SUP 10A.13 Application for approval and withdrawing an application for approval

When to apply for approval

SUP 10A.13.1GRP

In accordance with section 59 of the Act (Approval for particular arrangements), where a candidate will be performing one or more FCA controlled functions, a firm must take reasonable care to ensure that the candidate does not perform these functions unless he has prior approval from the FCA.

Failure to apply for approval

SUP 10A.13.2GRP

If a person performs an FCA controlled function without approval it is not only the firm that is accountable. Under section 63A of the Act (Power to impose penalties), if the FCA is satisfied that:

  1. (1)

    a person (“P”) has at any time performed an FCA controlled function without approval; and

  2. (2)

    at that time P knew, or could reasonably be expected to have known, that P was performing an FCA controlled function without approval;

it may impose a penalty on P of such amount as it considers appropriate.

How to apply for approval

SUP 10A.13.3DRP

An application by a firm for the FCA's approval under section 59 of the Act (Approval for particular arrangements) must be made by completing Form A (except where SUP 10A.14.4 D requires a Form E).

SUP 10A.13.3AD

3If a firm must make an application using Form A, it must use Form A (shortened form) if:

  1. (1)

    the candidate:

    1. (a)

      has current approved person approval to perform:

      1. (i)

        an FCA controlled function that is a significant-influence function5; or

      2. (ii)

        an FCA-designated senior management function; or

      3. (iii)

        a PRA controlled function; or

    2. (b)

      has had current approved person approval of the type described in (a) within the previous six months; and

  2. (2)

    there have been no matters arising in relation to the fitness and propriety of the person to whom the application relates which mean that the information provided to the FCA or the PRA regarding fitness and propriety in connection with the current approved person approval in (1)(a) or (b) may have changed since the application for that current approved person approval was made.

SUP 10A.13.3BD

[deleted]4

3
SUP 10A.13.4G

SUP 10A.16.1 D explains how applications should be submitted.

SUP 10A.13.4AG

[deleted]4

2

Who should make the application?

SUP 10A.13.5GRP
  1. (1)

    In accordance with section 60 of the Act (Applications for approval), applications must be submitted by, or on behalf of, the firm itself, not by:

    1. (a)

      the FCA candidate; or

    2. (b)

      the appointed representative5.

  2. (2)

    [deleted]5

    3
SUP 10A.13.6GRP

Outsourcing arrangements [deleted]5

SUP 10A.13.7GRP

Where the notification of an appointed representative (SUP 12.7.1 R) is linked to an application for approval (SUP 10A.13 (Applications for approval and withdrawing an application for approval)), any delay in receiving the notification under SUP 12.7.1 R may delay the FCA's approval of the individuals employed by that appointed representative who will be performing FCA controlled functions for the firm.

Processing an application

SUP 10A.13.8GRP

The Act sets out the time that the FCA has to consider an application and come to a decision.

SUP 10A.13.9GRP

In any case where the application for approval is made by a person applying for permission under Part 4A of the Act, the FCA has until the end of whichever of the following periods ends last:

  1. (1)

    the period within which an application for that permission must be determined; and

  2. (2)

    the period of three months from the time it receives a properly completed application.

SUP 10A.13.10GRP

In any other case it is the period of three months from the time it receives a properly completed application.

SUP 10A.13.11GRP

The FCA must either grant the application or, if it proposes not to grant an application, issue a warning notice (see DEPP 2). The FCA will deal with cases more quickly than this whenever circumstances allow and will try to meet the standard response times published on the website and in its Annual Report. However, if an application is incomplete when received, or the FCA has knowledge that, or reason to believe that, the information is incomplete, then the processing time will be longer than the published standard response times.

SUP 10A.13.12GRP

Application forms must always be completed fully and honestly. Further notes on how to complete the form are contained in each form. If forms are not completed fully and honestly, applications will be subject to investigation and the FCA candidate's suitability to be approved to undertake an FCA controlled function will be called into question. A person who provides information to the FCA that is false or misleading may commit a criminal offence, and could face prosecution under section 398 of the Act regardless of the status of their application.

SUP 10A.13.13GRP

If there is a delay in processing the application within the standard response time, the FCA will tell the firm making the application as soon as this becomes apparent.

SUP 10A.13.14GRP

Before making a decision to grant the application or give a warning notice, the FCA may ask the firm for more information about the FCA candidate. If it does this, the three-month period in which the FCA must determine a completed application:

  1. (1)

    will stop on the day the FCA requests the information; and

  2. (2)

    will start running again on the day on which the FCA finally receives all the requested information.

SUP 10A.13.15GRP

The FCA may grant an application only if it is satisfied that the FCA candidate is a fit and proper person to perform the FCA controlled function stated in the application form. Responsibility lies with the firm making the application to satisfy the FCA that the FCA candidate is fit and proper to perform the FCA controlled function applied for.

SUP 10A.13.16GRP

For further guidance on criteria for assessing whether a FCA candidate is fit and proper, see FIT.

Decisions on applications

SUP 10A.13.17GRP

Whenever it grants an application, the FCA will confirm this in writing to all interested parties.

SUP 10A.13.18GRP

If the FCA proposes to refuse an application in relation to one or more FCA controlled functions, it must follow the procedures for issuing warning and decision notices to all interested parties. The requirements relating to warning and decision notices are in DEPP 2.

Withdrawing an application for approval

SUP 10A.13.19RRP

A firm notifying the FCA of its withdrawal of 1an application for approval must notify the FCA using Form B (SUP 10C Annex 4R)3.

SUP 10A.13.20GRP

Under section 61(5) of the Act (Determination of applications), the firm may withdraw an application only if it also has the consent of the candidate and the person by whom the candidate is or would have been employed, if this is not the firm making the application.