Related provisions for PERG 4.5.12
1 - 20 of 117 items.
Certain transactions are excluded. The definition of deposit itself excludes money paid in connection with certain transactions such as advance payments for the provision of goods or services and sums paid to secure the performance of a contract. The circumstances in which payments are excluded from the definition itself are exhaustively stated in article 5(3) of the Regulated Activities Order (Accepting deposits). In addition, there is a separate exclusion in article 9 of the
Electronic money is specified as an investment in article 74A of the Regulated Activities Order (as amended by the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Regulated Activities) (Amendment) Order 2002 (SI 2002/682)). It is defined, in article 2 of that Order, as monetary value, as represented by a claim on the issuer, which is stored on an electronic device, issued on receipt of funds and accepted as a means of payment by persons other than the issuer. Further guidance is given
There are two main sorts of contracts of insurance. These are general insurance contracts and long-term insurance contracts. The Regulated Activities Order provides that, in certain specified circumstances, a contract is to be treated as a long-term insurance contract notwithstanding that it contains supplementary provisions that might also be regarded as relating to a general insurance contract (see article 3(3)).
The Regulated Activities Order uses two further terms in relation to contracts of insurance to identify those contracts under which rights are treated as contractually based investments.(1) The first term is 'qualifying contracts of insurance' (referred to as life policies in the Handbook). This identifies those long-term insurance contracts under which rights are treated as contractually based investments. This term does not cover long-term insurance contracts which are contracts
Shares are defined in the Regulated Activities Order as shares or stock in a wide range of entities; that is, any body corporate wherever incorporated and unincorporated bodies formed under the law of a country other than the United Kingdom. They include deferred shares issued by building societies as well as transferable shares in industrial and provident societies, credit unions and equivalent EEA bodies. These shares are transferable and negotiable in a way similar to other
Two categories of specified investments relating to debt instruments are dealt with under this heading. They broadly split into private debt and public sector debt.(1) The first category of 'instruments creating or acknowledging indebtedness' (defined in article 77 of the Regulated Activities Order and referred to in the Handbook as debentures) expressly refers to a range of instruments such as debentures, bonds and loan stock and contains a catch-all reference to 'any other instrument
Certain instruments are excluded from both these categories of specified investments. These include trade bills, specified banking documents (such as cheques and banknotes though not bills of exchange accepted by a banker) and contracts of insurance. There is a further exclusion from this category of specified investment dealing with public debt for National Savings deposits and products.
There are no exclusions in the Regulated Activities Order for this specified investment category. This is because 'collective investment scheme' is defined in section 235 of the Act (Collective investment schemes) for the purposes of the Act generally. But there is a separate power to provide for exemptions from that definition and the Treasury have exercised it (see the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Collective Investment Schemes) Order 2001 (SI 2001/1062). The result
The specified investment category of options comprises:444(1) 4options to acquire or dispose of securities or contractually based investments, currency and certain precious metals and options to acquire or dispose of such options. Options to buy or sell other types of commodity will only fall within this specified investment category if they are options to buy or sellfutures, or options to buy or sellcontracts for differences, which are based on other commodities. But options
The key issue in determining whether something is an investment in this category for the purposes of the Regulated Activities Order is whether the contract is made for investment purposes rather than commercial purposes. Contracts which are made for commercial purposes are excluded from this specified investment category and the Regulated Activities Order contains several tests as to when that is, or is not, the case (some are conclusive, others only indicative).
4As with options, there is an additional category of instruments which are futures only when they are the object of investment services or activities provided or performed by certain persons. These are contracts as described in PERG 2.6.21 G:(1) that would not be regarded as having been entered into for investment purposes because they fail one of the tests mentioned in PERG 2.6.22 G;(2) that fall within paragraphs 5, 6, 7 or 10 of Annex 1 to MiFID (see PERG 13, Q32 to Q34 for
4The transposition of MiFID does not have the effect of turning spot or forward foreign exchange contracts into financial instruments where such instruments satisfy the commercial purpose test in article 84(2) of the Regulated Activities Order. In our view, very few instruments are likely to fall within PERG 2.6.22A G in practice, given that this category only applies in the case of instruments not falling within PERG 2.6.22 G. An example of an instrument falling within PERG 2.6.22A
In accordance with article 61(3)(a) of the Regulated Activities Order, a regulated mortgage contract is a contract which, at the time it is entered into, satisfies the following conditions:(1) the contract is one where the lender provides credit to an individual or trustees (the "borrower");(2) the obligation of the borrower to repay is secured by a first legal charge on land (other than timeshare accommodation) in the United Kingdom; and(3) at least 40% of that land is used,
3In accordance with article 63B(3)(a) of the Regulated Activities Order, a home reversion plan is an arrangement under which, at the time it is entered into:(1) a person (the "reversion purchaser") buys all or part of a qualifying interest in land (other than timeshare accommodation) in the United Kingdom from an individual or trustees (the "reversion occupier");(2) the reversion occupier (or, where trustees are concerned, an individual who is a beneficiary of the trust), or a
3In accordance with article 63F(3)(a) of the Regulated Activities Order, a home purchase plan is an arrangement under which, at the time it is entered into:(1) a person (the "home purchase provider") buys a qualifying interest in land or an undivided share of a qualifying interest in land (other than timeshare accommodation) in the United Kingdom;(2) where an undivided share of a qualifying interest is bought, the interest is held on trust for the home purchase provider and the
Because of the different nature of the specified investments in relation to which these activities are carried on, 'buying' and 'selling' are defined terms that have an extended meaning. For example, some of the specified investments listed in PERG 2.6 are particular things that can be bought and sold in the ordinary meaning of the words. Others fall outside the ordinary meaning of 'buy' and 'sell' because their transfer involves an assumption of a potential liability under a
There are eight3 arranging activities that are regulated activities under the Regulated Activities Order. These are:3(1) arranging (bringing about) deals in investments which are securities, relevant investments or the underwriting capacity of a Lloyd's syndicate or membership of a Lloyd's syndicate (article 25(1));(2) making arrangements with a view to transactions in investments which are securities, relevant investments or the underwriting capacity of a Lloyd's syndicate or
The activity of arranging (bringing about) deals in investments is aimed at arrangements that would have the direct effect that a particular transaction is concluded (that is, arrangements that bring it about). The activity of making arrangements with a view to transactions in investments is aimed at cases where it may be said that the transaction is "brought about" directly by the parties. This is where this happens in a context set up by a third party specifically with a view
The regulated activity of advising on investments under article 53 of the Regulated Activities Order applies to advice on securities or relevant investments. It does not, for example, include giving advice about deposits, or about things that are not specified investments for the purposes of the Regulated Activities Order (such as interests under the trusts of an occupational pension scheme). Giving advice on certain other specified investments is, however, regulated under other
Under article 53A of the Regulated Activities Order, giving advice to a person in his capacity as borrower or potential borrower is a regulated activity if it is advice on the merits of the person:(1) entering into a particular regulated mortgage contract; or(2) varying the terms of a regulated mortgage contract.Advice on varying terms as referred to in (2) comes within article 53A only where the borrower entered into the regulated mortgage contract on or after 31 October 2004
3Under article 53B of the Regulated Activities Order, giving advice to a person in his capacity as reversion occupier or reversion provider is a regulated activity if it is advice on the merits of the person:(1) entering into a particular home reversion plan; or(2) varying the terms of a home reversion plan.Advice on varying terms as referred to in (2) only comes within article 53B where the plan was entered into by the person on or after 6 April 2007 and the variation varies
3Under article 53C of the Regulated Activities Order, giving advice to a person in his capacity as home purchaser is a regulated activity if it is advice on the merits of the person:(1) entering into a particular home purchase plan; or(2) varying the terms of a home purchase plan.Advice on varying terms as referred to in (2) only comes within article 53C where the plan is entered into by the person on or after 6 April 2007 and the variation varies the person's obligations under
Certain activities carried on in connection with business at Lloyds will be regulated. In addition to those already mentioned (arranging deals in the underwriting capacity of a Lloyd's syndicate or membership of a Lloyd'ssyndicate), there are three other regulated activities as follows.(1) Managing the underwriting capacity of a Lloyd's syndicate as a managing agent at Lloyd's is a regulated activity. 'Managing agent' is defined in article 3(1) of the Regulated Activities Order.(2)
Entering into as lender, and administering, a regulated mortgage contract are regulated activities under article 61 of the Regulated Activities Order (Regulated mortgage contracts). Guidance on these regulated activities is in PERG 4.7 (Entering into a regulated mortgage contract) and PERG 4.8 (Administering a regulated mortgage contract).
