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CASS 7.1 Application and Purpose

Application

CASS 7.1.1 R

[deleted]77

CASS 7.1.1A R

7This chapter applies to a firm that receives money from or holds money for, or on behalf of, a client in the course of, or in connection with, its:7

  1. (1)

    MiFID business; and/or

  2. (2)

    designated investment business; and/or8

  3. (3)

    stocks and shares ISA business;8

unless otherwise specified in this section.

CASS 7.1.1B G

A firm is reminded that when CASS 7.1.1A R applies it should treat client money in an appropriate manner so that, for example:

  1. (1)

    if it holds client money in a client bank account, that account is held in the firm's name in accordance with CASS 7.4.11A R;

  2. (2)

    if it allows another person to hold client money this is effected under CASS 7.5; and

  3. (3)

    its internal reconciliations of client money carried out in line with CASS 7.6.6 G and CASS 7 Annex 1 G take into account any client equity balance relating to its margined transaction requirements.

7

CASS 7.1.2 G

[deleted]3

3

Opt-in to the client money rules 3

CASS 7.1.3 R
  1. (1)

    A firm that receives or holds money to which this chapter applies in relation to: 3

    3
    1. (a)

      its MiFID business; or3

    2. (b)

      its MiFID business and its designated investment business which is not MiFID business; 3

    and holds money in respect of which CASS 5 applies, may elect to comply with the provisions of this chapter in respect of all such money and if it does so, this chapter applies as if all such money were money that the firm receives and holds in the course of, or in connection with, its MiFID business.

  2. (1A)

    [deleted]3

    3
  3. (1B)

    A firm that receives or holds money to which this chapter applies solely in relation to its designated investment business which is not MiFID business and receives or holds money in respect of which the insurance client money chapter applies, may elect to comply with the provisions of this chapter in respect of all such money and if it does so, this chapter applies as if all such money were money that the firm receives and holds in the course of or in connection with its designated investment business.3

  4. (1C)
    1. (a)

      A firm may elect to comply with all the provisions of this chapter for money that it receives or holds in respect of an ISA that only contains a cash deposit ISA.

    2. (b)

      Where a firm makes an election under (a), this chapter applies to it in the same way that it applies to a firm that receives and holds money in the course of or in connection with its MIFID business.8

  5. (2)

    A firm must make and retain a written record of any election it makes under this rule, including the date from which the election is to be effective. The firm must make the record on the date it makes the election and must keep it for a period of five years after ceasing to use it.

  6. (3)

    This rule is subject to CASS 1.2.11 R.7

CASS 7.1.3A G

Firms are reminded that, under CASS 1.2.11R (1), they must not keep money in respect of which the client money chapter applies in the same client bank account or client transaction account as money in respect of which the insurance client money chapter applies.7

CASS 7.1.3B R

Where a firm opts into this chapter under CASS 7.1.3 R (1C) it must notify clients for whom it holds the opted-in money that it is holding their money in accordance with the client money rules.

CASS 7.1.4 G

The opt-in to the client money rules in2this chapter 2does not apply in respect of money that a firm holds outside of either the:8

3 8 2 3
  1. (1)

    scope of the insurance client money chapter; or8

  2. (2)

    relevant cash deposit ISA wrapper;8

as the case may be.8

CASS 7.1.5 G

If a firm has opted to comply with this chapter, the insurance client money chapter will have no application to the activities to which the election applies.

3
CASS 7.1.6 G
3 3 8
  1. (1)

    A firm that is only subject to the insurance client money chapter may not opt to comply with this chapter under either or both CASS 7.1.3 R (1) and CASS 7.1.3 R (1B).8

  2. (2)

    Under CASS 7.1.3 R (1C) a firm may opt to comply with this chapter regardless of whether it is otherwise subject to the client money rules.8

CASS 7.1.7 G

[deleted]3

3
CASS 7.1.7A G

[deleted]3

3

Money that is not client money: 'opt outs' for any business other than insurance mediation activity4

CASS 7.1.7B R

3 CASS 7.1.7C G to CASS 7.1.7I G do not apply to a firm in relation to money held in connection with its MiFID business to which this chapter applies or in relation to money for which the firm has made an election under CASS 7.1.3 R (1).

Professional client opt-out4

CASS 7.1.7C G

3The 'opt out' provisions provide a firm with the option of allowing a professional client to choose whether their money is subject to the client money rules (unless the firm is conducting insurance mediation activity).

CASS 7.1.7D R

3Subject to CASS 7.1.7F R, money is not client money when a firm (other than a sole trader) holds that money on behalf of, or receives it from, a professional client, other than in the course of insurance mediation activity, and the firm has obtained written acknowledgement from the professional client that:

  1. (1)

    money will not be subject to the protections conferred by the client money rules;

  2. (2)

    as a consequence, this money will not be segregated from the money of the firm in accordance with the client money rules and will be used by the firm in the course of its own business; and

  3. (3)

    the professional client will rank only as a general creditor of the firm.

'Opt-outs' for non-IMD business

CASS 7.1.7E G

3For a firm whose business is not governed by the Insurance Mediation Directive, it is possible to 'opt out' on a one-way basis. However, in order to maintain a comparable regime to that applying to MiFID business, all 'MiFID type' business undertaken outside the scope of MiFID, should comply with the client money rules or be 'opted out' on a two-way basis.

CASS 7.1.7F R

3 Money is not client money if a firm, in respect of designated investment business which is not an investment service or activity, an ancillary service, a listed activity or insurance mediation activity:

  1. (1)

    holds it on behalf of or receives it from a professional client who is not an authorised person; and

  2. (2)

    has sent a separate written notice to the professional client stating the matters set out in CASS 7.1.7DR (1) to CASS 7.1.7DR (3).

CASS 7.1.7G G

3When a firm undertakes a range of business for a professional client and has separate agreements for each type of business undertaken, the firm may treat client money held on behalf of the client differently for different types of business; for example, a firm may, under CASS 7.1.7D R or CASS 7.1.7F R, elect to segregate client money in connection with securities transactions and not segregate (by complying with CASS 7.1.7D R or CASS 7.1.7F R) money in connection with contingent liability investments for the same client.

CASS 7.1.7H R

3When a firm transfers client money to another person, the firm must not enter into an agreement under CASS 7.1.7D R or CASS 7.1.7F R with that other person in relation to that client money or represent to that other person that the money is not client money.

CASS 7.1.7I G

3 CASS 7.1.7H R prevents a firm, when passing client money to another person under CASS 7.5.2 R (transfer of client money to a third party), from making use of the 'opt out' provisions under CASS 7.1.7D R or CASS 7.1.7F R.

Credit institutions and approved banks3

CASS 7.1.8 R

The client money rules do not apply to a CRDcredit institution6 in relation to deposits within the meaning of the CRD6 held by that institution.

[Note: article 13(8) of MiFID and article 18(1) of the MiFID implementing Directive]7

6 6
CASS 7.1.9 G

If a credit institution that holds money as a deposit with itself is subject to the requirement to disclose information before providing services,4 it should, in compliance with that obligation, notify the client that:

  1. (1)

    money held for that client in an account with the credit institution will be held by the firm as banker and not as trustee (or in Scotland as agent); and

  2. (2)

    as a result, the money will not be held in accordance with the client money rules.

7

CASS 7.1.10 G

Pursuant to Principle 10 (Clients' assets), a credit institution that holds money as a deposit with itself should be able to account to all of its clients for amounts held on their behalf at all times. A bank account opened with the firm that is in the name of the client would generally be sufficient. When money from clients deposited with the firm is held in a pooled account, this account should be clearly identified as an account for clients. The firm should also be able to demonstrate that an amount owed to a specific client that is held within the pool can be reconciled with a record showing that individual's client balance and is, therefore, identifiable at any time. Similarly, where that money is reflected only in a firm's bank account with other banks (nostro accounts), the firm should be able to reconcile amounts owed to that client within a reasonable period of time.

  1. (1)

    it should be able to account to all of its clients sums held for them at all times; and

  2. (2)

    that money should, pursuant to Principle 10, be allocated to the relevant client promptly. This should be done no later than ten business days after the firm has received the money.

7

CASS 7.1.11 G

A credit institution is reminded that the exemption for deposits is not an absolute exemption from the client money rules.7

CASS 7.1.11A R
  1. (1)

    3This rule applies to a firm which is an approved bank but not a CRDcredit institution.67

    6
  2. (2)

    3The client money rules do not apply to money held by the approved bank if it is undertaking business which is not MiFID business but only when the money is held in an account with itself, in which case the firm must notify the client in writing that:

    1. (a)

      money held for that client in an account with the approved bank will be held by the firm as banker and not as trustee (or in Scotland as agent); and

    2. (b)

      as a result, the money will not be held in accordance with the client money rules.

    7

Affiliated companies - MiFID business3

CASS 7.1.12 G

A firm that holds money on behalf of, or receives money from, an affiliated company in respect of MiFID business must treat the affiliated company as any other client of the firm for the purposes of this chapter.

Affiliated companies - non-MiFID business3

CASS 7.1.12A R

3A firm that holds money on behalf of, or receives money from, an affiliated company in respect of designated investment business which is not MiFID business must not treat the money as client money unless:

  1. (1)

    the firm has been notified by the affiliated company that the money belongs to a client of the affiliated company; or

  2. (2)

    the affiliated company is a client dealt with at arm's length; or

  3. (3)

    the affiliated company is a manager of an occupational pension scheme or is an overseas company; and

    1. (a)

      the money is given to the firm in order to carry on designated investment business for or on behalf of the clients of the affiliated company; and

    2. (b)

      the firm has been notified by the affiliated company that the money is to be treated as client money.

CASS 7.1.13 G

[deleted]3

3

Coins

CASS 7.1.14 R

The client money rules do not apply with respect to coins held on behalf of a client if the firm and the client have agreed that the money (or money of that type) is to be held by the firm for the intrinsic value of the metal which constitutes the coin.

Solicitors

CASS 7.1.15 R
  1. (1)

    An authorised professional firm regulated by the Law Society (of England and Wales), the Law Society of Scotland or the Law Society of Northern Ireland that, with respect to its regulated activities, is subject to 5the following rules of its designated professional body, must comply with those rules and,5 where relevant paragraph (3), and3 if it does so, it will be deemed to comply with the client money rules.

