FCA confirms entry of Xpress Money Services into special administration
The UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has confirmed that, on 11 February 2022, a special administration order was made by the Court in relation to Xpress Money Services Limited under the Payment and Electronic Money Institution Insolvency Regulations 2021.
David Hudson and Philip Reynolds of FRP Advisory have been appointed as joint special administrators. Special administration is intended to facilitate the return of customer funds as soon as possible.
Xpress is an authorised payments institution, authorised by the FCA under the Payments Services Regulations 2017.
The application for the special administration was made by the FCA in response to a winding-up petition brought against the firm, to help ensure better outcomes for affected customers.
Xpress’s joint special administrators are responsible for managing claims against the firm and returning funds to customers where possible. Customers should receive more information from them, including details on how to make a claim, within 8 weeks of appointment.
Unfortunately, customer funds are not protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS), as FSCS only applies to certain types of activity. This does not include payment services.
Under the PSRs, there are requirements on how customers’ money should be protected and these requirements are known as ‘safeguarding’.
Customers cannot take money out of their accounts. The priority for the special administrators is to identify, protect and in due course return funds to customers in accordance with their interests to the fullest extent possible.