2025 Financial Services Register: Comprehensive Guide
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- The UK's official Financial Services Register can be accessed online through the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) website.
- To verify a firm, you can visit the FCA site, navigate to the appropriate section, and search using the firm's name, reference number, or postcode.
- Verifying a company involves searching by name or reference number on the register and checking if their status is 'Authorised' or 'Registered'.
- It's essential to consult the register to confirm a company is legally allowed to perform regulated financial activities, which helps protect your investments and avoid scams.
- Although some firms not listed may be reputable, engaging only with those on the register is advised for financial safety.
You may be wondering why the Financial Services Register exists.
Well, financial scams are an unfortunate part of the world we live in, but the last thing you want is to fall victim to one of them!
We’ll tell you how to avoid it right here.
In This Article, You Will Discover:
Our dedicated team has spent countless hours researching the financial services landscape in the UK. We’ll help you learn how to identify a scam or fraudster offering unregulated services.
Read on to find out how!
Using the Financial Services Register
Using the Financial Services Register is easy, if you want to check that the firm you’re dealing with is regulated.
Financial services typically involve the following:
- Banking
- Investments
- Insurance
- Loans
- Mortgages
- Credit cards
- Money transfer
The majority of financial services in the UK must be regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)1, which manages the register.
Each firm’s regulated services and contact details can be found on the register, which is publicly available.
It's best to use the details on the register to avoid falling victim to a scam or unregulated firm!
Unauthorised Firms
Unauthorised firms shouldn’t be offering services and products within the industry, and in most cases, are running scams.
The register now also lists these firms to alert the masses of those that may be making false claims about their authorisation or services.
Publication of Directory Persons Data
The register now has data of persons regulated by the FCA, as well as those regulated by both the FCA and Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA).
Obtaining Data Extracts
To obtain data extracts, you can buy a regular subscription or once-off data cut.
This will give you access to FCA data.
Alternatively, you can sign up to the FS Register API Developer Portal2, which is free.
Accessing the Register
You can access the register using any of the following major browsers:
- Mozilla Firefox
- Apple Safari
- Google Chrome
- Microsoft Edge
Some of the pages and applications hosted by the FCA require Javascript support and for you to accept session-based cookies.
Common Questions
Where Can I Find the UK Financial Services Register Online?
What Steps Do I Need to Follow to Check the Financial Services Register?
How Do I Verify a Company on the Financial Services Register?
Why is Checking the Financial Services Register Important?
Can I Trust a Company Not Listed on the Financial Services Register?
In Conclusion
The best way to avoid falling victim to any suspicious financial advisors is to check if they’re regulated by the FCA.
Of course, you can do a background check on the service provider you’re considering, but that can only get you so far.
The Financial Services Register3 is one way of making sure that you don’t get caught or lose your hard-earned money by dealing with an unregulated firm.