Glossary entry

FCA

The FCA, or Financial Conduct Authority, is the body that regulates the conduct of financial services firms in the UK. It keeps a public Financial Services Register, which records firms and individuals that are or have been authorised, and also lists unauthorised firms and known clone firms. Looking up a provider by name on the register, and checking that the details match the website you are using, takes a few minutes. Authorisation does not guarantee a good outcome, but its absence is a reason to pause. See also: safeguarding, KYC, and the guide How to Compare Money Transfer Providers.