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.

This will involve:

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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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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January 31, 2022

New restrictions on the financial promotions of crypto assets

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has launched a consultation paper (CP22/2) on financial promotion rules for high-risk investments, including crypto assets.

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October 19, 2021

Regulatory considerations for Consumer Credit Firms

The FCA's Director of Consumer and Retail Policy has recently provided its view on where changes are required in the Consumer Credit market.

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Insights

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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Navigate the New Financial Crime Landscape with FCA's Updated Guide and MEMA Consulting's Expertise

In response to evolving regulatory landscapes and recent global events, the Financial Conduct Awareness (FCA) has unveiled proposed updates to its Financial Crime Guide, CP24/9. The revisions aim to enhance sanctions systems, address proliferation financing, and refine transaction monitoring with a focus on modern technologies like Artificial Intelligence and cryptoassets. With these updates, the FCA seeks to fortify financial crime prevention measures and ensure firms are well-equipped to meet new challenges. As firms adapt to these changes, MEMA Consulting stands ready to offer expert guidance and tailored support, helping businesses align with FCA's stringent standards and navigate this complex regulatory terrain effectively.
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January 28, 2022

What are regulatory controls and how do you conduct control monitoring

As a regulated firm or a firm wishing to become regulated, you will need to ensure you have a robust control plan and can conduct effective monitoring of controls. In this article, we will detail what a control plan is and the steps you can take to conduct effective control monitoring.
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January 9, 2023

What are the FCA Fit & Proper Requirements and Conduct rules?

Following on from our previous article about the Senior Manager regime, we provide more detail about the FCA Fit & Proper Requirements and Conduct rules.
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January 28, 2022

Vulnerable customers – understanding and meeting the FCA’s guidelines

Fair treatment of vulnerable customers has been a longstanding concern for the FCA . The FCA has released the Finalised Guidance (FG21/1). It sets out its view of what firms should do to comply with their obligations under the Principles and ensure they treat vulnerable customers fairly.
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April 11, 2021

Notfication for FCA Directory Persons

Have you completed your FCA Directory Persons? If you have not heard or are wondering, by 31 March 2021, the FCA is proposing that solo regulated firms (you) must submit their Directory Persons data via Connect.
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April 11, 2021

FCA Threshold Conditions

Firms that apply for FCA authorisation have to meet the Financial Conduct Authority's minimum standards to become authorised – known as the “Threshold Conditions”.
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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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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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May 18, 2023

Use of Personal Communications Channels. A Compliance Concern for Regulated Entities

In today's digital age, the use of personal communications channels for work purposes has become a major point of contention for regulated entities. Financial services regulators globally,
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December 7, 2022

Are you aware of the FCA rules to protect consumers from rogue financial promotions

Did you know that the FCA has published a consultation paper and press release setting out how it proposes to operate a new authorisations gateway for firms wanting to continue approving financial promotions for unauthorised persons.
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April 11, 2021

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 31, 2022

What is money laundering and what are some red flags you should consider?

Money laundering is the process of concealing or disguising the existence, source, movement, destination, or use of illicitly-derived property or funds to make them appear legitimate.
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September 13, 2022

What are AML Trigger events your team needs to be aware of?

Trigger Events highlight instances where there may be a change in customers’ circumstances.
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June 11, 2021

FCA Financial Promotions Quarterly Review

In our first of the series on regulatory smarts, we alert you to the quarterly financial promotion release issued by the FCA
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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