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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November 19, 2024

Preparing for Change: The UK's Move to Regulate 'Buy Now, Pay Later' Lenders

Understand the UK's proposed regulation of 'Buy Now, Pay Later' lenders and what financial firms need to prepare for. Insights from MEMA Consultants.

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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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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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Insights

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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April 28, 2022

How you can enhance your financial crime controls

The Financial Conduct Authority has released its key findings from its recent review of financial crime controls at several challenger banks. There are quite a few takeaways you can take to actively enhance your systems and controls.
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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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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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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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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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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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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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November 19, 2024

Preparing for Change: The UK's Move to Regulate 'Buy Now, Pay Later' Lenders

Understand the UK's proposed regulation of 'Buy Now, Pay Later' lenders and what financial firms need to prepare for. Insights from MEMA Consultants.
More about us
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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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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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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December 19, 2022

What is the Senior Managers & Certification Regime ?

The Senior Managers and Certification Regime (SM&CR) replaces the Approved Persons Regime (APR) which is how the FCA used to regulate people working in financial services.
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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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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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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