Registering an FSP as an entity

Who might register as an entity

Entities registered on a Companies Office register include:

• companies
• overseas companies registered on New Zealand’s overseas companies register
• building societies
• credit unions
• limited partnerships.

To check if your entity is already registered, search the relevant register.

All registers

Entities not registered on a Companies Office register include:

• overseas companies or partnerships
• New Zealand joint ventures, trusts or partnerships.

Before you start

You should have already decided how you wish to run your business, and have gathered all the necessary information you will need to complete your application. You should also be clear about the fees and levies you will be required to pay.

Fees for registering

You need to pay the following fees when registering as an FSP.

• An application fee of $300 (plus GST)
• An FMA levy of $600 (plus GST)
• $11.30 (plus GST) to cover the cost of your criminal history check, unless you have undergone a successful check within the last 36 months.

Applying to register

To apply to register you need to have:

• a RealMe® login
• an online account with us.

Entities applying to register as an FSP should then follow these steps:

1. Log in.
2. Select ’Register FSP (Entity)’ from the dashboard.
3. Search for the entity you wish to register by typing the name, company number or NZBN number or of the entity in the search field. Select the entity and its primary details will be supplied automatically. If the entity is not registered with the Companies Office, select the corresponding checkbox.
4. Complete your application, entering or confirming the required details, including:
   • any trading names your entity uses
   • previous FSP number(s), if any
   • your business and contact addresses
   • confirmation that you expect to meet the required business threshold
   • whether or not you are a reporting entity under the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism Act 2009
   • the month you will file your annual confirmations
5. (If applicable) Enter details of the directors, controlling owner and senior managers of your FSP.
6. On the ‘Financial Services’ tab, select the services that you will be providing, and indicate whether you will be providing services to retail clients.
7. Confirm that your directors, controlling owner and senior managers are not disqualified from being involved in your FSP.
8. On the ‘Declaration’ tab, confirm that you have read and understood the declaration.
9. Select the ‘Review’ tab, and check the information you entered.
10. Confirm that the details you provided are true and correct.
11. Submit your application.

Register an FSP - Entity External link

What happens next

Reviewing your application

After you have submitted your application, it will be reviewed. We will email you if there are any issues that need resolving, and let you know when you can make payment.

Paying your registration fees

To pay your registration fees, follow these steps:

1. Log in.
2. Find your application under ‘Pending FSP Registrations’ on your dashboard.
3. Select the FSP’s name to view the application.
4. Choose the ‘Make payment’ tab.
   • Choose a payment option, and
   • Select ‘Process payment’ to complete your application.

Criminal history checks

Once you have made payment, we will carry out any criminal history checks that are required. This will take between 2 and 5 working days. We will email you once the checks have been completed.

If there are no problems (or a check is not needed) and you will be offering at least one non-licensed service, your registration is complete.

If you are providing licensed services

If you apply to provide only licensed services only, you will need authorisation for at least one of those services from either the Financial Markets Authority (FMA) or the Reserve Bank of New Zealand, before you can be registered.

After you have registered

Joining a dispute resolution scheme (DRS)

In most cases, if you are offering financial services to retail clients, you will need to join an approved consumer dispute resolution scheme (DRS). You must update the FSPR with details of your DRS membership details within 10 working days of registering.

FAPs engaging financial advisers

If you are registering as a financial adviser you must be engaged by and linked to a licensed financial advice provider (FAP) within 3 months of your registration date. If the FAP has not linked to you within the required timeframe, you may be deregistered.

Filing an annual confirmation

As a registered financial services provider, you must file an annual confirmation in the month you accept or nominate when you register. We will send you a reminder when each annual confirmation is due.

Other guides in

Registering a financial service provider (FSP)

• Preparing to register as a financial service provider
• Reporting entities under the AML/CFT Act
• Registering an FSP as an individual
• Registering a financial service provider from overseas
• Amending, withdrawing or discarding an application
• Criminal history checks
• Code of conduct for financial advice services
• Requirements for financial advice providers and financial advisers

Other help topics