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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April 11, 2021

Planning for FCA Authorisation

In this article, we briefly cover how long to expect when firms are submitting their applications for authorisations to the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).

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July 4, 2025

FCA's Evolving Vision: Safer Culture, Smarter Tech, Sharper Trust

This week, the FCA took a bold step forward in reshaping both how firms operate and how customers experience financial services.

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Insights

June 27, 2025

FCA Weekly Brief: Homes, Payments & The Future of Finance

Explore this week’s FCA updates on mortgage reform, payment oversight, and market strategy — and what they mean for your firm’s next move.
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October 12, 2022

How to get FCA authorised (part 2)

As part of our How To series on 'How to get FCA authorised'. We are addressing all aspects of preparing for FCA authorisation. This will look to cover a range of key items your business should consider from the location of offices, and expected fees to resourcing.
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April 11, 2021

Claims Management Companies and High Cost Lenders

In a recent post, the FCA has released its views urging Claims Management Companies and High Cost Lenders to work better together
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July 11, 2025

Crime, Clarity & Controls: This Week in FCA Action

This week, the FCA pulled no punches in its approach to market integrity and customer protection — issuing fines, securing convictions, and upgrading its regulatory infrastructure. Here's what matters and what firms should do next.
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May 18, 2023

Use of Personal Communications Channels. A Compliance Concern for Regulated Entities

In today's digital age, the use of personal communications channels for work purposes has become a major point of contention for regulated entities. Financial services regulators globally,
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December 29, 2022

What is the Appointed Representative Regime?

In this series of articles, MEMA will break down what is the Appointed Representative Regime and what steps your organsiation will need to take.
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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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April 28, 2022

How you can enhance your financial crime controls

The Financial Conduct Authority has released its key findings from its recent review of financial crime controls at several challenger banks. There are quite a few takeaways you can take to actively enhance your systems and controls.
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August 1, 2025

FCA in Motion: Tough Enforcement & Redress Reform

This week, the FCA delivered action on two fronts: enforcement and redress reform. It’s a call for firms to be both vigilant and prepared.
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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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August 9, 2023

Revised U.K. Financial Regulators' Complaints Scheme - Coming into effect 1, November 2023

In a collaborative effort, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA), and Bank of England have unveiled their revised Complaints Scheme, which fundamentally shapes the protocol for addressing and managing grievances lodged against the U.K. regulatory bodies. This revamped framework encompasses several significant modifications:
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August 7, 2022

Preparing for the TPR Regime

The Temporary Permissions Regime ('TPR') was designed in response to Brexit to ensure that European firms operating in the UK via a passport could continue operating temporarily while they seek full authorisation in the UK.
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November 10, 2021

Regulatory considerations for Consumer Credit Firms

The FCA has set out new rules for claims management companies (CMCs) to protect consumers against excessive charges. Some of the major changes include:
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January 9, 2023

What are the FCA Fit & Proper Requirements and Conduct rules?

Following on from our previous article about the Senior Manager regime, we provide more detail about the FCA Fit & Proper Requirements and Conduct rules.
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June 26, 2025

From Market Abuse to AML: Five FCA Breach Categories to Watch in 2025

AML, conflict-of-interest and operational-resilience fines are rising fast. Learn how to safeguard your firm before the next FCA crackdown.
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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