What every Payment Agent Needs to Know Before Applying to the FCA

At some point, every successful firm faces the same decision: stay under a Principal or become directly authorised. Whether you’re an AISP, PISP, API or EMI, becoming directly authorised fundamentally changes your level of control, your ability to scale, and your regulatory responsibilities.

More control, more commercial freedom, no more revenue share - the upsides are clear. But the reality is more nuanced than many agents expect. Capital requirements, governance frameworks, the FCA application process itself - these are critical factors that shape whether a move towards direct authorisation accelerates your business or stalls it.

If you want to find out if you’re ready, or plan for the transition, join us for a webinar on 19 May, at 11.00am wherewhere we will explore the real costs, timelines and trade-offs of FCA authorisation.

Moving from agent status to being direct authorised isn’t just a regulatory step. It’s a strategic shift that changes how your business operates and grows.

You will come away from this webinar knowing when direct authorisation makes strategic sense (and when it doesn't), the common mistakes agents make during the application, and a realistic picture of the timeline, cost and resources involved.

Date: 19 May 2026

Time: 11am