific rules
- Prominence guidance
Vulnerability Support Checker
Proportionate adjustments for customers in vulnerable circumstances.
- Journey-specific prompts
- FCA's 4 drivers
- MI requirements
Complaints Checker (DISP)
Stay on track with DISP timelines, mandatory letter content, and root-cause analysis.
- Timeline calculator
- Letter templates
- Root cause tags
Financial Crime Assessment
Self-assess your AML/CTF controls against Dear CEO letter themes.
- Dear CEO aligned
- RAG scoring
- Expert recommendations
RegActions Enforcement Database
Search and analyse FCA enforcement actions and penalties, plus regulators worldwide.
- 10+ years of data
- Advanced filters
- Trend analysis
FOS Complaints Database
Financial Ombudsman Service complaints data by firm and sector.
- FOS case data
- Firm comparisons
- Sector analysis
Regulatory Perimeter Assessment
Discover your FCA regulatory requirements instantly with interactive assessment mapping.
- PERG/RAO mapping
- Sourcebook explainers
- Artefact templates
FCA Fee Calculator
Calculate your annual FCA regulatory fees instantly with our wizard-style calculator.
- Instant calculations
- Pre-defined firm types
- Accurate estimates
SM&CR Navigator
Build your SM&CR framework step-by-step with our comprehensive navigator tool.
- Six-step wizard
- SMF library
- F&P tracking
Consumer Duty Outcomes Checker
Rapid structured assessment against the four Consumer Duty outcomes.
- Four outcomes assessment
- Board report export
- Evidence tracking
Financial Promotions Quick Guidance
Media-neutral pre-clearance aid for financial promotions compliance.
- All channels covered
- Product-specific rules
- Prominence guidance
Vulnerability Support Checker
Proportionate adjustments for customers in vulnerable circumstances.
- Journey-specific prompts
- FCA's 4 drivers
- MI requirements
Complaints Checker (DISP)
Stay on track with DISP timelines, mandatory letter content, and root-cause analysis.
- Timeline calculator
- Letter templates
- Root cause tags
Financial Crime Assessment
Self-assess your AML/CTF controls against Dear CEO letter themes.
- Dear CEO aligned
- RAG scoring
- Expert recommendations
RegActions Enforcement Database
Search and analyse FCA enforcement actions and penalties, plus regulators worldwide.
- 10+ years of data
- Advanced filters
- Trend analysis
FOS Complaints Database
Financial Ombudsman Service complaints data by firm and sector.
- FOS case data
- Firm comparisons
- Sector analysis
Regulatory Perimeter Assessment
Discover your FCA regulatory requirements instantly with interactive assessment mapping.
- PERG/RAO mapping
- Sourcebook explainers
- Artefact templates
FCA Fee Calculator
Calculate your annual FCA regulatory fees instantly with our wizard-style calculator.
- Instant calculations
- Pre-defined firm types
- Accurate estimates
SM&CR Navigator
Build your SM&CR framework step-by-step with our comprehensive navigator tool.
- Six-step wizard
- SMF library
- F&P tracking
Consumer Duty Outcomes Checker
Rapid structured assessment against the four Consumer Duty outcomes.
- Four outcomes assessment
- Board report export
- Evidence tracking
Financial Promotions Quick Guidance
Media-neutral pre-clearance aid for financial promotions compliance.
- All channels covered
- Product-specific rules
- Prominence guidance
Vulnerability Support Checker
Proportionate adjustments for customers in vulnerable circumstances.
- Journey-specific prompts
- FCA's 4 drivers
- MI requirements
Complaints Checker (DISP)
Stay on track with DISP timelines, mandatory letter content, and root-cause analysis.
- Timeline calculator
- Letter templates
- Root cause tags
Financial Crime Assessment
Self-assess your AML/CTF controls against Dear CEO letter themes.
- Dear CEO aligned
- RAG scoring
- Expert recommendations
RegActions Enforcement Database
Search and analyse FCA enforcement actions and penalties, plus regulators worldwide.
- 10+ years of data
- Advanced filters
- Trend analysis
FOS Complaints Database
Financial Ombudsman Service complaints data by firm and sector.
- FOS case data
- Firm comparisons
- Sector analysis
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Expert Regulatory Support
End-to-end compliance services for UK financial services firms.
FCA Authorisation
Be ready to submit to the FCA in ~6 weeks.
Learn moreCompliance Outsourcing
Your external compliance team.
Learn moreSMCR Implementation
Senior Managers Regime expertise.
Learn moreConsumer Duty
Meet FCA's new standards.
Learn moreFinancial Crime
AML, CTF and sanctions controls for regulated firms.
Learn moreSelected client work
Examples of how we’ve helped firms get authorised, stay compliant, and respond to the FCA.
Our winning partners
FCA Authorisation, Explained in 2 Minutes
What the application actually involves, what the FCA is looking for, and where most firms lose time.
Supporting firms across 11 FCA sectors, from payments to pensions.
What Our Clients Say
Trusted by 100+ UK financial services firms for FCA authorisation and compliance.
During our payment services authorisation, we faced unexpected challenges with our case handler. MEMA advocated for us professionally, secured a case handler change, and supported us through personnel transitions. They even prepared our COO for the FCA interview. Authorised in 9 months despite the complexity - they went above and beyond.