3Entering into a home reversion plan and administering a home reversion plan are regulated activities under article 63B of the Regulated Activities Order (Regulated home reversion plans). Guidance on these regulated activities is in PERG 14.3 (Guidance on home reversion and home purchase activities).
Article 25A of the Regulated Activities Order describes two types of regulated activities concerned with arrangingregulated mortgage contracts. These are:(1) making arrangements for another person to:(a) enter into a regulated mortgage contract as borrower; or(b) vary the terms of a regulated mortgage contract entered into by him as borrower on or after 31 October 2004 in such a way as to vary his obligations under the contract; and(2) making arrangements with a view to a person
The first activity (article 25A(1)) is referred to in this guidance as arranging (bringing about) regulated mortgage contracts. Various points arise:(1) It is not necessary for the potential borrower himself to be involved in making the arrangements.(2) This activity is carried on only if the arrangements bring about, or would bring about a regulated mortgage contract. This is because of the exclusion in article 26 (see PERG 4.5.4 G).(3) This activity therefore includes the activities
The second activity (article 25A(2)) is referred to in this guidance as making arrangements with a view to regulated mortgage contracts. This activity is different from article 25A(1)) because it requires a potential borrower to actively participate by utilising the arrangements to enter into a regulated mortgage contract. It does not require that the arrangements would bring about a regulated mortgage contract. Nor does it cover arrangements leading to contract variations. It
Article 26 of the Regulated Activities Order (Arrangements not causing a deal) excludes from article 25A(1) arrangements which do not bring about or would not bring about the regulated mortgage contract in question. In the FSA's view, a person brings about or would bring about a regulated mortgage contract if his involvement in the chain of events leading to the transaction is of enough importance that without that involvement it would not take place.
Article 27 of the Regulated Activities Order (Enabling parties to communicate) contains an exclusion that applies to arrangements which might otherwise fall within article 25A(2) merely because they provide the means by which one party to a regulated mortgage contract (or potential regulated mortgage contract) is able to communicate with other parties. Simply providing the means by which parties to a regulated mortgage contract (or potential regulated mortgage contract) are able
In the FSA's view, the crucial element of the exclusion in article 27 is the inclusion of the word "merely". When a publisher, broadcaster or Internet website operator goes beyond what is necessary for him to provide his service of publishing, broadcasting or otherwise facilitating the issue of promotions, he may well bring himself within the scope of article 25A(2). Further detailed guidance relating to the scope of the exclusion in article 27 is contained in PERG 8.32.6 G to
Arranging a regulated mortgage contract (or contract variation) to which the arranger is to be a party is excluded from both article 25A(1) and (2) by article 28A of the Regulated Activities Order (Arranging contracts to which the arranger is a party). As a result, a person cannot both be entering into a regulated mortgage contract and arranging a regulated mortgage contract under article 25A as regards a particular regulated mortgage contract. This means that a direct sale by
An unauthorised person who makes arrangements for or with a view to a regulated mortgage contract between a borrower and an authorised person, is excluded from article 25A(1) and (2) by article 29 of the Regulated Activities Order (Arranging deals with or through authorised persons) if specified conditions as to advice and remuneration are satisfied. For example, the exclusion is dependent on the borrower not receiving any advice on the regulated mortgage contract from the unauthorised
Article 29A of the Regulated Activities Order excludes from article 25A(1)(b) (which covers making arrangements for another person to vary the terms of a regulated mortgage contract) certain activities of an unauthorised person who is taking advantage of the exclusion from administering a regulated mortgage contract in article 62 (Exclusion: arranging administration by authorised persons) see PERG 4.8.4 G).
Article 33A of the Regulated Activities Order (Introducing to authorised persons) excludes from article 25A(2) arrangements under which a borrower is introduced to certain persons. Introducing is only a regulated activity under article 25A(2) as it does not of itself bring about regulated mortgage contracts (see PERG 4.5.2 G).
The exclusion applies for introductions to:(1) an authorised person who has permission to carry on a regulated activity specified in article 25A (Arranging regulated mortgage contracts) or article 53A (Advising on regulated mortgage contracts) or article 61(1) (Entering into a regulated mortgage contract as lender); introducers can check the status of an authorised person and its permission by visiting the FSA's registerat http://www.fsa.gov.uk/register/;(2) an appointed representative
In addition to the exclusion in article 33A, introducers may be able to take advantage of the exclusion in article 33 of the Regulated Activities Order (Introducing). This excludes arrangements where:(1) they are arrangements under which persons will be introduced to another person;(2) the person to whom the introduction is to be made is:(a) an authorised person; or(b) an exempt person acting in the course of business comprising a regulated activity in relation to which he is
The Regulated Activities Order contains a number of other exclusions which have the effect of preventing certain activities from amounting to regulated activities within article 25. These are referred to in PERG 4.10 (Exclusions applying to more than one regulated activity). There is also an exclusion where both the arranger and borrower are overseas, which is referred to in PERG 4.11 (Link between activities and the United Kingdom).
