We work to ensure financial markets work well for individuals, for businesses and for the economy as a whole. We do this by: - regulating the conduct of approximately 50,000 businesses - prudentially supervising 48,000 firms - setting specific standards for around 18,000 firms We were set up on 1 April 2013, taking over conduct and relevant prudential regulation from the Financial Services Authority (FSA). Our Head Office is based in London, and we work across the UK, from our office in Edinburgh and via colleagues in Belfast and Cardiff. Firms and individuals must be authorised or registered by us to carry out certain activities. Before we grant authorisation, firms must demonstrate that they meet a range of requirements. We then supervise these firms to make sure they continue to meet our standards and rules after they’re authorised. If firms and individuals fail to meet these standards, we have a range of enforcement powers we can use. We work alongside the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA), the prudential regulator of around 1,500 banks, building societies, credit unions, insurers and major investment firms.