What is the main purpose of the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS)?

The Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) is primarily designed to protect consumers in the event that a financial services firm goes insolvent. When a firm fails, the FSCS compensates consumers for their lost deposits and investments, up to certain limits. This safety net ensures that individuals do not suffer catastrophic financial losses due to the collapse of a financial services provider, fostering confidence in the financial system as a whole. By providing this protection, the FSCS plays a critical role in maintaining consumer trust and stability in the financial services industry.

Facilitating investment opportunities, regulating competition among firms, or providing loans do not align with the core purpose of the FSCS, which is fundamentally about consumer protection in instances of firm failure.