Article 53A of the Regulated Activities Order (Advising on regulated mortgage contracts) makes advising on regulated mortgage contracts a regulated activity. This covers advice which is both:(1) given to a person in his capacity as borrower or potential borrower; and(2) advice on the merits of the borrower:(a) entering into a particular regulated mortgage contract (whether or not the entering into is done by way of business); or(b) varying the terms of a regulated mortgage contract
For advice to fall within article 53A as set out in PERG 4.6.1 G it must:(1) relate to a particular mortgage contract (that is, one that the borrower may enter into or, in the case of advice on a variation, one that he has already entered into);(2) be given to a person in his capacity as a borrower or potential borrower;(3) be advice (that is, not just information); and(4) relate to the merits of the borrower entering into, or varying the terms of, the contract.
Advice will come within the regulated activity in article 53A of the Regulated Activities Order only if it relates to a particular regulated mortgage contract (or several different regulated mortgage contracts). The question is whether a recommendation is made to a customer which either explicitly or implicitly steers the customer to a particular regulated mortgage contract because of its features.
Typical recommendations and whether they will be regulated as advice under article 53A of the Regulated Activities Order
This table belongs to PERG 4.6.5 G and PERG 4.6.6 G.
Recommendation |
Regulated or not? |
I recommend you take out the ABC Building Society 2 year fixed rate mortgage at 5%. |
Yes. This is advice which steers the borrower in the direction of a particular mortgage which the borrower could enter into. |
I recommend you do not take out the ABC Building Society 2 year fixed rate mortgage at 5%. |
Yes. This is advice which steers the borrower away from a particular mortgage which the borrower could have entered into. |
I recommend that you take out either the ABC Building Society 2 year fixed rate mortgage at 5% or the XYZ Bank standard variable rate mortgage. |
Yes. This is advice which steers the borrower in the direction of more than one particular mortgage which the borrower could enter into. |
I recommend you take out (or do not take out) an ABC Building Society fixed rate mortgage. |
This will depend on the circumstances. If, for example, the society only offers one such mortgage, this would be a recommendation intended implicitly to steer the borrower in the direction of that particular mortgage which the borrower could enter into and therefore would be advice. |
I suggest you take out (or do not take out) a mortgage with ABC Building Society. |
No. This is not advice which steers the borrower in the direction of a particular mortgage which the borrower could enter into. However, if the society only offers one mortgage, this would be a recommendation intended implicitly to steer the borrower in the direction of that particular mortgage which the borrower could enter into and therefore would be advice. |
I suggest you change (or do not change) your current mortgage from a variable rate to a fixed rate. |
No in respect of the advice about rate type, as this does not steer the borrower in the direction of a particular mortgage which the borrower could enter into. Yes in respect of the advice about varying the terms of the particular mortgage that the borrower had already entered into. |
I suggest you take out (or do not take out) a variable rate mortgage. |
No. This is not advice which steers the borrower in the direction of a particular mortgage which the borrower could enter into. |
I recommend you take out (or do not take out) a mortgage. |
No. This is not advice which steers the borrower in the direction of a particular mortgage which the borrower could enter into. |
I would always recommend buying a house and taking out a mortgage as opposed to renting a property. |
No. This is an example of generic advice which does not steer the borrower in the direction of a particular mortgage that he could enter into. |
I recommend you do not borrow more than you can comfortably afford. |
No. This is an example of generic advice. |
If you are looking for flexibility with your mortgage I would recommend you explore the possibilities of either a flexible mortgage or an off-set mortgage. There are a growing number of lenders offering both. |
No. This is an example of generic advice. |
In the FSA's view, guiding a person through scripted questions or a decision tree should not, of itself, involve advice within the meaning of article 53A (it should be generic advice). But the combination of advice, which in isolation may properly be considered generic, with the identification of a particular or several particular regulated mortgage contracts may well, in the FSA's view, cause the person to be advising on regulated mortgage contracts; the FSA considers that it
For the purposes of article 53A, advice must be given to or directed at someone who is acting as borrower or potential borrower. As indicated in PERG 4.4.2 G (Which borrowers?), this means the individual or trustee to whom the credit has been provided by the lender or who is looking to obtain the credit on the security of his property. Advice given to a body corporate will not generally be caught because the advice will not concern a regulated mortgage contract, as defined. But
Article 53A will not, for example, apply where advice is given to persons who receive it as:(1) a lender under or administrator of a regulated mortgage contract; or(2) an adviser who may use it to inform advice given by him to others; or(3) a journalist or broadcaster; or(4) an agent of a borrower unless appointed as the borrower's attorney and therefore entering into the regulated mortgage contract as agent (or proxy) for the borrower.
Without explicit or implicit advice on the merits of entering into as borrower or varying the terms of a regulated mortgage contract, advice will not fall under article 53A if it is advice on the likely meaning of uncertain provisions in a regulated mortgage contract or on how to complete an application form.
The main exclusion from advising on regulated mortgage contracts relates to advice given in periodical publications, regularly updated news and information services and broadcasts (article 54 of the Regulated Activities Order (Advice given in newspapers etc)). The exclusion applies if the principal purpose of any of these is neither to give advice of the kind to which article 53 (Advising on investments) or article 53A applies nor to lead or enable persons to:(1) acquire or dispose
Article 25 of the Regulated Activities Order (Arranging deals in investments) describes two types of regulated activities concerned with arranging deals in respect of contracts of insurance. These are:(1) arranging (bringing about) deals in investments (article 25(1) (Arranging deals in investments)); and(2) making arrangements with a view to transactions in investments (article 25(2) (Arranging deals in investments)).
The activity in article 25(1) is carried on only if the arrangements bring about, or would bring about, the transaction to which the arrangement relates. This is because of the exclusion in article 26 of the Regulated Activities Order (Arrangements not causing a deal). Article 26 excludes from article 25(1) arrangements which do not bring about or would not bring about the transaction to which the arrangements relate. In the FSA's view, a person would bring about a contract of
Article 25(2) may, for instance, include activities of persons who help potential policyholders fill in or check application forms in the context of ongoing arrangements between these persons and insurance undertakings. A further example of this activity would be a person introducing customers to an intermediary either for advice or to help arrange an insurance policy. The introduction might be oral or written. By contrast, the FSA considers that a mere passive display of literature
In broad terms, article 72C of the Regulated Activities Order excludes from the activities of arranging and assisting in the administration and performance of a contract of insurance activities that:(1) consist of the provision of information to the policyholder or potential policyholder;(2) are carried on by a person carrying on any profession or business which does not otherwise consist of regulated activities; and(3) amount to the provision of information that may reasonably
This exclusion applies to a person whose profession or business does not otherwise consist of regulated activities. In the FSA's view, the fact that a person may carry on regulated activities in the course of the carrying on of a profession or business does not, of itself, mean that the profession or business consists of regulated activities. This is provided that the main focus of the profession or business does not involve regulated activities and that the regulated activities
Article 27 of the Regulated Activities Order (Enabling parties to communicate) contains an exclusion that applies to arrangements which might otherwise bring within article 25(2) those who merely provide the means by which one party to a transaction (or potential transaction) is able to communicate with other parties. Simply providing the means by which parties to a transaction (or potential transaction) are able to communicate with each other is excluded from article 25(2) only.
