FCA UK Regulation Exam Practice 2026 – Complete Preparation Guide

A client who does not meet the criteria for a professional investor or an eligible counterparty is classified as a retail client. This classification is significant because retail clients typically have less investment experience and knowledge, making them more vulnerable in financial markets. As a result, retail clients are afforded a greater level of protection under regulations compared to professional clients or eligible counterparties.

Retail clients benefit from the regulatory framework designed to provide transparency, reduce risks, and ensure that financial products sold to them are appropriate for their level of understanding and investment goals. This includes adhering to conduct standards that ensure firms act in the best interests of their retail clients, which can include clearer communication and additional oversight.

Professional clients are usually those with the experience, knowledge, and expertise to make their own investment decisions and assess the risks involved. Institutional clients typically include large organizations such as pension funds or insurance companies that manage large sums of capital. Eligible counterparties are entities that enter into transactions with financial firms on a more sophisticated basis, often involving higher risks and less regulatory protection.

Understanding these classifications helps to ensure that clients receive suitable products and that firms comply with applicable regulations based on the client's investor classification.