Related provisions for MCOB 7.6.3
1 - 20 of 75 items.
An illustration provided to a customer must:(1) contain the material set out in MCOB 9 Annex 1 in the order and using the numbered section headings, sub-headings and prescribed text in MCOB 9 Annex 1, except where provided for in MCOB 9.4;(2) follow the format of the template in MCOB 9 Annex 1, with:(a) prominent use of the 'key facts' logo followed by the text 'about this lifetime mortgage' (if a firm resizes the logo it must ensure that the proportions remain consistent with
(1) Firms can obtain from the FSA website http://www.fsa.gov.uk a specimen of the "key facts" logo. When reproducing the logo firms may use colour providing this does not diminish the prominence of the logo.(2) MCOB 9.4.2 R(3) does not prevent the use of different fonts and typefaces for headings and risk warnings. Its purpose is to prevent particular sections of the illustration from being made less prominent than other sections through the inconsistent use of font sizes and
A firm must include in the illustration all prescribed section headings in MCOB 9 Annex 1, except that:(1) in Section 8 (What you owe and when):(a) Section 8 (A) (details of mortgage payments) is only required where the customer is required to make payments to the mortgage lender in respect of the capital or all or part of the interest charged on the regulated lifetime mortgage contract;(b) Section 8(B) (projection of roll-up of interest) is only required where all or part of
MCOB 9.4.6 R sets out minimum requirements. The illustration may be personalised to a greater degree if the mortgage lender or mortgage intermediary wishes, subject to the restrictions on the information that can be obtained from the customer in MCOB 9.3.12 R when the illustration is provided in accordance with MCOB 5.5.1 R(2)(c).
(1) In estimating a term under MCOB 9.4.6 R(5) a firm must:(a) use the following mortality table: PMA92(C=2010) and PFA92(C=2010) for males and females respectively, derivable from the Continuous Mortality Investigation Report 17, published by the Institute of Actuaries and the Faculty of Actuaries in 1999; and2(b) for the purposes of the illustration, where the table does not result in a life expectancy expressed in whole years, the term should be rounded up to the next whole
If the customer requests an illustration showing a term of the customer's choice, that illustration must be issued in addition to the illustration showing the term calculated in accordance with MCOB 9.4.10 R. The term chosen should be stated in Section 4 of the illustration "What you have told us" (see MCOB 9.4.21 R(2)).
The amount referred to in MCOB 9.4.6 R(2) is:(1) the amount that the customer has asked to borrow or draw down; or(2) where the regulated lifetime mortgage contract is a revolving credit agreement such as a secured overdraft or mortgage credit card, the total borrowing that the firm is willing to provide under the regulated lifetime mortgage contract; or(3) in cases where, on the basis of the information obtained from the customer before providing the illustration, it is clear
MCOB 9.4.13 R(3) does not require information to be obtained from the customer before providing an illustration in order to ascertain the amount the customer is eligible to borrow. Instead, its purpose is to avoid a firm being in a position where it would otherwise have to provide a customer with an illustration for an amount it knew the customer would not be eligible for, based on whatever information it had obtained from the customer before providing the illustration.
Where the illustration relates to a regulated lifetime mortgage contract that is sub-divided into different parts with different types of interest rate or different rates of interest or different conditions, or a combination of these, the requirements in MCOB 9.4 may be adapted to accommodate this. The adaptations made must be limited to those that are necessary.
The following information must be included at the head of the illustration: (1) the customer's name;(2) the date of issue of the illustration;(3) details of how long the illustration is valid for, and whether there is any date by which the regulated lifetime mortgage contract covered by the illustration needs to commence (for example, where a fixed interest rate is only available if the regulated lifetime mortgage contract commences before a certain date); and(4) the prescribed
(1) Unless (2) applies, under the section heading "Which service are we providing you with?" the prescribed text in MCOB 9 Annex 1 under this heading must be included with a "check box" for each statement, one of which must be marked prominently to indicate the level of service provided to the customer:(2) If the level of service described in the illustration is provided by another firm, (1) may be replaced by the following:Under the section heading "Which service are we providing
(1) Under the section heading "What you have told us", the illustration must state the information that has been obtained from the customer under MCOB 9.4.6 R and MCOB 9.3.12 R (apart from MCOB 9.4.6 R(1) and MCOB 9.4.6 R(5) which are provided for in Section 5 of the illustration ), and can include brief details of any other information that has been obtained from the customer and used to produce the illustration.(2) Where the customer requests an additional illustration showing
At the end of Section 4 of the illustration a statement must be included making clear that changes to any of the information obtained from the customer, and where appropriate to the valuation of the property, could alter the details elsewhere in the illustration and encouraging the customer to ask for a revised illustration in this event.
Under the section heading "Description of this mortgage" the illustration must:(1) state the name of the mortgage lender providing the regulated lifetime mortgage contract to which the illustration relates (a trading name used by the mortgage lender may also be stated in accordance with MCOB 9.4.2 R(6)), and the name, if any, used to market the regulated lifetime mortgage contract;(2) include a statement describing the regulated lifetime mortgage contract;(3) if the regulated
Examples of types of statement that would satisfy MCOB 9.4.24 R(2) are as follows (more than one may apply to particular types of regulated lifetime mortgage contract):(1) For a roll-up of interest mortgage:"You do not have to make any repayments during the life of this lifetime mortgage. The loan, all of the interest and charges due to [name of mortgage lender] will be repaid from the sale of your home. This will happen on your death [or the death of the last borrower] or if
MCOB 9.4.27 R sets out some examples of descriptions of interest rate types and rates of interest that must be used in the illustration to comply with MCOB 9.4.24 R(4). If an interest rate is not described in MCOB 9.4.27 R, it must be presented in the illustration in a way that is consistent with the descriptions in MCOB 9.4.27 R.
Description of interest rate types and rates of interest. This table belongs to MCOB 9.4.26R:
Description of the interest rate |
Amount payable in each instalment (if applicable) |
Lender's base mortgage rate - must be described as the [Lender]'s standard variable rate, currently X%, [where applicable insert the date at which the interest rate ends or period for which the interest rate applies]. |
Amount based on X%. |
Fixed rate - must be described as fixed rate of X% [where applicable insert the date at which the interest rate ends or the period for which the interest rate applies]. |
Amount based on the fixed rate of X%. |
Discounted rate - must be described as a variable rate, currently X%, with a discount of Y% [where applicable insert the date at which the discount ends or the period for which the discount applies], giving a current rate payable of Z%. |
Amount based on Z%. |
Capped rate - must be described as a variable rate, currently X%, which will not go above a ceiling of Y% [where applicable insert the date at which the capped interest rate ends or the period for which the capped interest rate applies]. |
Amount based on the current interest rate payable (X%). |
Capped and collared - must be described as a variable rate, currently X%, which will not go below a floor of Y% or above a ceiling of Z% [where applicable insert the date at which the capped and collared interest rate ends or the period for which the capped and collared interest rate applies]. |
Amount based on the current interest rate payable (X%). |
Tracker rate - must be described as a variable rate which is [X% above/X% below/the same as] [insert interest rate tracked, currently Z%], [where applicable insert the date at which the interest rate ends or the period for which the interest rate applies], to give a current rate payable of Y%. Details should also be provided of how soon after an interest rate change the mortgage interest rate is adjusted. |
Amount based on Y%. |
Deferred rate - must be described as a variable rate, currently X%, where Y% is not paid now but is added to your mortgage [where applicable insert the date at which the deferred interest rate ends or the period for which the deferred interest rate applies], to give a current rate payable of Z%. |
Amount based on Z%. |
Stepped rate where different interest rates apply over different time periods (for example, fixed interest rate in year 1 changes in year 2). Each element should be dealt with individually as above. |
Amount for each of the 'steps'. |
Combinations of the above must be treated in the same way as the descriptions above, (for example, if a discounted interest rate has a 'floor' then it must be described as such). |
Follow the above treatment depending on the combination. |
Where the loan under the regulated lifetime mortgage contract is divided into more than one part (for example where part of the loan is a fixed interest rate and part of the loan is a discounted variable interest rate) and the firm displays this in a tabular format in the illustration:(1) the following text must be used to introduce the table "As this lifetime mortgage is made up of more than one part, these parts are summarised below:";(2) each part must be numbered for ease
Under the section heading "Benefits", the illustration must include:(1) a description of the monetary amount(s), and in a box aligned to the right of the document, the monetary amount(s) that the customer will receive as a lump sum and/or as a monthly [or such other frequency as is applicable] payment;(2) where the regulated lifetime mortgage contract is linked to an investment and the payments required on the regulated lifetime mortgage contract will be deducted from the income
The illustration must include under the heading "Risks - important things you must consider" statements and warnings on the following:(1) a brief statement of the specific circumstances in which the mortgage lender is able to repossess the property;(2) a statement of how the mortgage lender will treat any negative equity arising during the life of the regulated lifetime mortgage contract and at the time the amount borrowed under the regulated lifetime mortgage contract is due
Under the heading "Risks - important things you must consider" the illustration must also include the following if they apply:(1) for drawdown mortgages where there is a monthly (or such other frequency as may apply) cash sum payable, a statement that inflation can erode the value of the cash sum over time; (2) where:(a) the regulated lifetime mortgage contract is linked to an investment; and(b) the payments required on the regulated lifetime mortgage contract will be deducted
The heading of the column on the right-hand side of Section 8 of the illustration must state the frequency with which payments must be made by the customer. (For example, if payments are to be made on a monthly basis, the heading for this section must be "What you will owe and when" and the column must be headed "Monthly payments".1
Section 8 of the illustration must contain the following information:(1) the loan amount on which the illustration is based. This figure should include all fees, charges and insurance premiums that have been added to the loan in accordance with MCOB 9.4.21 R(3) and MCOB 9.4.21 R(4), and the following text must follow the loan amount:"which include[s] the [fees] [and] [insurance premiums] that are shown in [Section 11] [and] [Section 12] as being added to your lifetime mortgage.";(2)
MCOB 9.4.39 R(3) applies to each interest rate charged on the regulated lifetime mortgage contract covered by the illustration. This means that it applies to different interest rates charged at different times, for example, where the interest rate changes at the end of any initial discounted, fixed or other special interest rate period.
