Purchasing an existing Small Payment Institution (SPI) registration is an increasingly popular route for entrepreneurs and businesses looking to enter the UK payments market quickly, without the time and uncertainty associated with a new FCA application. 

At Acumen Global Compliance, we support buyers through every stage of the SPI licence acquisition process — from identifying suitable SPI registrations available for sale, conducting compliance due diligence on the target entity’s regulatory history and CDD records, advising on the change of control notification requirements under the Payment Services Regulations 2017, structuring the commercial transaction, and managing the FCA interaction throughout. Acquiring an SPI can save 6–12 months compared to a fresh application, giving your business an immediate licensed platform from which to launch. Our team ensures the acquisition is completed compliantly, with all necessary regulatory notifications filed correctly and your post-acquisition compliance framework established from day one.