    5353
  2. (2)

    The relevant rules are:

    1. (a)

      if the firm is regulated by the Law Society (of England and Wales), the SRA Accounts Rules 2011;7

      7
    2. (b)

      if the firm is regulated by the Law Society of Scotland, the Law Society of Scotland Practice Rules 20117; and

      7
    3. (c)

      if the firm is regulated by the Law Society of Northern Ireland, the Solicitors' Accounts Regulations 1998.

  3. (3)

    If the firm in (1) is a MiFID investment firm that receives or holds money for, or on behalf of a client77 in the course of, or in connection with its MiFID business, it must also comply with the MiFID client money (minimum implementing) rules in relation to that business.3

    7

3Long term insurers and friendly societies

CASS 7.1.15A R

3This chapter does not apply to the permitted activities of a long-term insurer or a friendly society, unless it is a MiFID investment firm that receives money from or holds money for or on behalf of a client in the course of, or in connection with, its MiFID business.

3Contracts of insurance

CASS 7.1.15B R

[deleted]77

CASS 7.1.15BA R

7Provided it complies with CASS 1.2.11 R, a firm that receives or holds client money in relation to contracts of insurance may elect to comply with the provisions of the insurance client money chapter, instead of this chapter, in respect of all such money.

CASS 7.1.15C R

3A firm must7 make and retain a written record of any election which it makes under CASS 7.1.15BA R7 . 7

7 7

3Life assurance business

CASS 7.1.15D G
  1. (1)

    3A firm which receives and holds client money in respect of life assurance business in the course of its designated investment business that is not MiFID business may:

    1. (a)

      under CASS 7.1.3 R (1B) elect to comply with the client money chapter in respect of such client money and in doing so avoid the need to comply with the insurance client money chapter which would otherwise apply to the firm in respect of client money received in the course of its insurance mediation activity; or

    2. (b)

      under CASS 7.1.15B R, elect to comply with the insurance client money chapter in respect of such client money.

  2. (2)

    These options are available to a firm irrespective of whether it also receives and holds client money in respect of other parts of its designated investment business. A firm may not however choose to comply with the insurance client money chapter in respect of client money which it receives and holds in the course of any part of its designated investment business which does not involve an insurance mediation activity.

Trustee firms7

CASS 7.1.15E R

3A trustee firm which holds money in relation to its designated investment business which is not MiFID business to which this chapter applies, must hold any such client money separate from its own money at all times.

CASS 7.1.15F R

3 Subject to CASS 7.1.15G R only7 the client money rules listed in the table below apply to a trustee firm in connection with money that the firm receives, or holds for or on behalf of a client in the course of or in connection with its designated investment business which is not MiFID business.

Reference

Rule

CASS 7.1.1 R to CASS 7.1.6 G, and CASS 7.1.8 R to CASS 7.1.14 R

Application

CASS 7.1.15E R to CASS 7.1.15L G7

7

Trustee firms

7

CASS 7.1.16 G

General principle

CASS 7.4.1 R to CASS 7.4.6 G

Depositing client money

CASS 7.4.7 R to CASS 7.4.13 G

A firm's selection of credit institution, bank or money market fund

CASS 7.6.6 G to CASS 7.6.16 R

Reconciliation of client money balances7

7 CASS 7.7.2 R to CASS 7.7.4 G

Requirement

7 CASS 7 Annex 1 G

The standard methods of internal client money reconciliation

7

CASS 7.1.15G R
  1. (1)

    7A trustee firm to which CASS 7.1.15F R applies may, in addition to the client money rules set out at CASS 7.1.15F R, also elect to comply with:

    1. (a)

      all the client money rules in CASS 7.4 (Segregation of client money);

    2. (b)

      CASS 7.5 (Transfer of client money to a third party);

    3. (c)

      all the client money rules in CASS 7.6 (Records, accounts and reconciliations); or

    4. (d)

      CASS 7.8 (Notification and acknowledgement of trust).

  2. (2)

    A trustee firm must make a written record of any election it makes under this rule, including the date from which the election is to be effective. The firm must make the record on the date it makes the election and must keep it for a period of five years after ceasing to use it.

  3. (3)

    Where a trustee firm has made an election under (1) which it subsequently decides to cease to use, it must make a written record of this decision, including the date from which the decision is to be effective, and keep that record from the date the decision is made for a period of five years after the date it is to be effective.

7

CASS 7.1.15H R

7A trustee firm to which CASS 7.1.15F R applies and which is otherwise subject to the client money rules must ensure that any client money it holds other than in its capacity as trustee firm is segregated from client money it holds as a trustee firm.7

CASS 7.1.15I G

7A trustee firm to which CASS 7.1.15F R applies and which is otherwise subject to the client money rules should ensure that in designing its systems and controls it:

  1. (1)

    takes into account that the client money distribution rules will only apply in relation to any client money that the firm holds other than in its capacity as trustee firm; and

  2. (2)

    has regard to other legislation that may be applicable.

7

CASS 7.1.15J R
  1. (1)

    7A trustee firm to which CASS 7.1.15F R applies may elect that:

    1. (a)

      the applicable provisions of CASS 7.4 (Segregation of client money) and CASS 7.6 (Records, accounts and reconciliations) under CASS 7.1.15F R; and

    2. (b)

      and any further provisions it elects to comply with under CASS 7.1.15G R (1);

    will apply separately and concurrently for each distinct trust that the trustee firm acts for.

  2. (2)

    A trustee firm must make a written record of any election it makes under this rule, including the date from which the election is to be effective. The firm must make the record on the date it makes the election and must keep it for a period of five years after ceasing to use it.

  3. (3)

    Where a trustee firm has made an election under (1) which it subsequently decides to cease to use, it must make a written record of this decision, including the date from which the decision is to be effective, and must keep that record from the date the decision is made for a period of five years after the date it is to be effective.

7

CASS 7.1.15K G

7A trustee firm may wish to make an election under CASS 7.1.15J R if, for example, it acts for a number of distinct trusts which it wishes, or is required, to keep operationally separate. If a firm makes such an election then it should:

  1. (1)

    establish and maintain adequate internal systems and controls to effectively segregate client money held for one trust from client money held for another trust; and

  2. (2)

    conduct internal client money reconciliations as set out in CASS 7 Annex 1 G and external client money reconciliations under CASS 7.6.9 R for each trust.

7

CASS 7.1.15L G

7The provisions in CASS 7.1.15E R to CASS 7.1.15K G do not affect the general application of the client money rules regarding money that is held by a firm other than in its capacity as a trustee firm.7

General purpose

CASS 7.1.16 G
  1. (1)

    Principle 10 (Clients' assets) requires a firm to arrange adequate protection for clients' assets when the firm is responsible for them. An essential part of that protection is the proper accounting and treatment of client money. The client money rules provide requirements for firms that receive or hold client money, in whatever form.

  2. (2)

    The client money rules also, where relevant,43 implement the provisions of MiFID which regulate the obligations of a firm when it holds client money in the course of its MiFID business.3

CASS 7.2 7 Treatment of client money7

CASS 7.2.1 R

[deleted]1

1
1
CASS 7.2.2 R

[deleted]1

1 1

Title transfer collateral arrangements

CASS 7.2.3 R
2
  1. (1)

    Where a client transfers full ownership of money to a firm for the purpose of securing or otherwise covering present or future, actual or contingent or prospective obligations, such money should no longer be regarded as client money.

    [Note: recital 27 to MiFID]2

  2. (2)

    2Excepted from (1) is a transfer of the full ownership of money:

    1. (a)

      belonging to a retail client;

    2. (b)

      whose purpose is to secure or otherwise cover that client's present or future, actual, contingent or prospective obligations under a contract for differences or 3a rolling spot forex contract that is a future, and in either case where that contract is3 entered into with a firm acting as market maker; and

      33
    3. (c)

      which is made to that firm or to any other personarranging on its behalf.

CASS 7.2.3A R
  1. (1)

    2Subject to (2), where a firm makes arrangements for the purpose of securing or otherwise covering present or future, actual, contingent or prospective obligations of a retail client those arrangements must not provide for the taking of a transfer of full ownership of any of that client's money.

  2. (2)

    The application of (1) is confined to the taking of a transfer of full ownership:

    1. (a)

      whose purpose is to secure or otherwise cover that retail client's obligations under a contract for differences or 3a rolling spot forex contract that is a future, and in either case where that contract is3 entered into with a firm acting as market maker; and

      33
    2. (b)

      which is made to that firm or to any other person arranging on its behalf.

CASS 7.2.4 G

A title transfer financial collateral arrangement under the Financial Collateral Directive is an example of a type of transfer of money to cover obligations where that money will not be regarded as client money.

CASS 7.2.5 G

Where a firm has received full title or full ownership to money under a collateral arrangement, the fact that it has also granted4 a security interest to its client to secure4 its obligation to repay that money to the client would not result in the money being client money. This can be compared to a situation in which a firm takes a charge or other security interest over money held in a client bank account, where that money would still be client money as there would be no absolute transfer of title to the firm. However, where a firm has received client money under a4 security interest and the security interest4 includes a "right to use arrangement", under which the client agrees to transfer all of its rights to money in that account to the firm upon the exercise of the right to use, the money may cease to be client money, but only once the right to use is exercised and the money is transferred out of the client bank account4 to the firm.

4 4 4
CASS 7.2.6 G

Firms are reminded of the client's best interest rule, which requires a firm to act honestly, fairly and professionally in accordance with the best interests of its clients when structuring its business particularly in respect of the effect of that structure on firms' obligations under the client money rules.

CASS 7.2.7 G

Pursuant to the client's best interests rule, a firm should ensure that where a retail client transfers full ownership of money to a firm:

  1. (1)

    the client is notified that full ownership of the money has been transferred to the firm and, as such, the client no longer has a proprietary claim over this money and the firm can deal with it on its own right;

  2. (2)

    the transfer is for the purposes of securing or covering the client's obligations;

  3. (3)

    an equivalent transfer is made back to the client if the provision of collateral by the client is no longer necessary; and

  4. (4)

    there is a reasonable link between the timing and the amount of the collateral transfer and the obligation that the client owes, or is likely to owe, to the firm.