The following information must be included in the description of the interest rate required by MCOB 9.4.39 R(3)(c) except where MCOB 9.4.47 R applies:(1) where the interest rate can change, the word "currently" must be used to illustrate the current interest rate payable; and(2) where the interest rate changes after a given period the words "followed by" should be used to indicate this.
Where the loan under the regulated lifetime mortgage contract is divided into more than one part (for example, where part of the loan is on a fixed interest rate and part on a discounted variable interest rate) and the firm displays the initial cost of all parts, and the total cost, in a tabular format in the illustration, MCOB 9.4.39 R(3) and MCOB 9.4.43 R do not apply; instead:(1) each part must be numbered for ease of reference in the illustration;(2) the loan amounts must
Unless all of the interest rates described in MCOB 9.4.47 R(4) apply for the life of the loan part to which they apply, then an additional sub section titled "What you will owe in future" must be included to indicate the future stepped payments. This section must:(1) state when a change in payment will occur;(2) state the reason for the change in payment; and(3) confirm that the payment illustrated assumes that interest rates will not change.
An explanation of the table required in accordance with MCOB 9.4.51 R must be shown in a box immediately under the heading using the following text:"This shows how the amount(s) paid to you and the interest and any fees that we charge mount up over [insert number of years estimated in accordance with MCOB 9.4.10 R or MCOB 9.4.12 R] years. It has been calculated using the current interest rate(s) of [insert interest rate(s)]. Interest is added to the amount you owe [insert frequency
The table showing the projection in the section headed "Projection of roll-up of interest" should show annual details in columns under the following headings:(1) "Year": this should list the years as 1,2,3... etc. The start date for year one must be an assumed date of completion of theregulated lifetime mortgage contract. The table must show each year of the term estimated in accordance with MCOB 9.4.10 R (or if required, MCOB 9.4.12 R).(2) "Balance at start of year": this must
Where the customer is required to make payments to the mortgage lender on theregulated lifetime mortgage contract, the illustration must include the following under the section heading "Will the interest rate change?":(1) if the interest rate is fixed throughout the life of theregulated lifetime mortgage contract, an explanation that the payments will not vary because the interest rate is fixed;(2) if the interest rate is fixed for part of the life of theregulated lifetime mortgage
(1) Except where (3) applies, where the customer is required to make payments to the mortgage lender on theregulated lifetime mortgage contract, and the customer's payments can vary with changes in interest rates at any time during the life of theregulated lifetime mortgage contract, Section 9: "Will the interest rate change?" must also contain the following text:"The [frequency of payments from MCOB 9.4.37 R] payments shown in this illustration could be considerably different
The amount by which the customer's payments would increase in accordance with MCOB 9.4.54 R(1) must be calculated as follows:(1) the firm must use the total amount borrowed, or assume that all payments due on the regulated lifetime mortgage contract have actually been paid, all additional fees and payments due have been paid, and no underpayments or overpayments have been made; and(2) the interest rate from which the increase is calculated must be the variable interest rate charged
Where the customer is required to make payments to the mortgage lender on the regulated lifetime mortgage contract in respect of the interest payable, and therefore the amount outstanding on the regulated lifetime mortgage contract will broadly remain unchanged, Section 10: "How the value of your home could change" must contain the following text:"The amount you owe will usually stay the same over the life of the mortgage so the amount due to [name of mortgage lender] when the
Under the section heading "What fees must you pay?" the illustration must:(1) itemise all the fees that are included in the calculation of the APR in accordance with MCOB 10 (Annual Percentage Rate), excluding any charges for insurance set out in Section 12 in accordance with MCOB 9.4.72 R; and1(2) include a statement at the end of the section using the following text:"You may have to pay other taxes or costs in addition to any fees shown here.".
An example of a fee that would be included in Section 11 would be an administrative charge to redeem theregulated lifetime mortgage contract. An example of a fee that would not be included would be a fee payable by the customer to insure their property elsewhere (however this would need to be stated in the separate "Insurance" section as required by MCOB 9.4.72 R). Where fees are payable only on early repayment of theregulated lifetime mortgage contract. they should not be stated
The fees included in this section in accordance with MCOB 9.4.65 R must be itemised under the relevant sub-headings as follows:(1) the fees that are payable by the customer to the mortgage lender must be itemised under the sub-heading "Fees payable to [name of mortgage lender]";(2) the remaining fees must be itemised under the sub-heading: "Other fees"; and(3) (a) if there are no fees to be itemised in accordance with (1), the sub-heading must be retained and a statement must
The following information must be provided for each fee included in this section of the illustration in accordance with MCOB 9.4.65 R(1):(1) a description of the fee;(2) the amount payable by the customer recorded in a column headed "Fee amount" on the right-hand side of this section;(3) for fees included under the sub-heading "Other fees", to whom the fee is payable;(4) when the fee is payable;(5) whether or not the fee is refundable, and if so, the extent to which it is refundable;(6)
(1) If a higher lending charge is payable by the customer, the following text must be used to describe such a charge for the purposes of MCOB 9.4.68 R:"A higher lending charge is payable because you are borrowing [insert the ratio of the mortgage amount (from MCOB 9.4.13 R) to the property's price or value (from MCOB 9.4.6 R(3))] of the property's [estimated] [price/value]."(2) If the customer has asked for any fees to be added to the loan, this must be stated alongside each fee.2(3)
The following information must be included under the sub-heading "Insurance you must take out as a condition of this mortgage but that you do not have to take out through [insert name of mortgage lender or where relevant the name of the mortgage intermediary, or both]":(1) if the regulated lifetime mortgage contract requires the customer to take out an insurance policy (other than that which is a tied product which the customer is obliged to purchase through the mortgage lender
Under the sub-heading "Insurance you must take out as a condition of this mortgage but that you do not have to take out through [insert name of mortgage lender or where relevant the name of the mortgage intermediary, or both]", the illustration should not include any insurance policy that may be taken out by a mortgage lender itself to protect its own interests rather than the customer's interests, for example, because of the ratio of the loan amount to the property value.1
If the cost of any insurance that the mortgage lender might take out to protect its own interests because of the ratio of the loan to the property value is passed on to the customer, it will be shown elsewhere in the illustration, for example as a higher lending charge or in the interest rate charged.
A firm may include in the illustration, under the sub-heading "Optional insurance", quotations (estimated where necessary) for any insurance products (other than the insurance products covered elsewhere in the illustration in accordance with MCOB 9.4.72 R and MCOB 9.4.76 R) that the firm issuing the illustration wishes to sell to the customer.
(1) If any quotations for insurance are included in the illustration in accordance with MCOB 9.4.73 R(3), MCOB 9.4.76 R(1) or MCOB 9.4.79 R, the illustration:(a) must include a brief description only of the type of insurance (full details of the insurance cover may however be provided separately); and(b) (i) must include the total price to be paid by the customer in a column on the right hand side of the illustration under the heading "[insert frequency of payments quoted] payments";
Under the heading "What happens if you do not want this mortgage any more?", the illustration must include the following information on the regulated lifetime mortgage contract:(1) under the sub-heading "Early repayment charges":(a) an explanation of whether early repayment charges are payable;(b) an explanation of when early repayment charges are payable;(c) an explanation of any other fees that are payable if the regulated lifetime mortgage contract is repaid early, and the
Where MCOB 9.4.83 R(1)(e) would result in more than three cash amounts being shown in the illustration, the cash amounts shown in the illustration may be restricted to three examples. These three examples are in addition to the maximum early repayment charge required by MCOB 9.4.83 R(1)(f). These examples must be representative of the full range of charges that apply and not be limited to the lowest charges that apply. These three examples are in addition to:(1) any statement
(1) In calculating example cash amounts in accordance with MCOB 9.4.83 R(1)(e), it must be assumed that:(a) the regulated lifetime mortgage contract is repaid in full;(b) all payments due (if applicable) on the regulated lifetime mortgage contract are actually paid;(c) additional fees and charges such as insurance premiums have been paid; and(d) no underpayments or overpayments (if applicable) have been made.(2) If:(a) cashbacks or other incentives need to be repaid; or(b) fees
Where the cash examples from MCOB 9.4.88 R included in the illustration would vary either if the interest rate charged on the regulated lifetime mortgage contract changed or with changes in interest rates generally, an appropriate warning that the early repayment charges may vary from the cash examples must be included in the illustration.
Where the early repayment charge could be higher than those stated in the illustration if the regulated lifetime mortgage contract continued after the end of the term estimated in accordance with MCOB 9.4.10 R or MCOB 9.4.12 R, Section 13 of the illustration must include a clear statement to that effect.
(1) Under the sub-heading 'Overpayments', the illustration must include details of any restrictions on lump sum and regular overpayments (if payments are required) on theregulated lifetime mortgage contract, together with a statement as to whether or not the amount on which the interest is recalculated is reduced immediately on receipt of any lump sum or regular overpayment.(2) Where such recalculation does not take place immediately (for example, if an annual rest method is used),
Under the sub-heading "Additional borrowing available without further approval", the illustration must provide details of circumstances in which additional secured lending is offered with the regulated lifetime mortgage contract that would allow the customer, subject to certain conditions, to increase the amount of the loan on which the illustration is based.
Under the sub-heading "Credit card", the illustration must:(1) state whether a credit card is offered with theregulated lifetime mortgage contract; and(2) if a credit card is offered and it is a mortgage credit card:(a) unless (b) applies, include the following text:"This card will not give you a number of the statutory rights associated with traditional credit cards. Your lifetime mortgage offer will tell you more about the differences." or(b) where the mortgage lender provides
Where any of the additional features under MCOB 9.4.99 R to MCOB 9.4.102 R inclusive apply, then the following must also be stated if the amount of additional borrowing that would be available to the customer is stated in the illustration:(1) the maximum additional amount available;(2) if the interest rate payable on any additional borrowing is different to the interest rate in Section 5 and Section 8 of the illustration, the interest rate and the APR charged on the additional
Under the sub-heading "Linked current account" the illustration must include the following information:(1) whether a linked current account is a compulsory or optional product (if the current account is a compulsory product this must also be stated in Section 5 of the illustration in accordance with MCOB 9.4.24 R(7));(2) an explanation of the interest rates that apply under different circumstances to the linked current account, if different from the interest rate charged on the
Under the sub-heading "Linked savings account" the illustration must include the following information:(1) whether a linked savings account is a compulsory or optional product (if the savings account is a compulsory product this must also be stated in Section 5 of the illustration in accordance with MCOB 9.4.24 R(7));(2) the interest rate paid on the linked savings account if it differs from the interest rate charged on theregulated lifetime mortgage contract; and(3) the firm
Under the section heading "Overall cost of this mortgage":(1) the following text must be included in the illustration:"The APR helps you to compare lifetime mortgages by giving you one rate that shows the overall cost of the mortgage. It takes into account some fees and charges as well as the interest due, and this means that the APR may be higher than the interest rate shown in Sections 5 and 8. Only use the APR to compare lifetime mortgages of the same type, and where the same
MCOB 9.4.111 R(3) would require, for example, a reference to the fact that the overall cost takes into account mortgage payment protection insurance where this is required as a condition of the regulated lifetime mortgage contract to which the illustration relates. The requirement to take out such insurance must be stated in Sections 5 and 12 of the illustration in accordance with MCOB 9.4.24 R(7), MCOB 9.4.72 R or MCOB 9.4.76 R.