In the FSA's view, the crucial element of the exclusion in article 27 is the inclusion of the word 'merely'. When a publisher, broadcaster or internet website operator goes beyond what is necessary for him to provide his service of publishing, broadcasting or otherwise facilitating the issue of promotions, he may well bring himself within the scope of article 25(2). Further detailed guidance relating to the scope of the exclusion in article 27 is contained in PERG 2.8.6G (2) (Arranging
Article 28 of the Regulated Activities Order (Arranging transactions to which the arranger is a party) excludes from the regulated activities in article 25(1) and 25(2) arrangements made for or with a view to contracts of insurance when:(1) the person (P) making the arrangements is the only policyholder; or(2) P, as a result of the transaction, would become the only policyholder.
Market makers in traded endowment policies may be able to rely on this exclusion to avoid the need to be authorised. They must ensure, however, that where they are carrying on the regulated activity of dealing in investments as principal (article 14) they are also able to rely on the exclusions in articles 15 or 16 (see the guidance in PERG 2.8.4 G (Dealing in investments as principal)).
The restriction in the scope of article 28 raises an issue where there is a trust with co-trustees, where each trustee will be a policyholder with equal rights and obligations. If the activities of one of the trustees include arranging in respect of contracts of insurance, that trustee could be viewed as arranging on behalf of his co-trustees who will also be policyholders. Similar issues also arise in respect of trustees assisting in the administration and performance of a contract
Article 33 of the Regulated Activities Order (Introducing) excludes arrangements which would otherwise fall under article 25(2) where:(1) they are arrangements under which persons will be introduced to another person;(2) the person to whom introductions are to be made is:(a) an authorised person; or(b) an exempt person acting in the course of business comprising a regulated activity in relation to which he is exempt; or(c) a person who is not unlawfully carrying on regulated activities
The effect of PERG 5.6.17G (4) is that some persons who, in making introductions, are making arrangements with a view to transactions in investments under article 25(2) of the Regulated Activities Order, cannot use the introducing exclusion. This is if, in general terms, the arrangements for making introductions relate to contracts of insurance (PERG 5.6.19 G has further guidance on when arrangements for introductions may be regarded as relating to contracts of insurance). However,
Where a person is making arrangements with a view to transactions in investments by way of making introductions, and he is not completely indifferent to whether or not transactions may result, it may still be the case that the exclusion in article 33 will apply. In the FSA's view, this is where:(1) the introduction is for independent advice on investments generally; and(2) the introducer is indifferent as to whether or not a contract of insurance may ultimately be bought (or
An unauthorised person who makes arrangements with a view to a person who participates in the arrangements buying or sellingcontracts of insurance may be excluded from article 25(2) by article 32 of the Regulated Activities Order (Provision of finance). This is provided the sole purpose of the arrangements is the provision of finance to enable the person to buy the contract of insurance. Premium finance companies may be able to rely on this exclusion provided the arrangements
The Regulated Activities Order contains some other exclusions which have the effect of narrowing or limiting the application of regulated activities within article 25 by preventing certain activities from amounting to regulated activities. These are referred to in PERG 5.11.8 G (Exclusions applying to more than one regulated activity).
Article 53 of the Regulated Activities Order (Advising on Investments) makes advising on contracts of insurance a regulated activity. This covers advice which is both:(1) given to a person in his capacity as an insured or potential insured, or as agent for an insured or a potential insured; and(2) advice on the merits of the insured or his agent:(a) buying, selling, subscribing for or underwriting a particular contract of insurance; or(b) exercising any right conferred by a contract
Advice about contracts of insurance will come within the regulated activity in article 53 of the Regulated Activities Order only if it relates to a particular contract of insurance. So, generic or general advice will not fall under article 53. In particular:(1) advice would come within article 53 if it took the form of a recommendation that a person should buy the ABC Insurers motor insurance;(2) advice would not relate to a particular contract if it consists of a recommendation
Typical recommendations and whether they will be regulated as advice on contracts of insurance under article 53 of the Regulated Activities Order. This table belongs to PERG 5.8.4 G
Recommendation |
Regulated under article 53 or not? |
I recommend you take the ABC Insurers motor insurance policy |
Yes |
I recommend that you take out the GHI Insurers life insurance policy |
Yes |
I recommend that you do not take out the ABC Insurers motor insurance policy |
Yes |
I recommend that you do not take out the GHI Insurers life insurance policy |
Yes |
I recommend that you take out either the ABC Insurers motor insurance policy or the DEF Insurers motor insurance policy |
Yes |
I recommend that you take out either the GHI Insurers life insurance policy or the JKL Insurers life insurance policy |
Yes |
I recommend that you take out (or do not take out) insurance with ABC Insurers |
Possibly (depending on whether or not the circumstances relating to the recommendation, including the range of possible products, is such that this amounts to an implied recommendation of a particular policy) |
I recommend that you take out (or do not take out) contents insurance |
No, unless a specific insurance policy is implied by the context |
I recommend that you take out (or do not take out) life insurance |
No, unless a specific insurance policy is implied by the context |
For the purposes of article 53, advice must be given to a person in his capacity as an investor or potential investor (which, in the context of contracts of insurance, will mean as policyholder or potential policyholder). So, article 53 will not apply where advice is given to persons who receive it as:(1) an adviser who will use it only to inform advice given by him to others; or(2) a journalist or broadcaster who will use it only for journalistic purposes.
In the case of article 53, information relating to buying or sellingcontracts of insurance may often involve one or more of the following:(1) an explanation of the terms and conditions of a contract of insurance whether given orally or in writing or by providing leaflets and brochures;(2) a comparison of the features and benefits of one contract of insurance compared to another;(3) the production of pre-purchase questions for a person to use in order to exclude options that would
In the FSA's opinion, however, such information is likely to take on the nature of advice if the circumstances in which it is provided give it the force of a recommendation. Examples of situations where information provided by a person (P) might take the form of advice are given below.(1) P may provide information on a selected, rather than balanced and neutral, basis that would tend to influence the decision of a person. This may arise where P offers to provide information about
Advice under article 53 relates to the advantages and disadvantages of buying, selling, subscribing for or underwriting a particular contract of insurance. It is worth noting that, in this context, 'buying' and 'selling' are defined widely under article 3 of the Regulated Activities Order (Interpretation). 'Buying' includes acquiring for valuable consideration, and 'selling' includes surrendering, assigning or converting rights under a contract of insurance.
