City Credit Capital was a real UK broker with historical FCA authorisation, but it is no longer an operating broker. Companies House records show that the company entered creditors’ voluntary liquidation in July 2024, while the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) records it as a failed firm with a failure date of April 29, 2026.
That makes the current answer straightforward: City Credit Capital was not an invented broker, but it is not legitimate for new trading today. Anyone offering new accounts, requesting a deposit, or demanding money to release a supposed balance while using the City Credit Capital name should be treated as potentially impersonating the failed company.
City Credit Capital: the key facts
| Item | Verified detail |
|---|---|
| Legal name | City Credit Capital (UK) Limited |
| Company number | 04343251 |
| Former FCA reference | 232015 |
| Incorporated | December 19, 2001 |
| Current Companies House status | Liquidation |
| Former business | CFD and foreign-exchange brokerage |
| FSCS status | Failed firm; no longer trading |
The company was previously known as Smart Link Financial Services (UK) Limited. Its Companies House record identifies it as a UK company operating under SIC code 64999, “Financial intermediation not elsewhere classified.” Its former registered office was at Heron Tower in London; the current Companies House record lists Langley House, Park Road, East Finchley, London.
You can check the underlying company information on Companies House and the failed-firm position on the FSCS City Credit Capital page.
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Is City Credit Capital still trading?
No. The FSCS currently lists City Credit Capital (UK) Ltd as a failed firm and says it is “no longer trading.” It gives the firm’s FCA reference as 232015 and records April 29, 2026, as the failure date.
The FSCS also says that client money had been returned in all but one instance, with that remaining matter already the subject of a claim. Its page says there was no scope for it to open further claims against the firm. Those statements do not mean that every historical customer necessarily received all money claimed, nor do they make a current trading offer genuine. They describe the position of a failed firm, not an active broker accepting new customers.
What happened to the company?
City Credit Capital’s insolvency history has several separate dates. They should not be collapsed into one event:
- June 30, 2023: administration began.
- July 2, 2024: administration ended and the company entered creditors’ voluntary liquidation.
- September 2, 2025: liquidators filed a statement of receipts and payments covering the period to July 1, 2025.
- April 29, 2026: the FSCS records the firm as failed.
The administration and liquidation dates appear in the company’s Companies House insolvency record. The later filings can be checked in its filing history. The FSCS failure date is a separate compensation-related milestone.
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What did the FCA say?
On July 4, 2023, the FCA announced that City Credit Capital had entered administration. The notice said that:
- the firm was authorised under FCA reference number 232015;
- it provided contracts for difference (CFDs) to retail and professional clients;
- it had been authorised since 2004;
- the FCA had restricted its permissions on June 20, 2023;
- the restrictions stopped it from carrying on regulated activities; and
- the restrictions were later lifted only so joint administrators could perform their responsibilities.
The FCA also said the firm was required to preserve client money and close client positions. This was an official administration notice, not an FCA finding that City Credit Capital was an outright scam.
That distinction matters. A firm can be a genuine regulated entity and still fail, breach regulatory requirements, face customer complaints, or leave customers with losses. FCA authorisation is not a guarantee that a broker will remain solvent or that CFD trading will be profitable.
The FCA’s announcement is available on its City Credit Capital administration page.
Why the old website is misleading
City Credit Capital’s website still contains legacy marketing material saying that the firm is authorised and regulated by the FCA. It also refers to client money and client assets, MarketsTrader and iMarketsTrader platforms, demo accounts, and trading in forex, commodities, metals and oil.
The site displays FCA number 232015, company number 04343251 and the former Heron Tower address. Those details match the historical company, but they do not show that the business is currently active. They conflict with the current Companies House liquidation record and the FSCS statement that the firm is no longer trading.
A dormant or unmaintained website can remain online after a business stops operating. It should not be used as proof that a broker is authorised today. For any financial firm, check the current FCA Financial Services Register and compare the firm’s status, permissions and contact details with the person who contacted you.
Regulatory and complaint history
2012 CFTC penalty
In March 2012, the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission announced that City Credit Capital had agreed to pay a $140,000 civil monetary penalty. According to the CFTC, the firm had solicited US customers for forex transactions without the required CFTC registration.
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The settlement required City Credit Capital to stop soliciting US customers and modify its website. The CFTC described a regulatory violation and penalty; it did not describe the matter as a consumer scam or fraud case. The announcement is available from the CFTC.
Financial Ombudsman decisions
Published Financial Ombudsman decisions show that some complaints against City Credit Capital were upheld. In decision DRN-4149576, published on May 25, 2023, the Ombudsman considered a customer who was nearly 69, had no previous experience with CFDs, forex, futures, options or spread betting, and traded through an appointed third party after being introduced by an unregulated firm.