The following text must be included after the text required by MCOB 9.4.111 R with the relevant cost measures shown in the right-hand column of Section 15 in accordance with the layout shown in MCOB 9 Annex 1:(1) "The total amount you would pay back over the example term of [insert number of years in accordance with MCOB 9.4.10 R or MCOB 9.4.12 R] including the amount borrowed is £ [insert total amount payable]", and(2) "The overall cost for comparison is [insert the APR]% AP
(1) The APR and the total amount payable in MCOB 9.4.113 R must be calculated on the basis of information obtained from the customer in accordance with MCOB 9.4.6 R.(2) Where there is a charge to be included in the APR and total amount payable and the precise amount of that charge is not known at the time that the illustration is provided, MCOB 10.3 (Formula for calculating the APR) sets out a number of relevant assumptions to be used. If the method for including the charge is
The purpose of the illustration is to provide the customer with details of the cost of borrowing the amount required over the example term from MCOB 9.4.6 R and MCOB 9.4.10 R (or MCOB 9.4.12 R). Section 14 has been designed specifically to allow examples of the effect of any additional features of the regulated lifetime mortgage contract such as a linked current account. Examples of these features should therefore be shown in Section 14 and not in Section 15 or Section 8 of the
Where the illustration is issued to a customer by, or on behalf of, a mortgage intermediary, Section 16 "Using a mortgage intermediary" must be included in the illustration and must include the following:(1) unless MCOB 9.4.120 R applies, a clear statement of the amount payable (either directly or indirectly) by the mortgage lender to the mortgage intermediary, or to any third parties; and(2) the name of the mortgage lender who will make the payment, the name of the mortgage intermediary
MCOB 2.3.7 R requires any material inducements provided by a mortgage lender, whether directly or indirectly, to a mortgage intermediary or third party (unless the payment only reflects the cost of outsourcing work relating to the processing of mortgage applications by a firm unconnected to the mortgage intermediary) to be quantified in cash terms, which will enable the cash values to be included in the illustration in accordance with MCOB 9.4.123 R.1
If the regulated lifetime mortgage contract is a shared appreciation mortgage, MCOB 9.4 applies to the illustration with the following modifications:(1) Section 5 "Description of this mortgage" must contain the following additional information and text in this order after the details required by MCOB 9.4.24 R to MCOB 9.4.29 R:(a) "This lifetime mortgage involves [name of mortgage lender] taking a percentage share in any increase in the value of your property [insert details of
An illustration provided to a customer must:(1) contain the material set out in MCOB 5 Annex 1 in the order and using the numbered section headings, sub-headings and prescribed text in MCOB 5 Annex 1, except where provided for in MCOB 5.6;(2) follow the layout of the template in MCOB 5 Annex 1 with:(a) prominent use of the 'key facts' logo followed by the text 'about this mortgage' (if a firm resizes the logo it must ensure that the proportions remain consistent with the original
(1) Firms can obtain from the FSA website http://www.fsa.gov.uk a specimen of the 'key facts' logo. When reproducing the logo firms may use colour providing this does not diminish the prominence of the logo.(2) MCOB 5.6.2 R(3) does not prevent the use of different fonts and typefaces for headings and risk warnings. Its purpose is to prevent particular sections of the illustration from being made less prominent than other sections through the inconsistent use of font sizes and
As a minimum the illustration must be personalised to reflect the following requirements of the customer:(1) the specific regulated mortgage contract in which the customer is interested;(2) the amount of the loan required;(3) the price or value of the property on which the regulated mortgage contract would be secured (estimated where necessary);(4) the term of the regulated mortgage contract (where the customer is unable to suggest a date at which he expects to repay the loan,
In relation to MCOB 5.6.6 R(3), in orderfor the firm to comply with the principle of 'clear, fair and not misleading' in MCOB 2.2.6, an estimated valuation, where the estimated valuation is not that provided by the customer, must be a reasonable assessment based on all the facts available at the time. For example, an overstated valuation could enable a more attractive regulated mortgage contract to be illustrated on the basis of a lower ratio of the loan amount to the property
The amount referred to in MCOB 5.6.6 R(2) is:(1) in cases where on the basis of the information obtained from the customer before providing the illustration it is clear that the customer would not be eligible to borrow the amount he requested, an estimate of the amount that the customer could borrow based on the information obtained from the customer; or(2) where the regulated mortgage contract is a revolving credit agreement such as a secured overdraft or mortgage credit card,
MCOB 5.6.6 R sets out minimum requirements. The illustration may be personalised to a greater degree if the mortgage lender or mortgage intermediary wishes, subject to the restrictions on the information that can be obtained from the customer in MCOB 5.5.15 R when the illustration is provided in accordance with MCOB 5.5.1 R(2)(c).
MCOB 5.6.9 R(1) does not require information to be obtained from the customer before providing an illustration in order to ascertain the amount the customer is eligible to borrow. Instead, its purpose is to avoid a firm being in a position where it would otherwise have to provide a customer with an illustration for an amount it knew the customer would not be eligible for, based on whatever information it had obtained from the customer before providing the illustration.
Where the illustration relates to a regulated mortgage contract that is sub-divided into different parts with different types of interest rate or different rates of interest or different conditions, or a combination of these, the requirements in MCOB 5.6 may be adapted to accommodate this. The adaptations made must be limited to those that are necessary.
(1) MCOB 5.6.13 R applies where, for example, the illustration covers a regulated mortgage contract that is:(a) divided so that a certain amount of the loan is payable on a fixed interest rate, and a certain amount on a discounted interest rate; or(b) a combination of a repayment mortgage and an interest-only mortgage and the loan is subdivided into different types of interest rate and/or different rates of interest.(2) MCOB 5.6.13 R does not apply where an illustration covers
At the head of the illustration, the following information must be included:(1) the customer's name;(2) the date of issue of the illustration;(3) details of how long the illustration is valid and whether there is any date by which the regulated mortgage contract covered by the illustration needs to commence (for example, where a fixed interest rate is only available if the regulated mortgage contract commences before a certain date); and(4) the prescribed text at the head of the
(1) Unless (2) applies, under the section heading 'Which service are we providing you with?' the prescribed text in MCOB 5 Annex 1 under this heading must be included, with a 'check box' for each statement, one of which must be marked prominently to indicate the level of service provided to the customer.(2) If the level of service described in the illustration is provided by another firm, (1) may be replaced by the following:Under the section heading 'Which service are we providing
(1) Under the section heading 'What you have told us', the illustration must state the information that has been obtained from the customer under MCOB 5.6.6 R (apart from MCOB 5.6.6 R(1) which is provided for in Section 4 of the illustration), and can include brief details of any other information that has been obtained from the customer and used to produce the illustration.(2) If the amount on which the illustration is based includes the amount that the customer wants to borrow
Where the same illustration covers a regulated mortgage contract that is a combination of a repayment mortgage and an interest-only mortgage, either:(1) Section 3 of the illustration must state the amount the customer wishes to borrow as a repayment mortgage and the amount required as an interest-only mortgage; or(2) Section 3 of the illustration must summarise the repayment method as partly an interest-only mortgage and partly a repayment mortgage, and Section 4 of the illustration
Where the same illustration covers a regulated mortgage contract that has different parts of the loan over a different term (that is, the final repayment date of the loan parts are different), either:(1) Section 3 of the illustration must state the amount repayable over each term; or(2) Section 3 of the illustration must state the longest term that applies and Section 4 of the illustration must state the amount repayable over each term.
For the purpose of illustrating to the customer the repayment method in Section 3 or Section 4 of the illustration, or the cost of the regulated mortgage contract in Section 5 of the illustration, if the illustration covers a regulated mortgage contract that is a combination of more than one interest-only part on the same product terms but with different repayment dates, the illustration must either treat it as one part by assuming the longest term, or alternatively treat it as
At the end of Section 3 of the illustration a statement must be included making clear that changes to any of the information obtained from the customer, and where appropriate to the valuation of the property, could alter the details elsewhere in the illustration, and encouraging the customer to ask for a revised illustration in this event.
The purpose of the illustration is to provide the customer with details of the cost of borrowing the amount required over the term specified in MCOB 5.6.6 R(2) and MCOB 5.6.6 R(4). Section 12 has been designed specifically to illustrate any additional features of the regulated mortgage contract such as a linked current account, a linked savings account or the availability of unsecured lending. These features should therefore be shown in section 12 and not in section 3 of the
Under the section heading 'Description of this mortgage' the illustration must:(1) state the name of the mortgage lender providing the regulated mortgage contract to which the illustration relates (a trading name used by the mortgage lender may also be stated in accordance with MCOB 5.6.2 R(6)), and the name, if any, used to market the regulated mortgage contract;(2) (a) provide a description of the interest rate type and rate of interest that applies in accordance with the format
MCOB 5.6.27 R sets out some examples of descriptions of interest rate types and rates of interest which must be used in the illustration to comply with MCOB 5.6.25 R(2). If an interest rate is not described in MCOB 5.6.27 R, it must be presented in the illustration in a way that is consistent with the descriptions in MCOB 5.6.27 R.
