Business Legal Services
Regulated Banking & Finance Activities
Rely on our solicitors to help you strategically navigate regulated banking and finance activities.
Our solicitors are experts in a full range of financial services laws and regulations, including all aspects of regulation applying to financial investments. They also have experience in working on complex cross-border projects in the financial sector.
We advise extensively on the interaction between new and emerging technologies and financial regulation, and we are highly experienced in advising clients operating and innovative business models in the fintech sector to more traditional securities services products. Our solicitors have expertise in advising on various regulatory issues including:
- Queries relating to Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 & Regulated Activities Order (RAO)
- FCA application process
- Appointed Representative: applications, appointments and agreements
- AML, Bribery, Proceeds of Crime Act.
What we do
Banking & finance regulatory and legal advice
Our Financial Services Regulation team at Harper James specialises in the strategic navigation of the UK’s complex regulatory framework for banking and financial services. We provide practical, commercially-focused advice to banks, building societies, international organisations, and any business considering entry to or expansion in the UK financial services sector.
We advise on the regulatory perimeter under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 and related legislation, including the Perimeter Guidance section of the Financial Conduct Authority’s (FCA’s) Handbook of rules and guidance (PERG), supporting businesses in understanding when their activities may trigger authorisation or notification requirements.
We offer regulatory support and guidance on key areas of regulated activity, including:
Perimeter analysis and structuring
Helping firms understand if and how UK regulation applies to their business models, products and services – including the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) or FCA authorisation requirements for banks.
FCA and PRA applications and notifications
Advising on the regulatory implications of new ventures, supporting firms through application and change of control processes, including appointed representative arrangements and variations of permission.
Financial promotions and communications
Advising on the regulatory rules for financial promotions and marketing, including reviewing materials to ensure compliance with the FCA Handbook and assisting with approval and exemption availability.
Outsourcing and operational resilience
Advising on compliance with FCA and PRA expectations for outsourcing arrangements, risk management, due diligence, monitoring, controls, and documentation.
AML and financial crime compliance
Advising on obligations under the Money Laundering Regulations, Proceeds of Crime Act and related regulatory standards, including preparation of AML policies and systems, and responding to regulatory enquiries.
Broker, introducer and appointed representative frameworks
Structuring and drafting agency, introducer, or appointed representative agreements that comply with the FCA’s Handbook requirements.
General FCA/PRA regulatory compliance
Guiding banks and financial institutions through the complex regulatory requirements of the FCA Handbook (including PRIN, SYSC, COND, PERG and others, as appropriate), and supporting business-as-usual compliance needs.
Regulatory oversight and governance
Advising on senior management arrangements, systems and controls (SYSC), conduct standards, and threshold conditions.
Regulatory change, horizon scanning, and implementation
Supporting firms to anticipate and respond to developments in the banking regulatory landscape, and interpret official guidance (including FCA/PRA publications and Perimeter Guidance (PERG)).
Regulatory disclosure and customer documentation
High-level guidance on customer-facing documents, disclosures, and communications, as required by the applicable Handbook rules.
Who we help
Support for banks, fintechs and growing businesses
You’re likely in the right place if you need clarity on whether your plans are regulated, or practical support to get compliant without losing momentum.
You may be:
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Expanding into the UK as a bank or deposit-taker (or planning a UK launch) and need a clear view of the regulatory route, key decisions, and what the FCA or PRA will expect from you.
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Building a fintech product and unsure where the regulatory line sits, so you can move forward with confidence and avoid accidentally carrying out a regulated activity.
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Preparing an FCA or PRA application, notification, or variation of permission, and want a structured approach that reduces rework, avoids avoidable delays, and stands up to scrutiny.
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Tightening governance, outsourcing, operational resilience, or financial crime controls, because you need policies and contracts that work in the real world and match regulatory expectations.
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An unregulated business making your first move into regulated financial services, where you want a clear plan (and the right safeguards) before you commit spend, build, or launch.
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A fintech supporting regulated firms (eg providing technology, ancillary services, or operating as part of another firm’s regulated proposition) and need to understand your role, risk, and responsibilities.
If any of these sound familiar, a short conversation is usually enough to map what’s regulated, what isn’t, and the quickest sensible route forward. If you’d like, complete the enquiry form below and tell us what you’re trying to launch or change, and what deadline you’re working to.
Finding the right legal partner
Why work with Harper James
Choose a legal partner you can trust: we’ll help protect your goals, your business and your people so you can move forward with confidence and focus on growing your business.
Affordable, transparent and predictable pricing
Clear itemised invoices, subscription plans with up to 50% discount, and fixed fee products help you plan and manage legal spend – with no nasty surprises.
Proven track record and measurable results
We’ve supported over 7,000 businesses since 2014, with an ‘Excellent’ rating on Trustpilot and a Net Promoter Score (NPS) of 60+ from monthly client surveys.
Straight-talking, responsive advice
We’re here to make things easier, not add complexity. That means fast response times, practical expert legal advice delivered in plain English, and dedicated client service and account management support.
Risk and compliance assured
We’re an SRA regulated firm, but more importantly, we build quality, data, and compliance best practice into everything we do.
Appointing a legal partner is a big decision. That’s why we’re open about our values, culture and model, so you can see what makes us tick. And because a productive partnership starts with understanding, we always begin with a conversation – listening to your goals, pressures and plans, then tailoring our support to fit.
Meet our team
Why choose our banking and finance solicitors?
Our financial services specialists have deep industry knowledge, have worked in top law firms and financial institutions, have worked across the spectrum of new and innovative start-up companies and regulated entities and banks and provided thought leadership in their respective fields, working with banks, other advisors and industry bodies. They have a practical understanding of the financial services industry and deep technical knowledge which they will bring to bear on your transaction.
Testimonials
What our clients say
Experience of your team and how they make it simple to understand the options and what is required.
Value for money.
Paul Smith
COO,
Incuto
Our Extend plan with Harper James allows our in-house counsel instant access to specialist support. We relied on their valued guidance to get us through the acquisition process with accuracy and confidence.
Alison Conway
Senior Advisor,
Trust Payments
Experience of your team and how they make it simple to understand the options and what is required.
Value for money.
Paul Smith
COO,
Incuto
Our Extend plan with Harper James allows our in-house counsel instant access to specialist support. We relied on their valued guidance to get us through the acquisition process with accuracy and confidence.
Alison Conway
Senior Advisor,
Trust Payments
Complete solutions
Experts in financial services regulation
In addition to supporting you across key areas of regulated banking and finance activities, our team can assist with:
Top ranked SME focused firm
"Harper James is a one-stop shop for anything legal. It has excellent breadth, with experience on a large number of deals and multiple departments for different legal areas."
Chambers and Partners 2026
Pricing and service plans
Legal support designed
to fit your business needs
Our three transparent service plans are designed to give you the widest possible access to high-quality legal advice, whatever the size and nature of your business:
Engage
Flexible access to senior solicitors at highly competitive rates
An alternative to our subscription plans, offering access to full service legal expertise on a project-by-project basis.
Enable
Purpose built legal support for start-ups and smaller businesses
Monthly subscription plan for £239 per month, with £159 monthly credit and access to all legal services at 50% discount on our Standard Rates.
Extend
Comprehensive legal partnership for established businesses
Fully account managed and scalable annual subscription plan with support from a curated team of partners and senior solicitors, with up to 33% discount on our Standard Rates.
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