Check a Mortgage Adviser Is FCA Authorised

How to Check a Mortgage Advisor's FCA Authorisation

The simplest starting point is the FCA Firm Checker.

Five Steps to Check a Mortgage Adviser

Step 1: Open the FCA Firm Checker

Visit the official FCA website and open its free Firm Checker.

Check a Firm on the FCA Website ↗

Step 2: Search for the mortgage adviser's business

Enter the business name or other identifying information requested by the tool.

Make sure you're checking the correct business, particularly if several firms have similar names.

Step 3: Check its regulatory status

Look for confirmation that the firm is authorised to provide the relevant financial services.

Some mortgage-advice businesses operate as appointed representatives of another authorised firm. We'll explain what this means below.

Step 4: Check its permissions

Being authorised for one type of financial service doesn't automatically mean a firm can provide every type of regulated advice.

Use the Firm Checker to establish whether the firm has permission for the mortgage services you're looking for.

Step 5: Compare the contact details

Check that the business name, telephone number, website and other available details are consistent with those you've been given.

If something doesn't match, investigate before proceeding.

Important: The FCA Firm Checker helps you check a firm's regulatory status and permissions. It doesn't guarantee the quality of its advice or the outcome of your mortgage application.

What Is the FCA Firm Checker?

The FCA Firm Checker is a free service provided by the Financial Conduct Authority.

It helps consumers check whether a financial business is authorised and has permission to offer particular products or services.

For someone choosing a mortgage adviser, it's an important first step.

The tool can help you establish:

Whether the firm is authorised.
Whether it has relevant permissions.
Whether it operates as an appointed representative.
The contact information recorded for the business.
Whether relevant warnings are displayed.

Official resource: FCA Firm Checker.

What Is the FCA Financial Services Register?

The Financial Services Register is a more detailed public record maintained by the FCA.

It contains information about authorised firms, appointed representatives and certain individuals.

It can also provide historical information about a firm's regulatory status and disciplinary record.

The Register may be useful when you want to investigate a business in greater detail.

For most consumers, however, the FCA recommends starting with the simpler Firm Checker.

Official resource: FCA Financial Services Register.

What Does FCA Authorised Mean?

FCA authorisation means a business has received regulatory permission to carry out specified financial activities.

Authorised firms must meet relevant regulatory requirements.

However, authorisation isn't a blanket approval for every financial product or service.

For example, a business authorised for one financial activity may not have permission to provide regulated mortgage advice.

That's why checking the firm's specific permissions is important.

Does FCA Authorisation Guarantee Good Mortgage Advice?

No.

FCA authorisation provides important regulatory safeguards, but it doesn't guarantee that every recommendation will be suitable or that every application will succeed.

You should still consider the adviser's experience, services, fees and lender access.

Related guide: How to Choose a Mortgage Advisor in the UK.

What Is an Appointed Representative?

Some mortgage-advice businesses operate as appointed representatives, often shortened to ARs.

An appointed representative carries out specified activities on behalf of an authorised business known as its principal firm.

The principal is responsible for the activities it has agreed the appointed representative can undertake.

This is an established arrangement within UK financial services.

How to Check an Appointed Representative

If a mortgage adviser operates through an appointed representative business:

Find the business on the FCA Firm Checker or Financial Services Register.
Identify its principal firm.
Check which activities the appointed representative is permitted to carry out.
Contact the principal firm if you're uncertain about the arrangement.

An appointed representative isn't necessarily less suitable than a directly authorised firm.

The important thing is confirming that the arrangement is genuine and covers the services being offered.

Find a Mortgage Adviser Covering Your Area

Looking for a local mortgage advisor you can speak to?

Local Advisors offers a free introduction service connecting customers with mortgage advisers covering their area.

We carry out business checks before accepting advisers onto our platform, including checks of their FCA status.

✓ Free matching service
✓ Free initial consultation
✓ No obligation to proceed

Find My Mortgage Adviser

How Can You Spot a Fake Mortgage Adviser?

Unfortunately, some fraudsters impersonate legitimate financial businesses.

The FCA refers to these as clone firms.

A clone firm may use the name, website details or Firm Reference Number of a genuine authorised business to appear legitimate.

Warning Signs to Look For

Be cautious if:

Contact details don't match those recorded by the FCA.
Someone claims the FCA's published details are incorrect.
A business uses a website or email address that looks similar to a genuine firm's.
You're pressured to act immediately.
Someone unexpectedly contacts you and claims to represent a regulated business.