Description of interest rate types and rates of interest. This table belongs to MCOB 5.6.26R:
Description of the interest rate |
Amount payable in each instalment |
Lender's base mortgage rate - must be described as the [Lender]'s standard variable rate, currently X%, [where applicable insert the date at which the interest rate ends or period for which the interest rate applies]. |
Amount based on X%. |
Fixed rate - must be described as a fixed rate of X% [where applicable insert the date at which the interest rate ends or the period for which the interest rate applies]. |
Amount based on the fixed rate of X%. |
Discounted rate - must be described as a variable rate, currently X%, with a discount of Y% [where applicable insert the date at which the discount ends or the period for which the discount applies], giving a current rate payable of Z%. |
Amount based on Z%. |
Capped rate - must be described as a variable rate, currently X%, which will not go above a ceiling of Y% [where applicable insert the date at which the capped interest rate ends or the period for which the capped interest rate applies]. |
Amount based on the current interest rate payable (X%). |
Capped and collared - must be described as a variable rate, currently X%, which will not go below a floor of Y%, or above a ceiling of Z% [where applicable insert the date at which the capped and collared interest rate ends or the period for which the capped and collared interest rate applies]. |
Amount based on the current interest rate payable (X%). |
Tracker rate - must be described as a variable rate which is [X% above/X% below/the same as] [insert interest rate tracked, currently Z%,] [where applicable insert the date at which the rate ends or the period for which the interest rate applies], to give a current rate payable of Y%. Details should also be provided of how soon after an interest rate change the mortgage interest rate is adjusted. |
Amount based on Y%. |
Deferred rate - must be described as a variable rate, currently X%, where Y% is not paid now but is added to your mortgage [where applicable insert the date at which the deferred interest rate ends or the period for which the deferred interest rate applies], to give a current rate payable of Z%. |
Amount based on Z%. |
Stepped rate where different interest rates apply over different time periods (for example, fixed interest rate in year 1 changes in year 2). Each element should be dealt with individually as above. |
Amount for each of the 'steps'. |
Combinations of the above must be treated in the same way as the descriptions above, (for example, if a discounted interest rate has a 'floor' then it must be described as such). |
Follow the above treatment depending on the combination. |
Where the loan under the regulated mortgage contract is divided into more than one part (for example where part of the loan is a fixed interest rate and part of the loan is a discounted variable interest rate) and the firm displays this in a tabular format in the illustration:(1) the following text must be used to introduce the table 'As this mortgage is made up of more than one part, these parts are summarised below:';(2) each part must be numbered for ease of reference in the
Under the section heading 'Overall cost of this mortgage' where the regulated mortgage contract has an agreed term for repayment and a regular payment plan (that is, it is not a revolving credit agreement such as a secured overdraft or mortgage credit card, or a regulated mortgage contract where all of the interest rolls up, such as an open-ended bridging loan):(1) the following text must be included in the illustration: 'The overall cost takes into account the payments in Sections
Under the section heading 'Overall cost of this mortgage' where the regulated mortgage contract has no agreed term for repayment, (and a 12 month term has been assumed), or no regular payment plan, or both (for example, a revolving credit agreement such as a secured overdraft or mortgage credit card or a regulated mortgage contract where all the interest rolls up such as an open-ended bridging loan):(1) the following text must be included in the illustration: 'The overall cost
MCOB 5.6.31 R(5) and MCOB 5.6.32 R(5) would require, for example, a reference to the fact that the overall cost takes into account mortgage payment protection insurance where this is required as a condition of the regulated mortgage contract to which the illustration relates. The requirement to take out such insurance must be stated in Sections 4 and 9 of the illustration in accordance with MCOB 5.6.25 R(6), MCOB 5.6.74 R or MCOB 5.6.77 R.
The following text must be included after the text required by MCOB 5.6.31 R or MCOB 5.6.32 R with the relevant cost measures shown in the right-hand column of Section 5 in accordance with the layout shown in MCOB 5 Annex 1:(1) 'The total amount you must pay back, including the amount borrowed is £[insert total amount payable]';(2) 'This means you pay back £[insert the total amount payable] divided by the amount on which the illustration is based from MCOB 5.6.6 R(2) plus all
(1) The APR and the total amount payable in MCOB 5.6.34 R must be calculated on the basis of information obtained from the customer under MCOB 5.6.6 R.(2) Where there is a charge to be included in the APR and total amount payable and the precise amount of that charge is not known at the time that the illustration is provided, MCOB 10.3 (Formula for calculating the APR) sets out a number of relevant assumptions to be used. If the method for including the charge is not addressed
At the end of Section 5 of the illustration the following text must be included:(1) unless the interest rate is fixed throughout the term of the regulated mortgage contract:'The figures in this section will vary following interest rate changes and if you do not keep the mortgage for [insert term from MCOB 5.6.6 R(4)].'; and(2) (a) where the regulated mortgage contract is a repayment mortgage:'Only use the figures in this section to compare the cost with another repayment mortgage.';
The purpose of the illustration is to provide the customer with details of the cost of borrowing the amount required over the term specified from MCOB 5.6.6 R(2) and MCOB 5.6.6 R(4). Section 12 has been designed specifically to allow examples of the effect of any additional features of the regulated mortgage contract such as a linked current account or a linked savings account. Examples of these features should therefore be shown in Section 12 and not in Section 5 or Section 6
The heading for Section 6 of the illustration and the heading of the column on the right-hand side of this section must state the frequency with which payments must be made by the customer. (For example, if payments are to be made on a monthly basis, the heading for this section must be 'What you will need to pay each month' and the column must be headed 'Monthly payments'.)
Section 6 of the illustration must contain the following information: (1) the loan amount on which the illustration is based. This figure should include all fees, charges and insurance premiums that have been added to the loan in accordance with MCOB 5.6.18 R(2) and MCOB 5.6.18 R(3), and the following text must follow the loan amount:'and include[s] the [fees] [and] [insurance premiums] that are shown in [Section 8] [and] [Section 9] as being added to your mortgage.'(2) the assumed
MCOB 5.6.42 R(3) applies to each interest rate charged on the regulated mortgage contract covered by the illustration. This means that it applies to different interest rates charged at different times, for example, where the interest rate changes at the end of any initial discounted, fixed or other special interest rate period.
The following information must be included in the description of the interest rate required by MCOB 5.6.42 R(3)(c) except where MCOB 5.6.54 R applies:(1) where the interest rate can change, the word 'currently' must be used to illustrate the current interest rate payable; and(2) where the interest rate changes after a given period the words 'followed by' must be used to indicate this.
Where the illustration covers a regulated mortgage contract that is a combination of a repayment mortgage and an interest-only mortgage, the payment amounts in MCOB 5.6.42 R(3)(d) must be the combination of the amount to be paid on the repayment mortgage and the amount to be paid on the interest-only mortgage, unless MCOB 5.6.13 R or MCOB 5.6.54 R apply in which case they must be stated separately.
Where the interest is deferred on the regulated mortgage contract, the following text must be included under the information on the deferred interest rate included in the illustration in accordance with MCOB 5.6.42 R(3):'"The interest deferred will be added to your mortgage. The table at Section [insert 6a or 6b if MCOB 5.6.55 R applies] of this illustration shows how this will affect the amount you owe.'
Where all or part of the regulated mortgage contract to which the illustration relates is an interest-only mortgage:(1) the illustration must include the sub-heading 'Cost of repaying the capital' with the following text under it:'You will still owe [insert amount of loan on an interest-only basis] at the end of the mortgage term. You will need to make separate arrangements to repay this. When comparing the payments on this mortgage with a repayment mortgage, remember to add any
An example of how the information required by MCOB 5.6.52 R (1), MCOB 5.6.52 R (3) and MCOB 5.6.52 R (5) may be presented is as follows:
Cost of repaying the capitalYou will still owe £Z at the end of the mortgage term. You will need to make separate arrangements to repay this. When comparing the payments on this mortgage with a repayment mortgage, remember to add any money that you may need to pay into a separate savings plan to build up a lump sum to repay this amount. |
|
Savings plan that you do not have to take out through [insert name of mortgage lender or mortgage intermediary] |
Monthly payments |
XYZ savings plan (see separate product disclosure document) |
£C |
What you will need to pay each month including the cost of a savings plan to repay the capital |
|
36 payments at a fixed rate currently x% followed by: |
£(A+C) |
264 payments at a variable rate currently y%. |
£(B+C) |
Where the loan under the regulated mortgage contract is divided into more than one part (for example, where part of the loan is on a fixed interest rate and part on a discounted variable interest rate) and the firm displays the initial cost of all parts, and the total cost, in a tabular format in the illustration, MCOB 5.6.42 R(3) and MCOB 5.6.46 R do not apply; instead:(1) each part must be numbered for ease of reference in the illustration;(2) the loan amounts must be totalled;(3)
Unless all of the interest rates described in MCOB 5.6.54 R(5) apply for the term of the loan part to which they apply, then an additional section numbered as 6a and titled 'What you will need to pay in future' must be included to indicate the future stepped payments (if MCOB 5.6.51 R also applies then the section on deferred interest must be numbered 6b). This section must:(1) state when a change in payment will occur;(2) state the reason for the change in payment; and(3) confirm
Where MCOB 5.6.55 R applies and part of the regulated mortgage contract is an interest-only mortgage:(1) if a quotation for the repayment vehicle has been included in the illustration in accordance with MCOB 5.6.52 R(3) then MCOB 5.6.52 R(5) does not apply.(2) a statement is required to indicate that these payments do not include the cost of any savings plan.
Under the section heading 'Are you comfortable with the risks?':(1) under the sub-heading 'What if interest rates go up?' the illustration must include the following:(a) if the interest rate is fixed throughout the term of the regulated mortgage contract, an explanation that the payments will not vary because the interest rate is fixed;(b) if the interest rate is fixed for part of the term of the regulated mortgage contract, an explanation of when or how increases in the interest
The amount by which the customer's payments would increase in accordance with MCOB 5.6.59 R(1)(g) and (h) must be calculated as follows:(1) the firm must use the total amount borrowed, or assume that all payments due on the regulated mortgage contract have actually been paid, all additional fees and payments due have been paid, and no underpayments or overpayments have been made;(2) where all or part of the regulated mortgage contract is a repayment mortgage, the calculation must
Under the section heading 'What fees must you pay?' the illustration must:(1) itemise all the fees that are included in the calculation of the APR in accordance with MCOB 10 (Annual Percentage Rate), excluding any charges for insurance set out in Section 9 in accordance with MCOB 5.6.73 R; and1(2) include a statement at the end of the section using the following text:'You may have to pay other taxes or costs in addition to any fees shown here.'
