Related provisions for COBS 11.1.1

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COBS 12.3.1RRP
This section applies to a firm that produces or disseminates non-independent research. [Note: article 24(2) of the MiFID implementing Directive]
COBS 12.3.2RRP
A firm which produces or disseminates non-independent research must ensure that it:(1) is clearly identified as a marketing communication; and(2) contains a clear and prominent statement that (or, in the case of an oral recommendation, to the effect that) it:(a) has not been prepared in accordance with legal requirements designed to promote the independence of investment research; and(b) is not subject to any prohibition on dealing ahead of the dissemination of investment research.
COBS 12.3.3RRP
The financial promotion rules apply to non-independent research as though it were a marketing communication. [Note: article 24(2) of the MiFID implementing Directive]
COBS 12.3.4GRP
In accordance with SYSC 10, a firm will be expected to take reasonable steps to identify and manage conflicts of interest which may arise in the production of non-independent research. Situations where conflicts of interest can arise include:(1) relevant persons trading in financial instruments that are the subject of non-independent research which they know the firm has published or intends to publish before clients have had a reasonable opportunity to act on it (other than when
COBS 3.1.2GRP
This chapter relates to parts of the Handbook whose application depends on whether a person is a client, a retail client, a professional client or an eligible counterparty. However, it does not apply to the extent that another part of the Handbook provides for a different approach to client categorisation. For example, a separate approach to client categorisation is set out in the definition of a retail client for a firm that gives basic advice2.
COBS 3.1.3RRP
The sections in this chapter on general notifications (COBS 3.3) and policies, procedures and records (COBS 3.8) do not apply in relation to a firm that is neither:(1) conducting designated investment business; nor(2) in the case of MiFID or equivalent third country business providing an ancillary service that does not constitute designated investment business.
COBS 3.1.4RRP
If a firm conducts business for a client involving both:(1) MiFID or equivalent third country business; and(2) other regulated activities subject to this chapter;it must categorise that client for such business in accordance with the provisions in this chapter that apply to MiFID or equivalent third country business.
COBS 3.1.5GRP
(1) For example, the requirement concerning mixed business will apply if a MiFID investment firm advises a client on whether to invest in a scheme or a life policy. This is because the former is within the scope of MiFID and the latter is not. In such a case, the MiFIDclient categorisation requirements prevail.(2) The requirement does not apply where the MiFID or equivalent third country business is provided separately from the other regulated activities. Where this is the case,
COBS 2.2.-1RRP
(1) 1This section applies in relation to MiFID or equivalent third country business.(2) This section applies in relation to other designated investment business carried on for a retail client: (a) in relation to a derivative, a warrant or stock lending activity, but as regards the matters in COBS 2.2.1R (1)(b) only; and (b) in relation to a packaged product, but as regards the matters in COBS 2.2.1R (1)(a) and (d) only.[Note: article 19(3) of MiFID]
COBS 2.2.1RRP
(1) A firm must provide appropriate information in a comprehensible form to a client about:(a) the firm and its services;(b) designated investments and proposed investment strategies; including appropriate guidance on and warnings of the risks associated with investments in those designated investments or in respect of particular investment strategies;(c) execution venues; and(d) costs and associated charges;so that the client is reasonably able to understand the nature and risks
COBS 2.2.2GRP
A firm to which the rule on providing appropriate information (COBS 2.2.1 R) applies should also consider the rules on disclosing information about a firm, its services, costs and associated charges and designated investments in COBS 6.1 and COBS 14.
COBS 4.8.1RRP
This section applies to a firm in relation to a financial promotion that is not in writing, but it does not apply:(1) to the extent that the financial promotion is an excluded communication;(2) if the financial promotion is image advertising;(3) if the financial promotion is a non-retail communication;1(4) to the extent that the financial promotion relates to a deposit;1(5) to the extent that the financial promotion relates to a pure protection contract that is a long-term care
COBS 4.8.2RRP
A firm must not make a cold call unless:(1) the recipient has an established existing client relationship with the firm and the relationship is such that the recipient envisages receiving cold calls; or(2) the cold call relates to a generally marketable packaged product which is not:(a) a higher volatility fund; or(b) a life policy with a link (including a potential link) to a higher volatility fund; or(3) the cold call relates to a controlled activity to be carried on by an authorised
COBS 4.8.3RRP
A firm must notinitiate a non-written financial promotioncommunicated to a particular person outside the firm's premises, unless the personcommunicating it:(1) only does so at an appropriate time of the day;(2) identifies himself and the firm he represents at the outset and makes clear the purpose of the communication;(3) clarifies if the client would like to continue with or terminate the communication, and terminates the communication at any time that the client requests it;