The requirements imposed by the IMD (see PERG 5.2.5 G (Approach to implementation of the IMD)) and the text of article 2.3 IMD in PERG 5.16.1 G (article 2.3 of the Insurance Mediation Directive) are narrower than the scope of the Regulated Activities Order (see PERG 5.2.7 G (Approach to implementation of the IMD)). This is that, unlike the Regulated Activities Order, they do not relate to the assignment of contracts of insurance. This is of relevance to, amongst others, persons
Generally speaking, advice on the merits of using a particular insurance undertaking, broker or adviser in their capacity as such, does not amount to advice for the purpose of article 53. It is not advice on the merits of buying or selling a particular contract of insurance (unless, in the circumstances, the advice amounts to an implied recommendation of a particular policy).
With the exception of:(1) periodicals, broadcasts and other news or information services (see PERG 5.8.24 G to PERG 5.8.25 G (Exclusion: periodical publications, broadcasts and web-sites)); and(2) situations involving an overseas element (see, generally, PERG 5.12 (Link between activities and the United Kingdom) and, in particular, PERG 5.12.8 G (Where is insurance mediation carried on?));the use of the medium itself to give advice should make no material difference to whether
An important exclusion from advising on contracts of insurance relates to advice given in periodical publications, regularly updated news and information services and broadcasts (article 54 of the Regulated Activities Order (Advice given in newspapers etc)). The exclusion applies if the principal purpose of the publication or service taken as a whole (including any advertising content) is neither to give advice of a kind mentioned in article 53 (Advising on investments) or article
The Regulated Activities Order contains other limited exclusions which have the effect of preventing certain activities from amounting to advice on contracts of insurance. These are referred to in PERG 5.11.8 G (Exclusions applying to more than one regulated activity) to PERG 5.11.16 G (Large risks).
Under article 25 of the Regulated Activities Order, arranging deals in investments covers:(1) making arrangements for another person (whether as principal or agent) to buy, sell, subscribe for or underwrite a particular investment which is:(a) a security; or(b) a relevant investment; or(c) an investment of the kind specified by article 86, or article 89 so far as relevant to that article (Lloyd’s syndicate membership and capacity and rights to or interests in such investments);
Article 25(1) applies only where the arrangements bring about or would bring about the particular transaction in question. This is because of the exclusion in article 26. In the FSA's view, a person brings about or would bring about a transaction only if his involvement in the chain of events leading to the transaction is of enough importance that without that involvement it would not take place. The second limb (article 25(2)) is potentially much wider as it does not require
In the course of their business, people such as publishers or broadcasters, Internet service providers, website operators or telephone marketing companies may provide services for authorised or exempt persons or other persons (such as overseas persons) who carry on regulated activities. This does not necessarily mean that any arrangements they make with such persons will fall within the scope of article 25(2). For that to be the case, the arrangements must be made with a view
The ordinary business of a publisher or broadcaster can involve him in publishing or broadcasting financial promotions (for example, advertisements) on behalf of authorised or exempt persons. Journalists who write about investments or financial services may promote the services of an authorised or exempt person. In the FSA's opinion, such persons would not normally be regarded as making arrangements under article 25(2). This is the case even if any arrangements they may have made
The Regulated Activities Order contains an exclusion (article 27: Enabling parties to communicate) to bring a degree of certainty to this area. This applies to arrangements which might otherwise fall within article 25(2) merely because they provide the means by which one party to a transaction (or potential transaction) is able to communicate with other parties. In the FSA's view, the crucial element of the exclusion is the inclusion of the word ‘merely’. So that, where a publisher,
For example, in the FSA's view a publisher or broadcaster would be likely to be making arrangements within the meaning of article 25(2) and be unable to make use of the exclusion in article 27 if:(1) he enters into an agreement with a provider of investment services such as a broker or product provider for the purpose of carrying their financial promotion; and(2) as part of the arrangements, the publisher or broadcaster does one or more of the following:(a) brands the investment
It would also be an indicator that a publisher or broadcaster might be making arrangements falling within article 25(2) if he receives a commission or other form of reward based on the amount of regulated business done as a result of his carrying the promotion. This would be on the basis that the existence of the financial interest will inevitably have a bearing on the purpose for which the arrangements are viewed as having been made by him. However, the article 27 exclusion will
Other persons who may benefit from the exclusion in article 27 include persons who provide the means for someone to route an order to another person. A person providing such order routing services would not, in the FSA's view, be merely facilitating communication (of the orders) if he provides added value. This added value could be in the form, for example, of such things as formatted screens, audit trails, checking completeness of orders or matching orders or reconciling tra
Companies providing telephone marketing and related services to investment firms will face similar issues. If their services are entirely passive – for example, answering telephone calls, sending out literature upon request or referring enquirers to representatives of their client – they may simply be regarded as making arrangements with a view to their providing telephone answering services. On the other hand, where a telephone marketing company:(1) makes proactive calls to prospective
The mere provision by a website operator of a bulletin board or chat room ought not to amount to making arrangements under article 25(2) unless making such arrangements is the specific purpose of the facility. However, operators of websites with such facilities will clearly need to be aware of potential implications (such as the service being used by unauthorised persons to give advice or make financial promotions or to make misleading statements with a view to manipulating market
Where persons are making arrangements concerning contracts of insurance or are carrying on insurance mediation or reinsurance mediation, certain exclusions to article 25 are not available. This results from the requirements of the Insurance Mediation Directive and is explained in more detail in PERG 5.6 (Insurance mediation activities The regulated activities: arranging deals in, and making arrangements with a view to transactions in, contracts of insurance).
