• Doing business with the FSA
  • Small Firms
    • Wholesale small firms
      • Supervisory priorities 2008/09

FSA Handbook

Tailored Handbook for corporate finance firms

Tailored Handbook

Related information

FSA's statutory objectives

 

Our Wholesale Banks and Investment Firms Department regulates firms in a combination of ways to ensure that we achieve the most effective supervision.

Briefings for wholesale small firms

Following the success of our inaugural conference specifically designed for wholesale smaller firms, and as part of our strategy of engaging with these firms and increasing their compliance, we are delighted to repeat this event.

For more information and to book your place, view the Events pages.

How we regulate

• We use a risk assessment to categorise firms according to their potential impact on the FSA objectives.
• The Wholesale Banks and Investment Firms Department currently supervises about 3,000 firms, a number of which are relationship managed due to their size, activities and clients.
• The firms who are not relationship managed are supervised reactively through case work. We deal with specific issues on a case-by-case basis as they arise. Potential issues are identified from a number of sources (e.g. the Firm Contact Centre, the whistleblowing unit and the Police).
• A case may be dealt with over the telephone, in writing or by conducting an on-site visit. There may be a number of ways to resolve an issue at any given time. We attempt to co-ordinate with the firm and work effectively to resolve any issues in a timely manner.
• The Wholesale Banks and Investment Firms Department also proactively regulates the industry through themed project work, looking at common issues between firms or focusing on current directives and publications.
• The relationship managed firms are supervised on a continuous basis, with the compliance officer as the general point of contact.
• Any issues identified by the firm or supervisor are dealt with by the supervisor and firms are subject to a periodic risk assessment.

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