Holding company approvals

Part 12B of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (FSMA) requires certain parent financial holding companies and parent mixed financial holding companies established in the UK to apply to us for approval or exemption from the requirement to be approved.

In this section

Submitting an approval or exemption application

To submit an application, firms will need to send an email with an electronic copy of their application to us. Please send applications to PRA-FHC-Approval-Enquiries@bankofengland.co.uk. 

Fee

The PRA fees for applications for approval or exemption are payable in accordance with the Fees Part of the PRA Rulebook. It is your responsibility to cross-check the fee against the PRA Rulebook before making any payment. If you are unsure what fee is applicable, please email us at PRA-FHC-Approval-Enquiries@bankofengland.co.uk. 

The preferred method for payment is via BACS. Please make the payment to the FCA using the details below:

Account name: FCA Collection account
Bank name: Lloyds Bank
Account number: 00828179
Sort code: 30-00-02
Swift code: LOYD GB 2LCTY
Iban code: GB68 LOYD 3000 0200 8281 79.

When you make the payment, please reference it with the following: Title: ‘Holding Company application’ and 'company name' (Name of the company applying for approval/exemption).

Please then email your remittance advice and payment details to: fcafees@fca.org.uk and PRA-FHC-Approval-Enquiries@bankofengland.co.uk.

If you cannot make payment to the FCA using BACS, please contact PRA-FHC-Approval-Enquiries@bankofengland.co.uk for instructions on how to pay by cheque.

How we assess and determine applications

We will carry out an assessment consistent with Part 12B of FSMA. In making our decision, we will consult the Financial Conduct Authority.

Application timings

Holding companies established after Tuesday 29 December 2020

A parent financial holding company or a parent mixed financial holding company that was established after Tuesday 29 December 2020 must secure our prior approval, or a prior exemption, from the requirement to seek approval. Applications we receive will be assessed and determined within the statutory timelines prescribed by Part 12B FSMA. For more information, firms should contact PRA-FHC-approval-enquiries@bankofengland.co.uk.

Consolidated Pillar 2A and systemic buffers

Upon approval of a parent financial holding company or a parent mixed financial holding company, we impose consolidated Pillar 2A, and where applicable, G-SII buffer requirements using the s192c FSMA powers.

Similarly where we have set expectations regarding the consolidated PRA buffer and/or liquidity buffers, we communicate our expectation in respect of the consolidated PRA buffer and liquidity buffer to the parent financial holding company or a parent mixed financial holding company.

Bank Holding companies we have approved

Details of all parent financial holding companies and parent mixed financial holding companies that have been approved as Bank Holding companies by the PRA under Part 12B of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (FSMA) can be found in the Bank Holding companies list in the ‘Other Registers’ section of the Financial Services Register.

The parent financial holding company or a parent mixed financial holding company must continue to meet the approval conditions set out in Part 12B of FSMA. The parent financial holding company or a parent mixed financial holding company is required to promptly notify the PRA, via its usual supervisory contact and PRA-FHC-approval-enquiries@bankofengland.co.uk, of any matter that may affect the continuing relevance, appropriateness, or validity of its approval. 

This includes, but is not limited to, changes in control, name changes, variation of permissions and cancellations of its PRA authorised subsidiary, and any changes in circumstances that may affect its regulatory status.

 

Back to top

This page was last updated 25 September 2025