This guide covers every major security certification, deposit protection scheme, and regulatory badge used on fintech landing pages: what each one proves, what it doesn't, and where it belongs on your page. The last two sections cover which badges can actually be verified by anyone, and how to design the badge section so it works visually.
Deposit protection badges come first, because they're the ones most likely to belong above the fold.
FDIC insured
The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation insures bank deposits up to $250,000 per depositor, per FDIC-member bank. Backed by the US government, it has paid out on every qualifying claim since 1933. If the bank holding your funds fails, the FDIC covers deposits up to that limit.
What it proves: deposits are protected if the banking partner fails. What it doesn't cover: the fintech platform itself failing, fraud, or investment losses. Fintechs are technology companies, not banks. FDIC coverage comes from a banking partner, not the fintech directly.
How to get it: You don't apply for FDIC insurance independently. You partner with an FDIC-member bank (examples include Column N.A., Lead Bank, and Evolve Bank) and their deposit insurance extends to your users' funds. Many fintechs access this through a Banking as a Service (BaaS) provider. Setup typically takes 3-6 months and involves compliance reviews from the bank partner. Some fintechs offer coverage up to $5M by spreading deposits across multiple FDIC-member banks via sweep networks. If you offer this, say the number and name the partner banks. Verify your partner bank's FDIC status at banks.data.fdic.gov.
Page placement: Above the fold for banking and deposit products. Next to the primary CTA.
FSCS protected
The Financial Services Compensation Scheme is the UK equivalent of FDIC. It protects up to £85,000 per eligible person per firm if a UK-authorized financial services firm fails. The scheme is funded by levies on authorized firms and operates under FCA oversight. A separate temporary high balance limit of up to £1M applies for 6 months following specific life events: property sales, insurance payouts, divorce settlements, and similar.
FSCS doesn't cover investment losses. It covers deposits and certain insurance products at firms that have failed, not market movements.
How to get it: FSCS protection applies automatically if your product operates through an FCA-authorized firm that takes deposits or holds client money in qualifying accounts. For most fintechs this means partnering with an FCA-authorized e-money institution or bank, or obtaining FCA authorization directly. You don't apply for FSCS separately. It's a consequence of operating correctly under FCA supervision. Verify FSCS-covered firms through the FCA Financial Services Register at register.fca.org.uk.
Page placement: Above the fold for UK-facing deposit products. Include the £85,000 limit in the copy.
SIPC member
The Securities Investor Protection Corporation protects customers of failed brokerage firms, covering up to $500,000 in securities, including up to $250,000 in cash. SIPC is not FDIC. It covers investment accounts at failed brokerages, not bank deposits. It also does not protect against market losses. If a stock drops 40%, SIPC provides no coverage. SIPC only applies when a brokerage collapses and customer assets go missing or become inaccessible.
How to get it: SIPC membership comes automatically with FINRA membership and SEC broker-dealer registration. You can't apply for SIPC separately. The path is: register with the SEC as a broker-dealer, apply to FINRA for membership, and SIPC membership follows. The full broker-dealer registration process typically takes 6-18 months and carries significant compliance obligations. Verify SIPC membership at sipc.org.
Page placement: Near investment account features on wealthtech products. Not relevant for payments or expense management pages.
Regulatory authorization badges work differently. These tell users that a government body has assessed and approved the company to operate, which is a separate category from deposit protection.
FCA authorized
The Financial Conduct Authority regulates financial services firms in the UK. FCA authorization means the firm has applied, been assessed, and been formally approved to offer specific financial services to UK customers. The FCA reviews the firm's financial resources, leadership team against "fit and proper" standards, compliance systems, and business model. It's a genuine regulatory review with real consequences for failure. Authorization can be revoked. Anyone can verify authorization status on the FCA's public Financial Services Register.
One distinction to get right: FCA "registration" and FCA "authorization" are different statuses covering different activities. Registration (for example, as a crypto asset firm) is a narrower process and carries less weight. If you're FCA authorized, use that exact language and include your firm reference number in the copy.
How to get it: Apply through the FCA Connect online portal. The application requires a detailed regulatory business plan, financial projections, compliance policies, and information on all key personnel. Application fees range from £1,500 to £25,000+ depending on firm type and permissions sought. The FCA targets 6 months to process complete applications, but complex applications (full banking license, broad permissions) routinely take 12 months or more. Ongoing annual regulatory fees apply once authorized.
Page placement: Above the fold for UK-facing products. Include the firm reference number so users can verify in one click.
