FCA Authorisation: What the Q1 2026/27 Metrics Mean for Your Application

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has published its Q1 2026/27 Authorisations operating service metrics covering April to June 2026. Across all solo-regulated firm applications, 97.9% of cases were determined within applicable deadlines, showing a slight operational improvement from 97.5% in Q4 2025/26. Out of 12 reported service standard categories, 7 metrics achieved Green status, 2 were Amber, and 3 were Red.

These ratings reflect the FCA’s updated RAG framework, where Green status begins at 95% for most categories, while Change in Control retains a strict 100% threshold. The FCA attributes target breaches to tighter processing deadlines, operational challenges, and deliberate, heightened scrutiny on higher-risk or complex filings.

New Firm Authorisations

For New Firm Authorisations (Part 4A permission), 92.0% of applications were determined within target deadlines, earning an Amber rating. However, processing times and determination rates varied sharply by sector:

• Credit & Lending (Limited Permission): Achieved 100% (Green; median 108 calendar days).

• Credit & Lending (Other): Achieved 95.3% (Green; median 124 calendar days).

• Insurance: Achieved 92.9% (Amber; median 145 calendar days).

• Wholesale: Achieved 85.7% (Amber; median 176 calendar days).

• Consumer Investments: Achieved 54.5% (Red; median 285 calendar days).

Across overall New Firm Authorisations, determination times ranged from a lower quartile of 91 calendar days to an upper quartile of 190 calendar days (median 131 days). This widespread timeframe demonstrates that complete, well-prepared applications are determined significantly faster than incomplete submissions requiring regulatory follow-up.

Key Takeaways for Firms

While headline performance across all categories remains strong at 97.9%, the FCA also missed targets in some other areas, including adjacent variations of permission, Payment Services and E-Money authorisations, and money laundering registrations. The FCA attributes missed targets to a combination of operational challenges, tighter deadlines and applications requiring greater scrutiny.

Because complete applications move through the process much faster, application quality is the single most controllable factor in timeline management. Ensuring that your business plan, governance arrangements, financial projections, and compliance policies tell a clear, coherent story prior to submission prevents unnecessary delays. Working with an expert with experience on FCA authorisation can make this process easier, quicker and more successful.

At ComplyCraft, we assist firms in navigating FCA expectations, reviewing application documentation, and managing regulatory communications to streamline the authorisation process. Our previous article explored the earlier metrics and common application challenges: FCA Authorisation – what the latest metrics mean and how ComplyCraft can help.

Contact us today to discuss how we can support your application.