Money in connection with a "delivery versus payment" transaction

CASS 7.2.8 R

Money need not be treated as client money in respect of a delivery versus payment transaction through a commercial settlement system if it is intended that either:

  1. (1)

    in respect of a client's purchase, money from a client will be due to the firm within one business day upon the fulfilment of a delivery obligation; or

  2. (2)

    in respect of a client's sale, money is due to the client within one business day following the client's fulfilment of a delivery obligation;

unless the delivery or payment by the firm does not occur by the close of business on the third business day following the date of payment or delivery of the investments by the client.7

CASS 7.2.8A G

1The exclusion from the client money rules for delivery versus payment transactions under CASS 7.2.8 R is an example of an exclusion from the client money rules which is permissible by virtue of recital 26 of MiFID. 7

CASS 7.2.8B R

1 Money need not be treated as client money in respect of a delivery versus payment transaction, for the purpose of settling a transaction in relation to units in a regulated collective investment scheme, if:

  1. (1)

    the authorised fund manager receives it from a client in relation to the authorised fund manager's obligation to issue units, in an AUT or ACS,5 or to arrange for the issue of units in an ICVC, in accordance with COLL, unless the price of those units has not been determined by the close of business on the next business day:

    1. (a)

      following the date of the receipt of the money from the client; or

    2. (b)

      if the money was received by an appointed representative of the authorised fund manager, in accordance with CASS 7.4.24 G, following the date of receipt at the specified business address of the authorised fund manager; or

  2. (2)

    the money is held in the course of redeeming units where the proceeds of that redemption are paid to a client within the time specified in COLL; when an authorised fund manager draws a cheque or other payable order within these time frames the provisions of CASS 7.2.17 R and CASS 7.2.9 R (2) will not apply.

Money due and payable to the firm

CASS 7.2.9 R
  1. (1)

    Money is not client money when it becomes properly due and payable to the firm for its own account.

  2. (2)

    For these purposes, if a firm makes a payment to, or on the instructions of, a client, from an account other than a client bank account, until that payment has cleared, no equivalent sum from a client bank account for reimbursement will become due and payable to the firm.

CASS 7.2.10 G

Money held as client money becomes due and payable to the firm or for the firm's own account, for example, because the firm acted as principal in the contract or the firm, acting as agent, has itself paid for securities in advance of receiving the purchase money from its client. The circumstances in which it is due and payable will depend on the contractual arrangement between the firm and the client.

CASS 7.2.10A G

2 Firms are reminded that, notwithstanding that money may be due and payable to them, they have a continuing obligation to segregate client money in accordance with the client money rules. In particular, in accordance with CASS 7.6.2 R, firms must ensure the accuracy of their records and accounts and are reminded of the requirement to carry out internal reconciliations of client money balances, either in accordance with the standard method of internal client money reconciliation or a different method which meets the requirements of CASS 7.6.7 R and CASS 7.6.8 R.

CASS 7.2.11 G

When a client's obligation or liability, that is secured by that client's asset, crystallises, and the firm realises the asset in accordance with an agreement entered into between the client and the firm, the part of the proceeds of the asset to cover such liability that is due and payable to the firm is not client money. However, any proceeds of sale in excess of the amount owed by the client to the firm should be paid over to the client immediately or be held in accordance with the client money rules.

Commission rebate

CASS 7.2.12 G

When a firm has entered into an arrangement under which commission is rebated to a client, those rebates need not be treated as client money until they become due and payable to the client in accordance with the terms of the contractual arrangements between the parties.

CASS 7.2.13 G

When commission rebate becomes due and payable to the client, the firm should:

  1. (1)

    treat it as client money; or

  2. (2)

    pay it out in accordance with the rule regarding the discharge of a firm's fiduciary duty to the client (see CASS 7.2.15 R);

unless the firm and the client have entered into an arrangement under which the client has agreed to transfer full ownership of this money to the firm as collateral against payment of future professional fees (see CASS 7.2.3 R (Title transfer collateral arrangements)).

Interest

CASS 7.2.14 R

[deleted]77

7
CASS 7.2.14A R

7A firm must pay a retail client any interest earned on client money held for that client unless it has otherwise notified him in writing. 7

CASS 7.2.14B G
  1. (1)

    7The firm may, under the terms of its agreement with the client, pay some, none, or all interest earned to the relevant client.

  2. (2)

    Where interest is payable on client money by a firm to clients:

    1. (a)

      such sums are client money and so, if not paid to, or to the order of the clients, are required to be segregated in accordance with CASS 7.4 (Segregation of client money);

    2. (b)

      the interest should be paid to clients in accordance with the firm's agreement with each client; and

    3. (c)

      if the firm's agreement with the client is silent as to when interest should be paid to the client the firm should follow CASS 7.4.28 G (Allocation of client money receipts);

    irrespective of whether the client is a retail client or otherwise.

7

Discharge of fiduciary duty

CASS 7.2.15 R

Money ceases to be client money (having regard to CASS 7.2.17 R where applicable) if4:

4
  1. (1)

    it is paid4 to the client, or a duly authorised representative of the client; or

  2. (2)

    it is:7

    7
    1. (a)

      paid to a third party on the instruction of, or with the specific consent of, the client unless it is transferred to a third party in the course of effecting a transaction under CASS 7.5.2 R (Transfer of client money to a third party); or77

    2. (b)

      paid to a third party pursuant to an obligation on the firm where:7

      1. (i)

        that obligation arises under an enactment; and7

      2. (ii)

        the obligation under that enactment is applicable to the firm as a result of the nature of the business being undertaken by the firm for its client; or7

      7

    7

  3. (3)

    subject to CASS 7.2.16A R,7 it is paid4 into a bank account of the client (not being an account which is also in the name of the firm); or7

  4. (4)

    it is due and payable to the firm in accordance with4CASS 7.2.9 R (Money due and payable to the firm); or7

    44
  5. (5)

    it is paid to the firm as4 an excess in the client bank account (see CASS 7.6.13 R (2) (Reconciliation discrepancies)); or4

    44
  6. (6)

    4it is paid by an authorised central counterparty to a clearing member other than the firm in connection with a porting arrangement in accordance with CASS 7.2.15A R; or

  7. (7)

    4it is paid by an authorised central counterparty directly to the client in accordance with CASS 7.2.15B R6; or

  8. (8)

    6it is transferred by the firm to a clearing member in connection with a regulated clearing arrangement and the clearing member remits payment to another firm or to another clearing member in accordance with CASS 7.2.15CR (1); or

  9. (9)

    6it is transferred by the firm to a clearing member in connection with a regulated clearing arrangement and the clearing member remits payment directly to the indirect clients of the firm7 in accordance with CASS 7.2.15CR (2).7

    7
CASS 7.2.15A R

4 Client money which the firmplaces at an authorised central counterparty 6in connection with a regulated clearing arrangement ceases to be client money for that firm if, as part of the default management process of that authorised central counterparty in respect of a default by the firm, it is ported by the authorised central counterparty in accordance with article 48 of EMIR.

6 6
CASS 7.2.15B R

4 Client money which the firmplaces at an authorised central counterparty6in connection with a regulated clearing arrangement ceases to be client money if, as part of the default management process of that authorised central counterparty in respect of a default by the firm, it is paid directly to the client by the authorised central counterparty in accordance with the procedure described in article 48(7) of EMIR.

6 6
CASS 7.2.15C R

6 Client money received or held by the firm and transferred to a clearing member who facilitates indirect clearing through a regulated clearing arrangement ceases to be client money for that firm and, if applicable, the clearing member, if the clearing member:

  1. (1)

    remits payment to another firm or to another clearing member in accordance with default management procedures adopted by the clearing member which comply with the requirements of article 4(4) of the EMIR L2 Regulation; or

  2. (2)

    remits payment to the indirect clients of the firm in accordance with default management procedures adopted by the clearing member which comply with the requirements of articles 4(4) and 4(5) of the EMIR L2 Regulation.

CASS 7.2.15D R

7 Client money received or held by the firm for a sub-pool ceases to be client money for that firm to the extent that such client money is transferred by the firm to an authorised central counterparty or a clearing member as result of porting.7

CASS 7.2.16 G

[deleted]77

7
CASS 7.2.16A R

7A firm must not pay client money into a bank account of the client that has been opened without the consent of that client.7

CASS 7.2.17 R

When a firm draws a cheque or other payable order to discharge its fiduciary duty to the client, it must continue to treat the sum concerned as client money until the cheque or order is presented and paid by the bank.

Allocated but unclaimed client money

CASS 7.2.18 G

The purpose ofthe rule on allocated but unclaimed client money is to allow a firm, in the normal course of its business, to cease to treat as client money any balances,allocated to an individual client, when those balances remain unclaimed.7

CASS 7.2.19 R

A firm may cease to treat as client money any unclaimed client money balance if it can demonstrate that it has taken reasonable steps to trace the client concerned and to return the balance.7

7

CASS 7.2.20 E
  1. (1)

    Taking reasonable steps should include:7

    1. (a)

      entering into a written agreement, in which the client consents to the firm releasing, after the period of time specified in (b), any client money balances, for or on behalf of that client, from client bank accounts;7

    2. (b)

      determining that there has been no movement on the client's balance for a period of at least six years (notwithstanding any payments or receipts of charges, interest or similar items);7

    3. (c)

      writing to the client at the last known address informing the client of the firm's intention of no longer treating that balance as client money, giving the client 28 days to make a claim;7

    4. (d)

      making and retaining records of all balances released from client bank accounts; and7

    5. (e)

      undertaking to make good any valid claim against any released balances.7

  2. (2)

    Compliance with (1) may be relied on as tending to establish compliance with CASS 7.2.19 R.

  3. (3)

    Contravention of (1) may be relied on as tending to establish contravention of CASS 7.2.19 R.

CASS 7.2.21 G

When a firm gives an undertaking to make good any valid claim against released balances, it should make arrangements authorised by the firm's relevant controllers that are legally enforceable by any person with a valid claim to such money.7

CASS 7.3 Organisational requirements: client money

Requirement to protect client money

CASS 7.3.1 R

A firm must, when holding client money, make adequate arrangements to safeguard the client's rights and prevent the use of client money for its own account.