COBS 10.1.1RRP
1This chapter applies to a firm which provides investment services in the course of MiFID or equivalent third country business other than making a personal recommendation and managing investments.
COBS 10.1.2RRP
This chapter applies to a firm which arranges or deals in relation to a derivative or a warrant with or for a retail client and the firm is aware, or ought reasonably to be aware, that the application or order is in response to a direct offer financial promotion.
COBS 10.1.3RRP
This chapter applies to a firm which assesses appropriateness on behalf of another MiFID investment firm so that the other firm may rely on the assessment under COBS 2.4.4 R (Reliance on other investment firms: MiFID and equivalent business).
COBS 10.1.4GRP
A firm that is carrying on a regulated activity on a non-advised basis, whether or not the rules in this chapter apply to its activities, should also consider whether other rules in COBS apply. For example, a firm carrying on insurance mediation activity in relation to a life policy that does not involve the provision of advice, should have regard to COBS 7 (Insurance mediation).
COBS 9.3.1GRP
(1) A transaction may be unsuitable for a client because of the risks of the designated investments involved, the type of transaction, the characteristics of the order or the frequency of the trading.(2) In the case of managing investments, a transaction might also be unsuitable if it would result in an unsuitable portfolio. [Note: recital 57 to the MiFID implementing Directive]
COBS 9.3.2GRP
(1) A series of transactions that are each suitable when viewed in isolation may be unsuitable if the recommendation or the decisions to trade are made with a frequency that is not in the best interests of the client.(2) A firm should have regard to the client's agreed investment strategy in determining the frequency of transactions. This would include, for example, the need to switch a client within or between packaged products. [Note: recital 57 to the MiFID implementing Di
COBS 9.3.3GRP
When a firm is making a personal recommendation to a retail client about income withdrawals or purchase of short-term annuities, it should consider all the relevant circumstances including:(1) the client's investment objectives, need for tax-free cash and state of health;(2) current and future income requirements, existing pension assets and the relative importance of the plan, given the client’s financial circumstances;(3) the client’s attitude to risk, ensuring that any discrepancy
COBS 9.3.4GRP
When considering the suitability of a particular investment product which is linked directly or indirectly to any form of loan, mortgage or home reversion plan, a firm should take account of the suitability of the overall transaction. The firm should also have regard to any applicable suitability rules in MCOB.
COBS 20.1.1RRP
1This chapter applies to a firm carrying on with-profits business, except to the extent modified in the following rules.
COBS 20.1.2RRP
(1) The section on the process for reattribution (COBS 20.2.42 R to COBS 20.2.52 G):(a) applies to a firm that is proposing to make a reattribution of its inherited estate;(b) but not if, and to the extent that, it would require the firm to breach, or would prevent the firm from complying with, an order made by a court of competent jurisdiction.(2) If a firm proposes to seek an order from a court of competent jurisdiction that would allow or require it to act in a way that is
COBS 20.1.3RRP
For an EEA insurer:(1) the rules and guidance on treating with-profits policyholders fairly (COBS 20.2.1 G to COBS 20.2.41 G and COBS 20.2.53 R to COBS 20.2.60 G) apply only in so far as responsibility for the matter in question has not been reserved to the firm'sHome State regulator by a European Community instrument;(2) COBS 20.3 (Principles and Practices of Financial Management) does not apply;(3) the rule on providing information to with-profits policyholders who are habitually
COBS 20.1.4RRP
The following do not apply to a non-directive friendly society:(1) COBS 20.3 (Principles and Practices of Financial Management); and(2) COBS 20.4 (Communications with with-profits policyholders).
COBS 20.1.5RRP
This chapter does not apply to with-profits business that consists of effecting or carrying out Holloway sickness policies.
COBS 20.3.1RRP
(1) A firm must:(a) establish and maintain the PPFM according to which its with-profits business is conducted (or, if appropriate, separate PPFM for each with-profits fund); and(b) retain a record of each version of its PPFM for five years.(2) A firm'swith-profits principles must:(a) be enduring statements of the standards it adopts in managing with-profits funds; and(b) describe the business model it uses to meet its duties to with-profits policyholders and to respond to longer-term
COBS 20.3.4RRP
A firm'sPPFM must cover the issues set out in the table in COBS 20.3.6 R.
COBS 20.3.5RRP
A firm'sPPFM must cover any matter that has, or it is reasonably foreseeable may have, a significant impact on the firm's management of with-profits funds, including but not limited to:(1) any requirements or constraints that apply as a result of previous dealings, including previous business transfer schemes; and(2) the nature and extent of any shareholder commitment to support the with-profits fund.
COBS 20.3.6RRP

