The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) is a quasi-governmental UK agency, established as one of the successors to the Financial Services Authority (FSA). It regulates retail and wholesale financial services firms in the United Kingdom and maintains the integrity of the UK’s financial markets. The authority is vested with rule-making, investigative and enforcement powers, which it applies to ensure stability of the financial services industry and promote competition in the interests of consumers.
In addition, the FCA has the power to impose a ban on financial products for up to a year while considering an indefinite ban and to demand that firms immediately retract or modify all promotions which it considers to be misleading.