Our compliance resource suddenly left, leaving us exposed to regulatory risk. MEMA stepped in immediately, conducted a full compliance review, and stabilised our operations over 6 months while we recruited. They prevented potential FCA scrutiny and got us back to a strong compliance footing.
We had compliance position issues flagged by the FCA during our investment authorisation. MEMA navigated the regulatory concerns with us, provided detailed supplementary evidence, and worked directly with the FCA to satisfy all queries. Their ex-regulator perspective was invaluable - we're now successfully authorised.
Regulatory Updates
Rapid intelligence on FCA policy statements, Dear CEO letters, and enforcement priorities, curated by the MEMA regulatory team.
Governance in the benchmarks sector – review
**What changed** The FCA’s recent review of governance practices at a sample of benchmark administrators identified several recurring weaknesses – notably in board oversight, conflict‑of‑interest controls, and documentation of benchmark methodology changes. The regulator highlighted that existing FCA Handbook rules (e.g., SYSC 4.5.2R, BMR 2.1) are being applied more rigorously and that firms must demonstrate robust, documented governance frameworks. **Who is affected** All UK‑based benchmark administrators and any firm that contributes to, publishes, or uses benchmarks (including asset managers, pension schemes, and data providers) are subject to the heightened expectations. **Actions to consider (process steps only)** 1. **Governance gap analysis** – compare current board and senior management oversight structures against FCA expectations. 2. **Conflict‑of‑interest register** – update and formalise procedures for identifying, managing, and reporting conflicts. 3. **Methodology change control** – implement a documented change‑management workflow with sign‑off from senior management and the board. 4. **Record‑keeping** – ensure all governance decisions, meeting minutes, and methodology revisions are stored for at least five years. 5. **Training** – brief relevant staff on the revised governance expectations and reporting obligations. **Deadline** Firms should complete the above steps and be ready for FCA supervisory review by **31 March 2025**. **Source** FCA – “Governance in the benchmarks sector – review” (RSS) – https://www.fca.org.uk/news/press-releases/governance-benchmarks-sector-review (RSS feed).
Liam Coleman appointed as chair of the Financial Ombudsman Service
**What changed** – The FCA Board, with Treasury approval, has confirmed Liam Coleman as the permanent Chair of the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) for a three‑year term, succeeding his interim role. **Who’s affected** – All FCA‑regulated firms and their customers who may bring complaints to the FOS, as well as the FOS board and staff who will work under Coleman’s leadership. **Actions to consider (process steps only)** 1. Update internal governance registers to record the new Chair and term dates (10 Oct 2026 – 9 Oct 2029). 2. Review any ongoing or upcoming FOS engagement plans to ensure alignment with the Chair’s stated focus on a fair, predictable redress system. 3. Communicate the appointment to compliance and customer‑service teams as part of stakeholder‑management briefings. 4. Monitor forthcoming FCA‑FOS joint initiatives on redress transformation for any procedural changes that may affect complaint handling. **Deadline** – The appointment takes effect on 10 October 2026; firms should have the above updates completed before that date. **Source** – FCA RSS feed, “Liam Coleman appointed as chair of the Financial Ombudsman Service.” **Document type** – RSS.
Strong compliance functions support trusted corporate finance markets
**What changed?** The FCA’s latest Regulatory Priorities Report highlights new expectations for corporate‑finance firms to embed a robust compliance culture, not just task‑based checks. While most firms already perform key compliance activities, the FCA stresses that senior managers must embed compliance throughout the business to sustain trust in wholesale markets. **Who is affected?** All UK‑registered corporate‑finance firms (including advisory, broking and capital‑raising specialists) that assist SMEs and larger businesses with funding and strategic transactions. **Actions to consider (process steps only)** 1. Review current compliance framework against the FCA’s “culture‑first” expectations. 2. Map compliance responsibilities to senior managers and ensure they have clear accountability for embedding compliance culture. 3. Conduct a gap analysis of existing compliance activities versus the FCA’s identified best‑practice areas (e.g., conflict‑of‑interest management, integrity checks). 4. Update policies and training programmes to reflect a culture‑focused approach. 5. Implement regular internal audits that assess both procedural compliance and cultural adherence. **Deadlines** No formal deadline is set in the RSS release, but firms should begin the review and gap‑analysis within the next 30 days and aim to embed the updated culture‑focused compliance processes before the FCA’s next supervisory cycle (anticipated in Q2 2025). **Source** FCA – “Strong compliance functions support trusted corporate finance markets” (RSS). URL: https://www.fca.org.uk/news/rss/strong‑compliance‑functions‑support‑trusted‑corporate‑finance‑markets
FCA Explainers
Plain-English guides to FCA Handbook requirements, compliance frameworks, and regulatory decisions.
DISP Complaints Handling
What the FCA expects from your complaints process, timelines, and root cause analysis.
Read guideHandbookConsumer Duty Outcomes
The four outcomes your firm must deliver under PRIN 2A and how to evidence them.
Read guideGovernanceSM&CR Responsibilities Map
Building an effective responsibilities map with prescribed responsibilities and gap analysis.
Read guideImplementationFinancial Crime Controls
Implementing an effective AML/CTF framework covering BWRA, CDD, monitoring, and SARs.
Read guideCompareDIY vs Consultant: FCA Authorisation
Side-by-side comparison of self-managing vs using a specialist for FCA applications.
Read guideDecisionSection 166 Readiness
How to prepare for and respond to an FCA skilled person review.
Read guideReady to Get Started?
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