fca authorisation consultants

Obtaining FCA authorisation for your business is a crucial step if you're planning to conduct activities related to investments, payments, mortgages, consumer credit, or claims management. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) requires firms to meet its rules and minimum standards, known as threshold conditions, unless they qualify for an exclusion or exemption.

At MEMA Consultants, we specialize in guiding firms through the FCA authorisation process. Our dedicated Regulatory Directors provide personalized support, helping you understand and meet the FCA's requirements.

Expert Guidance for FCA Application

Our process begins with a thorough fact-finding session to understand your business model and services. We provide tailored advice on compliance and risk management, ensuring your application meets the FCA's standards.

Comprehensive Support for Your FCA Application

MEMA Consultants prepares a range of essential documents to support your application, including a Regulatory Business Plan and Compliance Monitoring Plan. We also provide a compliance manual to help you implement FCA requirements once authorised.

Efficient Application Submission

We assist you in completing the online application and submitting all necessary forms to the FCA. In case of any queries from the FCA, your dedicated Regulatory Adviser will help craft a comprehensive response.

Benefit from Exclusions or Exemptions

Certain business models may qualify for exclusion or exemption from FCA authorisation. This applies to professional firms like solicitors, or where specific financial services structures fall outside of regulation. Appointed Representatives, working on behalf of a Principal, also fall under exemptions.

Get Expert Guidance from MEMA Consultant

If you're unsure about your need for FCA authorisation, we can help clarify your situation. Our goal is to ensure that your application process is successful and that your business is well-prepared for positive customer outcomes.

Ongoing FCA Compliance

As an FCA authorised person or firm, you might need help to ensure you comply with the FCA’s rules.

We provide our clients with support they need to maintain compliance and avoid breaching the rules. Our bespoke service is individually tailored to each of our client’s requirements and objectives to help them meet in the best way possible.

Whether you need documentation to help you remain compliant, want ongoing advice or support, impartial monitoring of your activities or anything else, MEMA may be able to help.

Why Choose MEMA?

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MEMA has been supporting firms through the FCA compliance process since 2019. In that time, we have helped hundreds of businesses to successfully gain and retain FCA authorisation.

We have a unique blend of experience from ex-regulators, big 4 consultants and fin/regtech specialisation. Our team is highly experienced and expertly skilled. We specialise in providing our clients with solutions to often complex regulatory requirements and compliance needs.

Our unique industry insight and comfort with compliance enables our team to support you to the fullest extent possible, helping to develop your business model and compliance.

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Insights

July 28, 2021

Anti Money Laundering warnings

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) issued a warning to retail banks in May 2021 (made public on 29 June) over continued weaknesses and failings surrounding their financial crime controls.
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April 11, 2021

Claims Management Companies and High Cost Lenders

In a recent post, the FCA has released its views urging Claims Management Companies and High Cost Lenders to work better together
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October 18, 2022

How to get FCA authorised (part 3)

As part of our How To series on 'How to get FCA authorised'. We are addressing all aspects of preparing for FCA authorisation. This will look to cover a range of key items your business should consider from the location of offices, and expected fees to resourcing.
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July 4, 2022

What is an FCA Final Notice

If you follow regulatory news, you will understand the FCA releases news of final notices and fines issued on firms and individuals that have breached its rules.
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April 11, 2021

FCA Crypto Requirements

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), the UK Regulator, has established a Temporary Registration Regime that will allow existing crypto-asset firms, who have applied to be registered with the FCA, to continue trading in the UK financial market.
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May 21, 2021

Claims Management Phoenixing

The FCA has released its latest consultation paper affecting the Claims Management Industry.
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April 11, 2021

Planning for FCA Authorisation

In this article, we briefly cover how long to expect when firms are submitting their applications for authorisations to the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).
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March 31, 2023

Horizon Scanning for Compliance Officers in UK Banking & Payment Services Sector: Key Strategies

Horizon scanning is a key component of this role, as it helps compliance officers stay informed of emerging trends, changes in regulations, and technological advancements that could impact their organization. In this article, we'll provide key strategies and best practices for successful horizon scanning in the UK banking and payment services sector.
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March 8, 2023