The Ombudsman found that City Credit Capital had not properly followed the relevant appropriateness process and had not specifically warned the customer that the account was inappropriate for him. The complaint was upheld. Another published upheld decision identified in the Ombudsman database is DRN-3816547, published November 25, 2022.
These decisions do not establish that every City Credit Capital customer was defrauded. They do show that the firm’s handling of appropriateness and customer-protection obligations was successfully challenged in individual cases. The decision can be read in the Financial Ombudsman’s publication.
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So, was City Credit Capital a scam?
Not on the evidence available. The authorised company was a real UK legal entity, appeared in official Companies House and FCA records, and operated as a regulated CFD and forex firm for a period. Calling it an anonymous or fictitious scam broker would be inaccurate.
But “not proven to be a scam” does not mean “safe to use now.” The company entered administration, later went into liquidation, and is recorded by the FSCS as no longer trading. Its regulatory history also includes a CFTC penalty and upheld Financial Ombudsman complaints.
The most accurate description is:
- Historically: a genuine UK-regulated CFD and forex broker.
- Currently: failed, in liquidation and no longer trading.
- For new deposits: unsafe and unsuitable.
- For current solicitations: potentially an impersonation or recovery scam.
Warning signs if someone contacts you using this name
Do not send money to anyone claiming that they can reopen a City Credit Capital account, release a frozen balance or arrange a withdrawal in exchange for an upfront payment. Common recovery-scam demands include:
- a tax payment before a withdrawal can be processed;
- an administration or legal fee;
- a deposit to “unlock” an account;
- remote-access software to verify your identity or wallet;
- cryptocurrency, bank-transfer or gift-card payment; or
- a fee for recovering losses from the failed broker.
A copied logo, old London address, genuine company number or FCA reference does not authenticate the person contacting you. Scammers can copy all of them. The FCA warns that fraudsters impersonate authorised firms and advises consumers to use the contact details shown on the official Register rather than details supplied by a caller or message.
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- Stop sending money. Do not pay a release fee, tax, recovery charge or “margin” to anyone using the City Credit Capital name.
- Preserve evidence. Save emails, WhatsApp messages, phone numbers, website addresses, payment instructions, account statements and transaction IDs.
- Check official records. Compare the contact with the FSCS failed-firm information, the FCA Register and the Companies House insolvency record.
- Contact your payment provider quickly. Ask your bank, card provider or crypto exchange whether a transaction can be recalled or flagged as fraud.
- Report suspected fraud. In the UK, contact the relevant fraud-reporting authority and the FCA. If the approach concerns a US resident, also consider reporting it to the CFTC or other relevant US authorities.
US residents should be particularly cautious because the CFTC’s 2012 action specifically concerned unlawful solicitation of US customers by City Credit Capital.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Bottom line
City Credit Capital was legitimate in the narrow historical sense: it was a real UK company and formerly held FCA authorisation under reference 232015. It was not simply an invented broker operating without any official footprint.
That is no longer its status. Administration began on June 30, 2023, the company entered creditors’ voluntary liquidation on July 2, 2024, and the FSCS records it as failed on April 29, 2026. The FSCS says it is no longer trading.
Do not open an account, deposit money or respond to a withdrawal-fee demand connected with City Credit Capital today. A current offer using this name is more consistent with an impersonator or recovery scam than with a functioning FCA-regulated broker.
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FAQ
Is City Credit Capital still FCA-regulated?
City Credit Capital historically held FCA reference number 232015, but the firm is now in liquidation and the FSCS says it is no longer trading. Its old FCA number and website should not be treated as evidence that it currently accepts customers or conducts regulated business.
Can I open a new City Credit Capital account?
You should not. The FSCS lists the firm as failed and no longer trading. Any website, advert or representative offering a new account under this name should be independently checked and treated as potentially fraudulent.
Is the City Credit Capital website genuine?
The website contains historical company details and legacy claims about FCA authorisation, platforms and trading products. Those claims conflict with current insolvency records. An online domain remaining accessible does not prove that the company is operating.
What should I do if someone asks for money to release my City Credit Capital funds?
Do not pay. Requests for tax, administration, legal, verification or recovery fees are common warning signs. Save the communications, contact your bank or payment provider immediately, and report the suspected fraud to the appropriate authorities.
Was City Credit Capital ever a real company?
Yes. City Credit Capital (UK) Limited was incorporated in 2001, had company number 04343251 and historically held FCA reference number 232015. It was a real UK CFD and forex firm, although it later entered administration and liquidation.
The Bottom Line
Verdict: historically legitimate, but now failed and no longer operating. City Credit Capital was a genuine UK-regulated broker rather than a fictitious company. However, it entered administration, moved into liquidation and is listed by the FSCS as no longer trading. Do not send new deposits or pay anyone claiming to release funds, recover losses or reopen an account under the City Credit Capital name.
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