An example of a fee that would normally be included in Section 8 would be a fee to re-inspect a property after completion of works if it is known that this fee will be charged at the time the illustration is produced. An example of a fee that would not be included would be a fee payable by the customer to insure their property elsewhere (however this would need to be stated in Section 9 of the illustration 'Insurance', as required by MCOB 5.6.77 R(2)). Fees payable upon repayment
The fees included in this section in accordance with MCOB 5.6.66 R must be itemised under the relevant sub-headings as follows:(1) the fees that are payable by the customer to the mortgage lender must be itemised under the sub-heading 'Fees payable to [name of mortgage lender]';(2) the remaining fees must be itemised under the sub-heading 'Other fees'; and(3) (a) if there are no fees to be itemised in accordance with (1), the sub-heading must be retained and a statement must be
The following information must be provided for each fee included in this section of the illustration in accordance with MCOB 5.6.66 R(1):(1) a description of the fee;(2) the amount payable by the customer recorded in a column headed 'Fee amount' on the right-hand side of this section;(3) for fees included under the sub-heading 'Other fees', to whom the fee is payable;(4) when the fee is payable;(5) whether or not the fee is refundable, and if so, the extent to which it is refundable;
(1) If a higher lending charge is payable by the customer, the following text must be used to describe such a charge for the purposes of MCOB 5.6.69 R:'A higher lending charge is payable because you are borrowing [insert the ratio of the mortgage amount (from MCOB 5.6.6 R(2)) to the property's price or value (from MCOB 5.6.6 R(3))] of the property's [estimated] [price/value].'(2) If the customer has asked for any fees to be added to the loan, this must be stated alongside each
(1) Under the section heading 'Insurance' the illustration must include details of:(a) insurance which is a tied product; and(b) insurance which is required as a condition of the regulated mortgage contract which is not a tied product.(2) A firm may also provide details of insurance which it is optional for the customer to take out under this section heading.(3) It must be clear to the customer which products he is required to purchase under which circumstances (for example, where
Under the sub-heading 'Insurance you must take out through [insert name of mortgage lender or where relevant the name of the mortgage intermediary, or both]' the following information must be included if the regulated mortgage contract requires the customer to take out insurance that is a tied product either through the mortgage lender or where relevant the mortgage intermediary:(1) details of which insurance is a tied product;(2) for how long the customer is obliged to purchase
The following information must be included under the sub-heading 'Insurance you must take out as a condition of this mortgage but that you do not have to take out through [insert the name of the mortgage lender, or where relevant the name of the mortgage intermediary, or both]':(1) if the regulated mortgage contract requires the customer to take out an insurance policy (other than that which is a tied product which the customer is obliged to purchase through the mortgage lender,
Under the sub-heading 'Insurance you must take out as a condition of this mortgage but that you do not have to take out through [insert name of mortgage lender or where relevant the name of the mortgage intermediary, or both]' the illustration should not include any insurance policy that may be taken out by a mortgage lender itself to protect its own interests rather than the customer's interests, for example, because of the ratio of the loan amount to the property value.1
If the cost of any insurance that the mortgage lender might take out to protect its own interests, because of the ratio of the loan amount to the property value, is passed on to the customer, it will be shown elsewhere in the illustration, for example, as a higher lending charge or in the interest rate charged.
A firm may include in the illustration, under the sub-heading 'Optional insurance', quotations (estimated where necessary) for any insurance products (other than the insurance products covered elsewhere in the illustration in accordance with MCOB 5.6.74 R and MCOB 5.6.77 R) that the firm issuing the illustration wishes to promote to the customer.
(1) If any quotations for insurance are included in the illustration in accordance with MCOB 5.6.74 R(3), MCOB 5.6.77 R(1) or MCOB 5.6.80 R, the illustration:(a) must include a brief description only of the type of insurance (full details of the insurance cover may however be provided separately); and(b) (i) must include the total price to be paid by the customer in a column on the right hand side of the illustration under the heading '[insert frequency of payments quoted] payments';
Under the heading 'What happens if you do not want this mortgage any more?', the illustration must include the following information on the regulated mortgage contract:(1) under the sub-heading 'Early repayment charges':(a) an explanation that the customer cannot repay the regulated mortgage contract early, if this is the case;(b) an explanation of whether early repayment charges are payable;(c) an explanation of when early repayment charges are payable;(d) an explanation of any
Where MCOB 5.6.84 R(1)(f) would result in more than three cash amounts being shown in the illustration, the cash amounts shown in the illustration may be restricted to three examples. These examples must be representative of the full range of charges that apply and not be limited to the lowest charges that apply. These three examples are in addition to:(1) any statement of the amount of any fees described in MCOB 5.6.84 R(1)(d); and(2) the maximum early repayment charge required
(1) In calculating example cash amounts in accordance with MCOB 5.6.84 R(1)(f), it must be assumed that:(a) the regulated mortgage contract is repaid in full;(b) unless the original amount borrowed is used, that all payments due on the regulated mortgage contract are actually paid;(c) additional fees and charges such as insurance premiums have been paid; and(d) no underpayments or overpayments have been made.(2) If:(a) cashbacks or other incentives need to be repaid; or(b) fees
Where the cash examples from MCOB 5.6.88 R included in the illustration would vary either if the interest rate charged on the regulated mortgage contract changed or with changes in interest rates generally, an appropriate warning that the early repayment charges may vary from the cash examples must be included in the illustration.
(1) Under the section heading 'What happens if you want to make overpayments?', the illustration must include details of any restrictions on lump sum and regular overpayments on the regulated mortgage contract, together with a statement as to whether or not the amount on which the interest charged is recalculated is reduced immediately on receipt of any lump sum or regular overpayment.(2) Where such recalculation does not take place immediately (for example, if an annual rest
Where the interest recalculation described in MCOB 5.6.90 R takes place immediately, firms may add a statement in this section explaining that the customer will get the benefit of the overpayment immediately, and firms may refer to supplementary information to illustrate further, the benefits of making regular overpayments.
(1) If none of the features at MCOB 5.6.94 R are applicable to the regulated mortgage contract to which the illustration relates, the section headed 'Additional features' must be retained, but the sub-headings must not be included and a statement must be added to explain that there are no additional features.(2) Only those features available on the regulated mortgage contract need be included in the illustration.(3) If a firm provides a customer with supplementary information
Under the sub-heading 'Additional borrowing available without further approval', the illustration must provide details of circumstances in which there are any linked borrowing facilities that would allow the customer to increase the amount of the loan on which the illustration is based without any further approval from the mortgage lender (for example, if there are additional drawdown facilities).
Under the sub-heading 'Additional secured borrowing', the illustration must provide details of circumstances in which additional secured lending is offered with the regulated mortgage contract that would allow the customer, subject to certain conditions, to increase the amount of the loan on which the illustration is based.
Under the sub-heading 'Credit card', the illustration must:(1) state if a credit card is offered with the regulated mortgage contract; and(2) if a credit card is offered and it is a mortgage credit card:(a) unless (b) applies, include the following text:'This card will not give you a number of the statutory rights associated with traditional credit cards. Your mortgage offer will tell you more about the differences.'; or(b) where the mortgage lender provides the customer with
Where any of the additional features under MCOB 5.6.99 R to MCOB 5.6.102 R inclusive apply, then the following must also be stated if the amount of additional borrowing that would be available to the customer is stated in the illustration:(1) the maximum additional amount available;(2) if the interest rate payable on any additional borrowing is different to the interest rate in Section 4 and Section 6 of the illustration, the interest rate and the APR charged on the additional
(1) Where additional features are included in accordance with MCOB 5.6.92 R and these are credit facilities that do not meet the definition of a regulated mortgage contract, the relevant parts of Section 12 of the illustration must include the following text:'This additional feature is not regulated by the FSA'.1(2) Where additional features are included in accordance with MCOB 5.6.92 R and these are credit facilities regulated by the Consumer Credit Act 1974, the relevant parts
(1) Under the sub-heading 'Linked current account', the illustration must include the following information:(a) whether a linked current account is a compulsory or optional product (if the current account is a compulsory product this must also be stated in Section 4 of the illustration in accordance with MCOB 5.6.25 R(6));(b) an explanation of the interest rates that apply under different circumstances to the linked current account, if different from the interest rate charged
(1) Under the sub-heading 'Linked savings account', the illustration must include the following information:(a) whether a linked savings account is a compulsory or optional product (if the savings account is a compulsory product this must also be stated in Section 4 of the illustration in accordance with MCOB 5.6.25 R(6));(b) the interest rate paid on the linked savings account if it differs from the interest rate charged on the regulated mortgage contract; and(c) the firm providing
If an example is included in the illustration in accordance with MCOB 5.6.109 R(2) or MCOB 5.6.110 R(2), it must be based on information obtained from the customer and the amounts that are intended to be paid into the current or savings account on a regular basis; the amounts that it is intended are saved; and the actual or likely expenditure profile. The amounts involved and the expenditure profile should not be standard assumptions made by the firm, but should be those of the
Where the illustration is issued to a customer by, or on behalf of, a mortgage intermediary, Section 13 'Using a mortgage intermediary' must be included in the illustration and must include the following:(1) unless MCOB 5.6.114 R applies, a clear statement of the amount payable (either directly or indirectly) by the mortgage lender to the mortgage intermediary, or to any third parties; and(2) the name of the mortgage lender who will make the payment, the name of the mortgage intermediary
MCOB 2.3.7 R requires any material inducements provided by a mortgage lender, whether directly or indirectly, to a mortgage intermediary or third party (unless the payment only reflects the cost of outsourcing work relating to the processing of mortgage applications by a firm unconnected to the mortgage intermediary) to be quantified in cash terms, which will enable the cash values to be included in the illustration in accordance with MCOB 5.6.117 R.1
(1) An amortisation table may be added to the end of the illustration after the information required by MCOB 5.6.124 R if the mortgage lender or mortgage intermediary wishes. A firm may find that this is particularly appropriate to illustrate certain types of regulated mortgage contract, for example, a regulated mortgage contract with more than one part.(2) The purpose of (1) is to permit a firm to add an amortisation table in accordance with the European Commission's 'Recommendation
If the customer's liability under a regulated mortgage contract is in a currency other than sterling, MCOB 5.6 applies to the illustration for that regulated mortgage contract with the following amendments:(1) all cash amounts must be given in the relevant currency except where otherwise required in (2)(a) and (3);(2) the following information must be stated under Section 4 'Description of this mortgage':(a) the amount in sterling on which the illustration is based from MCOB 5.6.6
If the interest rate charged on the regulated mortgage contract is deferred, MCOB 5.6 applies with the following additions:(1) A section headed: 'Effect of deferring interest on the amount you owe' must be included in the illustration after Section 6.(2) This section must be numbered 6a so that the numbering follows on consecutively from the preceding section unless MCOB 5.6.55 R applies in which case it should be numbered 6b.(3) Under the section heading the following text must
The heading for Section 6 of the illustration and the heading of the column on the right-hand side of this section must state the frequency with which payments must be made by the customer. (For example, if payments were to be made on a monthly basis, the heading for this section would be 'What you will need to pay each month' and the column would be headed 'Monthly payments'). Where no regular payments are required on the regulated mortgage contract, for example where all interest
All the payments in Section 6 of the illustration must be calculated based on the frequency used for the purposes of the headings in MCOB 5.6.40 R and must be shown in the column on the right-hand side of this section. If no payments are required, for example on a secured bridging loan or secured overdraft, then this column should be marked on the illustration as nil.