Table: Issues to be covered in PPFM

Subject

Issues

(1)

Amount payable under a with-profits policy

(a)

Methods used to guide determination of the amount that is appropriate to pay individual with-profits policyholders, including:

(i)

the aims of the methods and approximations used;

(ii)

how the current methods, including any relevant historical assumptions used and any systems maintained to deliver results of particular methods, are documented; and

(iii)

the procedures for changing the current method or any assumptions or parameters relevant to a particular method.

(b)

Approach to setting bonus rates.

(c)

Approach to smoothing maturity payments and surrender payments, including:

(i)

the smoothing policy applied to each type of with-profits policy;

(ii)

the limits (if any) applied to the total cost of, or excess from, smoothing; and

(iii)

any limits applied to any changes in the level of maturity payments between one period to another.

(2)

Investment strategy

Significant aspects of the firm's investment strategy for its with-profits business or, if different, any with-profits fund, including:

(a)

the degree of matching to be maintained between assets relevant to with-profits business and liabilities to with-profits policyholders and other creditors;

(b)

the firm's approach to assets of different credit or liquidity quality and different volatility of market values;

(c)

the presence among the assets relevant to with-profits business of any assets that would not normally be traded because of their importance to the firm, and the justification for holding such assets; and

(d)

the firm's controls on using new asset or liability instruments and the nature of any approval required before new instruments are used.

(3)

Business risk

The exposure of the with-profits business to business risks (new and existing), including the firm's:

(a)

procedures for deciding if the with-profits business may undertake a particular business risk;

(b)

arrangements for reviewing and setting a limit on the scale of such risks; and

(c)

procedures for reflecting the profits or losses of such business risks in the amounts payable under with-profits policies.

(4)

Charges and expenses

(a)

The way in which the firm applies charges and apportions expenses to its with-profits business, including, if material, any interaction with connected firms.

(b)

The cost apportionment principles that will determine which costs are, or may be, charged to a with-profits fund and which costs are, or may be, charged to the other parts of its business of its shareholders.

(5)

Management of inherited estate

Management of any inherited estate and the uses to which the firm may put that inherited estate.

(6)

Volumes of new business and arrangements on stopping taking new business

If a firm'swith-profits fund is accepting new with-profits business, its practice for review of the limits on the quantity and type of new business and the actions that the firm would take if it ceased to take on new business of any significant amount.

(7)

Equity between the with-profits fund and any shareholders

The way in which the interests of with-profits policyholders are, or may be, affected by the interests of any shareholders of the firm.
COBS 20.3.7GRP
The table in COBS 20.3.8 G sets out guidance on how various information relevant to some of the issues covered in a firm'sPPFM (COBS 20.3.6 R) might be split between with-profits principles and with-profits practices. This is an example of the matters a firm should address in its with-profits principles and with-profits practices and is not exhaustive. A firm should consider carefully the scope and content of its PPFM as appropriate.
COBS 20.3.8GRP

Table: Guidance on with-profits principles and practices

Reference to PPFM issues (COBS 20.3.6R)

With-profits principles

With-profits practices

(1) Amount payable under a with-profits policy

General

(a) Circumstances under which any historical assumptions or parameters, relevant to methods used to determine the amount payable, may be changed;

General

(e) For each major class of with-profits policy, methods establishing the main assumptions or parameters that decide the output of methods that determine the amount payable;

