Applying for certification as a lender or mobile trader
Certification of lenders and mobile traders no longer applies
Before 1 July 2026, consumer lenders and mobile traders were required to be certified by the Commerce Commission.
Law changes have now come into effect.
- The Financial Markets Authority (FMA) are now responsible for regulating the Credit Contracts and Consumer Finance Act 2003 (CCCFA).
- Consumer lenders must now be licensed by the FMA rather than certified.
- Mobile traders will not need a licence, but they will need to be registered to provide that service.
Consumer lenders must be licensed by the FMA
Existing providers as at 1 July 2026
If you were certified to provide consumer credit (a consumer lender), you have been deemed to hold an FMA licence for the consumer credit service. You did not need to apply, pay a fee or provide any licensing information. We have automatically updated the Financial Service Providers Register (FSPR).
This also applies if you were exempt from being certified because you were already licensed by the FMA or the Reserve Bank of New Zealand.
New providers from 1 July 2026
Before you can provide consumer credit you must be licensed by the Financial Markets Authority for that service.
Mobile traders must be registered on the FSPR to provide that service
Existing traders as at 1 July 2026
If you were certified as a mobile trader, you have been deemed to be registered as a mobile trader. You did not need to apply, pay a fee or provide any additional information. We have automatically updated the Financial Service Providers Register (FSPR).
New traders from 1 July 2026
Before you can operate as a mobile trader you must be registered on the FSPR to provide that service.
Last updated 1 July 2026
Other guides in
Providing licensed services
- Applying to provide licensed market services
- Applying to be a licensed insurer
- Applying to be a non-bank deposit taker (NBDT)
- Applying to register as a bank