Financial products and services

Helpful information on the advertising rules for financial products and services, and examples of previous Advertising Standards Authority rulings in this area.

Financial advertising is subject to numerous laws and regulations, some of which fall outside of our remit. Ads for products by FCA-regulated (Financial Conduct Authority) businesses such as banks, building societies and stockbrokers, and any claims to do with the specific characteristics of a financial product are looked at by the FCA. We regulate non-technical aspects of ads for financial products and services such as matters relating to offence and social responsibility.

This said it is worth noting certain ads may fall under our remit if they’re delivered as part of a cross-media campaign. We are responsible for all broadcast ads for financial products and services and will liaise with the FCA on any technical aspects of these kinds of ads. We also cover ads about tangible investments, property, government investment services and investment-related software.

Although the issue of remit can seem quite complicated, the advertising rules for financial products and services themselves are quite simple. They are all about making ads for financial products and services as clear and as transparent as possible and not taking advantage of consumers’ inexperience or credulity.

For example, ads for financial products and services should always state the nature of the contract being offered and any limitations, expense, penalty or terms of withdrawal. The only time it is acceptable for this information to be omitted from an ad is if the ad is very short, in which case free material explaining the terms and conditions must be made readily available to consumers before a binding contract is entered into.

Other rules for ads for financial products and services include making sure offers are communicated in a way that allows them to be easily understood by the target audience. The rules also require that the basis used to calculate any rates, forecasts or projections are made clear in the ad. Ads should also make clear the value of investments is variable and, unless guaranteed, can go down as well as up. If the value of the investment is guaranteed, the ad must explain this guarantee.

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Latest rulings

Allay Claims Ltd t/a CheckMyPaydayLoan.com
- Upheld
- Radio
- 07 February 2018
A radio ad for a claims management company, CheckMyPaydayLoan.com, broadcast on 20 September 2017. The ad featured a voice-over that stated, "Ever had a time in your life where you've been forced to rely on payday loans and then struggled to make the repayments? You could be entitled to compensation. At Check My P...
Bluecrest Health Screening Ltd
- Upheld
- Direct mail
- 31 January 2018
A direct mailing advertising a health screening service, received in June 2017, stated “You are probably very well looked after by your NHS GP when you are ill, but you may also appreciate that many serious health conditions don’t show any warning signs. Around 80% of Strokes are caused by a blockage. That's why a card...
Shaun Smith
- Upheld
- Internet (on own site)
- 31 January 2018
A website, www.18kaweek.com , promoting an internet marketing earnings scheme, seen on 2 November 2017, stated “How To Earn $2,571 + A Day…This Internet Millionaire Wants To “Give You His Money Making Website (The SAME Website That Has Made Him A Millionaire For FREE!”…Just To Prove That His Online Money-Making System ...
Ramsdens Financial Ltd
- Upheld
- Television
- 03 January 2018
A TV ad for Ramsdens, a company which offered currency exchange services, seen on 21 June 2017. The voice-over stated, “At Ramsdens … you can change your pounds into Euros … Ramsdens guarantee to give you a great rate for all your travel money … Online or instore. But always at our hot curren...

View all rulings

Financial products and services

Helpful information on the advertising rules for financial products and services, and examples of previous Advertising Standards Authority rulings in this area.

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