Ceritas provides a wide range of regulatory support and compliance services to financial services firms, allowing them more time to focus on growing their business.
Helping Firms To
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Align commercial Strategy with Regulatory Expectations
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Leverage Extensive Regulatory Expertise
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Navigate Regulatory Requirements with Confidence
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Benefit from Bespoke Guidance at Every Stage
Our Services
Authorisation
Ceritas has the in-depth knowledge and practical expertise to guide firms through each stage of the Central Bank of Ireland’s regulatory application process, from initial preparation through to authorisation.
We work with firms across the financial services sector, including, but not limited to, MiFID-authorised Investment Firms, IIA Investment Business Firms and Retail Credit Firms.
Our practical experience enables us to support firms in navigating the regulatory application process, understanding the Central Bank’s expectations and developing the governance, compliance, risk and operational frameworks required to establish a sustainable regulated business.
Central Bank Authorisation Process
Step 1
Not every firm is the same so we begin with a detailed review of your proposed activities, regulatory permissions and overall business model. This enables us to identify the level of support required, the appropriate permissions and ensure that your structure, governance framework and financial resources are fully aligned with the applicable regulatory requirements.
Step 2
Ceritas can then either manage or support the firm with;
- The Preliminary Meeting request,
- The Key Facts Document,
- The Business Plan,
- The Programme of Operations,
- Formal Application
- Fitness and Probity Obligations
- Supporting documentation as may be required.
Step 3
Following submission, we will liaise directly with the Central Bank of Ireland throughout the review process, manage follow-up questions, prepare structured responses and support senior management in regulatory interviews where required.
Post-Authorisation Support
Authorisation is not the end of the process. We provide ongoing compliance support to ensure continued adherence to regulatory obligations.
Post Authorisation Support
Post-Authorisation Compliance Support
We can work with your firm on a retainer or project basis following authorisation, providing ongoing independent support to help maintain compliance with the regulatory legislation, guidance and codes applicable to your business.
We support firms in developing, implementing and maintaining a robust, proportionate and risk-based compliance framework, tailored to the size, scale and nature of the business.
Our support can cover, but is not limited to obligations relating to:
Conduct of Business
Prudential Obligations
AML/CTF and Financial Sanctions
Fitness and Probity
Minimum Competency Code
Consumer Protection Code
Corporate Governance
Data Protection
Business Continuity
Outsourcing
Operational Resilience
Our independent support can provide your firm with ongoing assurance that its compliance framework remains appropriate, effective and responsive to its regulatory obligations as the business evolves.
Authorisation Is Not the End of the Process
Regulatory authorisation is the beginning of an ongoing journey, not the end of the process.
We provide ongoing compliance support to help firms maintain continued adherence to their regulatory obligations, manage regulatory change and respond effectively to evolving business requirements.
Our practical, independent support enables firms to remain responsive to regulatory developments while staying focused on their core business.
CBI Amendments Processing
Regulated firms must assess significant changes to their business, ownership, governance and services from a regulatory perspective.
This includes, but is not limited to, changes in shareholdings, the appointment or removal of directors, changes to the firm’s organisational structure, and the introduction or extension of regulated services.
Ceritas can support firms with:
Extension of Services – assessing and supporting regulatory requirements associated with the introduction or expansion of regulated services.
Acquiring Transactions – providing regulatory support and guidance in relation to acquisitions, ownership changes and other transactions requiring regulatory consideration.
Regulatory Change
Regulations Change. We Help You Stay Ahead.
Regulatory requirements continue to evolve. We help firms understand and prepare for regulatory change, assess its impact on their business and implement the necessary changes to their governance, compliance, risk and operational frameworks.
Our practical, independent support enables firms to remain responsive to regulatory developments while staying focused on their core business.
Guidance and Support
We support existing regulated firms in assessing and strengthening their compliance frameworks, providing independent guidance to help ensure continued adherence to regulatory obligations.
Our support extends to managing regulatory change, assessing proposed business and organisational developments, and preparing firms for potential regulatory engagement. By providing practical, independent oversight and guidance, we help firms strengthen and streamline their compliance processes while enabling management to remain focused on their core business and strategic objectives.
Regulatory Engagement
Ceritas can support firms with:
Preparing for Thematic Reviews and Regulatory Inspections – assessing regulatory readiness, identifying potential areas of focus and supporting firms throughout the inspection or review process.
Risk Mitigation Programmes (RMPs) – supporting firms in developing, implementing and monitoring appropriate remediation and risk mitigation programmes.
Regulatory Engagement and Response Strategies – assisting firms with regulatory communications, responses, remediation plans and ongoing engagement with the regulator.
Compliance Assessment
ButtonCompliance Check-Up
Our Compliance Check-Up provides an independent review of your firm’s existing compliance arrangements, helping to identify gaps, address areas of concern and strengthen your overall compliance framework.
1. Review existing policies, procedures, controls and frameworks to assess whether they adequately address the regulatory obligations applicable to your firm.
2. Perform a gap analysis to identify compliance gaps, weaknesses or potential red flags in relation to applicable regulatory requirements.
3. Assist with remediation by supporting your firm in addressing and rectifying issues identified through the review.
4. Work with your firm to develop a risk-based compliance framework tailored to the size, scale and nature of your firm, incorporating applicable regulatory legislation, guidance and codes.
Compliance Retainer
ButtonCeritas can work with your firm to provide independent support on an ongoing or retainer basis to help your firm maintain effective compliance arrangements and continued adherence to its regulatory obligations.
Our independent support can provide your firm with ongoing assurance that its compliance framework remains appropriate, effective and responsive to its regulatory obligations as the business evolves.
Client Testimonials
Ormond Finance Dac recently had to apply to the Central Bank for authorisation to operate as a Retail Credit Firm. This was a complex process that necessitated specific skills to manage the application.
I am extremely grateful to have been referred to Siobhan Broaders of Ceritas, who successfully managed the entire application. Siobhan has extensive experience of dealing with the Central Bank and knew the level of detail that would be required regarding the company’s processes and procedures in our application.
I found Siobhan to be very responsive and communicated with clarity, which made this application process run smoothly throughout. Siobhan’s diligent and practical approach and quality of output meant that our company received its authorisation ahead of schedule.
I would highly recommend Ceritas and Siobhan, she is a skilled professional and her supportive nature made her an invaluable asset to our company.
Thomas Collier
CEO Ormond Finance
Have a question about our services?
Please fill in the form, email info@ceritas.ie or call +353 87 7741900 and we will get back to you soon.