Be properly informed - go to the FSA website today

As an intermediary working in the mortgage industry, the lead up to the 31st October 2004 is a very important time.

To begin with, if you wish to remain authorised to ‘arrange or advise on’ mortgages you are faced with two very different options. Your choice is to apply for directly authorisation with the FSA or to become an appointed representative of a firm that is already authorised by the FSA.

This is not an easy decision and whilst there are a number of individuals that may wish to direct you to one route or another, at IMLA we believe that this is a decision that you must be properly informed to make.

We recommend that your first port of call is the FSA themselves. They have dedicated a number of pages of their website to explaining what you need to know about authorisation and regulation, and answering the sort of questions that you may have.

In particular, by visiting the FSA you will find sections entitled:

• Keeping you Informed, with the latest news
• Publications, with access to all the consultation papers and rules
• Getting Help, with a number of Frequently Asked Questions
• Authorisation, with particular help on getting authorised
• Factsheets, covering a wide range of information

In addition, you can use the website to contact the FSA directly with any particular questions you may have. Their dedicated helpline support will be pleased to assist you.