In short
- FCA actions range from requirements on a firm to fines and bans.
- Check the register entry for current restrictions.
- Weigh the type, date and remediation of any issue.
Types of FCA action
| Action | What it means |
|---|---|
| Requirements / restrictions | Limits on what a firm can do, shown on the register |
| Final notice and fine | Published decision describing failings and penalties |
| Redress schemes | Firm required to compensate affected customers |
| Cancellation of permissions | Firm no longer allowed to carry on regulated activities |
| Warning List entries | Alerts about unauthorised firms and clones |
How to weigh it
- Nature: client money failures and unfair treatment are more serious than reporting errors.
- Timing: an issue from many years ago that's been fixed matters less than a recent one.
- Pattern: repeated problems suggest weak controls.
- Response: did the firm compensate clients and improve systems?
Unauthorised firms
The biggest risks rarely come from fined FCA firms — they come from firms that aren't authorised at all. Check the Warning List and read our scam guide.
Frequently asked questions
Where can I see FCA action against a firm?
Final notices are published on the FCA website, and requirements or restrictions appear on the firm's entry in the Financial Services Register.
Should I avoid any broker that has been fined?
Not necessarily. Look at what the issue was, when it happened, and whether it was fixed. Serious or repeated client-money or fair-treatment failures deserve more weight.
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