(f) Degree of approximation allowed when assumptions or parameters are applied across generations of with-profits policyholders or across different types or classes of with-profits policies;

(g) Formality with which the methods, parameters or assumptions used are documented;

(h) Target range, or target ranges, that have been set for maturity payments;

(i) Factors likely to be regarded as relevant to address policyholders' interests or security when determining excess surplus; and

Investment return, expenses or charges and tax

(j) How investment return, expenses or charges and tax are brought into account and how the impact of those items is determined on the amount payable. In particular:

  • any distinctions made in recognising the investment return from a subset of the total assets of a with-profits fund;
  • whether expenses are apportioned between all the policies in a with-profits fund or apportioned in some other way;
  • the relationship between the liability to tax attributed to a with-profits fund and the tax that the firm imputes to determine the amount payable;
  • impact on the amount payable of any attributed liability to tax of a with-profits fund as a result of the firm making a transfer to shareholders; and
  • how any other items are brought into account.

Bonus rates

(b) General aims in setting bonus rates and the constraints to which the firm may be subject in changing economic circumstances;

(c) How the range of with-profits policies or generations of with-profits policies over which the firm believes a single bonus rate would be appropriate is determined and the circumstances under which it believes a new bonus series would be necessary; and

Bonus rates

(k) Current approach to setting bonus rates, including the weight given to recent economic experience. For final bonus rates, the description should include any distinctions made between with-profits policies that remain in force until contractual dates, or dates on which no market value reduction applies (for example, maturity or retirement dates) and policies that are surrendered or transferred at other dates;

(l) Frequency at which bonus rates are re-set or expected to be re-set and the circumstances under which changes in the economic environment would cause the time between re-setting to change;

(m) Maximum amount by which annual bonuses would alter if annual bonus rates were reset;

(n) Approach to setting any interim bonus rates before the next declaration of annual bonus rates;

(o) Relationship or interaction between final bonus rates and any market value reductions, if both can apply at the same time;

(p) How final bonus rates influence the value of with-profits policies that have formulaic surrender or transfer bases (for example, older conventional policies rather than unitised policies); and

Smoothing

(d) Statement as to whether smoothing is intended to be neutral over time.

Smoothing

(q) Any differences in approach for:

(2) Investment strategy

(a) How the types, classes or mix of assets are determined; and

(b) Strategy in respect of derivatives and other instruments.

(c) Whether and to what extent there is hypothecation of assets;

(d) Period between formal reviews of investment strategy;

(e) Approach to investment in different asset classes, and assets of different credit or liquidity quality, including assets not normally traded; and

(f) Details of any external support available to the with-profits fund and how this affects the investment strategy.

(3) Business risk

(a) Where a firm explicitly excludes business risk from a class of with-profits policies but there are residual risks, clarification where these risks such as guarantee and smoothing costs are borne; and

(b) Define where compensation costs from a business risk would be borne.

(c) Current limits which apply to the taking on of business risk; and

(d) Whether and to what extent particular generations of with-profits policyholders or classes of with-profits policies bear or might bear particular business risks, including for example, crystallised or contingent guarantees to other classes of policyholders or whether the out-turn from all business risk is pooled across all with-profits policies.

(4) Charges and expenses

(a) Factors that would drive any change to the basis on which the firm applies charges to or apportions its actual expenses amongst with-profits policies, or exercises any discretion to apply charges to particular with-profits policies.

(b) Charges currently applied and the expenses currently apportioned to major classes of with-profits policies;

(c) Relationship between the firm's actual charges and expenses, as applied to determine the amounts payable under with-profits policies, and the charges and expenses borne by the with-profits fund;

(d) Circumstances under which expenses will be charged to the with-profits fund at an amount other than cost, and the reasons why; and

(e) Interval for reviewing any arrangements for out-sourced services, including those provided by connected parties, giving a broad indication of the terms for termination.

(5) Management of inherited estate

(a) Preferred size or scale of inherited estate and implications for the values of the with profits policies; and

(b) Any existing division of the inherited estate between with-profits funds; and

(c) Any constraints on the freedom to deal with the inherited estate as a result of previous dealings.

