FCA Complaints Handling & procedure

FCA Complaints Handling

​The FCA complaint handling requirements are contained in the Dispute Resolution Sourcebook and require firms to operate a complaint handling process, including ensuring that complaints are acknowledged promptly and that a full response is issued within 8 weeks of the complaint date.Once the firm has completed its internal complaint handling process by issuing a final response, or if a final response is not issued by the firm within 8 weeks of the complaint date, the complainant may choose to take the complaint to the Financial Ombudsman Scheme.

If this occurs the firm must assist the Ombudsman and comply with any decision made by it.As part of the firm’s systems and controls, it must undertake root cause analysis to ascertain what remedial action should be undertaken in order to prevent future complaints of the same nature from occurring.Failure to undertake complaint handling in the appropriate way, or failing to assist the Ombudsman, can lead to the FCA taking enforcement action against your firm.

FCA Complaints Procedure

There are a number of ways we can help ensure that governance of your complaints processes is appropriate and include:

  • Review or design of your overall complaints process
  • Review and/or production of a written Complaints Procedure
  • Establishing the accuracy of current written procedures against firm actions
  • Review or design of supporting documents such as summary procedures and letter templates
  • Training of staff to implement new or revised procedures
  • Root cause analysis workshops to establish potential weaknesses in the business and prevent relapse

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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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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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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August 25, 2022

MEMA joins the APCC!

We are pleased to announce that our application for MEMA Consultants Limited to become a member of the Association of Professional Compliance Consultants (APCC) has been successful.

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Insights

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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April 11, 2021

Understanding the FCA Culture and Governance requirements

The financial crisis placed banks under the public spotlight, the investigation into some of the practices revealed behaviors that caused public indignation, Payment Protection Insurance (PPI) is but one example. The financial crisis placed banks under the public spotlight, the investigation into some of the practices revealed behaviors that caused public indignation, Payment Protection Insurance (PPI) is but one example.
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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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September 26, 2022

How much are the FCA fees?

The common question we receive when firms are deciding whether to get authorised or not as an FCA regulated firm is how much will it cost?
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July 17, 2025

This Week in FCA: Fines, Flexibility & Future Policy

This week’s FCA updates focus on growth, governance, and global cooperation. A record £42 million fine against Barclays underscores the FCA’s uncompromising stance on financial crime controls.
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August 9, 2023

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

In a collaborative effort, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA), and Bank of England have unveiled their revised Complaints Scheme, which fundamentally shapes the protocol for addressing and managing grievances lodged against the U.K. regulatory bodies. This revamped framework encompasses several significant modifications:
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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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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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June 27, 2025

FCA Weekly Brief: Homes, Payments & The Future of Finance

Explore this week’s FCA updates on mortgage reform, payment oversight, and market strategy — and what they mean for your firm’s next move.
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April 20, 2023

FCA's New Consumer Duty Takes Center Stage Amid Cost of Living Crisis

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has highlighted its focus on ensuring good consumer outcomes in its latest Business Plan, selecting 'putting consumers' needs first' as one of its four priority areas for the upcoming year. This comes in response to the ongoing cost of living crisis, and the FCA is committing additional resources and headcount to Consumer Duty-related activities.
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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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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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September 27, 2022

How to get FCA authorised (part 1)

We are launching a new How To series on 'How to get FCA authorised'. This will look to cover a range of key items your business should consider from the location of offices, expected fees to resourcing. We will start on the first few key areas covering
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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 11, 2021

Preparing for your annual FCA Reporting Requirements

Your firm is due to submit its regulatory return(s) within 30 business days of your Accounting Reference Date. Reporting requirements apply to all firms with permissions to carry on regulated claims management activities, including firms with temporary permissions.
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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 Complaints Handling