Desfran provides a turnkey solution for financial licensing. To facilitate your process of applying for a United Kingdom Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) license, we will:

  • Promote your application to the United Kingdom regulators
  • Assist with answering questions regarding the application process and requirements
  • Draft and review application documents and questionnaires
  • Follow up with the application and ensure the submission of additional information required by the related departments in United Kingdom

Permissions

  • Advising on Investments
  • Advising on P2P agreements
  • Arranging (bringing about) deals in investments
  • Arranging safeguarding and administration of assets
  • Dealing in investments as agent
  • Dealing in investments as principal
  • Making arrangements with a view to transactions
  • Managing investments
  • Safeguarding and administration of assets
  • Sending dematerialised instructions

Capital Requirement

  • GBP 125,000 for STP License (Reception & Transmission, Execution of orders on behalf of clients, Portfolio management, Investment advice)
  • GBP 730,000 for Market Maker License (Reception & Transmission, Execution of orders on behalf of clients, Portfolio management, Investment advice, Underwriting and placing of financial instruments on a firm commitment basis, Dealing on Own Account, Operation of Multilateral Trading Facility)
Physical Presence

Physical operational office must be situated in the UK and local resident staff members shall be hired on a full-time basis to fulfill the key functions of the Company, depending on the complexity and the activities performed.

Business Plan

Desfran shall seek to understand your business activities and goals to assist with your business plan drafting that best encompasses this whilst still being compliant with the prevailing regulations. Desfran shall also advise on the possible questions that might be posed by the regulator.

Requirements
  • The Applicant must be a company or partnership incorporated in the UK.
  • At least two (2) Directors must be hired whom must demonstrate knowledge and experience and must pass the “fit and proper” test of the FCA.
  • Audited accounts to be submitted on an annual basis.
  • Internal and external auditors have to be appointed.
  • Upon authorisation the company must be registered with the Financial Services Compensation Scheme.
Due Diligence

Due Diligence is necessary to formally verify the identity of all clients of the firm. The following documents are required to conduct due diligence for the license application:

  • A copy of the photo page of the passport ceritifed by a notary public for each director and shareholder;
  • A copy of proof of address (issued within the last 3 months) by a notary public for each director and shareholder;
  • Curriculum Vitae (CV);
  • Business Plan;
  • Financial Forecast;
  • Organisation Chart;
  • For company directorship or shareholdership, a certified copy of the constitution documents of the company and above details on each director and shareholder of the company;
  • Other supporting document when necessary.
Please note for a company listed on a major stock exchange or subject to regulatory supervision in a country with equivalent AML regulations to the United Kingdom, evidence of such listing or regulation will suffice in place of the above information. Where the directors to be appointed are employees of such a listed or regulated company, a certified passport copy and confirmation of employment (to include position) will suffice.
Regulator

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) is a financial regulatory body in the United Kingdom, but operates independently of the UK Government, and is financed by charging fees to members of the financial services industry. The FCA regulates financial firms providing services to consumers and maintains the integrity of the financial markets in the United Kingdom.

It focuses on the regulation of conduct by both retail and wholesale financial services firms. Like its predecessor the FSA, the FCA is structured as a company limited by guarantee.

The FCA works alongside the Prudential Regulation Authority and the Financial Policy Committee to set regulatory requirements for the financial sector. The FCA is responsible for the conduct of around 58,000 businesses which employ 2.2 million people and contribute around £65.6 billion in annual tax revenue to the economy in the United Kingdom.

Desfran assists with the complete licensing application. Contact us to find out more about the United Kingdom company registration and forex license application. Our team of experts will get back to within the next business day.

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