The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) is the conduct regulator for around 51,000 financial services firms and financial markets in the UK. It was established on 1 April 2013, taking over responsibility for conduct and relevant prudential regulation from the Financial Services Authority (FSA). It works alongside the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA), the prudential regulator of around 1,500 banks, building societies, credit unions, insurers and major investment firms.