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

November 10, 2024

The Importance of Timely Disclosure: Lessons from the FCA's £350,000 Fine on Wise CEO

Discover how Wise CEO Kristo Käärmann's failure to notify the FCA of significant tax issues led to a substantial fine. Learn key compliance lessons for financial firms from MEMA Consultants.
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January 20, 2023

FCA's Portfolio Strategy on Claims Management Companies: A Detailed Compliance Guide for CMC Firms

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) recently released its Portfolio Strategy on Claims Management Companies (CMCs) outlining its approach to regulating this sector and identifying key risks.
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August 12, 2022

The UK Financial Crime Legislation framework

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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March 17, 2025

Achieving FCA Compliance in the UK Crypto Sector: Registration, Best Practices, and Case Studies

Having explored the regulatory foundations in our first article, we now turn to the nuts and bolts of achieving FCA compliance.
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January 16, 2023

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

A financial promotion is any advertisement, communication, or other material that promotes a financial product or service. Financial promotions can take many forms, including print and online advertisements, marketing emails, social media posts, and sales presentations.
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October 12, 2021

Understanding the Regulatory Landscape

At MEMA, in discussions with our customers (current and prospective) we identified a common theme, understanding the regulatory landscape is problematic and requires clearer descriptions aid understanding.
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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 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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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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August 9, 2022

What are UK sanctions and how to conduct sanctions screening?

Sanctions are normally used by the international community for one or more of the following reasons:
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May 15, 2021

Understanding virtual asset service providers

Virtual asset service providers have been defined as a new financial sector facing significant money laundering and terrorist financing risks.
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November 10, 2024

Putting Customers First: Insights from the FCA's £10.9 Million Fine on TSB

Learn from TSB's FCA fine for failing to treat customers fairly. Discover how to align your firm's practices with regulatory expectations with MEMA Consultants.
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February 21, 2025

Financial Promotions Under Scrutiny: FCA Doubles Down on Compliance Enforcement

The financial services landscape is witnessing unprecedented regulatory scrutiny, with the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) significantly intensifying its oversight of financial promotions. In a striking development, nearly 20,000 financial promotions were withdrawn or amended in 2024—representing a dramatic doubling of regulatory interventions compared to the previous year.
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March 24, 2025

Preparing for Future Challenges: Emerging UK Crypto Regulations and Strategic Planning

In the concluding part of our series, we shift focus to tomorrow’s regulatory environment—including pending legislation, potential expanded authorisation requirements, and international alignment trends.
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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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June 27, 2022

Credit Broking- a brief FCA guide

At MEMA, we believe in upskilling our readers and clients as much as possible. We will be releasing brief explanations into Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)-regulated areas, so you can understand quickly what are the requirements in that area. Our first area will be Credit Broking.

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December 12, 2022

What is the FCA Consumer Duty and how does it affect your firm?

The FCA Consumer duty is a key principle of the regulatory framework that governs the financial sector in the UK. This principle requires financial firms to always act in the best interests of their customers and to put the interests of consumers first when carrying out their activities.

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April 25, 2024

Improving Oversight of Appointed Representatives in the Credit Broking Industry Introduction

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has recently assessed the key harms and drivers of harm caused by Appointed Representatives (ARs) and Introducer Appointed Representatives (IARs) in the credit broking sector. The regulator has identified areas for improvement in the due diligence checks conducted by principal firms when appointing ARs and in their ongoing monitoring of these representatives. This article will discuss the issues identified by the FCA and how firms can address these concerns to ensure better oversight of their ARs and IARs.

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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