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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February 6, 2023

5 Steps for Conducting Effective Compliance Control Monitoring for Financial Firms

Compliance control monitoring is a crucial aspect of maintaining regulatory compliance for financial firms. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) requires firms to have robust controls and monitoring systems in place, and it is up to individual firms to implement these measures effectively. In this article, we will discuss the steps that firms can take to conduct compliance control monitoring.

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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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January 16, 2023

What are the FCA financial promotions and what internal controls should you set up

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Insights

April 11, 2021

Understanding the FCA thematic review (part1)

The Financial Conduct Authority carries out regular ‘thematic reviews’ into areas requiring further review by firms in the financial services industry.
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February 16, 2023

Consumer Credit Reforms - Are they long overdue?

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January 28, 2022

What are regulatory controls and how do you conduct control monitoring

As a regulated firm or a firm wishing to become regulated, you will need to ensure you have a robust control plan and can conduct effective monitoring of controls. In this article, we will detail what a control plan is and the steps you can take to conduct effective control monitoring.
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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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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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February 6, 2023

5 Steps for Conducting Effective Compliance Control Monitoring for Financial Firms

Compliance control monitoring is a crucial aspect of maintaining regulatory compliance for financial firms. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) requires firms to have robust controls and monitoring systems in place, and it is up to individual firms to implement these measures effectively. In this article, we will discuss the steps that firms can take to conduct compliance control monitoring.
More about us
December 11, 2025

FCA updates : Regulatory simplification, financial crime controls, and the future of digital payments

This week the FCA moved to reduce regulatory burden while reinforcing market integrity. Late fee reductions and insurance rule simplification aim to ease compliance pressures. New tools and initiatives target financial crime, investment decision support, and long-term market growth. Stablecoin payments remain a clear priority for 2026. Firms should update processes, strengthen controls, and align strategies with the FCA’s investment and digital finance agenda.
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April 11, 2021

Notfication for FCA Directory Persons

Have you completed your FCA Directory Persons? If you have not heard or are wondering, by 31 March 2021, the FCA is proposing that solo regulated firms (you) must submit their Directory Persons data via Connect.
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May 16, 2022

Learn how to conduct Wind Down Planning

The FCA recently completed a thematic review of wind-down processes across a number of business models. The review was aimed at reviewing firms on whether they held the appropriate liquidity, examining intragroup dependencies and wind-down triggers.
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March 31, 2023

Horizon Scanning for Compliance Officers in UK Banking & Payment Services Sector: Key Strategies

Horizon scanning is a key component of this role, as it helps compliance officers stay informed of emerging trends, changes in regulations, and technological advancements that could impact their organization. In this article, we'll provide key strategies and best practices for successful horizon scanning in the UK banking and payment services sector.
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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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December 12, 2022

What is the FCA Consumer Duty and how does it affect your firm?

The FCA Consumer duty is a key principle of the regulatory framework that governs the financial sector in the UK. This principle requires financial firms to always act in the best interests of their customers and to put the interests of consumers first when carrying out their activities.
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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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Regulatory considerations for Consumer Credit Firms

The FCA's Director of Consumer and Retail Policy has recently provided its view on where changes are required in the Consumer Credit market.
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September 20, 2022

How to conduct a Business and Customer Risk Assessment

A business risk assessment provides visibility of the levels of AML risks within your firm to demonstrate the application of a risk-based approach. The outcome of the BRA is an AML risk rating for you and the organisational chart of business units is differentiated into high, medium or low risk. The BRA evaluates the AML risks faced by the business and demonstrates that it allocates resources according to the risk-based approach.
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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