[Note: article 13(8) of MiFID]

Requirement to have adequate organisational arrangements

CASS 7.3.2 R

A firm must introduce adequate organisational arrangements to minimise the risk of the loss or diminution of client money, or of rights in connection with client money, as a result of misuse of client money, fraud, poor administration, inadequate record-keeping or negligence.

[Note: article 16(1)(f) of the MiFID implementing Directive]1

CASS 7.4 Segregation of client money

Depositing client money

CASS 7.4.-1 R

6Where a firm establishes one or more sub-pools, the provisions of CASS 7.4 (Segregation of client money) shall be read as applying separatelyto the firm'sgeneral pool and each sub-pool in line with CASS 7.19.3 R and CASS 7.19.12 R.6

CASS 7.4.1 R

A firm, on receiving any client money, must promptly place this money into one or more accounts opened with any of the following:

  1. (1)

    a central bank;

  2. (2)

    a CRDcredit institution;5

    5
  3. (3)

    a bank authorised in a third country;

  4. (4)

    a qualifying money market fund.

[Note: article 18(1) of the MiFID implementing Directive]

CASS 7.4.2 G

An account with a central bank, a CRDcredit institution5 or a bank authorised in a third country in which client money is placed is a client bank account.

5

Qualifying money market funds

CASS 7.4.3 G

[deleted]66

2 6
CASS 7.4.3A R

6Where a firm deposits client money with a qualifying money market fund, the firm's holding of those units in that fund will be subject to any applicable requirements of the custody rules.

[Note: recital 23 to the MiFID implementing Directive]6

CASS 7.4.4 G

A firm that places client money in a qualifying money market fund should ensure that it has the permissions required to invest in and hold units in that fund and must comply with the rules that are relevant for those activities.6

CASS 7.4.5 R

A firm must give a client the right to oppose the placement of his money in a qualifying money market fund.

[Note: article 18(3) of the MiFID implementing Directive]6

CASS 7.4.6 G

If a firm that intends to place client money in a qualifying money market fund is subject to the requirement to disclose information before providing services,4 it should, in compliance with that obligation, notify the client that:

  1. (1)

    money held for that client will be held in a qualifying money market fund; and

  2. (2)

    as a result, the money will not be held in accordance with the client money rules; and66

    6
  3. (3)

    if it is the case, that the units will be held as the client'ssafe custody assets in accordance with the custody rules.66

A firm's selection of a credit institution, bank or money market fund

CASS 7.4.7 R

A firm that does not deposit client money with a central bank must exercise all due skill, care and diligence in the selection, appointment and periodic review of the credit institution, bank or qualifying money market fund where the money is deposited and the arrangements for the holding of this money.

[Note: article 18(3) of the MiFID implementing Directive]6

CASS 7.4.8 R

When a firm makes the selection, appointment and conducts the periodic review of a credit institution, a bank or a qualifying money market fund, it must take into account:

  1. (1)

    the expertise and market reputation of the third party; and6

  2. (2)

    any legal requirements or market practices related to the holding of client money that could adversely affect clients' rights.6

[Note: article 18(3) of the MiFID implementing Directive]6

CASS 7.4.9 G

In discharging its obligations when selecting, appointing and reviewing the appointment of a credit institution, a bank or a qualifying money market fund, a firm should also consider, together with any other relevant matters:

  1. (1)

    the need for diversification of risks;

  2. (2)

    the capital of the credit institution or bank;

  3. (3)

    the amount of client money placed, as a proportion of the credit institution or bank's capital and deposits, and, in the case of a qualifying money market fund, compared to any limit the fund may place on the volume of redemptions in any period;

  4. (4)

    the credit rating of the credit institution or bank; and

  5. (5)

    to the extent that the information is available, the level of risk in the investment and loan activities undertaken by the credit institution or bank and affiliated companies.

CASS 7.4.9A R

3A firm must limit the funds that it deposits or holds with a relevant group entity or combination of such entities so that those funds do not at any point in time exceed 20 per cent of the balance on:

  1. (1)

    all of its general client bank accounts considered in aggregate;

  2. (2)

    each of its designated client bank accounts; and

  3. (3)

    each of its designated client fund accounts.

CASS 7.4.9B R

3For the purpose of CASS 7.4.9A R an entity is a relevant group entity if it is:

  1. (1)

    a CRDcredit institution or6 a bank authorised in a third country; and6

    5566
  2. (2)

    a member of the same group as that firm.

CASS 7.4.9C G

3The rules in SUP 16.14 provide that a firm must report to the FCA in relation to the identity of the entities with which it deposits client money and the amounts of client money deposited with them. The FCA will use that information to monitor compliance with the diversification rule in CASS 7.4.9A R.

CASS 7.4.10 R

A firm must make a record of the grounds upon which it satisfies itself as to the appropriateness of its selection of a credit institution, a bank or a qualifying money market fund. The firm must make the record on the date it makes the selection and must keep it from the date of such selection until five years after the firm ceases to use the third party to hold client money.

Client bank accounts

CASS 7.4.11 R

A firm must take the necessary steps to ensure that client money deposited, in accordance with CASS 7.4.1 R, in a central bank, a credit institution, a bank authorised in a third country or a qualifying money market fund is held in an account or accounts identified separately from any accounts used to hold money belonging to the firm.

[Note: article 16(1)(e) of the MiFID implementing Directive]

CASS 7.4.11A R
  1. (1)

    6An account which the firm uses to deposit client money under CASS 7.4.1 R (1) to CASS 7.4.1 R (3) must be a client bank account.6

  2. (2)

    Each client bank account used by a firm must be held on terms under which:

    1. (a)

      the relevant bank's contractual counterparty is the firm that is subject to the requirement under CASS 7.4.1 R; and

    2. (b)

      unless the firm has agreed terms that comply with CASS 7.4.11A R (3), the firm is able to make withdrawals of client money promptly and, in any event, within one business day of a request for withdrawal.

    Transitional provision CASS TP 1.10AR applies to (2).

  3. (3)

    Firms may use client bank accounts held on terms under which withdrawals are, without exception, prohibited until the expiry of a fixed term or a notice period of a maximum of 30 days.

  4. (4)

    Paragraphs (2)(b) and (3) do not apply in respect of client money received by a firm in its capacity as a trustee firm.

CASS 7.4.11B G

6 CASS 7.4.11A R (2)(b) and CASS 7.4.11A R (3) do not prevent a firm from depositing client money on terms under which a withdrawal may be made before the expiry of a fixed term or a notice period (whatever the duration), including where such withdrawal would incur a penalty charge to the firm.6

CASS 7.4.11C G

6 CASS 7.4.11A R does not prevent a firm from depositing client money in overnight money market deposits which are clearly identified as being client money (for example, in the client bank account acknowledgment letter).6

CASS 7.4.11D G

6 Firms are reminded of their obligations under CASS 7.8 (Notification and acknowledgement of trust) for client bank accounts. Firms should also ensure that client bank accounts meet the requirements in the relevant Glossary definitions, including regarding the titles given to the accounts.6

CASS 7.4.12 G

A firm may open one or more client bank accounts in the form of a general client bank account, a designated client bank account or a designated client fund account (see CASS 7A.2.1 G (Failure of the authorised firm: primary pooling event))6.4 The requirements of CASS 7.4.11A R (2) and CASS 7.4.11A R (3) apply for each type of client bank account.66

CASS 7.4.13 G

A designated client fund account may be used for a client only where that client has consented to the use of that account and all other designated client fund accounts which may be pooled with it. For example, a client who consents to the use of bank A and bank B should have his money held in a different designated client fund account at bank B from a client who has consented to the use of banks B and C.

Payment of client money into a client bank account

CASS 7.4.14 G

Two approaches that a firm can adopt in discharging its obligations under the client money segregation requirements are: 6

2
  1. (1)

    the 'normal approach'; or

  2. (2)

    the 'alternative approach'.

CASS 7.4.15 R

A firm that does not adopt the normal approach must first send a written confirmation to the FCA from the firm's auditor that the firm has in place systems and controls which are adequate to enable it to operate another approach effectively.6

CASS 7.4.16 G

The alternative approach would be appropriate for a firm that operates in a multi-product, multi-currency environment for which adopting the normal approach would be unduly burdensome and would not achieve the client protection objective. Under the alternative approach, client money is received into and paid out of a firm's own bank accounts; consequently the firm should have systems and controls that are capable of monitoring the client money flows so that the firm can comply with its obligations to perform reconciliations of records and accounts (see CASS 7.6.2 R). A firm that adopts the alternative approach will segregate client money into a client bank account on a daily basis, after having performed a reconciliation of records and accounts of the entitlement of each client for whom the firm holds client money with the records and accounts of the client money the firm holds in client bank accounts and client transaction accounts to determine what the client money requirement was at the close of the previous business day.6

CASS 7.4.17 G

Under the normal approach, a firm that receives client money should either:

  1. (1)

    pay it promptly, and in any event no later than the next business day after receipt, into a client bank account; or

  2. (2)

    pay it out in accordance with the rule regarding the discharge of a firm's fiduciary duty to the client (see CASS 7.2.15 R).

The alternative approach to client money segregation

CASS 7.4.18 G

Under the alternative approach, a firm that receives client money should:

  1. (1)
    1. (a)

      pay any money to or on behalf of clients out of its own account; and

    2. (b)

      perform a reconciliation of records and accounts required under CASS 7.6.2 R (Records and accounts), and where relevant 2SYSC 4.1.1 R (General requirements)4 and SYSC 6.1.1 R (Compliance),4 adjust the balance held in its client bank accounts and then segregate the money in the client bank account until the calculation is re-performed on the next business day; or

  2. (2)

    pay it out in accordance with the rule regarding the discharge of a firm's fiduciary duty to the client (see CASS 7.2.15 R).

CASS 7.4.19 G

A firm that adopts the alternative approach may:

  1. (1)

    receive all client money into its own bank account;

  2. (2)

    choose to operate the alternative approach for some types of business (for example, overseas equities transactions) and operate the normal approach for other types of business (for example, contingent liability investments) if the firm can demonstrate that its systems and controls are adequate (see CASS 7.4.15 R); and

  3. (3)

    use an historic average to account for uncleared cheques (see paragraph 4 of CASS 7 Annex 1 G).

