About FirmChecker

What FirmChecker is

FirmChecker is an independent consumer directory built on data from the FCA Financial Services Register. It is designed for anyone who wants to quickly verify whether a firm is regulated before engaging with it, for example, before opening an account, transferring money, or seeking advice.

The site is particularly useful for:

• Consumers checking whether a firm is authorised before dealing with it
• Journalists and researchers verifying firm status
• Compliance professionals doing initial due diligence
• Anyone who has received unsolicited contact and wants to check whether the firm is legitimate

Where the data comes from

All firm data is sourced directly from the FCA Financial Services Register, the official public record of firms and individuals that are authorised or registered to carry out regulated activities in the UK.

The FCA Register is maintained by the Financial Conduct Authority and is the authoritative source for the status, permissions, and details of regulated firms. FirmChecker does not create or editorially modify firm data. We display what is held on the register.

How we keep the data current

Our database is refreshed from the FCA Register periodically (approximately weekly). Every firm page shows a "last updated" date so you can see when that firm's record was last synchronised. Firm statuses can change: a firm can become authorised, have its authorisation cancelled, or be placed under restrictions at any time.

Because there is always a lag between the FCA Register and our snapshot, you should treat FirmChecker as a starting point, not a real-time source. Always verify the current status directly on the official FCA Register before making financial decisions.

What the verdict means

Each firm page shows a verdict summarising the firm's regulatory standing. The verdicts are derived from the status fields on the FCA Register:

• Authorised. The firm holds full FCA authorisation and is permitted to carry out the regulated activities shown on its record. This includes firms with "Authorised" or "Registered" status on the FCA Register.
• Appointed representative. The firm acts as an appointed representative of another FCA-authorised firm (its "principal"). It is covered by the principal's authorisation rather than holding its own. You should check the principal firm's record as well.
• Caution. The firm's status warrants caution. This includes firms whose authorisation has been suspended, varied, or is subject to requirements, or where there is a history of disciplinary action. Read the full record carefully.
• Cancelled / lapsed. The firm's authorisation or registration has been cancelled, withdrawn, or has lapsed. A cancelled firm is no longer authorised to carry out regulated activities. If a firm is soliciting business despite a cancelled status, that may indicate fraud, report it to the FCA.

These verdicts are our interpretation of the data fields provided by the FCA Register. They are intended to help you navigate the information, not to replace it. Always read the underlying firm record before acting on any verdict.

Independence disclaimer

FirmChecker is an independent directory. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or in any way connected to the Financial Conduct Authority. The FCA does not review, approve, or endorse the content on this site.

For the authoritative and up-to-date position on any firm, always verify directly on the official FCA Financial Services Register. If you suspect a firm is operating without authorisation or is impersonating a regulated firm, report it to the FCA directly.

Who runs FirmChecker

FirmChecker is operated by Vasia Media Ltd, a company registered in England and Wales (company number 13841574). If you have a question, spot an error in our data, or want to report a potential clone firm, please get in touch.