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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April 11, 2021

Understanding the FCA Culture and Governance requirements

The financial crisis placed banks under the public spotlight, the investigation into some of the practices revealed behaviors that caused public indignation, Payment Protection Insurance (PPI) is but one example. The financial crisis placed banks under the public spotlight, the investigation into some of the practices revealed behaviors that caused public indignation, Payment Protection Insurance (PPI) is but one example.

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August 12, 2022

The UK Financial Crime Legislation framework

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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June 19, 2025

Inside the Top 10 FCA Fines: Governance Failures That Cost Firms £ 2.4 Billion

The ten largest FCA penalties now represent just over 50 percent of total fine value. Examine their root causes and the governance gaps boards must close.

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Insights

November 22, 2025

FCA Weekly Updates - Innovation, Oversight, and Market Transparency

This week’s FCA updates emphasize consumer protection alongside the need for financial innovation. The regulator’s focus is clear: stricter oversight on products like CFDs, the importance of combining human expertise with AI in financial markets, and an emphasis on personalized financial wellbeing.
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April 25, 2024

Improving Oversight of Appointed Representatives in the Credit Broking Industry Introduction

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has recently assessed the key harms and drivers of harm caused by Appointed Representatives (ARs) and Introducer Appointed Representatives (IARs) in the credit broking sector. The regulator has identified areas for improvement in the due diligence checks conducted by principal firms when appointing ARs and in their ongoing monitoring of these representatives. This article will discuss the issues identified by the FCA and how firms can address these concerns to ensure better oversight of their ARs and IARs.
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June 11, 2021

FCA Financial Promotions Quarterly Review

In our first of the series on regulatory smarts, we alert you to the quarterly financial promotion release issued by the FCA
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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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March 24, 2025

Preparing for Future Challenges: Emerging UK Crypto Regulations and Strategic Planning

In the concluding part of our series, we shift focus to tomorrow’s regulatory environment—including pending legislation, potential expanded authorisation requirements, and international alignment trends.
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FCA's New Listing Rules: Paving the Way for a Stronger UK Capital Market

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August 29, 2022

What is Customer Due Diligence and what controls should you focus on?

Customer due diligence (CDD) is a key element in helping your firm:
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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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May 23, 2025

Buy-Now-Pay-Later gets real: what the 2025 draft Order means for short-term interest-free credit – and why firms must start planning now

Five years on from the Treasury’s initial pledge, Parliament now has the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Regulated Activities etc.) (Amendment) Order 2025 on its table
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June 19, 2025

Inside the Top 10 FCA Fines: Governance Failures That Cost Firms £ 2.4 Billion

The ten largest FCA penalties now represent just over 50 percent of total fine value. Examine their root causes and the governance gaps boards must close.
More about us
April 11, 2021

Understanding the FCA Culture and Governance requirements

The financial crisis placed banks under the public spotlight, the investigation into some of the practices revealed behaviors that caused public indignation, Payment Protection Insurance (PPI) is but one example. The financial crisis placed banks under the public spotlight, the investigation into some of the practices revealed behaviors that caused public indignation, Payment Protection Insurance (PPI) is but one example.
More about us
May 21, 2021

Claims Management Phoenixing

The FCA has released its latest consultation paper affecting the Claims Management Industry.
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April 11, 2021

Preparing financial projections for the FCA

In this article, we briefly cover the financial projections that companies are expected to produce when submitting their application to the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).
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April 11, 2021

Deconstructing the Dear CEO Letter

On 26 October 2020, the FCA issued its warning to CMC firms regarding their steps taken to fully investigate the merits of each potential claim before pursuing it.
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November 23, 2022

FCA's new rules on Appointed Representative Regime

Changes to the Appointed Representatives regimes will take effect from 08 December 2022. The final rules were published in the Financial Conduct Authority’s policy statement to improve the appointed representative's regime.
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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