FSA/FCA register seems either unusable or broken

redonion

I went to the FCA's register to check my local broker's FSA/FCA number. No match. But then I realised I can't even find L&C on the register (ref. number 143002):

http://www.fsa.gov.uk/register/firmSearchForm.do

If I can't find them, what hope for my local broker? This makes me want to stick with L&C and ignore the small local guys. Brokers, as a potential client I find this disturbing and a waste of time when I least need that. If this isn't a temporary situation, and even if it IS just me messing up the search somehow, there's something wrong here and you should be onto the FCA to complain.

I'd complain myself, but the "Contact us" link gives a page headed "Page not found". Wow.

Just on a side note, why for the love of all that's good do they divide the search up into 5 different searches, one of which (EPF) is divided up into a further 10? FCA, learn from google: one is plenty, it should be type in the number, hit return, job done.

GMS

Try looking here for a broker http://www.unbiased.co.uk/

Untick the sponsored ads box.

Why would you consider sticking with L&C when you have posted a thread about being unhappy with them?

redonion

GMS wrote: »

Try looking here for a broker http://www.unbiased.co.uk/

Untick the sponsored ads box.

Why would you consider sticking with L&C when you have posted a thread about being unhappy with them?

Thanks for the link.

Why stick to L&C? I may not depending on what they do tomorrow, but the obvious reasons are: Because they're the devil I know, because they're well known enough for me not to bother with checking they're on the register, and because they must have a big pile of data at their disposal (data about lenders).

GMS

Mixed reports about L&C and the ability of their brokers.

Often much better service with a smaller brokerage where you aren't just a number.

ACG

Any broker you see has to be registered with the FSA/FCA.

You can ask them for their FSA/FCA number (5 digit number) put that into the register and it should come up with their details.

redonion

ACG wrote: »

Any broker you see has to be registered with the FSA/FCA.

You can ask them for their FSA/FCA number (5 digit number) put that into the register and it should come up with their details.

Yes. That is exactly my point: it should, but it does not. Give it a try with your own number?

And yes, any broker has to be registered, but that doesn't mean this guy I met up with actually is a bona fide broker. That's the point of actually checking, I think - no?

Senior_Paper_Monitor

yup it's broke - might as well not bother opening the office tomorrow, we're doomed

redonion

Senior_Paper_Monitor wrote: »

yup it's broke - might as well not bother opening the office tomorrow, we're doomed

LOL, be fair, I don't think I said that.

catieeb06

Just put my FCA number in and it's returned nothing.

Website is down, nothing to worry about.

ACG

Gotta love the FSA/FCA - they take all this money from us and they cant even manage a working website.

dunstonh

The FCA register has gone down a number of times over the weekend recently. I wonder if they have moved to weekly bulk updates instead of daily minor ones.