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FAQ
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What is Watchdog’s background?We have been involved with the supply of FCA data since 1988, just after the Financial Services Act came into force. We have worked with hundreds of clients supplying FCA data, as well as the FCA itself
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What fields are needed in the Firms or Individuals Upload Template?For the Firms Upload template: FRN (Firm Reference Number): As issued by the FCA. (required) Name: Your internal name for the company. Reference: Your internal reference for the company. Principal: If you wish to supply a Principal Firm Reference Number, this will be used for the applicable permissions of the FRN, most commonly associated with appointed representatives. For the Individuals Upload template: IRN (Individual Reference Number): As issued by the FCA. (required) Name: Your internal name for the person. Reference: Your internal reference for the individual.
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Do Watchdog Services amend the data in any way?No, the data is exactly as provided by the FCA
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Does the individuals’ data contain the senior management functions?Yes. Unlike with the FCA register extract, this information is included.
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Why cant i see a Principal for a New Firm?The Principals associated with a New firm are updated overnight and then we only look for major Principals for New firms i.e. Principals with more than 10 Appointed Reps.
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Does the extract contain email addresses?The FCA do not supply email addresses with the API. We do work with a trusted partner company who do supply email addresses and can refer you to them.
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Do you push the data to us, or do we pull it down?You download the data from our website.
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How easy is it to import the data into our systems?Very easy. The data is provided in CSV format
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Can I load data into Excel?Yes, you can load data into Excel. The data is downloaded in the XLSX format, which is directly compatible with Excel.
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Does the data take long to download?No, it takes seconds even on a domestic broadband
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Can I have a tailored report or data set?Yes, we can provide a bespoke service. The report may be based on a particular set of firms that you specify in your ‘watchlist’, or a particular subset of the extract (for instance firms with particular permissions). The output can be a data set, or a report highlighting recent changes, tailored to your own specific requirements. Reports can be emailed to you on a regular basis depending on the frequency needed. We invite you to discuss your specific needs with us so we can provide a tailored quotation for this service. Please reach out through our "Contact Us" form for detailed communication.
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Are your systems secure?Yes, security is supplied by Wix, a world-renowned platform.
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Does the data require a high level of security?No, this is public domain data readily available on the FCA website. If we run a bespoke report for you, we will treat your watchlist confidentially as who you work with should not be divulged elsewhere.
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What is the ordering process?Simply select your requirement, sign up and purchase accordingly via credit card.
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Is there a limit to the number of user accounts we have?You can purchase as many accounts as you wish. You may wish to set up a team account so that the whole team can access the data centrally..
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Is there an FCA licence fee due?No, the FCA provide their API service free of charge
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How long am I committed to my purchase of the data?The minimum term is one month. After that, you can cancel whenever you wish.
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How can I track and manage individuals with reports on Watchdog Services?To track and manage individuals with reports on Watchdog Services, simply log in to your account, navigate to the 'Individuals Tracking' section, and follow the prompts to generate detailed reports and receive email notifications.
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What is an IRN or FRN?An IRN (Individual Reference Number) and an FRN (Firm Reference Number) are unique identifiers assigned by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). The IRN is specific to individuals, often used to track and identify authorized individuals in regulated roles. The FRN is assigned to firms regulated by the FCA, helping to uniquely identify registered companies within the financial sector.
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What is the FCA Extract or RES?The FCA Extract, also known as the RES (Regulatory Extract Service), is a set of Data provided by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) containing key information on regulated firms and individuals. This report is used by organizations to access up-to-date regulatory information, including firm reference numbers (FRNs), individual reference numbers (IRNs), permissions, and other compliance details. The FCA Extract helps ensure transparency and compliance within the financial services sector.
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