Finance professionals

We licence regulate and supervise financial market participants and provide guidance and information on how to comply with obligations.

Finance professionals

We licence regulate and supervise financial market participants and provide guidance and information on how to comply with obligations.

FOCUS AREA

Financial Institution licensing is now open

Any registered bank, licensed insurer, or licensed non-bank deposit taker in the business of providing one or more relevant services will need to hold a financial institution licence to continue operating, if that service is received by a consumer in New Zealand. 

This means a financial institution that is in New Zealand but only provides relevant services or associated products to consumers outside New Zealand will not need to hold or operate under a financial institution licence.

Read more about financial institution licensing

 

The Services section of our website provides an overview of the compliance obligations of key financial market participants.

Choose your role on the main 'Services' menu to find out who needs to comply,  your main obligations, information on licensing, fees and exemptions. 

Choose your services type to find out more

All licensing information is displayed under the specific "Services" section of the website. 

Find out more about licensing of your specific role

Quick links:

Licensing for Financial Advice Providers

Licensing for Financial Institutions

Online services to conduct your licence application

Video tutorial: FMA's online services - what to expect

The Online Services video tutorial explains how to log in to Online Services and the various options available, including where to find forms in progress, submitted forms and invoices.

The FMA has certain powers granted by legislation, to monitor compliance, investigate, and take enforcement action against conduct that may constitute a contravention of legislation, where it applies to financial market firms and individuals. 

Find out more about the Financial Markets Conduct Act 2013 and other legislation we enforce

It's important to only deal with licensed people and businesses because if things go wrong you will have access to free dispute resolution services. Find out further details including the provider's business address, list of services and the name of their independent dispute resolution scheme on the Financial Service Providers Register.

The FMA uses a range of tools to support the functioning of financial markets and services, and compliance with legislation. This section contains information about conduct regulation, ethical finance, climate related disclosures, innovation in financial markets, AML/CFT and consultations. 

View the Focus Areas section of the website

Quick links:

AML/CFT

Consultations

Ethical finance

Latest updates

Consultations
04 Oct 2023
Consultation: Proposed guidance and expectations for keeping proper climate-related disclosure records
The FMA has now published the final guidance for keeping proper climate-related disclosure records, along with a summary of key themes and compilation ...
Guidance
04 Oct 2023
Guidance for keeping proper climate-related disclosure records
This guidance note is intended to help climate reporting entities (CREs) meet their statutory requirement to keep proper climate-related disclosure re ...
Media releases
04 Oct 2023
FMA publishes final Climate Related Disclosures regime record keeping guidance
Media release from the FMA announcing release of final guidance for Climate Reporting Entities (CREs) on meeting their record keeping obligations.
Consultations
03 Oct 2023
​Consultation: Renewal of class exemption for same class offers ASX/NZX-quoted financial products​
CLOSED consultation for the Renewal of class exemption for same class offers ASX/NZX-quoted financial products with decision.
Consultations
29 Sept 2023
Consultation: Proposed liquidity risk management guidance
Have your say on proposed liquidity risk management guidance outlining the essential features of effective liquidity risk management for MIS managers. ...
Media releases
29 Sept 2023
FMA consults on proposed liquidity risk management guidance
FMA has released proposed guidance for Managed Investment Scheme (MIS) managers and their supervisors for effective liquidity risk management (LRM).
Reports and papers
28 Sept 2023
Catalist market operator obligations review
Findings from the FMA's annual review of how well Catalist is meeting its licensed market operator obligations.
Media releases
28 Sept 2023
New Zealand and UK audit authorities agree mutual recognition of audit qualifications
New Zealand and the UK have signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Reciprocal Arrangements (MOURA) to recognise audit qualifications in both the UK a ...
Articles
26 Sept 2023
In the spotlight: John Horner
John Horner discusses his motivating factors for taking "a new direction" in his career, transitioning from a long-standing law firm partnership to se ...

View latest media releases

Related content

Climate related disclosures

The New Zealand government has introduced a new regime making climate-related disclosures mandatory for some organisations. 

Conduct of Financial Institutions (CoFI) legislation

The Financial Markets (Conduct of Institutions) Amendment Act 2022 amends the Financial Markets Conduct Act 2013 to ensure certain financial institutions treat consumers fairly.

 

Financial Institution licensing is now open

Any registered bank, licensed insurer, or licensed non-bank deposit taker in the business of providing one or more relevant services will need to hold a financial institution licence to continue operating, if that service is received by a consumer in New Zealand.