FCA safeguarding return deadline
FCA · Monthly · 15 business days after each month end
Since 7 May 2026, payment and e-money institutions that safeguard relevant funds submit a safeguarding return to the FCA every month. It's due within 15 business days of the end of each calendar month (SUP 16.14A.3R).
An estimate set on or before the deadline. Bank holidays can push the real date a few days later.
Who has to submit it
Safeguarding institutions, as defined in the FCA Glossary: in practice, payment and e-money institutions that have to safeguard relevant funds. You don't submit a return for the month in which you become a safeguarding institution.
Working out the date
Count 15 business days from the last day of the month. That's three calendar weeks, and longer when a bank holiday falls inside the window. It can never fall before the 19th of the following month, so Regmindr sets the reminder for the 19th.
The month is always a calendar month, whatever your accounting reference date.
If you submit late
The FCA's general reporting rules apply to the safeguarding return (SUP 16.14A.5R). A late or incomplete return costs a £100 administrative fee under SUP 16.3.14R, and repeated failures can lead to further action.
The yearly audit
The monthly return sits alongside the safeguarding audit, where an external auditor reports to the FCA on your safeguarding once a year.
Get reminded before it's due
Regmindr tracks this alongside the rest of your compliance calendar, and emails your team before each deadline.
Sources
This page is a summary, not legal or regulatory advice. The rules in the sources above take precedence.