SUP 15.3 General notification requirements

The circumstances which may give rise to any of the events in SUP 15.3.1 R are wide-ranging and the probability of any matter resulting in such an outcome, and the severity of the outcome, may be difficult to determine. However, the FSA expects firms to consider properly all potential consequences of events.

In determining whether an event that may occur in the foreseeable future should be notified to the FSA, a firm should consider both the probability of the event happening and the severity of the outcome should it happen.

Guidance on satisfaction of the threshold conditions is given in COND.

A firm making a notification in accordance with SUP 15.3.1 R should consider the guidance in SUP 15.7.2 G and notify the FSA by telephone if appropriate.

An insurer or friendly society making a notification under SUP 15.3.1 R (1) relating to satisfaction of threshold condition 4 (Adequate resources) should be aware of the requirements in SUP App 2 (Scheme of operations).

Principle 11 requires a firm to deal with its regulators in an open and cooperative way and to disclose to the FSAappropriately anything relating to the firm of which the FSA would reasonably expect notice. Principle 11 applies to unregulated activities as well as regulated activities and takes into account the activities of other members of a group

Compliance with Principle 11 includes, but is not limited to, giving the FSA notice of:

1. (1)

   any proposed restructuring, reorganisation or business expansion which could have a significant impact on the firm's risk profile or resources, including, but not limited to:

   1. (a)

      setting up a new undertaking within a firm's group, or a new branch (whether in the United Kingdom or overseas); or

   2. (b)

      commencing the provision of cross border services into a new territory; or

   3. (c)

      commencing the provision of a new type of product or service (whether in the United Kingdom or overseas); or

   4. (d)

      ceasing to undertake a regulated activity or ancillary activity, or significantly reducing the scope of such activities; or

   5. (e)

      entering into, or significantly changing, a material outsourcing arrangement (a bank 1,7 a building society and a dormant account fund operator 7should also see 1 SYSC 3.2.4 G and4 S+YSC 83, and an insurer should also see SYSC 13.94 for further details); or

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   6. (f)

      a substantial change or a series of changes in the governing body of an overseas firm (other than an incoming firm); or

   7. (g)

      any change to the firm's prudential category or sub-category, as used in the Interim Prudential sourcebooks and SUP and on which guidance is given in SUP App 1; or2

   8. (h)

      any proposed change which limits the liability of any of the members or partners of a firm such as a general partner becoming a limited partner or re-registration as a limited liability company of a company incorporated with unlimited liability;2or7

   9. (i)

      in relation to a dormant account fund operator, notify the FSA when the operator intends to rely on a third party for the performance of operational functions which are critical or important for the performance of relevant services and activities in connection with operating a dormant account fund on a continuous and satisfactory basis;7

2. (2)

   any significant failure in the firm's systems or controls, including

   those reported to the firm by the firm's auditor;

3. (3)

   any action which a firm proposes to take which would result in a material change in its capital adequacy or solvency, including, but not limited to:

   1. (a)

      any action which would result in a material change in the firm's financial resources or financial resources requirement; or

   2. (b)

      a material change resulting from the payment of a special or unusual dividend or the repayment of share capital or a subordinated loan; or

   3. (c)

      for firms which are subject to the rules on consolidated financial supervision, any proposal under which another group company may be considering such an action; or

   4. (d)

      significant trading or non-trading losses (whether recognised or unrecognised).

The period of notice given to the FSA will depend on the event, although the FSA expects a firm to discuss relevant matters with it at an early stage, before making any internal or external commitments.

A notification under Principle 11 may be given orally or in writing (as set out in SUP 15.7.1 R and SUP 15.7.2 G), although the FSA may request written confirmation of a matter. However, it is the responsibility of a firm to ensure that matters are properly and clearly communicated to the FSA. A firm should provide a written notification if a matter either is complex or may be such as to make it necessary for the FSA to take action. A firm should also have regard to Principle 11 and the guidance in SUP 15.7.2 G in respect of providing important information promptly.

6SUP 15.3.11 R (1)(e) relates to the standard requirement in the permission of those firms which fall outside MiFID because of the Treasury's implementation of Article 3 of MiFID. Guidance on how the Treasury has exercised the Article 3 exemption for the United Kingdom is given in Q48 and the following questions and answers in PERG 13.5 (Exemptions from MiFID).

In SUP 15.3.11 R(1)(a), significance should be determined having regard to potential financial losses to customers or to the firm, frequency of the breach, implications for the firm's systems and controls and if there were delays in identifying or rectifying the breach.

In assessing whether an event that may occur in the foreseeable future should be notified to the FSA, a firm should consider the guidance in SUP 15.3.3 G.

A notification under SUP 15.3.11 R should include:

1. (1)

   information about any circumstances relevant to the breach or offence;

2. (2)

   identification of the rule or requirement or offence; and

3. (3)

   information about any steps which a firm or other person has taken or intends to take to rectify or remedy the breach or prevent any future potential occurrence.

A notification under SUP 15.3.15 R should include details of the matter and an estimate of the likely financial consequences, if any.

In determining whether a matter is significant, a firm should have regard to:

1. (1)

   the size of any monetary loss or potential monetary loss to itself or its customers (either in terms of a single incident or group of similar or related incidents);

2. (2)

   the risk of reputational loss to the firm; and

3. (3)

   whether the incident or a pattern of incidents reflects weaknesses in the firm's internal controls.

The notifications under SUP 15.3.17 R are required as the FSA needs to be aware of the types of fraudulent and irregular activity which are being attempted or undertaken, and to act, if necessary, to prevent effects on consumers or other firms. A notification under SUP 15.7.3 G should provide all relevant and significant details of the incident or suspected incident of which the firm is aware.

In addition, the firm may have suffered significant financial losses as a result of the incident, or may suffer reputational loss, and the FSA will wish to consider this and whether the incident suggests weaknesses in the firm's internal controls.