Associated Companies and their relationship with UCC

Financial Services Authority

Website: http://www.fsa.gov.uk

Aims and Objectives

FSA Business Plan The FSA is a statutory body set up under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000. The Act sets out our four statutory objectives which are supported by a set of principles of good regulation which we must have regard to when discharging our functions.

The FSA has set out its aims under three broad headings:

• promoting efficient orderly and fair markets;
• helping retail consumers achieve a fair deal; and
• improving our business capability and effectiveness

Statutory objectives

The Financial Services and Markets Act gives the FSA four statutory objectives:

• market confidence: maintaining confidence in the financial system;
• public awareness: promoting public understanding of the financial system;
• consumer protection: securing the appropriate degree of protection for consumers; and
• the reduction of financial crime: reducing the extent to which it is possible for a business to be used for a purpose connected with financial crime.

Relationship with UCC:
Unsecured Credit Company PLC are an Appointed Representative of The Funding Network Loans Limited who are authorized and regulated by the FSA, this means that Unsecured Credit Company is authorized to sell insurance. The Funding Network Loans Limited's registration number is 311199. You can check this by visiting the FSA's web site www.fsa.gov.uk/register or by telephoning 0845 606 1234.

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The Office of Fair Trading

Website: http://www.oft.gov.uk

About the Office of Fair Trading

The OFT is the UK's consumer and competition authority. Our mission is to make markets work well for consumers.

We pursue this goal by:

• encouraging businesses to comply with competition and consumer law and to improve their trading practices through self-regulation
• acting decisively to stop hardcore or flagrant offenders
• studying markets and recommending action where required
• empowering consumers with the knowledge and skills to make informed choices and get the best value from markets, and helping them resolve problems with suppliers through Consumer Direct.

The OFT is a non-ministerial government department established by statute in 1973.

Relationship with UCC:
Unsecured Credit Company PLC are licensed by the OFT so that we may, amongst other permissions, act as credit brokers and lenders, our licence number is 527116. All companies that act as a credit broker must hold a valid licence.

As Consumer Credit Licence holders UCC have a complaints procedure which is compliant with the rules set out by the Financial Ombudsman Service.

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Information Commissioner Office

Website: http://www.ico.gov.uk

The Information Commissioner's Office is the UK's independent authority set up to promote access to official information and to protect personal information.

What the ICO Covers

The Data Protection Act

The Data Protection Act gives you the right to know what information is held about you, and sets out rules to make sure that this information is handled properly.

Privacy & electronic communications

The Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations set out rules for people who wish to send you electronic direct marketing, for example, email and text messages.

Freedom of Information Act

The Freedom of Information Act gives you the right to obtain information held by public authorities unless there are good reasons to keep it confidential.

Environmental information regulations

The Environmental Information Regulations give you the right to obtain information about the environment held by public authorities, unless there are good reasons to keep it confidential.

Relationship with UCC:
Unsecured Credit Company PLC hold a Data Protection licence issued by the ICO which means that we must abide by the Data Protection Act 1998. You can check our DPA licence by visiting http://www.ico.gov.uk.

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Finance Industry Standards Association

Website: http://www.fisa.co.uk

What is a FISA member?

FISA Member Traders

What is a FISA member?
Membership of the FISA is open to firms offering credit to consumers and is subject to acceptable application requirements. There are both Lender Members, i.e. firms who lend their own money, and Broker Members. A Broker Member will arrange consumer loans with a range of lending companies. One of the objectives of the Association is to improve the standards within the broker industry so that the consumer is better served.

Many consumers prefer to engage a professional broker when seeking credit. Most FISA registered firms will have a large number of different credit products available to suit individual consumers' needs. They will be able to provide consumers with accurate and detailed information enabling them to make informed decisions. FISA members want you to be able to borrow with confidence.

What benefit is there in using a FISA member?

FISA registered brokers are required to comply with higher standards than those required by law. Their membership is subject to continuing assessment to ensure that standards are being met. FISA employs a full time compliance staff who regularly check individual traders to ensure they are complying with the Association's codes.

How can you recognise a FISA member?

FISA traders are permitted to display the FISA logo on their promotional material and upon their documentation.

If you are seeking credit and want to know if the trader is a FISA member please contact FISA.

Relationship with UCC:
Unsecured Credit Company PLC are proud members of FISA, our registration number is 18605807. FISA members must comply with the standards set by FISA, which go above that required by law, ensuring a higher level of service. Codes of Dicipline.

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Association of Finance Brokers

Website: http://www.theafb.net

AFB is the voice of the secured loan broker. We are here to present the collective view of our membership to the regulator and those policy makers who have an impact on the secured loans market place and the business operation of our members.

There is a clear need for brokers to speak with one strong voice. Our role is to bring about this united front. We influence the opinions of decision makers to direct policy towards an appropriate and proportionate regulatory structure, and are sought out to provide our knowledge and expertise to better understand and define practical policy.

We are funded by our members and industry supporters, and are a not-for-profit organisation.

Relationship with UCC:
AFB is the trade association for those who are professional advisers, for those who wish to see the highest standards of ethical behaviour in business, and for those who wish to see the secured loan intermediary profession held in the respect it deserves. By presenting a collective view to policy makers and regulators the AFB are able to campaign on industry matters to ensure that the profession's reputation is advanced.

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Financial Ombudsman Service

Website: http://www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk

Relationship with UCC:
Is the independent service for settling disputes between businesses providing financial services and their customers. A complaint that UCC are unable to settle may be refered to the FOS.

THINK CAREFULLY BEFORE SECURING OTHER DEBTS AGAINST YOUR HOME. YOUR HOME MAY BE REPOSSESSED IF YOU DO NOT KEEP UP REPAYMENTS ON A MORTGAGE OR ANY OTHER DEBT SECURED ON IT. 59.4% APR typical variable
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