CASS 7.4.20 G

Pursuant to the client money segregation requirements, a firm should ensure that any money other than client money deposited in a client bank account is promptly paid out of that account unless it is a minimum sum required to open the account, or to keep it open.

2
CASS 7.4.21 R

If it is prudent to do so to ensure that client money is protected, a firm may pay into a client bank accountmoney of its own, and that money will then become client money for the purposes of this chapter.

Automated transfers

CASS 7.4.22 G

Pursuant to the client money segregation requirements, a firm operating the normal approach that receives client money in the form of an automated transfer should take reasonable steps to ensure that:

2
  1. (1)

    the money is received directly into a client bank account; and

  2. (2)

    if money is received directly into the firm's own account, the money is transferred into a client bank account promptly, and in any event, no later than the next business day after receipt.

Mixed remittance

CASS 7.4.23 G

Pursuant to the client money segregation requirements, a firm operating the normal approach that receives a mixed remittance (that is part client money and part other money) should:

2
  1. (1)

    pay the full sum into a client bank account promptly, and in any event, no later than the next business day after receipt; and

  2. (2)

    pay the money that is not client money out of the client bank account promptly, and in any event, no later than one business day of the day on which the firm would normally expect the remittance to be cleared.

Appointed representatives, tied agents, field representatives and other agents1

CASS 7.4.24 G
  1. (1)

    Pursuant to the client money segregation requirements, a firm operating the normal approach should establish and maintain procedures to ensure that client money received by its appointed representatives, tied agents,1field representatives or other agents is:

    2
    1. (a)

      paid into a client bank account of the firm promptly, and in any event, no later than the next business day after receipt; or

    2. (b)

      forwarded to the firm, or in the case of a field representative forwarded to a specified business address of the firm, so as to ensure that the money arrives at the specified business address promptly, and in any event, no later than the close of the third business day.

  2. (2)

    For the purposes of 1(b), client money received on business day one should be forwarded to the firm or specified business address of the firm promptly, and in any event, no later than the next business day after receipt (business day two) in order for it to reach that firm or specified business address by the close of the third business day. Procedures requiring the client money in the form of a cheque to be sent to the firm or the specified business address of the firm by first class post promptly, and in any event, no later than the next business day after receipt, would be in line with 1(b).

CASS 7.4.25 G

The firm should ensure that its appointed representatives, tied agents, field representatives or other agents keep1client money separately identifiable from any other money (including that of the firm) until the client money is paid into a client bank account or sent to the firm.

CASS 7.4.26 G

A firm that operates a number of small branches, but holds or accounts for all client money centrally, may treat those small branches in the same way as appointed representatives and tied agents.1

Client entitlements

CASS 7.4.27 G

Pursuant to the client money segregation requirements, a firm operating the normal approach that receives outside the United Kingdom a client entitlement on behalf of a client should pay any part of it which is client money:

2
  1. (1)

    to, or in accordance with, the instructions of the client concerned; or

  2. (2)

    into a client bank account promptly, and in any event, no later than five business days after the firm is notified of its receipt.

CASS 7.4.28 G

Pursuant to the client money segregation requirements, a firm operating the normal approach should allocate a client entitlement that is client money to the individual client promptly and, in any case, no later than ten business days after notification of receipt.

2

Money due to a client from a firm

CASS 7.4.29 G

Pursuant to the client money segregation requirements, a firm operating the normal approach that is liable to pay money to a client should promptly, and in any event no later than one business day after the money is due and payable, pay the money:

2
  1. (1)

    to, or to the order of, the client; or

  2. (2)

    into a client bank account.

Segregation in different currency

CASS 7.4.30 R

A firm may segregate client money in a different currency from that of receipt. If it does so, the firm must ensure that the amount held is adjusted each day to an amount at least equal to the original currency amount (or the currency in which the firm has its liability to its clients, if different), translated at the previous day's closing spot exchange rate.

CASS 7.4.31 G

The rule on segregation of client money in a different currency (CASS 7.4.30 R) does not apply where the client has instructed the firm to convert the money into and hold it in a different currency.

Commodity Futures Trading Commission Part 30 exemption order

CASS 7.4.32 G

[deleted]6

6 4
CASS 7.4.33 G

[deleted]6

2 6
CASS 7.4.34 R

[deleted]6

6
CASS 7.4.35 R

[deleted]6

6
CASS 7.4.36 G

6 CASS 12 contains provisions which are relevant to a firm conducting business pursuant to the Part 30 exemption order.

CASS 7.5 Transfer of client money to a third party

CASS 7.5.1 G

This section sets out the requirements a firm must comply with when it allows another person to hold2client money , other than under CASS 7.4.1 R,2 without discharging its fiduciary duty owed to that client. Such circumstances arise when, for example, a firm passes client money to a clearing house in the form of margin for the firm's obligations to the clearing house that are referable to transactions undertaken by the firm for the relevant clients. They may also arise when a firm passes client money to an intermediate broker for contingent liability investments in the form of initial or variation margin on behalf of a client. Similarly, this section applies where a firm allows a broker to hold client money in respect of the firm'sclient'snon-margined transactions, again without the firm discharging its fiduciary duty to that client.2 In all cases,2 the firm remains responsible for that client'sclient equity balance2 held at the intermediate broker until the contract is terminated and all of that client's positions at that broker closed. If a firm wishes to discharge itself from its fiduciary duty, it should do so in accordance with the rule regarding the discharge of a firm's fiduciary duty to the client (CASS 7.2.15 R).

2 2 2 2
CASS 7.5.2 R

A firm may allow another person, such as an exchange, a clearing house or an intermediate broker, to hold or control client money, but only if:

  1. (1)

    the firm allows that person to hold2 the client money:

    2
    1. (a)

      for the purpose of one or more transactions2 for a client through or with that person; or

      2
    2. (b)

      to meet a client's obligation to provide collateral for a transaction (for example, an initial margin requirement for a contingent liability investment); and

  2. (2)

    in the case of a retail client, that client has been notified that the firm may allow the other personto hold its client money2.

CASS 7.5.2A G

2 2 Client money that a firm allows another person to hold under CASS 7.5.2 R:

  1. (1)

    should only be held for transactions which are likely to occur (and for which the other person needs to receive client money) or have recently settled (and such that the other person has received client money); and

  2. (2)

    should be recorded in client transaction accounts by that other person.

CASS 7.5.3 G

CASS 7.6 Records, accounts and reconciliations

Records and accounts

CASS 7.6.-1 R

3 3Where a firm establishes one or more sub-pools, the provisions of CASS 7.6 (Records, accounts and reconciliations) shall be read as applying separately to the firm'sgeneral pool and each sub-pool in line with CASS 7.19.3 R and CASS 7.19.4 R.

CASS 7.6.1 R

A firm must keep such records and accounts as are necessary to enable it, at any time and without delay, to distinguish client money held for one client from client money held for any other client, and from its own money.

[Note: article 16(1)(a) of the MiFID implementing Directive]

CASS 7.6.2 R

A firm must maintain its records and accounts in a way that ensures their accuracy, and in particular their correspondence to the client money held for clients.

[Note: article 16(1)(b) of the MiFID implementing Directive]

Client entitlements

CASS 7.6.3 G

Pursuant to CASS 7.6.2 R (Records and accounts),2 and where relevant 1SYSC 4.1.1 R (General requirements)2and SYSC 6.1.1 R (Compliance),2 a firm should take reasonable steps to ensure that it2 is notified promptly of any receipt of client money in the form of a client entitlement.

Record keeping

CASS 7.6.4 R

Unless otherwise stated, a3firm must ensure that any record3 made under the client money rules is3 retained for a period of five years starting from the later of:3

3 3 3 3
  1. (1)

    the date it was created; and3

  2. (2)

    (if it has been modified since the date it was created), the date it was most recently modified.3

CASS 7.6.5 G

A firm should ensure that it makes proper records, sufficient to show and explain the firm's transactions and commitments in respect of its client money.

Internal reconciliations of client money balances

CASS 7.6.6 G
  1. (1)

    Carrying out internal reconciliations of records and accounts of the entitlement of each client for whom the firm holds client money with the records and accounts of the client money the firm holds in client bank accounts and client transaction accounts should be one of the steps a firm takes to satisfy its obligations under CASS 7.6.2 R, and where relevant1SYSC 4.1.1 R and SYSC 6.1.1 R.

    1
  2. (2)

    A firm should perform such internal reconciliations:

    1. (a)

      as often as is necessary; and

    2. (b)

      as soon as reasonably practicable after the date to which the reconciliation relates;

    to ensure the accuracy of the firm's records and accounts.

  3. (3)

    The standard method of internal client money reconciliation sets out a method of reconciliation of client money balances that the FCA believes should be one of the steps that a firm takes when carrying out internal reconciliations of client money.

Records

CASS 7.6.7 R
  1. (1)

    A firm must make records, sufficient to show and explain the method of internal reconciliation of client money balances under CASS 7.6.2 R used, and if different from the standard method of internal client money reconciliation, to show and explain that:

    1. (a)

      the method of internal reconciliation of client money balances used affords an equivalent degree of protection to the firm'sclients to that afforded by the standard method of internal client money reconciliation; and

    2. (b)

      in the event of a primary pooling event or a secondary pooling event, the method used is adequate to enable the firm to comply with the client money distribution rules.

      1
  2. (2)

    A firm must make these records on the date it starts using a method of internal reconciliation of client money balances and must keep it for a period of five years after ceasing to use it.

    2
CASS 7.6.8 R

A firm that does not use the standard method of internal client money reconciliation must first send a written confirmation to the FCA from the firm's auditor that the firm has in place systems and controls which are adequate to enable it to use another method effectively.

Reconciliations with external records

CASS 7.6.9 R

A firm must conduct, on a regular basis, reconciliations between its internal accounts and records and those of any third parties by whom client money is held.

[Note: article 16(1)(c) of the MiFID implementing Directive]

Frequency of external reconciliations

CASS 7.6.10 G
  1. (1)

    A firm should perform the required reconciliation of client money balances with external records:

    1. (a)

      as regularly as is necessary; and

    2. (b)

      as soon as reasonably practicable after the date to which the reconciliation relates;

    to ensure the accuracy of its internal accounts and records against those of third parties by whom client money is held.

