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

Fidelitas Group Ltd
- Upheld
- Search (paid)
- 27 January 2021
Five paid-for internet search ads and a website ad for a debt advice service were banned for misleadingly suggesting their service was endorsed by Government bodies and for suggesting they were qualified to provide debt counselling despite not being authorised by the FCA as experts in this field.
National Direct Service t/a Step Debt Support
- Upheld
- Internet
- 27 January 2021
A paid-for internet search ad and a website ad for a debt advice service were banned for exaggerating the speed and ease with which debt could be reduced and for misleadingly suggesting associations with a debt charity and the Government. The matter was referred to CAP’s Compliance team.
Studio Retail Ltd
- Upheld
- Television, VOD
- 27 January 2021
A TV and video on demand ad for a shopping retailer was banned for irresponsibly encouraging excessive spending.
Clear Score Technology Ltd t/a ClearScore
- Upheld
- Television
- 06 May 2020
A TV ad for a financial technology company did not make clear that pre-approved offers would be subject to additional checks by the lender prior to approval.

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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Latest rulings

Fidelitas Group Ltd

National Direct Service t/a Step Debt Support

Studio Retail Ltd

Clear Score Technology Ltd t/a ClearScore

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Relevant codes

14 Financial products

14 Financial products, services and investments