Section 6 of the illustration must contain the following information:(1) the loan amount on which the illustration is based. Where fees are being added to the loan then this figure should include all fees, charges and insurance premiums that have been added to the loan in accordance with MCOB 5.6.18 R(2) and MCOB 5.6.18 R(3), and the following text must follow the loan amount:'and include[s] the fees [and insurance premiums] that are shown in Section 8 [and Section 9] as being
The amount by which the total amount payable would increase in accordance with MCOB 5.6.140 R(1)(e) must be calculated as follows:(1) unless the total amount borrowed is used, it must be assumed that all payments due on the regulated mortgage contract have actually been paid, all additional fees and payments due have been paid, and no under or overpayments have been made;(2) unless the total amount borrowed is used, the calculation must be based on the amount of the loan outstanding
A mortgage intermediary must take reasonable steps to ensure that an illustration which it issues, or which is issued on its behalf, other than that provided by a mortgage lender:(1) is accurate within the following tolerances:(a) no more than one percent or £1, whichever is the greater, below the actual figures charged by the mortgage lender for the following:(i) the total amount payable in Section 5 of the illustration;(ii) the amount payable for every £1 borrowed in Section
It is the responsibility of a mortgage intermediary to ensure compliance with MCOB 5.4.3 R. However, where a firm can show that it was reasonable for it to rely on information provided to it by another person, other than the mortgage lender, that an illustration was within the tolerances described in MCOB 5.4.3 R, he may be able to rely on MCOB 2.5.2 R, if this turns out not to be the case.
The purpose of MCOB 5.4.8 R is not to require a firm to ascertain whether a customer is eligible for a particular regulated mortgage contract before providing an illustration. Instead, the purpose is to ensure that the firm takes into account the information it has obtained from the customer before providing an illustration to the customer.
A firm may satisfy MCOB 5.4.10 R by drawing the customer's attention orally to the importance of reading and understanding the illustration, for example in a face-to-face meeting, or by referring to its importance in a covering letter or electronic communication or other written information that accompanies the illustration.
Where the illustration provided to the customer does not contain an accurate quotation or a reasonable estimate of the payments the customer will need to make in connection with any tied product that the customer must take out with the regulated mortgage contract, and the customer applies for that regulated mortgage contract:(1) the firm must provide the customer with an accurate quotation as soon as possible after he has applied, and in good time before the offer document is
The rules on the content of an illustration at MCOB 5.6 (Content of illustrations) mean that if the regulated mortgage contract requires the customer to take out a tied product, the illustration must include an accurate quotation or a reasonable estimate of the payments the customer would need to make for the tied product (see MCOB 5.6.52 R(2) on a repayment vehicle that is a tied product and MCOB 5.6.74 R on insurance that is a tied product). If it is not possible to include
(1) A firm must provide the customer with an illustration for a regulated mortgage contract before the customer submits an application for that particular regulated mortgage contract to a mortgage lender, unless an illustration for that particular regulated mortgage contract has already been provided.(2) A firm must provide the customer with an illustration for a regulated mortgage contract when any of the following occurs, unless an illustration for that regulated mortgage contract
The effect of the requirements at MCOB 5.5.1 R(1) and MCOB 5.5.4 R is that a customer will be deemed to be committed to an application if, for example, he pays a product related fee (including a valuation fee) or provides electronic or verbal authority to process an application. It is not necessary for a customer to provide a mortgage lender with a completed application form to submit an application for a regulated mortgage contract.
Where a firm has already provided an illustration in accordance with MCOB 5.5.1 R and the terms for the proposed regulated mortgage contract are subsequently materially altered, the firm must ensure that the customer is provided with a revised illustration, before acting on the amendment, when the change occurs at the point at which a customer submits an application for the regulated mortgage contract.
What constitutes 'materially altered' requires consideration of the facts of each individual case. For example, a change of product such that the underlying terms and conditions of the regulated mortgage contract have changed should normally be regarded as material, as would an additional charge, such as a higher lending charge, applying to the regulated mortgage contract when it did not previously.
(1) If, at the point an illustration must be provided in accordance with MCOB 5.5.1 R, a firm is uncertain whether the contract will be a regulated mortgage contract, the firm must:(a) provide an illustration; or(b) seek to obtain from the customer information that will enable the firm to ascertain whether the contract will be a regulated mortgage contract.(2) Where (1)(b) applies, an illustration must be provided, unless, on the basis of the information the customer provides,
If the firm has reasonable evidence that the contract is not a regulated mortgage contract and has not provided an illustration before a customer submits an application, and it is subsequently found that the contract is a regulated mortgage contract, there is no requirement to provide a separate illustration at that stage. However, the requirement to integrate an illustration into the offer document at MCOB 6.4.1 R will apply.
Where the customer requests written information from the firm that is specific to the amount that the customer wants to borrow on a particular regulated mortgage contract under MCOB 5.5.1 R(2)(c), the purpose of MCOB 5.5.15 R, MCOB 5.5.16 R and MCOB 5.5.17 G is to ensure that the customer receives an illustration without unnecessary delay. These requirements do not restrict the information that the firm may obtain from the customer after it has provided the customer with an i
In meeting a request under MCOB 5.5.1 R (2)(c), the firm must not delay the provision of the illustration by requesting information other than:(1) the information necessary to personalise the illustration in accordance with MCOB 5.6.6 R, if the firm does not already know it;(2) where the firm acts in accordance with MCOB 5.5.11 R(2), such information as is necessary to ascertain whether or not the contract will be a regulated mortgage contract;(3) where the regulated mortgage
A firm may use information that it already holds on the customer for the purpose of producing the illustration (for example, if it already holds the customer's credit record), providing the use of this information does not delay the customer receiving the illustration and the customer's consent is obtained where appropriate.
If, on the basis of the information obtained from the customer or on the basis of information that the firm already holds on the customer, the firm would do business with the customer, but not on the terms requested, the firm may provide the customer with an illustration in respect of a different regulated mortgage contract if it chooses to do so.
(1) A firm must ensure that any regulated mortgage contract that it enters into does not impose, and cannot be used to impose, a charge for arrears on a customer except where that charge is a reasonable estimate of the cost of the additional administration required as a result of the customer being in arrears. 1(2) Paragraph (1) does not prevent a firm from entering into a regulated mortgage contract with a customer under which the firm may change the rate of interest charged
(1) This section assists in securing the regulatory objective of protecting consumers through requirements which govern the payments out of scheme property and charges imposed on investors when buying or selling units.(2) The requirements clarify the nature of permitted charges and payments and ensure the disclosure for unitholders of any increases in charges and payments to the authorised fund manager.(3) The prospectus should make adequate provision for payments from an authorised
(1) The only payments which may be recovered from the scheme property of an authorised fund are those in respect of: (a) remunerating the parties operating the authorised fund;(b) the administration of the authorised fund; or(c) the investment or safekeeping of the scheme property.(2) No payment under this rule can be made from scheme property if it is unfair to (or materially prejudices the interests of) any class of unitholders or potential unitholders.(3) Paragraphs (1) and
(1) Details of permissible types of payments out of scheme property are to be set out in full in the prospectus in accordance with COLL 4.2.5R (13) and COLL 4.2.5R (14) (Table: contents of the prospectus).(2) An authorised fund manager should consider COB 5.6.3 R (Charges to a private customer) in determining whether a payment to an affected person is unfair because of its amount or because it confers a disproportionate benefit on the affected person.(3) COLL 6.7.4 R (2) (Payments
(1) For the authorised fund manager's periodic charge or for payments out of scheme property to the investment adviser, the prospectus may permit a payment based on a comparison of one or more aspects of the scheme property or price in comparison with fluctuations in the value or price of property of any description or index or other factor designated for the purpose (a "performance fee").(2) Any performance fee should be specified in the appropriate manner in the prospectus and
(1) No person other than the authorised fund manager may impose charges on unitholders or potential unitholders when they buy or sell units.(2) An authorised fund manager must not make any charge or levy in connection with:(a) the issue or sale of units except where a preliminary charge is made in accordance with the prospectus of the scheme which must be either a fixed amount or calculated as a percentage of the price of a unit; or(b) the redemption or cancellation of units,
(1) To introduce a new charge for the sale or redemption of units, or any new category of remuneration for its services or increase the rate stated in the prospectus, the authorised fund manager will need to comply with COLL 4.2.5 R (Table: contents of prospectus) and COLL 4.3 (Approvals and notifications).(2) A redemption charge may be expressed in terms of amount or percentage. It may also be expressed as diminishing over the time during which the unitholder has held the units
(1) The authorised fund manager must determine whether a payment is to be made from the income property or capital property of an authorised fund, and in doing so the authorised fund manager must:(a) pay due regard to whether the nature of the cost is income related or capital related and the objective of the scheme; and(b) agree the treatment of any payment with the depositary.(2) Where, for any annual accounting period, the amount of the income property is less than the income
(1) Any payment as a result of effecting transactions for the authorised fund should be made from the capital property of the scheme.(2) Other than the payments in (1), all other payments should be made from income property in the first instance but may be transferred to the capital account in accordance with COLL 6.7.10 R (1) (Allocation of payments to income or capital).(3) For payments transferred to the capital property of the scheme in accordance with (2), the prospectus
Examples of payments which are not permitted by COLL 6.7.12 R include:(1) commission payable to intermediaries (such payments should normally be borne by the authorised fund manager);(2) payments or costs in relation to the preparation or dissemination of financial promotions (other than the preparation of key features); and(3) payments to third parties, for maintaining details of beneficial unitholders.