(d) How the inherited estate is used, for example, in meeting costs;

(e) Whether the investment strategy for the inherited estate differs from the rest of the with-profits fund; and

(f) Any current guidelines in place as to the size or scale of the inherited estate or as to how and over what time period the inherited estate would be managed, if it becomes too large or too small.

(6) Equity between the with-profits fund and any shareholders

(a) Arrangements for, and any changes to, profit sharing between shareholders and with-profits policyholders.

(b) Current basis on which profit between with-profits policyholders and shareholders is divided; and

(c) Whether the pricing of any policies being written, and particular policies open to new business, appear to be significantly and systematically reducing the inherited estate if the shareholder transfer is taken into account.
COBS 18.11.1RRP
1COBS applies to an authorised professional firm, except that its application in relation to non-mainstream regulated activities and financial promotion is modified as set out below.
COBS 18.11.2RRP
COBS does not apply to an authorised professional firm with respect to its non-mainstream regulated activities, except that:(1) the fair, clear and not misleading rule applies;(2) the financial promotion rules apply as modified below;(3) COBS 7 (Insurance mediation) applies but only if the designated professional body of the firm does not have rules approved by the FSA under section 332(5) of the Act that implement articles 12 and 13 of the Insurance Mediation Directive and that
COBS 18.11.3RRP
The financial promotion rules do not apply to an authorised professional firm in relation to the communication of a financial promotion if:(1) the firm's main business is the practice of its profession (see IPRU(INV) 2.1.2R(3));(2) the financial promotion is made for the purposes of and incidental to the promotion or provision by the firm of its professional services or its non-mainstream regulated activities; and(3) the financial promotion is not communicated on behalf of another
COBS 18.11.4GRP
The rules on approvingfinancial promotions continue to apply.
COBS 15.2.1RRP

A consumer has a right to cancel any of the following contracts with a firm:

Cancellable contract

Cancellation period

Supplementary provisions

Life and pensions:

• a life policy (including a pension annuity, a pension policy or within a wrapper)

• a contract to join a personal pension scheme or a stakeholder pension scheme

• a pension contract

• a contract for a pension transfer

• a contract to vary an existing personal pension scheme or stakeholder pension scheme by exercising, for the first time, an option to make income withdrawals

,

30 calendar days

For a life policy effected when opening or transferring a wrapper, the 30 calendar day right to cancel applies to the entire arrangement

For a contract to buy a unit in a regulated collective investment scheme within a pension wrapper, the cancellation right for 'non-life/pensions (advised but not at a distance)' below may apply

Exemptions may apply (see COBS 15 Annex 1 )

Cash deposit ISAs:

• a contract for a cash deposit ISA

14 calendar days

Exemptions may apply (see COBS 15 Annex 1 )

Non-life/pensions (advised but not at a distance): a non-distance contract ...

• to buy a unit in a regulated collective investment scheme (including within a wrapper or pension wrapper)

• to open or transfer a child trust fund (CTF)

• to open or transfer an ISA or PEP

• for an Enterprise Investment Scheme

14 calendar days

These rights arise only following a personal recommendation of the contract (by the firm or any other person)

For a unit bought when opening or transferring a wrapper or pension wrapper, the 14 calendar day right to cancel applies to the entire arrangement

Exemptions may apply (see COBS 15 Annex 1 )

Non-life/pensions (at a distance): a distance contract, relating to ...

• accepting deposits

• designated investment business

14 calendar days

Exemptions may apply (see COBS 15 Annex 1 )

[Note: article35 of the Consolidated Life Directive, article 6(1) of the Distance Marketing Directive]

COBS 15.2.2GRP
(1) If the same transaction attracts more than one right to cancel, the firm should apply the longest cancellation period applicable.(2) A firm may provide longer or additional cancellation rights voluntarily, but if it does these should be on terms at least as favourable to the consumer as those in this chapter, unless the differences are clearly explained.(3) If the right to cancel applies to a wrapper or pension wrapper and underlying investments, the firm may give the consumer
COBS 15.2.3RRP
The cancellation period begins:(1) either from the day of the conclusion of the contract, except in respect of contracts relating to life policies where the time limit will begin from the time when the consumer is informed that the contract has been concluded; or(2) from the day on which the consumer receives the contractual terms and conditions and any other pre-contractual information required under this sourcebook, if that is later than the date referred to above. [Note: article35
COBS 15.2.4GRP
If a firm does not give a consumer the required information about the right to cancel and other matters, the contract remains cancellable and the consumer will not be liable for any shortfall.
COBS 15.2.5RRP
(1) The firm must disclose to the consumer:(a) in good time before or, if that is not possible, immediately after the consumer is bound by a contract that attracts a right to cancel or withdraw; and(b) in a durable medium;the existence of the right to cancel or withdraw, its duration and the conditions for exercising it including information on the amount which the consumer may be required to pay, the consequences of not exercising it and practical instructions for exercising
COBS 18.3.1RRP

