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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June 12, 2025

Banks vs. the Rest: Why 83 Percent of FCA Fine Value Hits the Banking Sector

UK banks have paid £ 3.96 billion in FCA fines since 2013. Discover the root causes and a five-step compliance roadmap for 2025.

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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 5, 2023

Review of the Senior Managers & Certification Regime (SMCR)

On 30 March 2023, the UK government and regulators initiated a review of the Senior Managers & Certification Regime (SMCR) through a Call for Evidence from Her Majesty's Treasury (HMT) and a joint Discussion Paper (DP23/3) from the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA).

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Insights

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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August 1, 2025

FCA in Motion: Tough Enforcement & Redress Reform

This week, the FCA delivered action on two fronts: enforcement and redress reform. It’s a call for firms to be both vigilant and prepared.
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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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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

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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January 28, 2022

Consumer Credit - New regulatory considerations

The FCA’s, Director of Consumer and Retail Policy has recently provided its view on where changes are required in the Consumer Credit market. This detail arising from a speech identified that Consumer credit remains a key priority for the FCA.
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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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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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June 20, 2022

How to navigate the Skilled Person Review

As part of our How to series, we thought to release a brief guide on what to do when you are required to appoint a Skilled Persons by the regulator.
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June 26, 2025

From Market Abuse to AML: Five FCA Breach Categories to Watch in 2025

AML, conflict-of-interest and operational-resilience fines are rising fast. Learn how to safeguard your firm before the next FCA crackdown.
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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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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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November 22, 2025

FCA Weekly Updates - Innovation, Oversight, and Market Transparency

This week’s FCA updates emphasize consumer protection alongside the need for financial innovation. The regulator’s focus is clear: stricter oversight on products like CFDs, the importance of combining human expertise with AI in financial markets, and an emphasis on personalized financial wellbeing.
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May 16, 2022

Learn how to conduct Wind Down Planning

The FCA recently completed a thematic review of wind-down processes across a number of business models. The review was aimed at reviewing firms on whether they held the appropriate liquidity, examining intragroup dependencies and wind-down triggers.
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January 23, 2025

FCA Announces Significant Changes to Authorisation Process - January 2025 Update from MEMA Consultants

In a landmark announcement, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has unveiled substantial changes to its authorisation process, demonstrating a clear commitment to supporting growth in the UK financial services sector. As your trusted regulatory partner, MEMA Consultants brings you a detailed analysis of these important developments.
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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