(1) Where the property of an authorised fund is transferred to a second authorised fund (or to the depositary for the account of the authorised fund) in consideration of the issue of units in the second authorised fund to unitholders in the first scheme, (2) applies.(2) The ICVC, its depositary or the trustee of the AUT as the successor in title to the property transferred, may pay out of the scheme property any liability arising after the transfer which, had it arisen before
A firm must notify a customer, as soon as the details are known, of who will be responsible for setting interest rates and charges on the regulated mortgage contract if any interest in the regulated mortgage contract is to be sold, assigned, or transferred, and the firm will no longer be responsible for this.
Where the customer has, in accordance with the terms of the regulated mortgage contract, taken up an additional tranche of borrowing on a mortgage that is released in tranches and this did not require any further approval of the mortgage lender, a firm must provide confirmation as soon as possible of:(1) the new amount owed by the customer under the regulated mortgage contract; (2) the amount of each payment that is due; and(3) the interest rate charged.
MCOB 7.6.14 R allows the firm to make changes to wording and to add, remove or alter information that would otherwise be misleading for the customer. For example, the firm may add text to let the customer know if conditions applying to the original mortgage do not apply to the additional borrowing, such as 'The early repayment charges applying to your existing loan do not apply to this additional borrowing.'
(1) Where the further advance for which the customer has applied is in the form of an annual insurance premium secured by a first legal charge, a firm:(a) may, instead of providing an illustration in accordance with MCOB 7.6.7 R, provide confirmation of the matters required by MCOB 7.6.5 R; and(b) where (a) applies use the following text:"Your annual insurance premium has been/will be added to your mortgage account [unless you pay it by dd/mm/yy]. If you choose to pay it in full
(1) In MCOB 10.3.1A R, references to instalments are references to any payment made by or on behalf of the customer which comprise:1(a) a repayment of all or part of the credit under the contract; or(b) a payment of all or part of the total charge for credit; or(c) both a repayment of all or part of the credit and a payment of all or part of the total charge for credit.(2) Where more than one rate is given under MCOB 10.3.1 R, the APR is the positive rate nearest to zero or, if
(1) The APR must be calculated on the basis of the following assumptions:(a) the assumption that the customer will not be entitled to any income tax relief relating to the transaction other than relief under sections 266-7 of the Income and Corporation Taxes Act 1988 and Schedule 14-15 to the same Act without any deduction under section 274 of the Income and Corporation Taxes Act 1988;(b) the assumption that no assistance is given under the Home Purchase Assistance and Housing
(1) MCOB 10.3.7 R to MCOB 10.3.13 R apply for the purpose of the calculation of the total charge for credit and of the rate of that charge in respect of matters necessary for the calculation which cannot be ascertained by the mortgage lender or mortgage administrator at the date of the making of the agreement.(2) In a case where MCOB 10.3.7 R and one or more of MCOB 10.3.8 R to MCOB 10.3.13 R are applicable, MCOB 10.3.7 R must be applied first.
(1) Where the amount of the credit to be provided under the agreement cannot be ascertained at the date of the making of the agreement:(a) in the case of an agreement for running-account credit under which there is a credit limit, that amount must be taken to be that credit limit; and(b) in any other case, that amount shall be taken to be £100.(2) Where a mortgage lender makes a further advance to the customer in addition to the amount originally borrowed under the regulated mortgage
(1) In relation to a regulated lifetime mortgage contract, where the APR is calculated for the purpose of a qualifying credit promotion it must be assumed that the credit is being provided for a period of 15 years beginning with the relevant date.(2) In relation to a regulated lifetime mortgage contract, where the APR is calculated for the purpose of an illustration, the period for which the credit is to be provided must be calculated in accordance with MCOB 9.4.10 R or MCOB 9.4.12
Subject to MCOB 10.3.10 R, where the rate or amount of any item included in the total charge for credit, or the amount of any repayment of credit under a transaction, is to be ascertained by reference to the level of any index or other factor in accordance with a specified formula, the rate or amount must be taken to be the rate or amount so ascertained. The formula must be applied as if the level of the index or other factor subsisting at the date of the making of the agreement
Where:(1) the period for which the credit, or any of it, is to be or may be provided cannot be ascertained at the date of the making of the agreement; and(2) the rate or amount of any item included in the total charge for credit will change at a time provided in the transaction within one year beginning with the relevant date;the rate or amount must be taken to be the highest rate or amount under the transaction at any time in that year.
In the case of any transaction, it must be assumed:(1) that a charge payable at a time which cannot be ascertained at the date of the making of the agreement is to be payable on the relevant date or, where it may reasonably be expected that a customer will not make payment on that date, on the earliest date at which it may reasonably be expected that he will make payment; or(2) where more than one payment of a charge of the same description is to be made at times which cannot
A business illustration provided to a customer must:(1) use the headings and prescribed text in MCOB 5 Annex 1 (except as provided in MCOB 5.7) but need not follow the format;(2) include the content required by MCOB 5.6.3 R to MCOB 5.6.130 G (except MCOB 5.6.5 R, MCOB 5.6.101 R, MCOB 5.6.109 R to MCOB 5.6.112 G, MCOB 5.6.120 R and MCOB 5.6.121 R);1(3) use the key facts logo followed by the text 'about this [term used by the firm to describe the borrowing, for example 'mortgage']';(4)
(1) MCOB 5.7.2 R(1) means that firms do not have to follow the ordering of sections set down in MCOB 5.6, although they may choose to do so.(2) In accordance with MCOB 5.7.2 R(8) an example of an appropriate variation to the risk warning would be:'Your home may be repossessed if you are unable to fulfil the terms of this secured overdraft'.(3) A firm may also choose to include other information beyond that required by MCOB 5.6. However, when adding additional material a firm should
MCOB 5.6.31 R(2), MCOB 5.6.52 R(1) and MCOB 5.6.52 R(4) prescribe text that should be used to remind a customer with an interest-only mortgage that there is a need to separately arrange for the repayment of capital. The options for repayment of capital may be different where the regulated mortgage contract is for a business purpose, and a firm must vary the prescribed wording in the business illustration to reflect this. One approach may be for the firm to revise the wording to
(1) When providing a business illustration in accordance with MCOB 5.7.2 R a firm should describe facilities provided under the regulated mortgage contract that are not a loan within section 12 (Additional features) of the business illustration.(2) In complying with (1), a firm should follow the requirements in MCOB 5.6.92 RMCOB 5.6.108 G where these are relevant. Where the facility is of a type not considered in MCOB 5.6.92 RMCOB 5.6.108 G the firm should provide in section 12:(a)
(1) In accordance with MCOB 5.7.6 R(1), where the regulated mortgage contract includes a loan, the facilities described in section 12 of the business illustration should include the existence of, and a simple explanation of, any all monies charge, any contingent liabilities such as guarantees and so on.(2) Where the regulated mortgage contract includes more than one loan facility (such as a secured loan and a separate secured overdraft facility) the business illustration should
A firm must ensure that its charges to a customer in connection with the firmentering into or making a further advance on a regulated mortgage contract or administering a regulated mortgage contract or arranging or advising on a regulated mortgage contract or a variation to the terms of a regulated mortgage contract are not excessive.
When determining whether a charge is excessive, a firm should consider:(1) the amount of its charges for the services or products in question compared with charges for similar products or services on the market; (2) the degree to which the charges are an abuse of the trust that the customer has placed in the firm; and (3) the nature and extent of the disclosure of the charges to the customer.
The statement required by MCOB 7.5.1 R must contain the following information:(1) except in the case of mortgage credit cards, information on the type ofregulated lifetime mortgage contract, (for example, fixed rate or variable rate) including a clear statement of how the firm expects the capital, or capital and interest (whichever is applicable) to be repaid (for example, from the proceeds of the sale of the property);(2) details of the following transactions and information
The illustration provided in accordance with MCOB 7.6.7 R must;(1) be based on the amount of the further advance only;(2) use the term 'additional borrowing' in place of the term 'lifetime mortgage' where appropriate throughout the titles and text of the illustration;(3) include an additional section headed: 'Total borrowing' and numbered '9' after Section 8, (with subsequent sections of the illustration renumbered accordingly) including the following text:(a) "This section gives
MCOB 9.4.18 R is replaced with the following: "Section 1: 'About this information' Under the section heading 'About this information', the following text must be included:"We are required by the Financial Services Authority (FSA) - the independent watchdog that regulates financial services - to provide you with this illustration. All firms selling lifetime mortgages are required to give illustrations, like this one, that contain similar information presented in the same way."
If a customer requests, or agrees to, a change to a regulated lifetime mortgage contract (other than a change as described in MCOB 7.6.7 R to MCOB 7.6.27 R (as modified by MCOB 9)) that changes the amount of each payment due (where payments are required), a firm must provide the customer with the following information, in a single communication, before the change takes effect:(1) the amount outstanding on the regulated lifetime mortgage contract at the date the change is requested;(2)
If a customer requests, or agrees to, a change to a regulated lifetime mortgage contract (other than a change as described in MCOB 7.6.7 R to MCOB 7.6.27 R (as modified by MCOB 9)) that changes the amount paid to the customer under a drawdown mortgage, or the amount that the customer will owe under a roll-up of interest mortgage, or both, a firm must provide the customer with the following information, in a single communication, before the change takes effect:(1) the amount outstanding
A firm must ensure that any regulated mortgage contract that it enters into does not impose, and cannot be used to impose, an early repayment charge other than one that is:(1) able to be expressed as a cash value; and(2) a reasonable pre-estimate of the costs as a result of the customer repaying the amount due under the regulated mortgage contract before the contract has terminated.
A firm can choose the method it employs for calculating early repayment charges in accordance with MCOB 12.3.1 R. A firm should not use the 'Rule of 78' (as contained in Schedule 2 of the Consumer Credit (Rebate on Early Settlement) Regulations 1983), which is not appropriate as it effectively overstates the cost to the mortgage lender.
