DWF has extensive experience of working with applicant candidates, across a range of sectors, to secure FCA Part 4A permissions to conduct regulated financial services business in the UK. The FCA website contains helpful, practical information for applicant firms (1); however, our view is that there are additional practical steps that applicants can take or insights that they should be aware of, which will increase their chances of a successful and timely application. We have summarised these in this article.