Financial company not on the FCA register: what it means
Why Senserity flags companies registered for financial activities that are not on the FCA register, the many harmless reasons, and when it is a warning.
- Severity
- High
- Category
- Compliance
- Plan
- Free and above
- Test code
- COM-105
What this test checks
Looks at companies whose registered business activity is financial services (SIC section K: banking, insurance and other financial activities) and checks whether they appear on the FCA Financial Services Register.
Carrying on regulated financial activities in the UK requires authorisation or registration, so a financial services company that cannot be found is worth a closer look.
What a fail looks like
The company's registered activity is in financial services, and it is not on the FCA register.
Harmless explanations
- Many companies in this section do not need authorisation: holding companies, investment companies managing their own money and many family investment vehicles all fall within it.
- The company may be an appointed representative listed under its principal firm's name.
- Its registered activity may be out of date.
What to do
- Work out what the company actually does for you: if it is offering regulated services, it must be authorised.
- Search the FCA register by name and check the FCA warning list for firms to avoid.
Related tests
Part of the test catalogue. Every check Senserity runs, with its severity and the plan it is available on.
Last reviewed .