SUP 6.1 Application and purpose

This chapter applies to every firm with a Part IV permission which wishes to:

1. (1)

   vary its Part IV permission; or

2. (2)

   cancel its Part IV permission and end its authorisation.

If appropriate, a firm which is the manager of a collective investment scheme should also refer to COLL 7 and CIS 14 for guidance on the termination of ICVCs and AUTs and on winding up schemesthat are not commercially viable.1

This chapter applies to an incoming firm or a UCITS qualifier only in respect of a top-up permission. An incoming firm or a UCITS qualifier should refer to SUP 14 (Variation of passport rights by incoming EEA firms and ending authorisation) for the procedures for changes to permission granted under Schedules 3, 4 or 5 of the Act.

This chapter explains:

1. (1)

   how a firm with Part IV permission can apply to the FSA to vary that permission;

2. (2)

   how a firm which has ceased to carry on any of the regulated activities for which it has Part IV permission, or which expects to do so in the short term (normally less than six months), should apply to the FSA to cancel that permission completely;

3. (3)

   the additional procedures that apply to a firm carrying on regulated activities which create long term obligations to customers (for example, effecting contracts of insurance, carrying out contracts of insurance or accepting deposits) that needs to wind down (run off) its business over a long term period (normally more than six months) and the applications it should make with a view to ultimately cancelling its permission; and

4. (4)

   how the FSA assesses those applications.

This chapter also outlines the FSA's powers to withdraw authorisation from a firm whose Part IV permission has been cancelled at the firm's request. It does not, however, cover the FSA's use of its own-initiative powers to vary or cancel a firm's Part IV permission (see SUP 7 (Individual requirements) and EG 8 (Variation and cancellation of permission on the FSA's own initiative and intervention against incoming firms)).2