Track FCA permissions changes before they become your problem
Part 4A permissions define what regulated activities a firm can conduct. When a firm you rely on loses a key permission, you need to know immediately. FRN Watch monitors every permission change and alerts you in real time.
Why FCA permissions matter
Part 4A permissions granted by the FCA determine exactly which regulated activities a firm is authorised to carry out. These permissions cover everything from accepting deposits and arranging insurance to managing investments and advising on regulated mortgage contracts.
When you work with a regulated firm, whether as a partner, distributor, or client, you are relying on that firm holding the correct permissions for the services they provide to you. If a firm loses a permission and continues conducting that activity, both the firm and potentially your organisation face serious regulatory consequences.
Unlike a firm's overall authorisation status, individual permission changes can happen quietly. A firm might remain authorised but lose the specific permission that is relevant to your business relationship. Without active monitoring, these changes are easy to miss. FRN Watch tracks every permission alongside the broader FRN monitoring capabilities you need.
The risks of missing a permissions change
Conducting business with an unauthorised firm
If a firm loses a permission but you continue relying on them for that activity, your organisation may be exposed. Regulatory enforcement does not distinguish between intentional and accidental oversight.
Compliance failures
Your firm has a duty to ensure counterparties hold appropriate permissions. Failing to monitor this can result in findings from internal audits, regulatory reviews, or Section 166 skilled person reports.
Consumer harm liability
If end consumers are harmed because your organisation worked with a firm that had lost its relevant permissions, the regulatory and reputational consequences can be severe.
Delayed discovery
Permission changes can happen at any time. If you only check quarterly, a critical change could go unnoticed for months, compounding the risk exposure with every passing day.
Permission changes to watch for
How automated monitoring catches changes instantly
Continuous register checks
FRN Watch checks the FCA register continuously for every firm you monitor. Each check captures a complete snapshot of the firm's current permissions, so nothing slips through between review cycles.
Intelligent change detection
Every snapshot is compared against the previous one. When a permission is added, removed, varied, or modified in any way, the change is flagged and categorised automatically.
Instant email alerts
You receive an alert as soon as a permission change is detected. The alert includes what changed, which firm is affected, and links to the full details on your dashboard.
Documented evidence
Every check and every change is logged in your audit trail. When auditors ask how you monitor counterparty permissions, you have timestamped records ready.
Benefits of automated permissions monitoring
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