  2. (2)

    In determining whether the frequency is adequate, the firm should consider the risks which the business is exposed, such as the nature, volume and complexity of the business, and where and with whom the client money is held.

Method of external reconciliations

CASS 7.6.11 G

A method of reconciliation of client money balances with external records that the FCA believes is adequate is when a firm compares:

  1. (1)

    the balance on each client bank account as recorded by the firm with the balance on that account as set out on the statement or other form of confirmation issued by the bank with which those accounts are held; and

  2. (2)

    the balance, currency by currency, on each client transaction account as recorded by the firm, with the balance on that account as set out in the statement or other form of confirmation issued by the person with whom the account is held;

and identifies any discrepancies between them.

CASS 7.6.12 R

Any approved collateral held in accordance with the client money rules must be included within this reconciliation.

Reconciliation discrepancies

CASS 7.6.13 R

When any discrepancy arises as a result of a firm's internal reconciliations, the firm must identify the reason for the discrepancy and ensure that:

  1. (1)

    any shortfall is paid into a client bank account by the close of business on the day that the reconciliation is performed; or

  2. (2)

    any excess is withdrawn within the same time period (but see CASS 7.4.20 G and CASS 7.4.21 R).

CASS 7.6.14 R

When any discrepancy arises as a result of the reconciliation between a firm's internal records and those of third parties that hold client money, the firm must identify the reason for the discrepancy and correct it as soon as possible, unless the discrepancy arises solely as a result of timing differences between the accounting systems of the party providing the statement or confirmation and that of the firm.

CASS 7.6.15 R

While a firm is unable to resolve a difference arising from a reconciliation between a firm's internal records and those of third parties that hold client money, and one record or a set of records examined by the firm during its reconciliation indicates that there is a need to have a greater amount of client money or approved collateral than is in fact the case, the firm must assume, until the matter is finally resolved, that the record or set of records is accurate and pay its own money into a relevant account.

Notification requirements

CASS 7.6.16 R

A firm must inform the FCA in writing without delay:

  1. (1)

    if it has not complied with, or is unable, in any material respect, to comply with the requirements in CASS 7.6.1 R, CASS 7.6.2 R or CASS 7.6.9 R;

  2. (2)

    if having carried out a reconciliation it has not complied with, or is unable, in any material respect, to comply with CASS 7.6.13 R to CASS 7.6.15 R.

Audit of compliance with the MiFID client money rules

CASS 7.6.17 G

Firms are reminded that the auditor of the firm has to confirm in the report submitted to the FCA under SUP 3.10 (Duties of auditors: notification and report on client assets) that the firm has maintained systems adequate to enable it to comply with the client money rules.

CASS 7.6.18 G

Firms that do not adopt the normal approach are reminded that the firm's auditor must confirm to the FCA in writing that the firm has in place systems and controls which are adequate to enable it to operate the alternative approach effectively (see CASS 7.4.15 R).

CASS 7.6.19 G

Firms that do not use the standard method of internal client money reconciliation are reminded that the firm's auditor must confirm to the FCA in writing that the firm has in place systems and controls which are adequate to enable it to use another method effectively (see CASS 7.6.8 R).

CASS 7.7 Statutory trust

CASS 7.7.1 G

3Section 137B(1) of the Act (Miscellaneous ancillary matters) provides that rules may make provision which result in client money being held by a firm on trust (England and Wales and Northern Ireland) or as agent (Scotland only). This section creates a fiduciary relationship between the firm and its client under which client money is in the legal ownership of the firm but remains in the beneficial ownership of the client. In the event of failure of the firm, costs relating to the distribution of client money may have to be borne by the trust.

Requirement

CASS 7.7.2 R

Subject to CASS 7.7.3 R in respect of a trustee firm, a3firm receives and holds client money as trustee on the following terms:

3 3
  1. (1)

    for the purposes of and on the terms of the client money rules and the client money distribution rules;

    1
  2. (2) 3
    1. (a)

      where a firm maintains only a general pool of client money, subject to (4), for the clients (other than clients which are insurance undertakings when acting as such with respect to client money received in the course of insurance mediation activity and that was opted in to this chapter) for whom that money is held, according to their respective interests in it;3

    2. (b)

      where a firm has established one or more pools of client money, subject to (4):3

      1. (i)

        the general pool is held for all the clients of the firm for whom the firm holds client money (other than clients which are insurance undertakings when acting as such with respect to client money received in the course of insurance mediation activity and that was opted in to this chapter) according to their respective interests in it; and3

      2. (ii)

        each sub-pool is for the clients of the firm who are beneficiaries of the sub-pool in question accordance with CASS 7.19.6 R (2), according to their respective interests in it;3

  3. (3)

    after all valid claims in (2) have been met, for clients which are insurance undertakings with respect of client money received in the course of insurance mediation activity according to their respective interests in it;

  4. (4)

    for the payment of the costs properly attributable to the distribution of the client money in accordance with (2) if such distribution takes place following the failure of the firm3; and

    3
  5. (5)

    after all valid claims and costs under (2) to (4) have been met, for the firm itself.

CASS 7.7.3 R

1A trustee firm which is subject to the client money rules by virtue of CASS 7.1.1 R (4)CASS 7.1.1A R (2) receives and holds client money as trustee on the terms in CASS 7.7.2 R, subject to its obligations to hold client money as trustee under the relevant instrument of trust.3

3
CASS 7.7.4 G

1If a trustee firm holds client money the firm should follow the provisions in CASS 7.1.15E R to CASS 7.1.15L G3.

3

CASS 7.8 4 Notification and acknowledgement of trust

Banks

CASS 7.8.1 R
  1. (1)

    When a firm opens a client bank account, the firm must give or have given written notice to the bank requesting the bank to acknowledge to it in writing that:

    1. (a)

      all money standing to the credit of the account is held by the firm as trustee (or if relevant, as agent) and that the bank is not entitled to combine the account with any other account or to exercise any right of set-off or counterclaim against money in that account in respect of any sum owed to it on any other account of the firm; and

    2. (b)

      the title of the account sufficiently distinguishes that account from any account containing money that belongs to the firm, and is in the form requested by the firm.

  2. (2)

    In the case of a client bank account in the United Kingdom, if the bank does not provide the required acknowledgement within 20 business days after the firm dispatched the notice, the firm must withdraw all money standing to the credit of the account and deposit it in a client bank account with another bank as soon as possible.

Exchanges, clearing houses, intermediary brokers or OTC counterparties1

CASS 7.8.2 R
  1. (1)

    A firm which undertakes any contingent liability investment for clients through an exchange, clearing house, intermediate broker or OTC counterparty must, before the client transaction account is opened with the exchange, clearing house, intermediate broker or OTC counterparty:

    1. (a)

      notify the person with whom the account is to be opened that the firm is under an obligation to keep client money separate from the firm's own money, placing client money in a client bank account;

    2. (b)

      instruct the person with whom the account is to be opened that any money paid to it in respect of that transaction is to be credited to the firm'sclient transaction account; and

    3. (c)

      require the person with whom the account is to be opened to acknowledge in writing that the firm'sclient transaction account is not to be combined with any other account, nor is any right of set-off to be exercised by that person against money credited to the client transaction account in respect of any sum owed to that person on any other account.

  2. (2)

    If the exchange, clearing house, 1intermediate broker or OTC counterparty does not provide the required acknowledgement within 20 business days of the dispatch of the notice and instruction, the firm must cease using the client transaction account with that exchange,3clearing house, intermediate broker or OTC2 counterparty and arrange as soon as possible for the transfer or liquidation of any open positions and the repayment of any money.

    2

CASS 7.19 Clearing member client money sub-pools

CASS 7.19.1 G RP
  1. (1)

    1Under CASS 7.7.2 R (2), a firm acts as trustee for all client money received or held by it for the benefit of the clients for whom that client money is held, according to their respective interests in it.

  2. (2)

    A firm that is also a clearing member of an authorised central counterparty may wish to segregate client money specifically for the benefit of a group of clients who have chosen to clear positions through a net margined omnibus client account maintained by the firm with that authorised central counterparty, where that segregation might facilitate the porting of client positions recorded in that net margined omnibus client account. To segregate client money (that would otherwise be held in the general pool) for a specific group of clients clearing positions through a particular net margined omnibus client account, a clearing memberfirm may, in accordance with these rules, create a sub-pool of client money.

  3. (3)

    Upon the occurrence of a primary pooling event, the client money for:

    1. (a)

      the general pool, should be distributed in accordance with CASS 7A to the clients for whom the firm receives or holds client money in that general pool; and

    2. (b)

      a sub-pool, should either be:

      1. (i)

        transferred to facilitate porting; or

      2. (ii)

        distributed to the clients who are beneficiaries of that sub-pool, according to their respective interests under CASS 7A.2.4R (2)(a).

  4. (4)

    All client money is received or held by the firm as trustee for the clients of the firm. However, a clearing member of an authorised central counterparty who clears client positions through a net margined omnibus client account may organise its affairs (with the consent of the relevant clients) in such a way that those clients need not share in the general pool of client money following a primary pooling event, save to the extent that such clients otherwise have an interest in the general pool.

CASS 7.19.2 R RP

Where a firm creates a sub-pool for a particular net margined omnibus client account, it must not clear positions through that omnibus client account for clients who are not beneficiaries of that sub-pool.

Internal controls

CASS 7.19.3 R RP

A firm wishing to establish a sub-pool must establish and maintain adequate internal controls necessary to comply with the firm's obligations under CASS 7 for the general pool and each sub-pool that it may establish.

Records

CASS 7.19.4 R RP

Where a firm establishes one or more sub-pools, CASS 7.6 (Records, accounts and reconciliations) shall be read as applying separately to the firm'sgeneral pool and each sub-pool.

CASS 7.19.5 G RP

A firm that establishes one or more sub-pools must establish and maintain adequate internal controls and records in accordance with CASS 7.6 (Records, accounts and reconciliations) to conduct internal and external reconciliations for each sub-pool and the general pool individually.

CASS 7.19.6 R RP
  1. (1)

    The records maintained for a sub-pool under CASS 7.19.4 R must identify all the client beneficiaries of that sub-pool.