A firm may calculate the same level of early repayment charge for all regulated mortgage contracts of a similar type (for example a tranche of regulated mortgage contracts offering a particular fixed rate of interest), rather than on the basis of the individual regulated mortgage contract with the particular customer.
Before: (1) entering into a regulated mortgage contract with a customer; or(2) making a further advance on an existing regulated mortgage contract; or (3) changing all or part of a regulated mortgage contract from one interest rate to another;1a firm must disclose to the customer:(a) in the illustration provided in accordance with MCOB 5, MCOB 7.6.7 R, MCOB 7.6.18 R, MCOB 7.6.22 R, MCOB 7.6.31 R, or MCOB 9; and(b) in the illustration provided as part of the offer document in accordance
The purpose of REC 3.9.2 R is to enable the FSA to obtain information on changes to standard tariffs for matters such as membership and trading and of any scheme introduced by the UK recognised body for rebating or waiving fees or charges. A UK recognised body is not required to inform the FSA of fees or charges for which the UK recognised body does not charge according to a standard tariff.
A UK recognised body must give the FSA a summary of:(1) any proposal to change the fees or charges levied on its members (or any group or class of them), at the same time as the proposal is communicated to those members; and(2) any such change, no later than the date when it is published or notified to those members.
A mortgage intermediary must take reasonable steps to ensure that an illustration which it issues, or which is issued on its behalf, other than that provided by a mortgage lender:(1) is accurate within the following tolerances:(a) no more than one percent or £1, whichever is the greater, below the actual figures charged by the mortgage lender for the following:(i) the total amount payable in Section 15 of the illustration;(ii) the amounts that the customer must pay by regular
Given that the APR is presented as a percentage, and must be rounded to one decimal place in accordance with MCOB 10 (Annual Percentage Rate), firms should note that the tolerance allowed for the APR in MCOB 9.3.6 R(1)(b) means that, for example, where the actual APR is 5.0%, the quoted APR must be no lower than 4.9%, or where the actual APR is 16.0%, the quoted APR must be no lower than 15.9%.
An offer document may not always exactly match the illustration provided before application even when the loan requirements have not changed. For example, where a fixed rate has a defined end date, the total amount payable may be different because the number of payments at the fixed rate has reduced, or the estimated amount of interest to be charged has changed, assuming a later date at which the regulated lifetime mortgage contract will start.
The matters set out in (1) to (12) must be included in any authorised fund manager's report, except where otherwise indicated:(1) the names and addresses of :(a) the authorised fund manager;(b) the depositary;(c) the registrar;(d) any investment adviser;(e) the auditor; and(f) for a scheme which invests in immovables, the standing independent valuer;(2) (for an ICVC), the names of any directors other than the ACD;(3) a statement of the authorised status of the scheme;(4) (for
The comparative table required by
COLL 4.5.7R (1)(c)
(Contents of the annual long report) must set out:(1) a performance record over the last five calendar years, or if the authorised fund has not been in existence during the whole of that period, over the whole period in which it has been in existence, showing:(a) the highest and the lowest price of a unit of each class in issue during each of those years; and(b) the net income distributed (or, for accumulation units, allocated)
(1) The authorised fund manager must, within four months after the end of each annual accounting period and two months after the end of each half-yearly accounting period respectively, make available and publish the long report prepared in accordance with
COLL 4.5.7 R
(Contents of the annual long report) or COLL 4.5.8 R (Contents of the half-yearly long report).(2) The reports referred to in (1) must:(a) be supplied free of charge to unitholders who request it;(b) be available
(1) The price of a unit of any class must be calculated by reference to the net value of scheme property and must be calculated in accordance with the provisions of the prospectus.(2) Any unit price calculated in accordance with (1) must be expressed in a form that is accurate to at least four significant figures.
Table: This table belongs to COLL 6.3.2 G (2) (a).
Valuation and pricing |
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1 |
The valuation of scheme property |
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(1) |
Where possible, investments should be valued using a reputable source. The reliability of the source of prices should be kept under regular review. |
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(2) |
An investment for which different prices are quoted according to whether it is being bought or sold should be valued at its mid-market price. The instrument constituting the scheme should set out the valuation method that will apply where a single price for buying and selling a security is quoted. |
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(3) |
Any part of the scheme property of an authorised fund that is not an investment should be valued at a fair value, but for immovables this is subject to COLL 5.6.20 R (3) (f) (Standing independent valuer and valuation). |
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(4) |
For the purposes of (2) and (3), any fiscal charges, commissions, professional fees or other charges that were paid, or would be payable on acquiring or disposing of the investment or other part of the scheme property should be excluded from the value of an investment or other part of the scheme property. |
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(5) |
Where the authorised fund manager has reasonable grounds to believe that:
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(6) |
The circumstances which may give rise to a fair value price being used include:
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(7) |
In determining whether to use such a fair value price , the authorised fund manager should include in his consideration:
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(8) |
The authorised fund manager should document the basis of valuation (including any fair value pricing policy) and, where appropriate, the basis of any methodology and ensure that the procedures are applied consistently and fairly. |
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(9) |
Where a unit price is determined using properly applied fair value prices in accordance with policies in (8), subsequent information that indicates the price should have been different from that calculated will not normally give rise to an instance of incorrect pricing. |
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2 |
The pricing controls of the authorised fund manager |
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(1) |
An authorised fund manager needs to be able to demonstrate that it has effective controls over its calculations of unit prices. |
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(2) |
The controls referred to in (1) should ensure that:
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(3) |
In exercising its pricing controls, the authorised fund manager may exercise reasonable discretion in determining the appropriate frequency of the operation of the controls and may choose a longer interval, if appropriate, given the level of activity on the fundor the materiality of any effect on the price. |
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(4) |
Evidence of the exercise of the pricing controls should be retained. |
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(5) |
Evidence of persistent or repetitive errors in relation to these matters, and in particular any evidence of a pattern of errors working in an authorised fund manager's favour, will make demonstrating effective controls more difficult. |
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(6) |
Where the pricingfunction is delegated to a third party, COLL 6.6.15 R (1) (Committees and delegation) will apply. |
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3 |
The depositary's review of the authorised fund manager's systems and controls |
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(1) |
This section provides details of the types of checks a depositary should carry out to be satisfied that the authorised fund manager adopts systems and controls which are appropriate to ensure that prices of units are calculated in accordance with this section and to ensure that the likelihood of incorrect prices will be minimised. These checks also apply where an authorised fund manager has delegated all or some of its pricing functions to a third party. |
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(2) |
A depositary should thoroughly review an authorised fund manager's systems and controls to confirm that they are satisfactory. The depositary's review should include an analysis of the controls in place to determine the extent to which reliance can be placed on them. |
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(3) |
A review should be performed when the depositary is appointed and thereafter as it feels appropriate given its knowledge of the robustness and the stability of the systems and controls and their operation. |
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(4) |
A review should be carried out more frequently where a depositary knows or suspects that an authorised fund manager's systems and controls are weak or are otherwise unsatisfactory. |
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(5) |
Additionally, a depositary should from time to time review other aspects of the valuation of the scheme property of each authorised fund for which it is responsible, verifying, on a sample basis, if necessary, the assets, liabilities, accruals, units in issue, securities prices (and in particular the prices of unapproved securities and the basis for the valuation of unquoted securities) and any other relevant matters, for example an accumulation factor or a currency conversion factor. |
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(6) |
A depositary should ensure that any issues, which are identified in any such review, are properly followed up and resolved. |
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4 |
The recording and reporting of instances of incorrect pricing |
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(1) |
An authorised fund manager should record each instance where the price of a unit is incorrect as soon as the error is discovered, and report the fact to the depositary together with details of the action taken, or to be taken, to avoid repetition as soon as practicable. |
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(2) |
In accordance with COLL 6.6.11 G (Duty to inform the FSA), the depositary should report any breach of the rules in COLL 6.3 immediately to the FSA. However, notification should relate to instances which the depositary considers material only. |
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(3) |
A depositary should also report to the FSA immediately any instance of incorrect pricingwhere the error is 0.5% or more of the price of a unit, where a depositary believes that reimbursement or payment is inappropriate and should not be paid by an authorised fund manager. |
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(4) |
In accordance with SUP 16.6.8 R, a depositary should also make a return to the FSA on a quarterly basis which summarises the number of instances of incorrect pricing during a particular period. |
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5 |
The rectification of pricing breaches |
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(1) |
COLL 6.6.3 R (1) (Functions of the authorised fund manager) places a duty on the authorised fund manager to take action to reimburse affected unitholders, former unitholders, and the scheme itself, for instances of incorrect pricing, except if it appears to the depositary that the breach is of minimal significance. |
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(2) |
A depositary may consider that the instance of incorrect pricingis of minimal significance if:
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(3) |
In determining (2), if the instance of incorrect pricing is due to one or more factors or exists over a period of time, each price should be considered separately. |
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(4) |
If a depositary deems it appropriate, it may, in spite of the circumstances outlined in (2), require a payment from the authorised fund manager or from the authorised fund to the unitholders, former unitholders, the authorised fund or the authorised fund manager (where appropriate). |
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(5) |
The depositary should satisfy itself that any payments required following an instance of incorrect pricing are accurately and promptly calculated and paid. |
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(6) |
If a depositary considers that reimbursement or payment is inappropriate, it should report the matter to the FSA, together with its recommendation and justification. The depositary should take into account the need to avoid prejudice to the rights of unitholders, or the rights of unitholders in a class of units. |
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(7) |
It may not be practicable, or in some cases legally permissible, for the authorised fund manager to obtain reimbursement from unitholders, where the unitholders have benefited from the incorrect price. |
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(8) |
In all cases where reimbursement or payment is required, amounts due to be reimbursed to unitholders for individual sums which are reasonably considered by the authorised fund manager and depositary to be immaterial, need not normally be paid. |
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(1) When arranging to sell, redeem, issue or cancel units, or when units are issued or cancelled under COLL 6.2.7 R (1) (Issues and cancellations through an authorised fund manager), an authorised fund manager is permitted to:(a) require the payment of a dilution levy; or(b) make a dilution adjustment; or(c) neither require a dilution levy nor make a dilution adjustment;in accordance with its statements in the prospectus required by COLL 4.2.5R (18) (Table: contents of the