The provisions of COBS in the table do not apply in respect of any corporate finance business carried on by a firm which is MiFID or equivalent third country business:

COBS

Description

6.2

Describing the breadth of a firm's advice on investments

6.3

Disclosing information about services, fees and commission - packaged products

6.4

Disclosure of charges, remuneration and commission

9.4

Suitability reports

9.6

Special rules for providing basic advice on a stakeholder product

11.6

Use of dealing commission

16.3.9

Guidance on contingent liability transaction

16.5

Quotations for surrender values

16.6

Life insurance contracts - communications to clients

16 Annex 1 R (1) 14

Information to be provided in accordance with COBS 16.2.1 R and 16.3
COBS 18.3.2GRP

The provisions of COBS in the table are unlikely to be relevant to any corporate finance business carried on by a firm which is MiFID or equivalent third country business:

COBS

Description

5

Distance communications, except in relation to distance contracts concluded with consumers

7

Insurance mediation

13

Preparing product information

14.2

Providing product information

15

Cancellation, except cancellation and withdrawal rights in relation to distance contracts concluded with consumers

17

Claims handling for long-term care insurance

18.1

Trustee firms' regime

18.2

Energy market activity and oil market activity

18.4

Stock lending activity

19

Pensions - supplementary provisions

20

With-profits
COBS 18.3.4GRP
COBS 15 (Cancellation) is likely to be of limited application to corporate finance business. Distance contracts concluded with consumers in the course of corporate finance business will be exempt from COBS 15 if the price of the financial service is dependent on fluctuations in the financial market outside the firm's control.
COBS 12.1.1GRP
1The purpose of this chapter is to:2(1) 2set out specific requirements 2relating to the production and dissemination of investment research and non-independent research; and(2) implementing the provisions of 2the Market Abuse Directive relating to the disclosures to be made in, and about, research recommendations
COBS 12.1.2RRP
This chapter applies 2to a firm.2(1) 2[deleted](2) 2[deleted]
COBS 12.1.3GRP
The EEA territorial scope rule modifies the general rule of application to the extent necessary to be compatible with European law (see paragraph 1.1 of Part 2 of COBS 1 Annex 1). This means that COBS 12.2 and COBS 12.3.4 G also apply to passported activities carried on by a UKMiFID investment firm from a branch in another EEA state, but do not apply to the United Kingdombranch of an EEAMiFID investment firm in relation to its MiFID business.
COBS 17.1.1RRP
1When an insurer or managing agent receives a claim under a long-term care insurance contract, it must respond promptly by providing the policyholder, or the person acting on the policyholder's behalf, with:(1) a claim form (if it requires one to be completed);(2) a summary of its claims handling procedure; and(3) appropriate information about the medical criteria that must be met, and any waiting periods that apply, under the terms of the policy.
COBS 17.1.2RRP
As soon as reasonably practicable after receipt of a claim, the insurer or managing agent must tell the policyholder, or the person acting on the policyholder's behalf:(1) (for each part of the claim it accepts), whether the claim will be settled by paying the policyholder, providing goods or services to the policyholder or paying another person to provide those goods or services; and(2) (for each part of the claim it rejects), why the claim has been rejected and whether any future
COBS 17.1.3RRP
An insurer and a managing agent must not:(1) unreasonably reject a claim; or(2) except where there is evidence of fraud, reject a claim for:(a) non-disclosure of a fact material to the risk which the policyholder could not reasonably have been expected to disclose; or(b) misrepresentation of a fact material to the risk, unless the misrepresentation is negligent; or(c) breach of warranty, unless the circumstances of the claim are connected to the breach, the warranty is material to
COBS 3.8.1RRP
A firm must implement appropriate written internal policies and procedures to categorise its clients. [Note: fourth paragraph of section II.2 of annex II to MiFID]
COBS 3.8.2RRP
