The FCA is testing a search function on its well-used official FCA Register which allows consumers to search for a firm of advisers near them.

The ‘Find an Adviser’ search button will allow consumers to search by postcode and by key advice areas such as Mortgages, Investments, Pensions or debts.

Consumers can also continue to search by firm name and reference number.

Unauthorised firms are flagged up in red text and individual permissions and restrictions are also shown.

The FCA is trialling the service in beta format ahead of deciding to whether to implement the service permanently.

In July, the FCA proposed a new ‘consumer-friendly’ public directory of financial services workers following criticism of its plan to cut the scope of its FCA register of individuals to just senior managers.

The new directory is planned to cover most financial services workers and would give consumers and firms the ability to check the status and history of individuals working in the sector.  

The FCA had planned to shrink the register to mainly focus on senior managers despite concerns from several quarters - including professional bodies - about the impact on consumers and their ability to check the bona fides of thousands of individuals.

The FCA said in its consultation paper CP 18/19 that the register would continue as planned but with a smaller number of senior managers covered.

It’s not clear if the new ‘Find an Adviser’ search service on the register is part of the FCA’s efforts to produce a simple consumer search directory.

At the time the directory plan was announced the FCA said it would be designed to provide “user friendly, practical and easy to understand information.” 

The service so far unveiled by the FCA would compete with other more established services such as Unbiased and VouchedFor but is less fully featured and is a supplementary service

to the existing FCA register, not a new service.

A button on the FCA Register now allows consumers to ‘Find a Financial Advice Firm Near Me.’

The service differentiates between directly authorised advisory firms and appointed representatives.

The FCA has been asked to provide more information about the service which it has not announced officially.