Under article 53 of the Regulated Activities Order (Advising on investments), advising a person is a specified kind of activity if:(1) the advice is given to the person in his capacity as an investor or potential investor, or in his capacity as agent for an investor or a potential investor; and(2) it is advice on the merits of his doing any of the following (whether as principal or agent):(a) buying, selling, subscribing for or underwriting a particular investment which is a security
Under article 53A of the Regulated Activities Order (Advising on regulated mortgage contracts), advising a person is a specified kind of activity if:(1) the advice is given to the person in his capacity as a borrower or potential borrower; and(2) it is advice on the merits of his doing any of the following:(a) entering into a particular regulated mortgage contract; or(b) varying the terms of a regulated mortgage contract entered into by him after mortgage day in such a way as
1Under article 53B of the Regulated Activities Order (Advising on regulated home reversion plans), advising a person is a specified kind of activity if:(1) the advice is given to the person in his capacity as a reversion occupier or reversion provider or as a potential reversion occupier or reversion provider; and(2) it is advice on the merits of his doing any of the following:(a) entering into a particular home reversion plan; or(b) varying the terms of a home reversion plan
1Under article 53C of the Regulated Activities Order (Advising on regulated home purchase plans), advising a person is a specified kind of activity if:(1) the advice is given to the person in his capacity as a home purchaser or potential home purchaser; and(2) it is advice on the merits of his doing any of the following:(a) entering into a particular home purchase plan; or(b) varying the terms of a home purchase plan entered into by him on or after 6 April 2007 in such a way as
Articles 53,1 53A, 53B and 53C1of the Regulated Activities Order contain a number of elements, all of which must be present before a person will require authorisation. For guidance on whether a person is carrying on these regulated activities, see PERG 8 (Financial promotion and related activities),1PERG 4 (Guidance on regulated activities connected with mortgages), and PERG 14.3 and PERG 14.4 (Guidance on home reversion and home purchase activities)1.11
But even if advice is given in the United Kingdom, the general prohibition will not be contravened if the giving of advice does not amount to the carrying on, in the United Kingdom, of the business of advising on investments or advising on a home finance transaction1. Also, the general prohibition will not be contravened if the exclusion for overseas persons in article 72 of the Regulated Activities Order (Overseas persons) applies. That exclusion applies in relation to the giving
If a person is carrying on the business of advising on investments or advising on a home finance transaction1in the United Kingdom, he will not require authorisation if:(1) he is able to rely on an exclusion; in addition to the exclusions already mentioned (in articles 54 and 72 of the Regulated Activities Order), other exclusions that may be relevant are in Chapter XVII of Part II of the Regulated Activities Order; or(2) he is an exempt person (see PERG 2.11 (What to do now?1));
Article 61(3)(a) of the Regulated Activities Order defines a regulated mortgage contract as a contract which, at the time it is entered into, satisfies the following conditions:(1) the contract is one where a lender provides credit to an individual or trustees (the 'borrower');(2) the contract provides for the obligation of the borrower to repay to be secured by a first legal mortgage on land (other than timeshare accommodation) in the United Kingdom; and(3) at least 40% of that
(1) Article 61(3)(c) of the Regulated Activities Order states that credit includes a cash loan and any other form of financial accommodation. Although 'financial accommodation' has a potentially wide meaning, its scope is limited by the terms used in the definition of a regulated mortgage contract set out in PERG 4.4.1 G. Whatever form the financial accommodation may take, article 61(3)(a) envisages that it must involve an obligation to repay on the part of the individual who
The exclusions outlined in (1) to (7) were available to intermediaries (and in some cases insurance undertakings) acting in connection with life policies before 14 January 2005. In essence, however, the following exclusions do not apply if they concern transactions relating to contracts of insurance:(1) dealing in investments as agent with or through authorised persons (article 22 of the Regulated Activities Order (Deals with or through authorised persons));(2) arranging transactions
(1) The removal of the exclusion for groups and joint enterprises in article 69 of the Regulated Activities Order (Groups and joint enterprises) may have implications for a company providing services for:(a) other members of its group; or(b) other participants in a joint enterprise of which it is a participant.(2) Such companies might typically provide risk or treasury management or administration services which may include regulated activities relating to a contract of insurance.
Article 4(4A) of the Regulated Activities Order (Specified activities: general) disapplies certain exclusions where a person, for remuneration, takes up or pursues insurance mediation (as defined in article 2.3 of the IMD (see PERG 5.2.5 G (Approach to implementation of the IMD) and PERG 5.16.2 G (Text of article 2.3 of the Insurance Mediation Directive)) in relation to a risk or commitment located in an EEA state. The relevant exclusions which are disapplied are:(1) arrangements
Chapter XVII of the Regulated Activities Order (Exclusions applying to several specified kinds of activity) contains various exclusions applying to several kinds of activity. Threeexclusions of relevance in relation to contracts of insurance are dealt with in this section and a fourth, overseas persons, in PERG 5.12 (Link between activities and the United Kingdom).
Article 67 excludes from the activities of dealing as agent, arranging (bringing about) deals in investments, making arrangements with a view to transactions in investments, assisting in the administration and performance of a contract of insurance and advising on investments, any activity which:(1) is carried on in the course of carrying on any profession or business which does not otherwise consist of the carrying on of regulated activities in the United Kingdom; and(2) may
Although the article 67 exclusion is disapplied (by article 4(4A) of the Regulated Activities Order (Specified investments: general)) when a person takes up or pursues insurance mediation or reinsurance mediation as defined by articles 2.3 and 2.5 of the IMD, there may be cases where a person is not carrying on activities that amount to insurance mediation. For example, where a person's activities amount simply to the provision of information on an incidental basis in the context
Article 67 may also apply to activities relating to assignments of insurance policies, as, in the FSA's view, article 2.3 of the IMD applies essentially to the creation of new contracts of insurance and not the assignment of rights under existing policies. As such, where a solicitor or licensed conveyancer arranges an assignment of a contract of insurance, the exclusion in article 67 remains of potential application. For similar reasons, trustees advising on or arranging assignments
Article 72B (see also PERG 5.3.7 G (Connected contracts of insurance)) may be of relevance to persons who supply non-motor goods or provide services related to travel in the course of carrying on a profession or business which does not otherwise consist of carrying on regulated activities. In the FSA's view, the fact that a person may carry on regulated activities in the course of the carrying on of a profession or business does not, of itself, mean that the profession or business
Article 72D (Large risks contracts where risk situated outside the EEA) provides an exclusion for large risks situated outside the EEA. Broadly speaking, these are risks relating to:(1) railway rolling stock, aircraft, ships, goods in transit, aircraft liability and shipping liability;(2) credit and suretyship where relating to the policyholder's commercial or professional liability;(3) land vehicles, fire and natural forces, property damage, motor vehicle liability where the
The regulated activity of dealing in investments as principal applies to specified transactions relating to any security or to any contractually based investment (apart from rights under funeral plan contracts or rights to or interests in such contracts). The activity is cut back by exclusions as follows.(1) Of particular significance is the exclusion in article 15 of the Regulated Activities Order (Absence of holding out etc). This applies where dealing in investments as principal
The regulated activity of dealing in investments as agent applies to specified transactions relating to any security or to any relevant investment (apart from rights under funeral plan contracts or rights to or interests in such rights). In addition, the activity is cut back by exclusions as follows.(1) An exclusion applies to certain transactions entered into by an agent who is not an authorised person which depend on him dealing with (or through) an authorised person. It does
The various activities that involve arranging fall into two general types. These are:33(1) those relating to arranging a particular transaction or a contract or plan variation (articles 25(1), 25A(1), 25B(1) and 25C(1) of the Regulated Activities Order); and3(2) those relating to making arrangements with a view to persons entering into certain transactions (articles 25(2), 25A(2), 25B(2) and 25C(2) of the Regulated Activities Order).3The exclusions in relation to the regulated
3The exclusions in the Regulated Activities Order that relate to the various arranging activities are as follows.(1) Under article 26, arrangements that do not or would not bring about the transaction to which they relate are excluded from the arranging activities that relate to a particular transaction (see PERG 2.8.6G (1)) only. A person will bring about a transaction or a contract or plan variation only if his involvement in the chain of events leading to a transaction or contract
The activities of persons appointed under a power of attorney are excluded under article 38 of the Regulated Activities Order, from the regulated activity of managing investments, if specified conditions are satisfied. The exclusion only applies where a person is not carrying on insurance mediation or reinsurance mediation and is subject to further limitations discussed below2. In addition, the following exclusions (outlined in PERG 2.9) apply in specified circumstances where
The exclusions from the regulated activity of safeguarding and administering investments are as follows.(1) Safeguarding and administration activities carried on by one person are excluded if a specified third party undertakes a responsibility for the assets which is no less onerous than it would have been if he were doing the safeguarding and administration himself. The effect of this is that an authorised person with permission to carry on this regulated activity (or in certain
There are two1 exclusions1 from the range of activities specified as being regulated in relation to collective investment schemes. These exclusions relate 1to incoming ECA providers (see PERG 2.9.18 G) and to business angel-led enterprise capital funds (see PERG 2.9.20 G)1. In other cases, the key issue is whether or not what is being done relates to something that is a collective investment scheme. Exclusions exist in relation to that issue (see PERG 2.6.18 G).11
For the purposes of article 53, advice must be given to or directed at someone who either holds investments or is a prospective investor (or their agent). Where the investment is a risk-only contract of insurance such as house contents insurance, the policyholder or prospective policyholder is regarded as an investor.
