Regulatory advisers to the firms that move money

Led by senior experts, we advise banks, payment, e-money and crypto firms across global markets on licensing, compliance, banking and transactions.

Advisers since 2013. Firms we have advised include

ClearBankVolkswagenStaysureOval MoneyMacmillan Cancer SupportEMQRoyal College of MusicCentus

What we do

Licensing, compliance and banking for banks, payment, e-money and crypto firms.

All services

Get in touch

Tell us where you are and where you want to be.

[email protected]
+44 7563 115980 (phone and WhatsApp)

Authorisation

We advise banks, payment, e-money and crypto firms on the licence each market requires, from the first scoping to the regulator’s decision.

All licence guidesBank licences compared

Where we work

We advise firms in more than 60 countries. Each licence has its own guide, reviewed by our licensing team.

All licence guides

Marketplace

Advice to buyers and sellers of regulated companies, through to the regulator's approval of the new owner, and introductions between regulated firms and the banks that serve them. Every entry is shared in confidence, with registered parties only.

Visit the marketplaceAcquisitions and change of control

An adviser in conversation with a client

How we work

Senior-ledA senior adviser leads every engagement, from the first conversation to the regulator’s decision.
One adviser throughoutOne adviser leads the engagement, from the application to launch: the licence, the banking and the compliance that follows.
Built to the regulator’s standardApplications, policies and reporting prepared against the regulator’s current expectations, so reviews raise fewer questions.
ConfidentialYour plans and your application stay private. Clients are named only with their agreement.
How we work with clients

Buckingham Intelligence

Independent rankings of banks, payment, compliance and crypto providers, and a public register of every licensed EU payment and e-money firm.

All 31 rankingsCheck any licensed firm

31Independent rankings
306Provider profiles
2,352Licensed firms on the register

Questions firms ask us

What does a regulatory compliance consultant do?

A regulatory compliance consultant helps a regulated firm meet the rules that apply to it, and keep meeting them as it grows. For banks, payment, e-money and crypto firms that covers the licence application, the policies and governance the regulator expects, financial crime controls, safeguarding, regulatory reporting and the response when a regulator raises questions.

Do you help firms with FCA authorisation?

Yes. In the UK we advise on EMI and payment institution licences, cryptoasset authorisation, consumer credit, investment firm and bank authorisation, and changes in control. Our FCA authorisation consultants page sets out how an application runs.

Can you support a firm that is already licensed?

Yes. For authorised firms we provide compliance monitoring, regulatory returns, safeguarding reviews, financial crime frameworks, AML audits, compliance health checks and ongoing compliance support, and interim or outsourced compliance officer and MLRO support.

Which countries do you cover?

The UK, the EU and EEA, the US and Canada, the UAE, Singapore, Hong Kong, Australia and the main offshore centres. Each licence has its own guide in our licence directory.

How long does authorisation take?

It depends on the licence and the regulator. For UK and EU payment and e-money licences, plan on six to eight months after the application is submitted. Registrations, such as money services business registrations, are usually much quicker.

Can you help us open bank and safeguarding accounts?

Yes. We arrange safeguarding, operating and settlement accounts, card acquiring and payment processing through banks and providers that serve regulated firms. See banking and payment processing.

Where are you based?

Our offices are at 1 Kingdom Street, London, and 14 Wall Street, New York. We advise clients wherever they are licensed.