Buy now pay later agreements to become regulated in the UK

Currently, BNPLs and STFC companies benefit from the exemption under Article 60F of the Financial Services and Markets Act (Regulated Activities) Order 2001 (RAO). Firms providing BNPL products benefiting from the 60F Exemption do not have to be FCA authorised and the agreements do not need to be in a prescribed form under the CCA.
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September 20, 2022

How to conduct a Business and Customer Risk Assessment

A business risk assessment provides visibility of the levels of AML risks within your firm to demonstrate the application of a risk-based approach. The outcome of the BRA is an AML risk rating for you and the organisational chart of business units is differentiated into high, medium or low risk. The BRA evaluates the AML risks faced by the business and demonstrates that it allocates resources according to the risk-based approach.
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September 13, 2022

What are AML Trigger events your team needs to be aware of?

Trigger Events highlight instances where there may be a change in customers’ circumstances.
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August 29, 2022

What is Customer Due Diligence and what controls should you focus on?

Customer due diligence (CDD) is a key element in helping your firm:
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April 5, 2023

Review of the Senior Managers & Certification Regime (SMCR)

On 30 March 2023, the UK government and regulators initiated a review of the Senior Managers & Certification Regime (SMCR) through a Call for Evidence from Her Majesty's Treasury (HMT) and a joint Discussion Paper (DP23/3) from the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA).
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February 16, 2023

Consumer Credit Reforms - Are they long overdue?

The Consumer Credit Act 1974 (CCA) is a significant piece of legislation that regulates credit agreements, such as personal loans, overdrafts, and credit card purchases. However, the CCA has undergone numerous changes over the years, resulting in a fragmented and complex consumer credit framework that is difficult to navigate.
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May 2, 2021

Estate agency guidance for money laundering supervision- Part 1

If you are supervised by the HMRC for anti-money laundering purposes, you will need to meet requirements under the Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing, and Transfer of Funds (Information on the Payer) Regulations 2017.
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January 7, 2022

FCA Fee Cap on CMCs

You will be aware that the FCA’s price cap is coming into existence on 1 March 2022. As a quick primer, this means there will now be five redress bands with a maximum fee charged per band.

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July 26, 2021

Regulation of the funeral plan market

On 5 July 2021, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) launched a consultation (CP21/20) on its proposals for regulating the pre-paid funeral plan sector. This is part of an extensive regulatory change in the pre-paid funeral plan market. Under the proposals, the FCA will take over regulation from the Funeral Planning Authority (FPA) on the 29th July 2022.‍

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March 8, 2023

Buy now pay later agreements to become regulated in the UK

Currently, BNPLs and STFC companies benefit from the exemption under Article 60F of the Financial Services and Markets Act (Regulated Activities) Order 2001 (RAO). Firms providing BNPL products benefiting from the 60F Exemption do not have to be FCA authorised and the agreements do not need to be in a prescribed form under the CCA.

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Your key contacts

ADEMOLA OMOSANYA

Ademola is an accomplished consultant with over a decade of experience across regulation, banking, and consumer credit. As MEMA Consultants co-founder, he leverages extensive regulatory expertise to guide clients through critical processes and full compliance. His experience across sectors enables tailored solutions to complex business challenges. Ademola partners with clients as a strategic advisor to help futureproof their business through an in-depth understanding of the regulatory landscape.

MISAH MARAGH

Misah is a director at MEMA Consultants with over a decade of experience in financial services. Holding a legal background and postgraduate qualification, she previously worked at the Financial Conduct Authority. Misah has led compliance transformation for global consumer services organisations across Europe, the Caribbean, and Latin America. Her expertise includes implementing compliance frameworks for financial regulations, FCPA, UK Bribery Act, data privacy, and Sarbanes-Oxley. Misah is skilled at advising clients on operational and strategic projects, leveraging her in-depth knowledge of regulatory environments to deliver solutions tailored to complex business needs.

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FCA Authorisation