Providing licensed or certified services

You need to be licensed or certified to provide certain financial services. Find out who to apply to.

• Applying to provide licensed market services How to apply to provide licensed market services under the FMC Act.
• Applying to be a licensed insurer You apply to the Reserve Bank for a licence to be an insurer.
• Applying to be a non-bank deposit taker You apply to the Reserve Bank for licensing as a non-bank deposit taker (NBDT).
• Applying to register as a bank All banks operating in New Zealand must be registered with the Reserve Bank.
• Applying for certification as a lender or mobile trader Lenders or mobile traders must be certified as 'fit and proper' by the Commerce Commission.
• Applying for a financial institution licence From 31 March 2025, existing registered banks, licensed insurers and licensed non-bank deposit takers in the business of providing one or more relevant services to consumers in New Zealand, will need a financial institution licence to continue to operate.

Other help topics

Before you can register as a financial service provider, maintain your details, or use the register, there are a few things you need to know.

• Searching the register
• Preparing to register an FSP
• Setting up your online services account
• Using your online services account dashboard
• Confirming your authority to update information
• Keeping FSP details up to date

To register as a financial service provider you must apply online. The process depends on what kind of provider you are — an individual or an entity.

• Preparing to register an FSP
• AML/CFT reporting entities
• Registering as an individual
• Registering as an entity
• Registering from overseas
• Amending, withdrawing or discarding an application
• Criminal history checks
• Code of conduct
• Requirements for financial advice providers and financial advisers

If you provide financial services to retail clients, you must join a DRS within 10 working days of registering and keep your membership details up to date on the Financial Service Providers Register (FSPR).

• Choosing a dispute resolution scheme
• Keeping your DRS details up to date

To remain registered as a financial service provider (FSP) you must confirm your FSP's details and services each year. Find out how to file your confirmation online, or to change the month you do it

• Before filing your annual confirmation
• How to file an annual confirmation
• Changing your annual confirmation filing month

All FSPs must keep their details on the register up to date. We may deregister your FSP if you fail to meet your obligations.

• Confirming your authority to update information
• Keeping FSP details up to date
• Criminal history checks
• How to file an annual confirmation
• Changing your annual confirmation filing month
• Keeping your DRS details up to date
• Requirements for financial advice providers and financial advisers

You can voluntarily deregister a financial service provider (FSP), or it may be deregistered by the Registrar. In some circumstances you can object to a deregistration, or apply to have the FSP reregistered.

• Deregistering an FSP voluntarily
• Deregistration of an FSP by the Registrar
• Reregistering an FSP

If you're a financial service provider (FSP), you pay fees for some transactions, including registration. You also pay levies to the Financial Markets Authority (FMA). There are several ways to pay.

• Schedule of fees and levies
• FMA levies we collect
• Managing payments on the FSPR

Your FSPR online services account allows you to keep your FSP's contact and payment details up to date. From your account dashboard you can view and manage outstanding applications and tasks.

• Setting up your online services account
• Using your online services account dashboard
• Forgotten your RealMe® username or password
• Confirming your authority to update information
• Updating your online services account details
• Filing documents with electronic signatures