FCA referral compliance guide for firms

How to meet FCA requirements for referral fees, client consent, and Consumer Duty when making professional introductions. Practical guide.

FCA Referral Compliance

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) regulates referral arrangements involving financial products and services in the UK. Firms making or receiving referrals that involve regulated activities must ensure compliance with FCA rules on inducements, disclosures, and client consent.

RQ helps FCA-regulated firms maintain compliant referral practices with automatic consent capture, disclosure tracking, and complete audit trails for every referral.

Key FCA Requirements for Referrals

  • Client consent must be obtained before sharing information with third parties
  • Fee arrangements and inducements must be disclosed to clients
  • Firms must maintain records of all referral arrangements
  • Consumer Duty obligations apply to referral recommendations

RQ is ISO 27001:2022 certified and trusted by nearly 1,000 firms for compliant referral management. Learn about RQ compliance features.