​Credit Broking

Appointed Representatives and Principal Firms

Firms that become authorised by the FCA may extend authorised permissions to third party firms. These are known as ‘Appointed Representatives’.

Firms that become authorised by the FCA may extend authorised permissions to third party firms. These are known as ‘Appointed Representatives’. In having an AR, an authorised firm would be understood as the Principal firm. Many firms start as Appointed Representatives before seeking direct authorisation from the FCA.

How can MEMA help you?

Interested in becoming authorised by the FCA or maintaining compliance as an FCA authorised firm? MEMA can help, whether it is for FCA authorisations, or ongoing compliance needs.

FCA Authorisation

If you are looking to become authorised by the FCA, MEMA can help.

Each applicant who works with MEMA is assigned a dedicated Regulatory Adviser who will support you throughout your application, answering queries you may have relating to the application and providing you with guidance and support.

The process starts with a fact find between yourself and one of our Regulatory Advisors where we’ll get to know you and your business and how you intend to provide your services.

We will provide you with advice and guidance on how to comply with the FCA’s requirements and identify any risks.

We will then produce for you a series of documents to support your application and help ensure that you become authorised. These documents include a Regulatory Business Plan and Compliance Monitoring Plan. We also produce a compliance manual for you containing documentation for you to implement into your business upon authorisation to help enable you to comply with the FCA’s requirements.

An online application will then be completed along with all relevant forms, which will then be submitted to the FCA. Should there be any FCA questions, your Regulatory Adviser will work with you to draft a full response.

In short, we’re here for our clients every step of the way. We provide our clients with the benefit of our knowledge and experience to not only help ensure that your application is successful, but that your business has the right foundations to ensure positive customer outcomes.

Appointed Representatives and Principal Firms

Some firms that are authorised by the FCA can enter into an agreement enabling one or more non FCA-authorised firms to conduct regulated activity without first obtaining permission from the FCA. The FCA Authorised firm in this type of relationship is known as the Principal Firm whilst the other party is known as an Appointed Representative.

The nature of these relationships means that the Principal Firm is accountable to the FCA for ensuring the Appointed Representative complies with the FCA’s rules. For that reason, it normally comes at a cost to the Appointed Representative.

Many firms start as Appointed Representatives before seeking direct authorisation from the FCA, although this is not required.

For more information on Appointed Representatives and Principal Firms please click here.

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?

Get started!

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.

Contact us

April 11, 2021

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How to navigate the Skilled Person Review

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Insights

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Financial crime poses significant threats that undermine market integrity and public trust

Financial crime undermines market integrity and public trust, prompting the FCA's 3-year strategy. MEMA advises firms to use tech, collaborate, educate, strengthen compliance, foster responsibility, and support AML reform. For assistance, contact MEMA's experts.
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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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October 19, 2021

Regulatory considerations for Consumer Credit Firms

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January 28, 2022

Consumer Credit - New regulatory considerations

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April 11, 2021

FCA Cryptocurrency Regulation Part 1

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March 31, 2023

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

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June 27, 2022

Credit Broking- a brief FCA guide

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August 9, 2023

Revised U.K. Financial Regulators' Complaints Scheme - Coming into effect 1, November 2023

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March 15, 2023

The Motor Finance Industry: How to Apply the Consumer Duty Principle

On 1 March 2023, the FCA released a portfolio letter titled "Implementing the Consumer Duty in the Motor Finance Providers Portfolio." The letter highlights the need for a more consumer-focused approach and emphasizes that CEOs or directors should personally focus on implementing the Consumer Duty.
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What to take away from the FCA's Business Plan 2022-2023

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January 16, 2023

What are the FCA financial promotions and what internal controls should you set up

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December 6, 2021

Funeral plans come under FCA regulation July 2022

The FCA has confirmed that from 29 July 2022, it will take on responsibility for regulating and supervising the pre-paid funeral plans market.
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The UK Financial Crime Legislation framework

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Preparing financial projections for the FCA

In this article, we briefly cover the financial projections that companies are expected to produce when submitting their application to the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).
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August 10, 2022

Financial Crime- Understanding the FCA Handbook rules

MEMA has produced this financial crime series for firms, to understand the steps they can take to reduce their financial crime risk. It does not include all the financial crime risks a firm may face but provides an understanding of FCA expectations in this complex field.
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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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​Credit Broking