All firms which have an authorisation from the Central Bank of Ireland to operate in Ireland are shown in our Registers section. Prior to entering into a financial services transaction, members of the public and shareholders should always check the regulatory status of the firm.
Please note that some firms based in the European Economic Area may be regulated in their Home State and may be authorised to provide services in Ireland under Passporting arrangements. Please contact the Central Bank to check the regulatory status of such a firm. Tel: 00353 1 224 4000.
Consequences of Dealing with an Unauthorised Investment Firm
Consumers should be aware that, if they deal with an investment firm which is not authorised, they are not eligible for compensation from the Investor Compensation Scheme and they will not have access to the Financial Services Ombudsman. Furthermore, the Central Bank cannot initiate an Administrative Sanctions Procedure against an investment firm which does not hold an authorisation.
Unauthorised Investment Firms and Warning notices
Under the MiFID Regulations (EC (Markets in Financial Instruments) Regulations 2007) and the Investment Intermediaries Act, 1995, as amended (‘the IIA’), the Central Bank of Ireland has the authority to publish Warning Notices naming firms which operate as investment firms in Ireland without an appropriate authorisation. A list of unauthorised firms for which we have issued Warning Notices is available at: List / Search Unauthorised Firms We add new names to this list as soon as possible, but if the firm which has approached you does not appear on our list, do not assume it is legitimate – it may not have been reported to us yet.
If you have been approached about an investment scam - or think you are a victim - report it to the Central Bank of Ireland by completing the form at Report/Query an Unauthorised Firm