Banking and Financial Services

Background screening solutions for the financial services sector

Speak to our team

We carry out over 1 million background checks per year

Trusted by over 1,800 organisations to deliver accurate screening for critical hiring decisions

Our UK-based team is available whenever you need us

The only FCA regulated business in the screening sector, giving you additional assurance for regulated and high-risk hiring

Safer recruitment for a regulated industry, backed by trusted data

 

Financial services firms operate in a highly regulated environment. Hiring decisions need to account for trust, integrity, financial soundness, competence and the potential risk a role may create for customers, colleagues and the business.

For compliance, risk and HR teams, the challenge is not just completing checks. It is being able to show that the right checks were completed, at the right time, for the right role.

Our background checking solutions help you:

  • Support FCA and PRA expectations around fitness and propriety
  • Apply consistent screening standards across regulated and non-regulated roles
  • Reduce the risk of fraud, financial crime and unsuitable appointments
  • Maintain clear records for audits, governance reviews and internal assurance
  • Improve visibility across hiring, onboarding and re-screening activity
  • Give candidates a clear, professional screening experience

 

 

Types of background checks available for financial services

The checks you need will depend on the role, setting and level of responsibility. Experian can help you build a screening approach that reflects your organisation’s policy and hiring requirements.

Identity checks

Confirm that candidates are who they say they are before progressing through onboarding. Identity verification can support fraud prevention, candidate assurance and consistent screening records.

Right to Work Checks

Confirm a candidate’s legal right to work in the UK through a process designed to support efficient, compliant onboarding.

Criminal record checks

Criminal record checks help organisations assess relevant information as part of a fair and role-specific hiring process. Depending on the role and eligibility, this may include basic, standard or enhanced criminal record checks.

Adverse financial checks

Adverse financial checks can help assess financial soundness for roles where this is relevant to the position, regulatory expectations or internal policy.

FCA checks

FCA checks help firms verify whether a candidate appears on relevant FCA records and can support screening for regulated financial services roles.

CIFAS checks

CIFAS checks can help identify potential fraud-related concerns as part of a broader risk-based screening programme.

Employment reference checks

Employment references help verify a candidate’s previous roles, dates of employment and relevant work history. For regulated roles, reference processes may also need to support sector-specific requirements.

Education and qualification checks

Verify academic achievements, professional qualifications or role-specific credentials where competence and capability need to be evidenced.

Directorship checks

Directorship checks can help identify current or previous company director roles that may be relevant to a candidate’s suitability, responsibilities or potential conflicts.

PEPs and sanctions checks

Politically exposed person and sanctions checks can help firms identify potential financial crime, reputational or compliance concerns.

Adverse media checks

Adverse media checks can provide additional context where public information may be relevant to reputation, integrity or role suitability.

Social media checks

Where appropriate, policy-led social media checks can help identify role-relevant risks while supporting a consistent and documented process.

We understand what's important for safer hiring in your industry

Different roles carry different levels of risk. Your screening programme should reflect the responsibilities, access and regulatory exposure attached to each hire.


Senior managers and certified roles

 

For senior managers, certified individuals and other regulated roles, screening often needs to support internal fit and proper assessments, regulatory references and evidence of competence, conduct and financial soundness.

 

Relevant checks may include:

  • Identity verification
  • Adverse financial checks
  • FCA checks
  • Directorship checks
  • Education and qualification verification
  • PEPs and sanctions checks
  • CIFAS checks


Customer-facing and advice roles

 

Customer-facing colleagues may handle sensitive customer information, provide regulated advice, manage financial products or support vulnerable customers. Screening should help confirm suitability, integrity and relevant experience.


Relevant checks may include:

  • Identity verification
  • Education and qualification verification
  • Adverse financial checks
  • FCA checks where appropriate
  • PEPs and sanctions checks

 

Finance, risk, compliance and operations roles



Finance, risk, compliance and operations teams may have access to sensitive systems, customer data, payment processes or business-critical controls. Screening can help reduce internal risk and support governance expectations.


Relevant checks may include:

  • Identity verification
  • Adverse financial checks
  • Directorship checks
  • PEPs and sanctions checks
  • CIFAS checks

 

Technology, data and cyber roles



Technology and data teams often have privileged access to systems, infrastructure and customer information. Background checks can support a risk-based approach to hiring for roles with elevated access.


Relevant checks may include:

  • Identity verification
  • Education and qualification verification
  • Adverse financial checks
  • International checks for candidates with overseas history


Contractors, temporary workers and third-party staff

 

Financial services firms often rely on contractors, consultants, agency workers and outsourced teams. A consistent approach helps reduce gaps between permanent and non-permanent hiring processes.


We can provide checks for:

  • Identity verification
  • Occupational history checks
  • Adverse financial checks
  • International checks where required

 

 

Why choose us?

Trusted data and verification expertise

Experian is built on data, identity and risk expertise. We help organisations make more confident decisions by bringing together background checking, verification and compliance support.

UK-based, UK hours

Our UK-based team means you'll have a dedicated account manager working when you work and available via phone, email, and live chat.

Clear visibility and audit-ready records

Give HR, compliance and risk teams better oversight of screening activity, with records that support internal governance, audit preparation and decision-making.

Candidate-friendly onboarding

A clear and efficient screening process helps reduce unnecessary friction for candidates while maintaining the standards expected in financial services hiring.

 

 

FAQs

 

 

Further reading

Guide

A guide to background checks in financial services, banking and fintech

Clarifying the rules around background checks to protect your business.
Guide

Senior Managers and Certification Regime: What You Need

Compliance starts with strong screening. Use appropriate background checks and set a schedule for regular

Speak to an expert about background checks and regulated hiring.

Personal DBS check: Unfortunately we're unable to help with your individual DBS check, and you will need to organise with your employer. 

Please click on the link for your country for more information:

England or Wales  |  Scotland  |  Northern Ireland

08444815641

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