Category: Compliance & AML · Reviewed by Matt Bartlett, Director · Founder · Last reviewed June 2026
The specific list of regulated activities — as defined in the Regulated Activities Order — that a firm is authorised to undertake under its Part 4A Permission, together with the customer types and investment instruments to which each applies.
Permitted activities is the practical content of a firm’s Part 4A Permission. It is the menu of what the firm can do. Each item corresponds to a regulated activity defined in the Regulated Activities Order (RAO), is subject to specific customer-type and investment-instrument limitations, and is recorded on the Financial Services Register.
The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Regulated Activities) Order 2001 (S.I. 2001/544) defines the regulated activities. FSMA Part 4A gives the FCA the power to grant, vary, and impose limitations on permissions. Operating outside permitted activities engages the general prohibition in FSMA section 19 and the criminal offence in FSMA section 23.
For a general insurance broker, common permitted activities are: article 25 (arranging deals in investments), article 39A (assisting in the administration and performance of a contract of insurance), article 53(1) (advising on investments), article 64 (agreeing to carry on a regulated activity), and article 36A (credit broking) where premium finance is offered. Each is paired with the relevant investment type — “general insurance contract” and / or “pure protection contract” — and customer types.
A broker that holds client money beyond risk transfer needs the relevant CASS-related descriptors. A broker that offers premium finance needs credit broking. A broker that places only commercial business may have limits on retail customer types.
Apex’s permissions (per the Financial Services Register entry for FRN 724952) cover arranging, dealing as agent, advising and assisting in the administration in respect of general insurance contracts. Detailed permissions and any limitations should always be verified by reference to the Financial Services Register, not by memory.
Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Regulated Activities) Order 2001 (S.I. 2001/544). Financial Services and Markets Act 2000, sections 19, 22, 23 and Part 4A. FCA Handbook, PERG (Perimeter Guidance).
By Matt Bartlett, Director, on 2026-06-11.
This entry is part of the Apex Insurance Wiki. Last reviewed by Matt Bartlett on 2026-06-11. Apex Insurance Brokers Limited, FCA FRN 724952, Companies House 07014570. Not regulated advice — consult your broker on your specific position.
Apex Insurance Brokers serves UK professional services firms and commercial businesses. Call 0117 325 0027, email hello@apexinsurancebrokers.co.uk, or request a quotation.
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