Quick answer
An FSP's website must display the firm's full legal and trading name, FSP licence number, licensed product categories, Key Individual names, and compliance officer contact details on every page advertising financial services; explain the fee structure transparently (including commissions); and publish an accessible complaints procedure including the FAIS Ombud's details. Non-compliance can lead to FSP licence suspension or revocation.
If your financial advisory practice holds a Financial Services Provider (FSP) licence issued by the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA), your website must comply with specific disclosure and conduct requirements under the Financial Advisory and Intermediary Services Act (FAIS) and the General Code of Conduct for Authorised Financial Services Providers. Non-compliance can result in FSP licence suspension or revocation.
Mandatory FSP Disclosures on Your Website
Your website must clearly display: your full legal entity name and trading name, your FSP licence number (e.g., "Authorised Financial Services Provider FSP XXXXX"), the categories of financial products you are licensed to advise on, the full name of your Key Individual(s), and contact details for your compliance officer. These disclosures must appear on every page where financial services are advertised or described, typically in your footer and on service pages.
Fee Transparency Requirements
The FSCA's Retail Distribution Review (RDR) reforms place significant emphasis on fee transparency. Your website should clearly explain your fee structure — whether you charge fee-for-service, receive commissions, or both. If you receive commissions on products you recommend, this must be clearly disclosed. Ambiguous language like "fees may apply" does not meet the transparency standard the FSCA expects.
Complaint Procedures
Under the FAIS General Code of Conduct, you are required to have a documented complaints procedure and to make it accessible to clients. Your website must include: a clear process for submitting complaints to your firm, contact details of the person responsible for handling complaints, and information about the FAIS Ombud for clients who are not satisfied with your firm's resolution. This is typically included on a dedicated Complaints page or within your Terms of Service.
Advertising and Marketing Compliance
All content on your website that could be construed as financial advice or a recommendation must comply with FAIS requirements. Testimonials must not make misleading claims about past performance. Projections and illustrations must include appropriate risk warnings. Blog content and articles must be carefully worded to provide general information rather than personalised advice, unless your website includes a proper client identification mechanism.
Data Protection: POPIA Intersection
FSCA-regulated firms also need to ensure their websites comply with POPIA. This creates a dual compliance obligation: FSCA requirements for financial services conduct, and POPIA requirements for data privacy. When collecting client information through your website — whether for fact-finding, quote generation, or portal registration — both frameworks apply simultaneously.
Need a fully FSCA and POPIA compliant website for your advisory practice? Talk to our team.
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