(1) A firm must make a record of the form of each notice provided and each agreement entered into under this chapter. This record must be made at the time that standard form is first used and retained for the relevant period after the firm ceases to carry on business with clients who were provided with that form.(2) A firm must make a record in relation to each client of:(a) the categorisation established for the client under this chapter, including sufficient information to support
COBS 3.8.3GRP
If a firm provides the same form of notice to more than one client, it need not maintain a separate copy of it for each client, provided it keeps evidence of despatch of the notice to each client.
COBS 9.5.1GRP
For its MiFID business, a firm is required to keep orderly records of its business and internal organisation (see SYSC 9, General rules on record-keeping). For other business, a firm is required to take reasonable care to establish and maintain such systems and controls as are appropriate to itsbusiness (see SYSC 3, Systems and controls). The records may be expected to reflect the different effect of the rules in this chapter depending on whether the client is a retail client
COBS 9.5.2RRP
A1firm must retain its records relating to suitability for a minimum of the following periods:(1) if relating to a pension transfer, pension opt-out or FSAVC, indefinitely;(2) if relating to a life policy,2personal pension scheme2or stakeholder pension scheme, five years;(3) if relating to MiFID or equivalent third country business, five years; and(4) in any other case, three years.
COBS 9.5.3RRP
A firm need not retain its records relating to suitability if:(1) the client does not proceed with the recommendation; and(2) they do not relate to MiFID or equivalent third country business.
COBS 10.3.1RRP
(1) If a firm considers, on the basis of the information received to enable it to assess appropriateness, that the product or service is not appropriate to the client, the firm must warn the client.(2) This warning may be provided in a standardised format. [Note: article 19(5) of MiFID]
COBS 10.3.2RRP
(1) If the client elects not to provide the information to enable the firm to assess appropriateness, or if he provides insufficient information regarding his knowledge and experience, the firm must warn the client that such a decision will not allow the firm to determine whether the service or product envisaged is appropriate for him.(2) This warning may be provided in a standardised format. [Note: article 19(5) of MiFID]
COBS 10.3.3GRP
If a client asks a firm to go ahead with a transaction, despite being given a warning by the firm, it is for the firm to consider whether to do so having regard to the circumstances.
COBS 11.5.1EURP
An investment firm shall, in relation to every order received from a client, and in relation to every decision to deal taken in providing the service of portfolio management, immediately make a record of the following details, to the extent they are applicable to the order or decision to deal in question:(1) the name or other designation of the client;(2) the name or other designation of any relevant person acting on behalf of the client;(3) the details specified in point 4, 6,
COBS 11.5.2EURP
Immediately after executing a client order, or, in the case of investment firms that transmit orders to another person for execution, immediately after receiving confirmation that an order has been executed, investment firms shall record the following details of the transaction in question:(1) the name or other designation of the client;(2) the details specified in points 2, 3, 4, 6, and in points 16 to 21, of Table 1 of Annex I;(3) the total price, being the product of the unit
COBS 11.5.3EURP
If an investment firm transmits an order to another person for execution, the investment firm shall immediately record the following details after making the transmission:(1) the name or other designation of the client whose order has been transmitted;(2) the name or other designation of the person to whom the order was transmitted;(3) the terms of the order transmitted;(4) the date and exact time of transmission. [Note: article 8(2) of MiFID Regulation]
COBS 11.5.4EURP

Points 2, 3, 4, 6, 16 - 21 of Table 1 of Annex 1 of the MiFID Regulation

2.

Trading day

The trading day on which the transaction was executed.

3.

Trading time

The time at which the transaction was executed, reported in the local time of the competent authority to which the transaction will be reported, and the basis in which the transaction is reported expressed as Co-ordinated Universal Time (UTC) +/- hours.

4.

Buy/sell indicator

Identifies whether the transaction was a buy or sell from the perspective of the reporting investment firm or, in the case of a report to a client, of the client.

6.

Instrument identification

This shall consist of:

  • a unique code to be decided by the competent authority (if any) to which the report is made identifying the financial instrument which is the subject of the transaction;
  • if the financial instrument in question does not have a unique identification code, the report must include the name of the instrument or, in the case of a derivative contract, the characteristics of the contract.

16.

Unit price

The price per security or derivative contract excluding commission and (where relevant) accrued interest. In the case of a debt instrument, the price may be expressed either in terms of currency or as a percentage.

17.

Price notation

The currency in which the price is expressed. If, in the case of a bond or other form of securitised debt, the price is expressed as a percentage, that percentage shall be included.

18.

Quantity

The number of units of the financial instruments, the nominal value of bonds, or the number of derivative contracts included in the transaction.

19.

Quantity notation

An indication as to whether the quantity is the number of units of financial instruments, the nominal value of bonds or the number of derivative contracts.

20.

Counterparty

Identification of the counterparty to the transaction. That identification shall consist of:

  • where the counterparty is an investment firm, a unique code for that firm, to be determined by the competent authority (if any) to which the report is made;
  • where the counterparty is a regulated market or MTF or an entity acting as its central counterparty, the unique harmonised identification code for that market, MTF or entity acting as central counterparty, as specified in the list published by the competent authority of the home Member State of that entity in accordance with Article 13(2);
  • where the counterparty is not an investment firm, a regulated market, an MTF or an entity acting as central counterparty, it should be identified as 'customer/client' of the investment firm which executed the transaction.

21.

Venue identification

Identification of the venue where the transaction was executed. That identification shall consist in:

  • where the venue is a trading venue: its unique harmonised identification code;
  • otherwise: the code 'OTC'.
COBS 12.4.8GRP
The disclosures required under COBS 12.4.7 R (1)(e) and COBS 12.4.7R (1)(f) may, if the firm so chooses, be made by graphical means (for example by use of a line graph).
COBS 12.4.11GRP
Nothing in COBS 12.4.10 R (1)(a) prevents a firm from choosing to disclose significant shareholdings above a lower threshold (for example, 1%) than is required by COBS 12.4.10 R (1)(a).
COBS 12.4.14GRP
The FSA considers that it is important for the proportions published in compliance with COBS 12.4.10 R (4) to be consistent and meaningful to the recipients of the research recommendations. Accordingly for non-equity material, the relevant categories should be meaningful to the recipients in terms of the course of action being recommended.
COBS 3.2.1RRP
(1) A person to whom a firm provides, intends to provide or has provided:(a) a service in the course of carrying on a regulated activity; or(b) in the case of MiFID or equivalent third country business, an ancillary service,is a "client" of that firm;(2) A "client" includes a potential client.(3) In relation to the financial promotion rules, a person to whom a financial promotion is or is likely to be communicated is a "client" of a firm that communicates or approves it.(4) A
COBS 3.2.2GRP
1(1) A corporate finance contact or a venture capital contact is not a client under the first limb of the general definition. This is because a firm does not provide a service to such a contact. However, it will be a client under the third limb of the general definition for the purposes of the financial promotion rules if the firmcommunicates or approves a financial promotion that is or is likely to be communicated to such a contact. 1(2) Communicating or approving a financial
COBS 3.2.3RRP
(1) If a firm provides services to a person that is acting as an agent, the identity of its client will be determined in accordance with the rule on agents as clients (see COBS 2.4.3 R).(2) In relation to a firm establishing, operating or winding up a personal pension scheme or a stakeholder pension scheme, a member or beneficiary of that scheme is a client of the firm.(3) If a firm that does not fall within (2) provides services to a person that is acting as the trustee of a
COBS 4.11.1RRP
(1) A firm must make an adequate record of any financial promotion it communicates or approves, other than a financial promotion made in the course of a personal visit, telephone conversation or other interactive dialogue.(2) For a telemarketing campaign, a firm must make an adequate record of copies of any scripts used.(3) A firm must retain the record in relation to a financial promotion relating to:(a) a pension transfer, pension opt-out or FSAVC, indefinitely;(b) a life policy,
COBS 4.11.2GRP
A firm should consider maintaining a record of why it is satisfied that the financial promotion complies with the financial promotion rules.
COBS 4.11.3GRP
If the financial promotion includes market information that is updated continuously in line with the relevant market, the record-keeping rules do not require a firm to record that information.