Safeguarding is the regulatory practice by which a payment institution or electronic money institution protects customer funds, usually by keeping them separate from the firm own money or by covering them with an insurance policy, so customers can recover their money if the firm fails.
General information, not financial, legal, or tax advice. Verify current terms and eligibility with the provider before applying.
How safeguarding works
Safeguarding is a requirement placed on payment institutions and electronic money institutions to protect the funds they hold for customers. In the United Kingdom it sits under the Payment Services Regulations 2017 and the Electronic Money Regulations 2011, overseen by the Financial Conduct Authority, and similar rules apply across the European Union. A firm generally meets the requirement in one of two ways: by segregating relevant customer funds into a separate account held with a credit institution or invested in secure, liquid assets, or by covering the funds with an insurance policy or comparable guarantee. The aim is that if the firm fails, customer funds are identifiable and can be returned. The exact methods and rules can change, so the position should be checked as of 21 September 2025.
Safeguarding and deposit insurance are different
Safeguarding is not the same as deposit insurance such as FSCS protection in the United Kingdom or FDIC insurance in the United States. Deposit insurance is a government backed scheme that compensates depositors of a failed bank up to a set limit. Safeguarding instead relies on keeping customer funds separate or insured at firm level, and it does not provide a government guarantee of a fixed amount. The protection a customer has therefore depends on whether the provider is a bank covered by deposit insurance or a payment or electronic money firm that safeguards funds.
Why it matters for business accounts
Many business accounts are now offered by an Electronic Money Institution or a similar payment firm rather than a traditional bank. For these accounts, safeguarding is the main protection on the money held. A business choosing such a provider may want to confirm how the firm safeguards funds and whether any part of the balance is held with a partner bank that carries deposit insurance, since the arrangements vary by provider.
Frequently asked questions
What is safeguarding?
How does safeguarding protect customer funds?
Is safeguarding the same as deposit insurance?
Which providers use safeguarding?
Definitions, fees, features, and eligibility change and vary by region. This page was last reviewed on 21 September 2025. Confirm current terms with the provider before applying.