How to Verify a Forex Broker's Licence (EBC as a Worked Example)

<p>A broker is only actually regulated if the company you open your account with shows up on the regulator's own public register. That's it. That's the test. So look the company up on the regulator's website, check the status says authorised, and then make sure that exact same company name is printed on your account agreement.</p>

<h2>Step 1: Figure out which company you're actually dealing with</h2>

<p>Your account agreement and the footer of the broker's website name the legal entity, its registration number and its regulator. Big brokers run several companies in different countries — that's just how it works — and the licence that protects you is the one held by the company on your agreement. Not the group. Not the brand. The company on your paperwork.</p>

<p>For EBC, the entities named on its website are:</p>

<table>

<thead>

<tr>

<th>Entity</th>

<th>Regulator</th>

<th>Licence / reference number</th>

</tr>

</thead>

<tbody>

<tr>

<td>EBC Financial Group (UK) Limited</td>

<td>UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)</td>

<td>927552</td>

</tr>

<tr>

<td>EBC Financial Group (Australia) Pty Ltd</td>

<td>Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC)</td>

<td>500991</td>

</tr>

<tr>

<td>EBC Financial Group (Cayman) Limited</td>

<td>Cayman Islands Monetary Authority (CIMA)</td>

<td>2038223</td>

</tr>

</tbody>

</table>

<h2>Step 2: Check the regulator's register yourself</h2>

<p>Don't take anyone's word for it. Do it yourself:</p>

<ul>

<li><strong>FCA (UK):</strong> search the firm name or reference number on the FCA Financial Services Register. Check that the status is "Authorised" and look at the permissions and the website addresses listed for the firm.</li>

<li><strong>ASIC (Australia):</strong> search the AFS licence number on ASIC's professional register. Check that the licence is current and covers dealing in derivatives.</li>

<li><strong>CIMA (Cayman Islands):</strong> search the entity on CIMA's regulated-entities search.</li>

</ul>

<p>And use the regulator's site directly, yeah? Not a link from the broker, not a link from some review site. Go to the source.</p>

<h2>Step 3: Confirm the details match</h2>

<ul>

<li>The company name on your agreement matches the register exactly.</li>

<li>The website and email domains on the register match the ones you use.</li>

<li>Clients outside the regulator's country are often onboarded by a different entity; check which one, and which protections (such as compensation schemes) apply to it.</li>

</ul>

<h2>Warning signs</h2>

<ul>

<li>A "clone" firm that copies a licensed company's name but uses a different website or phone number. Registers list warnings for known clones.</li>

<li>Being asked to send money to a personal account or to a company not named on your agreement.</li>

</ul>

<h2>Local rules still apply</h2>

<p>A licence in one country does not make a broker licensed in yours. In Indonesia, for example, futures brokers serving residents must be licensed by BAPPEBTI. Check your own country's regulator before opening an account. Simple as that.</p>

<h2>FAQ</h2>

<h3>Is EBC Financial Group regulated?</h3>

<p>Yes — EBC Financial Group operates several licensed entities: EBC Financial Group (UK) Limited is authorised by the FCA (FRN 927552), EBC Financial Group (Australia) Pty Ltd holds ASIC AFS licence 500991, and EBC Financial Group (Cayman) Limited is licensed by CIMA (reference 2038223). The protections you receive depend on which entity actually holds your account.</p>

<h3>Does a UK licence protect clients from Asia?</h3>

<p>Only if your account is held with the UK-licensed entity. Clients in other regions are often served by a different company with different protections.</p>

<h3>Where do I find the company name of my broker account?</h3>

<p>On the account agreement or client agreement you accepted at sign-up, and usually in the footer of the client portal.</p>