  2. (2)

    The beneficiaries of each sub-pool are those clients:

    1. (a)

      from whom the firm has received a signed sub-pool disclosure document in accordance with CASS 7.19.11 R;

    2. (b)

      for whom the firm maintains, previously maintained or is in the process of establishing a margined transaction(s) in the relevant net margined omnibus client account at the authorised central counterparty; and

    3. (c)

      to whom any client equity balance or other client money is required to be segregated for the client by the firm in respect of the margined transactions under (2)(b) from that sub-pool.

CASS 7.19.7 R RP
  1. (1)

    For each sub-pool that the firm establishes, it must maintain a record of:

    1. (a)

      the name of the sub-pool;

    2. (b)

      the particular net margined omnibus client account at an authorised central counterparty to which the sub-pool relates;

    3. (c)

      each client bank account and each client transaction account (other than the net margined omnibus client account) maintained for the sub-pool, including the unique identifying reference or descriptor under CASS 7.19.13 R (2); and

    4. (d)

      the applicable sub-pool disclosure document for the sub-pool.

CASS 7.19.8 R RP

The firm must maintain an up-to-date list of all the sub-pools it has created.

Sub-pool disclosure document

CASS 7.19.9 R RP
  1. (1)

    A firm wishing to establish a sub-pool must prepare a sub-pool disclosure document for each sub-pool.

  2. (2)

    The sub-pool disclosure document for each sub-pool must:

    1. (a)

      identify the sub-pool by name, as stated in its records under CASS 7.19.7 R, the net margined omnibus client account and the authorised central counterparty to which the sub-pool disclosure document relates;

    2. (b)

      contain a statement that the client consents to the firm receiving and holding the client'sclient money in the sub-pool;

    3. (c)

      contain a statement that, in the event of the failure of the firm, the firm is directed by the client to use any client money held by the firm in the sub-pool to facilitate the porting of the positions recorded in that net margined omnibus client account; and

    4. (d)

      a statement reminding the client that, in the event of the failure of the firm, if porting is not effected or if porting is effected but any money in the sub-pool is not used to facilitate porting, the client beneficiaries of the sub-pool will be entitled to a distribution of any client money held for that sub-pool in line with CASS 7A. However, the client beneficiaries will not have a claim on any other pool of client money, except to the extent that the client is a beneficiary of another pool.

CASS 7.19.10 G RP

In preparing a sub-pool disclosure document under CASS 7.19.9 R (1), a firm may use the template in CASS 7 Annex 6.

CASS 7.19.11 R RP
  1. (1)

    Before receiving or holding client money for a client for a sub-pool, a firm must:

    1. (a)

      provide to the client a copy of the sub-pool disclosure document applicable to that sub-pool; and

    2. (b)

      obtain a signed copy of that sub-pool disclosure document from the client.

  2. (2)

    A firm must provide the beneficiary of a sub-pool with a copy of its signed sub-pool disclosure document applicable to that sub-pool upon the beneficiary's request.

Segregation and operation of sub-pools

CASS 7.19.12 R RP

Where a firm establishes one or more sub-pools, CASS 7.4 (Segregation of client money) shall be read as applying separately to the firm'sgeneral pool and each sub-pool.

CASS 7.19.13 R RP
  1. (1)

    A firm must not hold client money for a sub-pool in a client bank account or a client transaction account used for holding client money for any other sub-pool or the general pool.

  2. (2)

    A firm that establishes a sub-pool must ensure that the name of each client bank account and each client transaction account (other than the net margined omnibus client account) maintained for that sub-pool includes a unique identifying reference or descriptor that enables the account to be identified with that sub-pool.

  3. (3)

    Where a client of the firm is a beneficiary of the general pool and wishes to become a beneficiary of a sub-pool, the client in question shall become a beneficiary of the relevant sub-pool when :

    1. (a)

      the firm has obtained the signed sub-pool disclosure document from that client in accordance with CASS 7.19.11 R (1); and

    2. (b)

      the firm has either:

      1. (i)

        transferred the relevant amount of client money for that client from a client bank account maintained for the general pool to a client bank account maintained for the relevant sub-pool; or

      2. (ii)

        if the firm is not making a transfer of client money from the general pool, when it has received that client's money in a client bank account maintained for the relevant sub-pool.

  4. (4)

    Where a client of the firm is a beneficiary of the general pool and wishes to become a beneficiary of a sub-pool, the firm must ensure that it does not transfer client money from a client bank account maintained for the general pool to a client bank account maintained for a sub-pool in accordance with CASS 7.19.13 R (3)(b)(i), unless the amount of client money held for the general pool is sufficient, immediately after that transfer, to satisfy the firm'sclient money obligations to the remaining beneficiaries of the general pool.

  5. (5)

    A client of the firm who is a beneficiary of a sub-pool ceases to be a beneficiary of that sub-pool when:

    1. (a)

      the firm has settled the amount owing to that client for all of the margined transactions cleared through the related net margined omnibus client account and no longer holds any client money for that client in that sub-pool, and so CASS 7.19.6 R (2)(b) and CASS 7.19.6 R (2)(c) no longer apply for that client; or

    2. (b)

      the firm has complied with (i) or (ii), and in either case (iii):

      1. (i)

        the firm has received a written instruction from the client stating that the client no longer wishes to have its positions cleared through the net margined omnibus client account or its client money held in that sub-pool, or the firm has notified the client under CASS 7.19.18 R that it is making a material change to a sub-pool; or

      2. (ii)

        the firm has closed or moved that client's positions to an account other than the net margined omnibus client account referable to that sub-pool; and

      3. (iii)

        the firm has either transferred the relevant amount of client money for that client from a client bank account maintained for the relevant sub-pool to a client bank account maintained by the firm for the general pool (or, if applicable, another sub-pool), or transferred the amount owing to that client for all of the margined transactions cleared through the related net margined omnibus client account and no longer holds any client money for that client in that sub-pool.

  6. (6)

    In relation to the transfer of client money under CASS 7.19.13 R (5)(b)(iii), a firm must ensure that it does not transfer client money from a client bank account maintained for a sub-pool, unless the amount of client money held for the sub-pool is sufficient, immediately after that transfer, to satisfy the firm'sclient money obligations to the remaining beneficiaries of that sub-pool.

CASS 7.19.14 R RP

1A firm that receives client money to be credited in part to the general pool or one sub-pool and in part to another sub-pool must:

  1. (1)

    take the necessary steps to ensure that the full sum is paid directly into a client bank account maintained for the general pool; and

  2. (2)

    promptly, and in any event no later than one business day after receipt, pay the money that is not client money for the general pool out of that client bank account and into a client bank account maintained for the appropriate sub-pool.

CASS 7.19.15 G RP
  1. (1)

    If a primary pooling event occurs before client money is transferred from a client bank account maintained for the general pool to a client bank account maintained for the appropriate sub-pool in accordance with CASS 7.19.14 R (2), the amount in question will not form part of that sub-pool, including for the purposes of CASS 7A.2.4R (1).

  2. (2)

    If a primary pooling event occurs before client money is transferred from a client bank account maintained for a sub-pool to a client bank account maintained for the general pool or another sub-pool in accordance with CASS 7.19.13 R (5), the amount in question will not form part of the general pool or that other sub-pool, including for the purposes of CASS 7A.2.4R (1), but will remain part of the original sub-pool.

CASS 7.19.16 R RP

A client for whom a firm receives or holds client money for a sub-pool has no claim to or interest in client money received or held for the general pool or any other sub-pool unless:

  1. (1)

    that client is a beneficiary of that other sub-pool; or

  2. (2)

    the firm receives or holds client money for that client for other business which does not relate to any sub-pool (and thus the client is a beneficiary of the firm'sgeneral pool).

CASS 7.19.17 R RP

A client for whom a firm receives or holds client money in more than one pool as described in CASS 7.19.16 R (1) and/or CASS 7.19.16 R (2) has an interest in a distribution from each such pool, and each interest is separate and distinct.

Material changes to sub-pools

CASS 7.19.18 R RP

Before making a material change to a sub-pool, a firm must:

  1. (1)

    notify the then current beneficiaries of that sub-pool in writing, not less than two months before the date on which the firm intends the change to take effect; and

  2. (2)

    include in the notification an explanation of the consequences for the beneficiaries of the proposed change and the options available to them, such as the option of a beneficiary of the affected sub-pool to cease to be a beneficiary of that sub-pool and to become a beneficiary of the firm'sgeneral pool or, if applicable, another sub-pool.

CASS 7.19.19 G RP

A firm should keep in mind its obligations under CASS 7.19.11 R (1)(b) (before receiving or holding client money for a client in a sub-pool, a firm must obtain a signed copy of the sub-pool disclosure document from the client) when making a material change to a sub-pool. A firm is also reminded of the conditions under CASS 7.19.13 R (5)(b) (when a client of the firm who is a beneficiary of a sub-pool ceases to be a beneficiary of that sub-pool) if a material change proposed to a sub-pool results in a client ceasing to be a beneficiary of that sub-pool.

CASS 7.19.20 G RP

The FCA would normally consider the dissolution of a sub-pool, such that the firm no longer operates the sub-pool or no longer uses the relevant net margined omnibus client account or transfers the business to another authorised central counterparty, to be examples of material changes to a sub-pool.

CASS 7.19.21 R RP

Before materially changing a sub-pool, a firm must provide a copy of the notice provided to clients under CASS 7.19.18 R R to the FCA not less than two months before the date on which the firm intends the change to take place.

Notifications

CASS 7.19.22 R RP

A firm that wishes to establish a sub-pool of client money must notify the FCA in writing not less than two months before the date on which the firm intends to receive or hold client money for that sub-pool.

CASS 7.19.23 R RP

Upon request, a firm must deliver to the FCA a copy of the sub-pool disclosure document for any sub-pool established by the firm.

CASS 7.19.24 R RP

A firm must inform the FCA in writing, without delay, if it has not complied, or is unable to comply with the requirements in CASS 7.19.11 R or the requirements in CASS 7.19.18 R.

Record-keeping

CASS 7.19.25 R RP

The records maintained under this section, including the sub-pool disclosure documents, are a record of the firm that must be kept in a durable medium for at least five years following the date on which client money was last held by the firm for a sub-pool to which those records or the sub-pool disclosure document applied.

