The FCA are finding that consumer credit applications are taking firms longer to complete than anticipated. This is primarily because the applicants are not familiar with the FCA process, terminology, etc. Many firms are applying for the wrong permissions – generally mis-understanding when they should apply for full or limited permissions.
This in turn is leading to higher numbers of applications being rejected by the FCA.
The FCA therefore wish to remind firms that they must submit their application by the end of their landing slot period, else they will no longer be interim authorised and will have to cease consumer credit activities.
Abridged advice – how is it going so far?
Alistair MacDougall Compliance 2015, 2018, 2020, 2021, abridged, Drawdown, FCA, Pension, Pension Transfer, PI, transfer
Based on data and live visits to firms during the period from April 2015 to rule changes in 2018 and 2020, the FCA believed that far too high a proportion of clients were being recommended to transfer safeguarded benefits. This was predicated on the longstanding rule which stated: “… a firm should start by assuming […]