Compliance and Client Protection

Clear Information, Fair Advice and Proper Protection

Mortgage decisions are important financial commitments. Understanding how advice is regulated, what protections are in place, and what to expect from the process can help you make informed decisions with confidence.

This page explains how mortgage advice works, how it is regulated, and the protections available to you when dealing with CiK Finance.

How Mortgage Advice Is Regulated

Mortgage advice in the UK is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).

CiK Finance operates within this regulatory framework and provides mortgage advice in line with FCA rules and principles. These rules are designed to ensure advice is suitable, risks are explained clearly, and clients are treated fairly.

Regulation exists to:

  • Protect consumers

  • Ensure advice is appropriate to individual circumstances

  • Promote transparency and fairness

  • Provide clear routes for redress if something goes wrong

What Regulation Means for You

Being regulated means mortgage advice must meet defined standards.

In practice, this means:

  • Advice is based on an assessment of your individual circumstances and objectives

  • Affordability and suitability are assessed carefully

  • Information is provided clearly and fairly

  • You are protected by formal complaints and redress processes

Mortgage advice is not about selling products. It is about helping you understand options and make informed decisions within regulatory guidelines.

How Mortgage Advice Works

Mortgage advice typically involves:

  • Understanding your circumstances, income and objectives

  • Assessing affordability and eligibility

  • Exploring suitable options

  • Explaining costs, risks and implications

  • Making a recommendation where appropriate

Not every conversation leads directly to a mortgage application. Sometimes advice involves planning, understanding limitations, or deciding that waiting is the right option.

Mortgage advice is always subject to eligibility, affordability and lender criteria.

Acting in Your Best Interests

CiK Finance is required to act honestly, fairly and professionally at all times.

This includes:

  • Being clear about what advice can and can’t cover

  • Explaining limitations or constraints openly

  • Avoiding unnecessary pressure or urgency

  • Ensuring recommendations are suitable for your circumstances

If a particular option is not appropriate, this will be explained clearly.

Client Protection and Complaints

If you ever have concerns about the service you receive, there are formal processes in place to address them.

These include:

  • A clear internal complaints procedure

  • The right to escalate complaints if needed

  • Access to independent resolution routes where applicable

Full details of complaints procedures and regulatory protections are available on request.

We believe trust is built through transparency.

This means:

  • Clear explanations of any fees, where applicable, before advice is provided

  • No hidden surprises

  • Open and honest communication

  • Setting realistic expectations from the outset

Our aim is to support informed decision-making, not to rush outcomes.

Transparency and Fairness

What CiK Can and Can’t Advise On

CiK Finance provides regulated mortgage advice.

We do not provide advice on:

  • Legal matters

  • Tax planning

  • Investment decisions

Where appropriate, you may be advised to seek guidance from other professional advisers.

Keeping Information Clear and Up to Date

Mortgage regulation, lending criteria and market conditions can change.

We aim to ensure information provided is accurate at the time of discussion. Advice will always reflect current rules, lender criteria and your individual circumstances at the point it is given.

Speak to CiK

If you have questions about mortgage regulation, client protections, or how advice works, we are always happy to explain things clearly.

Book a confidential, no-obligation discussion

Important Information: Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.
Mortgage advice is subject to eligibility, affordability and lender criteria.
Information correct at the time of writing.