FCA Authorisations operating service metrics 2025/26 Q2

We want to make sure the UK is the best place in the world for financial services to thrive. This includes providing an effective and efficient authorisations service whilst maintaining high standards to protect customers and to bolster the reputation of the UK market.    

Download Authorisations operating service metrics 2025/26 Q2 (PDF)[1]

Our performance shows 13 metrics are green, 1 is amber and none are red.

The amber metric is due to some cancellation applications being determined after the statutory deadline because some firms  had not yet taken the necessary steps to meet our conditions for cancellation, such as resolving outstanding Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) complaints. 

99.5% of applications across all metric areas were determined within the statutory deadline. 

We will publish our performance for the third quarter of 2025/26 in February 2026. This will include measurement of our performance against our new faster targets[2].  

Notes on the metrics and methodology 

These metrics are for solo-regulated firms. The FCA and the Prudential Regulation Authority work closely to authorise dual-regulated firms. The metrics for the authorisation of dual-regulated firms can be found on the Prudential Regulation Authority’s website[3].  

We publish the lower quartile, median, and upper quartile of the range of calendar days taken for determination in each category of application. This shows that most applications are determined significantly ahead of the statutory deadline. Complete and comprehensive applications are likely to be determined in good time.  

The complexity of some cases means that we will not always meet our statutory targets. In these cases, it is right that we take the time to make sure there is greater scrutiny and engagement with the firms involved.

Firms should look at our authorisation pages[4] and our examples of good practice and areas for improvement[5] for guidance.