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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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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November 14, 2025

FCA Updates: Strategic Innovation, Accountability, and Global Collaboration

The FCA’s new partnership with Singapore is a significant step in the cross-border collaboration on AI and fintech growth. As both regulators push for global AI development, this could open doors for firms operating internationally. However, compliance frameworks must evolve to keep pace with this rapid development.

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April 11, 2021

Deconstructing the Dear CEO Letter

On 26 October 2020, the FCA issued its warning to CMC firms regarding their steps taken to fully investigate the merits of each potential claim before pursuing it.

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Insights

April 11, 2021

Deconstructing the Dear CEO Letter

On 26 October 2020, the FCA issued its warning to CMC firms regarding their steps taken to fully investigate the merits of each potential claim before pursuing it.
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June 5, 2025

Twelve Years of FCA Enforcement: What £ 4.77 Billion in Fines Says About UK Financial Conduct

£ 4.77 billion in FCA fines since 2013. Explore annual trends, sector hot-spots and compliance priorities for 2025.
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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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November 29, 2025

FCA updates : centre on market integrity, crypto oversight and operational efficiency.

This week’s FCA updates centre on market integrity, crypto oversight, and operational efficiency. The regulator progressed the move to T+1 settlement, expanded crypto policy work, and made several enforcement interventions.
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February 6, 2023

5 Steps for Conducting Effective Compliance Control Monitoring for Financial Firms

Compliance control monitoring is a crucial aspect of maintaining regulatory compliance for financial firms. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) requires firms to have robust controls and monitoring systems in place, and it is up to individual firms to implement these measures effectively. In this article, we will discuss the steps that firms can take to conduct compliance control monitoring.
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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 22, 2022

What is terrorist financing in simple terms

In the UK, Part 3 of the Terrorism Act 2000 criminalises terrorist financing and makes it an offence to:
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February 16, 2023

Consumer Credit Reforms - Are they long overdue?

The Consumer Credit Act 1974 (CCA) is a significant piece of legislation that regulates credit agreements, such as personal loans, overdrafts, and credit card purchases. However, the CCA has undergone numerous changes over the years, resulting in a fragmented and complex consumer credit framework that is difficult to navigate.
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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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FCA's New Listing Rules: Paving the Way for a Stronger UK Capital Market

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October 18, 2022

How to get FCA authorised (part 3)

As part of our How To series on 'How to get FCA authorised'. We are addressing all aspects of preparing for FCA authorisation. This will look to cover a range of key items your business should consider from the location of offices, and expected fees to resourcing.
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AML compliance in cryptocurrencies is impacted by the EU's expansion of policies

The European Parliament has decided to approve a set of rules to enhance the EU's anti-money laundering and terrorist financing tools, with a specific focus on the cryptocurrency business. The regulation mandates the implementation of heightened due diligence protocols and identity verifications for customers. Obligatory entities, including cryptocurrency asset managers and institutions, are required to notify Financial Intelligence Units (FIUs) or other competent authorities of any suspicious activities. An elevated degree of due diligence is being applied to the cryptocurrency sector.
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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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July 4, 2022

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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December 29, 2022

What is the Appointed Representative Regime?

In this series of articles, MEMA will break down what is the Appointed Representative Regime and what steps your organsiation will need to take.
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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