SEC registered
The Securities and Exchange Commission oversees investment advisers, broker-dealers, and public companies in the US. Investment advisers managing more than $110M in assets register with the SEC; advisers below that threshold register with state regulators. SEC-registered advisers file regular disclosures through EDGAR and are subject to periodic examination.
This badge applies to wealthtech platforms, robo-advisers, and anything that provides investment advice or manages assets on behalf of clients. It's not relevant for payments, expense management, or neobanks.
How to get it: File Form ADV through the IARD (Investment Adviser Registration Depository) system managed by FINRA. The form covers the firm's business, ownership, clients, employees, business practices, and disciplinary history. SEC registration typically takes 45 days once an application is complete and filed. State registrations vary in timeline. Ongoing requirements include annual ADV amendments, compliance program documentation, and books and records obligations.
Page placement: Mid-page on investment platform pages, near features involving advice or portfolio management.
FINRA member
The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority is a self-regulatory organization that oversees US broker-dealers. FINRA membership is required to operate as a broker-dealer in the US. Members are subject to regular examinations, rulebook compliance, and investor complaint handling. BrokerCheck is FINRA's public lookup tool where anyone can check a firm's registration status, history, and any disclosed regulatory actions.
How to get it: Apply through FINRA's Firm Gateway system. Requirements include minimum net capital (varies by business type), passing principal qualification exams (Series 24 and others depending on activities), background checks on all principals, and a detailed business plan. Application fees are $7,500 for most firms plus ongoing annual fees based on firm size and activity. The process realistically takes 6-18 months. Most broker-dealers register with the SEC simultaneously, as both registrations are required to legally operate.
Page placement: Near investment-related CTAs for brokerage products. Link to the BrokerCheck profile.
State money transmitter license
Any company that moves money between parties in the US is legally required to hold a money transmitter license in each state where it operates. Stripe, PayPal, Wise, and Cash App all hold these. It's not a single badge. It's up to 50 separate licenses across 50 states, each with its own requirements, capital thresholds, and renewal timelines.
What it proves: the company is legally authorized to transmit money in those states. It doesn't prove anything about security architecture, product quality, or how well user funds are protected. Visitors rarely treat this as a meaningful trust signal on its own.
How to get it: Apply in each state individually. Requirements typically include a surety bond (ranging from $10,000 in some states to $1M+ in others), minimum net worth thresholds, background checks on principals, and anti-money laundering (AML) policies. Application costs range from $300 to $5,000+ per state. Timeline is 3-12 months per state. Companies like Comply Advantage and Nationwide Multistate Licensing System (NMLS) help manage multi-state applications. Some fintechs use money transmitter license holders as partners rather than obtaining licenses independently.
Page placement: Footer legal disclosure only. Legally required, not a hero-section trust signal.
MAS licensed
The Monetary Authority of Singapore serves as both Singapore's central bank and its primary financial regulator. MAS licensing is required to offer payment services, fund management, or securities dealing to Singapore residents. The Major Payment Institution (MPI) license is the most significant for fintechs handling large payment volumes in Singapore.
How to get it: Apply through MAS's online licensing portal. The MPI license requires minimum base capital of SGD 1,000,000, ongoing capital requirements based on payment volume, a compliance officer, an independent auditor, and robust AML and cybersecurity frameworks. The application fee is SGD 1,000. Processing typically takes 6-12 months. Ongoing compliance costs are substantial: annual audits, regular regulatory submissions, and a technology risk management framework aligned with MAS guidelines. Verify licensed entities through the MAS Financial Institutions Directory.
Page placement: Above the fold for Singapore-facing products. Footer for global products where Singapore is a secondary market.
Security certifications work differently from regulatory badges. They're issued by auditing bodies based on technical controls, not by government regulators based on business authorization.
SOC 2 Type II
SOC 2 (System and Organization Controls 2) is an auditing standard developed by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. It assesses how a company manages customer data across five trust service principles: security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy. Most fintech companies pursue the security principle at minimum.
The Type I vs Type II distinction matters more than most pages acknowledge. Type I means an independent CPA firm confirmed your security controls existed and were designed correctly at a specific point in time. Type II means they confirmed those controls operated effectively and consistently over an observation period, typically 6-12 months. Type I can be completed in weeks. Type II cannot be rushed.
How to get it: Hire a CPA firm that specializes in SOC 2 audits (well-known options include A-LIGN, Linford & Company, and Prescient Assurance). Before the audit, implement the required security controls. Then run those controls for the full observation period, typically at least 6 months, while collecting evidence. Tools like Vanta and Drata automate evidence collection and significantly reduce preparation time. The audit itself (fieldwork plus report) takes an additional 2-4 months. Total cost for a SOC 2 Type II audit typically runs $15,000-$50,000 depending on scope and auditor. Annual renewal is required to maintain certification. The full timeline from starting the process to receiving a Type II report is usually 9-18 months.
Page placement: Security section mid-page. Always specify Type I or Type II. "SOC 2 certified" without specifying is a weaker claim.
PCI DSS
The Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard is a set of security requirements for any company that stores, processes, or transmits credit card data. It's maintained by the PCI Security Standards Council, founded by Visa, Mastercard, Amex, Discover, and JCB. Compliance is contractually required by card networks rather than government regulation.
PCI DSS has four compliance levels based on annual transaction volume. Level 1 covers companies processing over 6 million Visa or Mastercard transactions per year and requires an annual on-site audit by a Qualified Security Assessor (QSA), plus quarterly network scans. Levels 2 through 4 allow self-assessment via questionnaires rather than an external audit. The difference in rigor is significant.
How to get it: Level 1 requires engaging an independent QSA firm, completing a Report on Compliance (ROC), and passing quarterly network scans by an Approved Scanning Vendor (ASV). Cost for a Level 1 QSA audit runs $15,000-$50,000+. For Levels 2-4, complete the relevant Self-Assessment Questionnaire (SAQ) type based on how your systems interact with card data. If you use Stripe or Adyen and never handle raw card data directly, you may qualify for SAQ A, the simplest form. Most early-stage fintechs handle PCI compliance through their payment processor rather than pursuing independent certification. Check your processor's documentation to understand which SAQ type applies to your setup.
Page placement: Security section for Level 1. For most early-stage companies, "card data processed by Stripe, PCI DSS Level 1 certified" is more credible than displaying your own PCI badge.
ISO 27001
ISO 27001 is an international standard for information security management systems, published by the International Organization for Standardization. It covers an organization's entire approach to managing information security, not just specific technical controls. An ISO 27001 audit assesses policies, risk management processes, organizational controls, and technical measures as a complete system.
ISO 27001 is more common in European companies and enterprise B2B contexts, and is recognized across more jurisdictions than SOC 2, which is primarily a US standard. Certification is valid for three years with annual surveillance audits. Losing certification for failing a surveillance audit is possible.
How to get it: Implement an Information Security Management System (ISMS) covering all areas of the standard. Engage an accredited certification body (BSI, Bureau Veritas, SGS, and LRQA are common choices) for a two-stage audit: Stage 1 reviews documentation; Stage 2 involves on-site assessment of controls in practice. Initial certification typically costs $30,000-$80,000+ depending on organization size and scope. Timeline from starting implementation to receiving certification is typically 6-18 months. Annual surveillance audits and a full recertification audit every three years are required to maintain the certificate.
Page placement: Security section for B2B fintech pages targeting European or enterprise buyers.
GDPR compliant
The General Data Protection Regulation is EU law governing how personal data from EU residents is collected, stored, and used. Any company handling EU personal data is required to comply, regardless of where the company is based. GDPR compliance is a legal requirement, not a certification issued by an auditor or regulator. Companies self-declare compliance.
How to get it: GDPR is a legal obligation, not something you apply for. Compliance involves: appointing a Data Protection Officer (required in certain cases), documenting all data processing activities, implementing data subject rights processes (right to access, deletion, portability), establishing legal bases for processing, conducting Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIAs) for high-risk processing, and signing Data Processing Agreements (DPAs) with vendors. Law firms specializing in data privacy typically charge $5,000-$30,000+ for a full GDPR compliance programme depending on company size and complexity.
Page placement: Privacy policy and footer only. Not a landing page badge.
CCPA compliant
The California Consumer Privacy Act gives California residents rights over their personal data: the right to know what's collected, the right to delete it, the right to opt out of data sales, and the right to non-discrimination for exercising those rights. Companies above certain revenue or data-volume thresholds are legally required to comply. Like GDPR, it's a legal obligation that companies self-declare rather than earn from an auditor.
How to get it: CCPA compliance involves updating your privacy policy, implementing opt-out mechanisms for data sales, establishing data subject request workflows, and training staff. If you're already GDPR compliant, much of the infrastructure carries over. A privacy attorney or compliance consultant can typically handle CCPA compliance for $3,000-$15,000 for a small fintech. Ongoing monitoring and annual updates to the privacy policy are required as the regulation evolves (the CPRA amendments expanded CCPA significantly in 2023).
Page placement: Privacy disclosures and footer only.
The last two aren't security certifications. But they appear on fintech pages in the same visual position as regulatory badges, so they belong here.
Trustpilot
Trustpilot is a consumer review platform. A score is only meaningful with context. A 4.7 from 50,000 reviews is a strong trust signal. A 4.2 from 23 reviews is noise. Always display the review count alongside the score. Without the count, the score can't be interpreted.
Trustpilot works well for consumer-facing fintech products where user experience is a differentiator: neobanks, personal finance apps, payment tools. It carries less weight for B2B products, where finance team buyers care more about certifications and regulatory status than star ratings. If your score is below 4.0, don't display it on the landing page.
How to get it: Create a business account at trustpilot.com. A free plan allows you to claim your profile and invite customers to leave reviews via email. Paid plans (starting around $259/month) add review invitation tools, TrustBox widgets for embedding scores on your site, and analytics. The score builds as reviews accumulate. Invite customers after positive interactions and respond to negative reviews publicly. Trustpilot has enforcement processes against fake reviews, but scores from companies that only invite happy customers should be read sceptically.
Page placement: Near the primary CTA for consumer products with a score of 4.5 or higher. Link to your Trustpilot profile so users can read the reviews directly.
G2
G2 is a B2B software review platform. G2 badges (Leader, High Performer, Momentum Leader) are based on review scores and market presence data from real users, updated quarterly. The category specificity is what makes a G2 badge meaningful: "Leader in Expense Management, Q1 2026" tells a finance team buyer something precise. A generic "G2 Leader" badge without a category is significantly weaker.
How to get it: Create a vendor profile at g2.com. A free profile allows customers to leave reviews. G2 assigns badges automatically once a product reaches enough reviews in a category, typically 10+ reviews with a strong satisfaction score. Paid G2 plans unlock outreach tools for collecting reviews, analytics, and enhanced profile features. Encourage customers in your target category to leave reviews and specify the use case so G2 can categorize the feedback correctly. Including the quarter ("Q1 2026") when displaying badges shows the rating is current.
Page placement: Trust bar or mid-page for B2B products. Always include category and quarter.
Which badges can be independently verified
Not every badge on a fintech landing page can be checked by a visitor. Some point to public registries searchable by anyone. Others are self-declared with no external verification. For verifiable badges, linking to the verification source turns a claim into a fact.
For every publicly verifiable badge, link to the verification page. A badge that can be checked and isn't linked is a missed trust opportunity. A badge that can be checked and is linked turns a claim into a fact visitors can confirm in seconds.
Any statistics cited in this post come from third‑party studies and industry reports conducted under their own methodologies. They are intended to be directional, not guarantees of performance. Real outcomes will depend on your specific market and execution.
How long does it take to get SOC 2 Type II?
At minimum 9-18 months from starting the process to receiving a report. The observation period alone is 6-12 months, and you can't start the audit until the period is complete. Add 2-4 months for audit fieldwork and report generation. Tools like Vanta and Drata reduce the preparation burden significantly but don't shorten the observation period. Plan for it to be a year-long process if you're starting from scratch.
Do I need a banking license to display FDIC insurance?
No. FDIC coverage comes from partnering with an FDIC-member bank, not from holding a banking license yourself. The bank's insurance extends to your users' deposits held through that bank. The key obligation is accuracy: name the partner bank, state the coverage limit, and ensure your ledger-keeping is clean enough that the FDIC could identify which funds belong to which customers if needed. The Synapse bankruptcy in 2024 showed what happens when that ledger doesn't reconcile correctly.
What's the difference between SOC 2 Type I and Type II?
Type I means an auditor confirmed your security controls existed and were designed correctly at a point in time. Type II means they confirmed the controls operated effectively and consistently over a 6-12 month period. Type I can be completed in weeks. Type II takes months. Finance team buyers doing serious vendor due diligence know the difference and will ask which type you have. If you display a generic "SOC 2 certified" badge, expect the question.
Is GDPR a badge I can display?
Technically yes, but it's not worth treating as a primary trust signal. GDPR compliance is a legal requirement for any company handling EU personal data, not an earned certification. Displaying it tells users you follow the law, which is the minimum expectation. Users who care about GDPR compliance during a vendor evaluation want to see your Data Processing Agreement, not a badge. Include it in privacy documentation and footer disclosures.
Can an early-stage fintech display PCI DSS compliance?
Yes, and it's likely already required if you handle card data. Most early-stage fintechs achieve compliance by processing card data through Stripe or Adyen rather than touching it directly. In that case, completing a SAQ A questionnaire (the simplest self-assessment) satisfies PCI DSS requirements. You don't need a Level 1 QSA audit until you're processing over 6 million transactions per year. Check with your payment processor to confirm which SAQ type applies to your specific integration.