Article 53 does apply where the recipient is someone who invests on behalf of other persons (whether as a principal or agent), such as:(1) a trustee or nominee; or(2) a discretionary fund manager; or(3) an attorney or anyone else who enters into investment transactions as agent for investors;where he receives the advice in that capacity.
The tables provide a general indication of the investments and activities specified in the Regulated Activities Order that may correspond to categories provided for in the Banking Consolidation Directive, 1MiFID3, the UCITS Directive or the Insurance Mediation Directive1. The tables do not provide definitive guidance as to whether a firm is carrying on an activity that is capable of being passported, nor do the tables take account of exceptions that remove the effect of articles.
In considering the issues raised in the tables, firms should note that:(1) article 64 of the Regulated Activities Order (Agreeing to carry on specific kinds of activity) applies in respect of agreeing to undertake the specified activity; and(2) article 89 of the Regulated Activities Order (Rights to or interests in investments) applies in respect of rights to and interests in the types of investments to which the category applies.
Activities set out in Annex I of the BCD1
Table 1: BCD activities |
Part II RAO Activities |
Part III RAO Investments |
|
1. |
Acceptance of deposits and other repayable funds from the public |
Article 5 |
Article 74 |
2. |
Lending |
Article 61, 64 |
Article 88 |
3. |
Financial leasing |
||
4. |
Money transmission services |
||
5. |
Issuing and administering means of payment (eg credit cards, travellers' cheques and bankers' drafts) |
||
6. |
Guarantees and commitments |
||
7. |
Trading for own account or for account of customers in: (a) money market instruments (b) foreign exchange (c) financial futures and options (d) exchange and interest rate instruments (e) transferable securities |
Article 14, 21, 25 (see Note 1), 64 Article 14, 21, 25, 64 Article 14, 21, 25, 64 Article 14, 21, 25, 64 Article 14, 21, 25, 64 |
Article 77, 78, 80, 83-85, 89 Article 83-85, 89 Article 83-85, 89 Article 83-85, 89 Article 76-81, 89 |
8. |
Participation in share issues and the provision of services relating to such issues |
Article 14, 21, 25, 53, 64 |
Article 76-81, 89 |
9. |
Advice to undertakings on capital structure, industrial strategy and related questions and advice and services relating to mergers and the purchase of undertakings |
Article 14, 21, 25, 53, 64 |
Article 76-80, 83-85, 89 |
10. |
Money broking |
Article 25, 64 |
Article 77, 78, 89 |
11. |
Portfolio management and advice |
Article 14, 21, 25, 37, 53, 64 |
Article 76-81, 83-85, 89 |
12. |
Safekeeping and administration of securities |
Article 40, 45, 64 |
Article 76-81, 83-85, 89 |
13. |
Credit reference services |
||
14. |
Safe custody services |
1 | 1 | 1
3Note 12: The services and activities provided for in Sections A and B of Annex I of MiFID when referring to the financial instruments provided for in Section C of Annex I of that Directive are subject to mutual recognition according to the BCD from 1 November 2007.See2 the table at SUP App 3.9.5 G below for mapping of MiFIDinvestment services and activities.For further details relating to this residual category, please see the "Banking Consolidation Directive"section of the passporting forms entitled "Notification of intention to establish a branch in another EEA State" and "Notification of intention to provide cross border services in another EEA State".2 2 |
|||
Part II RAO Investments |
Part III RAO Investments |
||
1. |
Reception and transmission of orders in relation to one or more financial instruments |
Article 252 |
Article 76-81, 83-85, 89 |
2. |
Execution of orders on behalf of clients |
Article 14, 21 |
A Article 76-81, 83-85, 89 |
3. |
Dealing on own account |
Article 14 |
Article 76-81, 83-85, 89 |
4. |
Portfolio management |
Article 37 (14, 21, 25 - see Note 1) 2 |
Article 76-81, 83-85, 89 |
5. |
Investment advice |
Article 53 |
Article 76-81, 83-85, 89 |
6. |
Underwriting of financial instruments and/or placing of financial instruments on a firm commitment basis |
Article 14, 21 |
Article 76-81, 83-85, 89 |
7. |
Placing of financial instruments without a firm commitment basis |
Article 21, 25 |
Article 76-81, 83-85, 89 |
8. |
Operation of Multilateral Trading Facilities |
Article 25B (see Note 2) |
Article 76-81, 83-85, 89 |
Ancillary services |
Part II RAO Activities |
Part III RAO Investments |
|
1. |
Safekeeping and administration of financial instruments for the account of clients, including custodianship and related services such as cash/collateral management |
Article 40, 45, 64 |
Article 76-81, 83-85, 89 |
2. |
Granting credits or loans to an investor to allow him to carry out a transaction in one or more of the relevant instruments where the firm granting the credit or loan is involved |
||
3. |
Advice to undertakings on capital structure, industrial strategy and related matters and advice and services relating to mergers and the purchase of undertakings |
Article 14, 21, 25, 53, 64 |
Article 76-80, 83-85, 89 |
4. |
Foreign exchange services where these are connected with the provision of investment services |
Article 14, 21, 25, 53, 64 |
Article 83-85, 89 |
5. |
Investment research and financial analysis or other forms of general recommendation relating to transactions in financial instruments |
Article 53, 64 |
Article 76-81, 83-85, 89 |
6. |
Services related to underwriting |
Article 25, 53, 64 |
Article 76-81, 83-85, 89 |
7. |
Investment services and activities as well as ancillary services of the type included under Section A or B of Annex I related to the underlying of the derivatives included under Section C 5, 6, 7 and 10-where these are connected to the provision of investment or ancillary services. |
Article 14, 21, 25, 25B, 37, 53, 64 |
Article 83 and 84 |
Note 1. A firm may also carry on these other activities when it is managing investments.2 |
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Note 2. A firm operating an MTF under article 25B does not need to have a permission covering other regulated activities, unless it performs other regulated activities in addition to operating an MTF. |
