Who We Are
We regulate the conduct of- nearly 50,000 firms in the UK to ensure that our financial markets are honest, competitive and fair.
Our Role
Financial markets must be honest, fair and effective so consumers get a fair deal. We work to ensure that these markets work well for individuals, for businesses and for the economy as a whole.
We do this by:
- regulating the conduct of around 50,000 businesses
- prudentially supervising 48,000 firms
- setting specific standards for around 18,000 firms
Why We Do It
Financial services play a critical role in the lives of everyone in the UK, from junior ISAs to pensions, direct debits to credit cards, loans to investments.
How well financial markets work has a fundamental impact on us all.
UK financial services employ over 1.1 million people and contribute about £75 billion in tax per year. Based on our policy and enforcement work, we estimate that we add at least £11 of benefits to consumers and small businesses for every pound we spend.
If UK markets work well, competitively and fairly they benefit customers, staff and shareholders, and maintain confidence in the UK as a global financial hub.
How We Operate
Our Operational objectives are:
- protect consumers from bad conduct
- protect the integrity of the UK financial system
- promote effective competition in the interest of consumers
We work with consumer groups, trade associations and professional bodies, domestic regulators, international partners and a wide range of other stakeholders.
Early Careers
We're looking for bright, enthusiastic graduates, apprentices and interns to join our early careers programmes.
If you join us, you’ll gain valuable experience and develop expert knowledge working with some of the biggest names in finance. Not only that, you’ll also make a real difference in the financial industry and to the UK population as a whole - choose a career that makes a positive change in financial services.
Whether your interests lie in Data and Technology, Financial Regulation, Operations, Risk and Compliance or Economics we will support you to grow your expertise in your chosen field.
Graduate Scheme
Our rotational graduate programmes help you build an in-depth knowledge of how we ensure financial services remain honest and effective, so that consumers get a fair deal.
With a breadth of programmes that focus on Authorisations to Policy, Supervision to Enforcement, Economics to Data and Technology, each of our streams can help you find and develop your area of expertise.
Summer Internships
Our 10 week Summer Internship Programme gives you valuable insight into the FCA and financial services market and provides you with an opportunity for real responsibility and learning. Internship roles span the Regulatory areas of the business as well as our Data, Technology and Innovation divisions.
Apprenticeships
Our apprenticeships offer you an 18 to 36 month opportunity to take part in key aspects of our day-to-day work, develop new skills and gain an industry leading qualification while you earn. We look for passion and integrity as well as ambition and aptitude in our apprentices.
You don't need to have previous work experience, but you will need to have 5 GCSEs (A to C) and 2 A-Levels. With a variety of programmes to choose from, there’s no telling where your talent can take you.