CASS 7 Annex 1 Annex 1

G

4As explained in CASS 7.6.6 G, in complying with its obligations under CASS 7.6.2 R (Records and accounts), and where relevant 2SYSC 4.1.1 R (General organisational requirements) and SYSC 6.1.1 R (Compliance), a firm should carry out internal reconciliations of records and accounts of client money the firm holds in client bank accounts and client transaction accounts. This Annex sets out a method of reconciliation that the FCA believes is appropriate for these purposes (the standard method of internal client money reconciliation).

  1. 1. Each business day, a firm that adopts the normal approach (see CASS 7.4.17 G) should check whether its client money resource, being the aggregate balance on the firm'sclient bank accounts, as at the close of business on the previous business day, was at least equal to the client money requirement, as defined in paragraph 6 below, as at the close of business on that day.

  2. 2. Each business day, a firm that adopts the alternative approach (see CASS 7.4.18 G) should ensure that its client money resource, being the aggregate balance on the firm'sclient bank accounts, as at the close of business on that business day is at least equal to the client money requirement, as defined in paragraph 6 below, as at the close of business on the previous business day.

  3. 3. No excess or shortfall should arise when adopting the alternative approach.

  4. 4. If a firm is operating the alternative approach and draws a cheque on its own bank account, it will be expected to account for those cheques that have not yet cleared when performing its reconciliations of records and accounts under paragraph 2. An historic average estimate of uncleared cheques may be used to satisfy this obligation (see CASS 7.4.19 G (3)).

  5. 5. For the purposes of performing its reconciliations of records and accounts under paragraphs 1 or 2, a firm should use the values contained in its accounting records, for example its cash book, rather than values contained in statements received from its banks and other third parties.

Client money requirement

  1. 6. The client money requirement is either(1) or (2), except that for a firm whose designated investment business includes operating an electronic system in relation to lending it is only (2):3

    1. (1) (subject to paragraph 18) the sum of, for all clients:

      1. (a) the individual client balances calculated in accordance with paragraph 7, excluding:

        1. (i) individual client balances which are negative (that is, debtors); and

        2. (ii) clients' equity balances; and

      2. (b) the total margined transaction requirement calculated in accordance with paragraph 14;

        4
    2. (2) the sum of:

      1. (a) for each client bank account:

        1. (i) the amount which the firm's records show as held on that account; and

        2. (ii) an amount that offsets each negative net amount which the firm's records show attributed to that account for an individual client; and

    3. (b) the total margined transaction requirement calculated in accordance with paragraph 14.

General transactions

7. The individual client balance for each client should be calculated in accordance with this table:

    Individual client balance calculation

    Free money (no trades) and

    A

    sale proceeds due to the client:

    (a)

    in respect of principal deals when the client has delivered the designated investments; and

    B

    (b)

    in respect of agency deals, when either:

    (i)

    the sale proceeds have been received by the firm and the client has delivered the designated investments; or

    C1

    (ii)

    the firm holds the designated investments for the client; and

    C2

    the cost of purchases:

    (c)

    in respect of principal deals, paid for by the client but the firm has not delivered the designated investments to the client; and

    D

    (d)

    in respect of agency deals, paid for by the client when either:

    (i)

    the firm has not remitted the money to, or to the order of, the counterparty; or

    E1

    (ii)

    the designated investments have been received by the firm but have not been delivered to the client;

    E2

    Less

    money owed by the client in respect of unpaid purchases by or for the client if delivery of those designated investments has been made to the client; and

    F

    Proceeds remitted to the client in respect of sales transactions by or for the client if the client has not delivered the designated investments.

    G

    Individual Client Balance 'X' = (A+B+C1+C2+D+E1+E2)-F-G

    X

  1. 8. A firm should calculate the individual client balance using the contract value of any client purchases or sales.

  2. 9. A firm may choose to segregate designated investments instead of the value identified in paragraph 7 (except E1) if it ensures that the designated investments are held in such a manner that the firm cannot use them for its own purposes.

  3. 10. Segregation in the context of paragraph 9 can take many forms, including the holding of a safe custody investment in a nominee name and the safekeeping of certificates evidencing title in a fire resistant safe. It is not the intention that all the custody rules in the custody chapter2 should be applied to designated investments held in the course of settlement.

    2
  4. 11. In determining the client money requirement under paragraph 6, a firm need not include money held in accordance with CASS 7.2.8 R (Delivery versus payment transaction).

  5. 12. In determining the client money requirement under paragraph 6, a firm:

    1. (1) should include dividends received and interest earned and allocated;

    2. (2) may deduct outstanding fees, calls, rights and interest charges and other amounts owed by the client which are due and payable to the firm (see CASS 7.2.9 R);

    3. (3) need not include client money in the form of client entitlements which are not required to be segregated (see CASS 7.4.27 G) nor include client money forwarded to the firm by its appointed representatives, tied agents, 1field representatives and other agents, but not received (see CASS 7.4.24 G);

    4. (4) should take into account any client money arising from CASS 7.6.13 R (Reconciliation discrepancies); and

    5. (5) should include any unallocated client money.

Equity balance

  1. 13. A firm's equity balance, whether with an exchange, intermediate broker or OTC counterparty, is the amount which the firm would be liable to pay to the exchange, intermediate broker or OTC counterparty (or vice-versa) in respect of the firm'smargined transactions if each of the open positions of the firm'sclients was liquidated at the closing or settlement prices published by the relevant exchange or other appropriate pricing source and the firm's account with the exchange, intermediate broker or OTC counterparty is closed.

Margined transaction requirement

  1. 14. The total margined transaction requirement is:

    1. (1) the sum of each of the client's equity balances which are positive;

    Less

    1. (2) the proportion of any individual negative client equity balance which is secured by approved collateral; and

    2. (3) the net aggregate of the firm's equity balance (negative balances being deducted from positive balances) on transaction accounts for customers with exchanges, clearing houses, intermediate brokers and OTC counterparties.

  2. 15. To meet a shortfall that has arisen in respect of the requirement in paragraph 6(1)(b) or 6(2)(b), a firm may utilise its own approved collateral provided it is held on terms specifying when it is to be realised for the benefit of clients, it is clearly identifiable from the firm's own property and the relevant terms are evidenced in writing by the firm. In addition, the proceeds of the sale of that collateral should be paid into a client bank account.

  3. 16. If a firm's total margined transaction requirement is negative, the firm should treat it as zero for the purposes of calculating its client money requirement.

  4. 17. The terms 'client equity balance' and 'firm's equity balance' in paragraph 13 refer to cash values and do not include non-cash collateral or other designated investments held in respect of a margined transaction.

  5. 17A. A firm with a Part 30 exemption order which also operates an LME bond arrangement for the benefit of US-resident investors, should exclude the client equity balances for transactions undertaken on the London Metal Exchange on behalf of those US-resident investors from the calculation of the margined transaction requirement.1

Reduced client money requirement option

  1. 18.

    1. (1) When, in respect of a client, there is a positive individual client balance and a negative client equity balance, a firm may offset the credit against the debit and hence have a reduced individual client balance in paragraph 7 for that client.

    2. (2) When, in respect of a client, there is a negative individual client balance and a positive client equity balance, a firm may offset the credit against the debit and hence have a reduced client equity balance in paragraph 14 for that client.

  2. 19. The effect of paragraph 18 is to allow a firm to offset, on a client by client basis, a negative amount with a positive amount arising out of the calculations in paragraphs 7 and 14, and, by so doing, reduce the amount the firm is required to segregate.

CASS 7 Annex 6 Sub-pool disclosure document

G

[letterhead of firm, including full name and address of firm, firm reference number]

[addressee - client participating in specified sub-pool]

[date]

Sub-pool disclosure document (under the rules of the Financial Conduct Authority)

  1. 1. The sub-pool to which this sub-pool disclosure document relates is designated in the firm's records as:

    1. [insert name of sub-pool in firm's records]

    2. (for the purposes of this document, the "sub-pool")

  2. 2. The net margined omnibus client account relating to the sub-pool is held at [insert name of authorised CCP] and is designated as:

    1. [insert the account title, the account unique identifier and (if applicable) any abbreviated name of the account as reflected in the authorised CCP's systems]

    2. (for the purposes of this document, the "omnibus client account").

  3. 3. The purpose of this letter is to:

    1. (a) provide you with information relating to the sub-pool [operated or to be operated] by [insert name of CASS firm] in relation to the omnibus client account held by the firm at [insert name of authorised CCP];

    2. (b) obtain your consent to holding your money in the sub-pool; and

    3. (c) confirm your direction that upon the failure of [insert name of CASS firm], we are to use any client money held by the firm in the sub-pool to facilitate porting.

  4. 4. [name of CASS firm] will hold any client money that we receive from you in relation to the cleared transactions that we maintain for you in the omnibus client account in client bank accounts that we open in relation to the sub-pool, or we will allow the CCP to hold this client money in the omnibus client account.

  5. 5. In the event of the failure of the [insert name of CASS firm], you hereby direct the [insert name of CASS firm] to use any client money held by the [insert name of CASS firm] in the sub-pool to facilitate the porting of the positions recorded in the omnibus client account.

  6. 6. In the event of the failure of [insert name of CASS firm], if porting is not effected, or if porting is effected but any money in the sub-pool is not used to facilitate porting, you and the other beneficiaries of the sub-pool will be entitled to a distribution from any client money held in respect of this sub-pool, in accordance with the client money distribution rules in CASS 7A. Save to the extent that [insert name of CASS firm] holds any other client money for you in the context of any other business or sub-pool, you will not be entitled to a distribution of any other client money held by [insert name of CASS firm].

  7. 7. You hereby consent to the firm receiving and holding your money as client money as part of [sub-pool specified above or specify name of sub-pool]. Until you sign and return this letter the firm will not hold money for you in the sub-pool and you will not be a beneficiary of the sub-pool.

  8. 8. This letter shall be governed by the laws of [England and Wales/Scotland/Northern Ireland /insert appropriate jurisdiction].

If you are in agreement with the foregoing terms, please sign and return the enclosed copy of this letter as soon as possible. You should retain a copy of this letter for your records.

[insert name of CASS firm]

x___________________________

Authorised Signatory

Print Name:

Title:

ACKNOWLEDGED AND AGREED:

[insert name of client]

x___________________________

Authorised Signatory

Print Name:

Title:

Contact Information: [insert signatory's phone number and email address]

Date: