Define "regulated activities" under FCA guidelines.

Regulated activities, according to FCA guidelines, refer specifically to those services and operations that require authorization from the Financial Conduct Authority. These activities are crucial to maintaining the integrity and stability of the financial system and ensuring that consumers are adequately protected. By requiring firms to obtain authorization, the FCA can impose standards that enhance transparency, accountability, and consumer protection within the financial services sector.

Examples of regulated activities include operating a bank, providing investment advice, managing investments, and various other financial services that involve the handling of money or investment products. The distinction of these activities as regulated is vital because it ensures that only qualified entities can offer these services, which helps to mitigate risks to consumers and the financial market at large.

In contrast, the other options highlight either overly broad categories or activities that lack regulatory oversight, which do not align with the specific definition provided by the FCA.