A genuine-looking website or an FCA reference number alone isn't proof that you're dealing with the correct business.

How to Protect Yourself

Use the contact details published by the FCA to verify the business independently.

If you suspect someone is impersonating an authorised firm, don't rely solely on the contact information they've provided.

Official resource: FCA guidance on clone firms.

What if a Mortgage Adviser Isn't FCA Authorised?

If a business claims to provide regulated mortgage advice but doesn't appear to have the appropriate authorisation or appointed representative arrangement, don't proceed until you've clarified its status.

You can contact the FCA for assistance.

The FCA also maintains a Warning List of firms and individuals it believes may be operating without the necessary authorisation or involved in scams.

Remember that the absence of a published warning doesn't automatically mean a business is legitimate.

Are All Buy-to-Let Mortgages FCA Regulated?

No.

Most ordinary buy-to-let mortgages fall outside the FCA's regulated residential mortgage framework.

However, certain consumer buy-to-let arrangements are subject to a separate regulatory regime.

If you're looking for buy-to-let mortgage advice, ask the adviser about their experience and the regulatory status of the particular service you're considering.

Related service: Buy-to-Let Mortgages.

Does FCA Authorisation Mean My Mortgage Is Guaranteed?

No.

A regulated mortgage adviser may help you understand your options and prepare an application, but the lender makes its own lending decisions.

Mortgage approval depends on factors such as affordability, credit history, the property and the lender's criteria.

An adviser's regulatory status doesn't guarantee acceptance.

What Checks Does Local Advisors Carry Out?

Local Advisors is a mortgage-adviser introduction service.

Before accepting adviser businesses onto our platform, we carry out checks covering:

FCA status

Reviewing relevant regulatory information.

Business website

Checking the business's online presence and available information.

Google Business Profile

Reviewing relevant business information where available.

Customer reviews

Considering publicly available feedback.

Wider online presence

Looking at information that helps us assess the business.

ICO registration

Checking relevant Information Commissioner's Office registration information.

These checks help us assess the adviser businesses we work with.

They aren't a guarantee of an adviser's suitability, regulatory compliance or future performance.

Customers should still carry out their own checks before proceeding.

Is Local Advisors FCA Authorised?

Local Advisors is an introduction and marketing service, not an FCA-authorised mortgage adviser.

We don't provide personalised mortgage advice or recommend individual mortgage products.

Any regulated mortgage advice is provided by the adviser you're introduced to.

Other Things to Check Before Choosing a Mortgage Adviser

Regulatory status is important, but it's not the only consideration.

Before proceeding, you may also want to understand:

Which mortgage lenders the adviser can consider.
Whether they regularly handle your type of mortgage enquiry.
Whether they charge customer fees.
How they communicate throughout the application.
Whether they offer in-person or remote appointments.

Related guides:

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check if a mortgage advisor is FCA authorised?

Use the FCA Firm Checker to search for the business and confirm its regulatory status and relevant permissions.

Can a mortgage broker operate as an appointed representative?

Yes. Some mortgage brokers operate as appointed representatives of authorised principal firms.

Is every mortgage adviser listed individually on the FCA Register?

No. Not every individual working for an authorised firm needs to appear individually on the Financial Services Register. Checking the firm's status and permissions is generally the best starting point.

Can a mortgage adviser use another company's FCA authorisation?

An appointed representative may carry out specified activities under the responsibility of an authorised principal firm. This must be a genuine arrangement covering the relevant activities.

Does an FCA reference number prove a mortgage broker is genuine?

No. Fraudsters sometimes copy the reference numbers of legitimate firms. Always verify the business and its contact details independently.

Are buy-to-let mortgage advisers FCA regulated?

The position depends on the activity and mortgage arrangement. Most ordinary buy-to-let mortgages are outside the regulated residential mortgage framework, while consumer buy-to-let arrangements are subject to separate requirements.

Does Local Advisors check mortgage advisers?

Yes. We carry out business checks, including FCA-status checks, before accepting adviser businesses onto our platform. These checks don't replace customers' own verification.

Find a Local Mortgage Advisor

Ready to find a mortgage adviser covering your area?

Local Advisors helps people looking for mortgage advice connect with advisers across the UK.

Whether you're a first-time buyer, moving home, remortgaging or considering a buy-to-let property, our matching service offers a straightforward way to find someone to speak to.

✓ Free matching service
✓ Free initial consultation
✓ No obligation to proceed