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1Activities set out in Article 5(2) and (3) of the UCITS Directive
Table 2A: UCITS Directive activities |
Part II RAO Activities |
Part III RAO Investments |
|
1. |
The management of UCITS in the form of unit trusts / common funds or of investment companies; this includes the function mentioned in Annex II of the UCITS Directive (see Note 2). |
Articles 14, 21, 25, 37, 51, 53, 64 |
Articles 76-81, 83-85, 89 |
2. |
Managing portfolios of investments, including those owned by pension funds, in accordance with mandates given by investors on a discretionary, client-by-client basis, where such portfolios include one or more of the instruments listed in Section C 3of Annex I 3to MiFID3. 33 |
Articles 14, 21, 25, 37, 53, 64 |
Articles 76-81, 83-85, 89 |
3. |
Investment advice concerning one or more of the instruments listed in Section C3of Annex I 3to MiFID3. 3 |
Articles 53, 64 |
Articles 76-81, 83-85, 89 |
4. |
Safekeeping and administration services in relation to units of collective investment undertakings. |
Articles 40, 45, 64 |
Articles 76-81, 83-85, 89 |
Note 1. A UCITS management company can only exercise passport rights under the UCITS Directive (article 2(13)(h) of MiFID3). A UCITS management company can only be authorised to carry on the non-core services set out in rows (3) and (4) of Table 2A if it is also authorised to carry on the activity set out in row (2) of the table. 33 |
|||
Note 2. The functions set out in Annex 2 to the UCITS Directive are: |
|||
1. |
Investment management. |
||
2. |
Administration: |
||
a. |
legal and fund management accounting services; |
||
b. |
customer inquiries; |
||
c. |
valuation and pricing (including tax returns); |
||
d. |
regulatory compliance monitoring; |
||
e. |
maintenance of unit-holder register; |
||
f. |
distribution of income; |
||
g. |
unit issues and redemptions; |
||
h. |
contract settlements (including certificate dispatch); |
||
i. |
record keeping. |
||
3. |
Marketing. |
||
Table 2B: Insurance Mediation Directive2 Activities 2 |
Part II RAO Activities |
Part III RAO Investments |
|
1. |
Introducing, proposing or carrying out other work preparatory to the conclusion of contracts of insurance. |
Articles 25, 53 and 64 |
Articles 75, 89 (see Note 1) |
2. |
Concluding contracts of insurance |
Articles 21, 25, 53 and 64 |
Articles 75, 89 |
3. |
Assisting in the administration and performance of contracts of insurance, in particular in the event of a claim. |
Articles 39A, 64 |
Articles 75, 89 |
Note 1. Rights to or interests in life policies are specified investments under Article 89 of the Regulated Activities Order, but rights to or interests in general insurance contracts are not. |
|||
The exclusion in article 67 of the Regulated Activities Order (Activities carried on in the course of a profession or non-investment business) applies to the regulated activities of arranging (bringing about), making arrangements with a view to and advising on regulated mortgage contracts. PERG 4.14 contains further guidance on mortgage activities carried on by professional firms.)
There are exclusions that apply, in certain circumstances, in relation to each of the regulated mortgage activities if the person carrying on the activity is acting in the capacity of trustee or personal representative. Article 66 of the Regulated Activities Order (Trustees, nominees and personal representatives) sets out the circumstances in which the exclusions apply. The terms of these differ slightly depending on the regulated activity.
This is a guide only and should not be used as a substitute for legal advice
in individual cases.
Table 3: Insurance Directive activities |
Part II RAO Activities |
Part III RAO Investments |
|
1. Non-life insurance activities |
|||
1. |
Taking up and carrying on direct non-life insurance business |
Article 10 |
Article 75 |
2. |
Classes 1 to 18 of direct non-life insurance business in Point A of the Annex to the First Directive |
Corresponding paragraphs 1 to 18 of Schedule 1, Part I |
|
2. Consolidated Life Directive activities |
|||
1. |
Taking up and carrying on direct life insurance business |
Article 10 |
Article 75 |
2. |
Classes I to IX of direct life insurance business in the Annex 1 to the Consolidated Life Directive |
Corresponding paragraphs I to IX of Schedule 1, Part II |
|
The meaning of contract of insurance is set out in article 3(1) of the Regulated Activities Order (Interpretation). It does not include benefit-in-kind funeral plans, which are specified in article 60 of the Regulated Activities Order (plans covered by insurance or trust arrangements). Such funeral plans (to the extent that they are insurance) are also excluded from theInsurance Directives. It covers some contracts which might not otherwise be viewed as insurance in the United
Article 1 of the First Non-Life Directive and article 2 of the Consolidated Life Directive provides that the Directives "concern the taking up and pursuit of the self-employed activity of direct insurance". By contrast, article 10 of the Regulated Activities Order (Effecting and carrying out contracts of insurance) also covers reinsurance.
Some of the exclusions referred to mirror exclusions in the Regulated Activities Order. So, the exclusion for breakdown insurance in article 2(3) of the First Non-Life Directive is matched by a slightly narrower exclusion in article 12 of the Regulated Activities Order (Breakdown insurance). The separate treatment of benefit-in-kind funeral plans under the Regulated Activities Order (see SUP App 3.10.4 G) is matched by their exclusion on a slightly wider basis in article 3(5)
Most of the exclusions under the Directives, however, are not excluded from being regulated activities. For example, article 3 of the Consolidated Life Directive and article 3 of the Non-Life Directive exclude certain mutual associations whose annual contribution income falls below a defined threshold. In the United Kingdom, these include certain smaller friendly societies commonly referred to as "non-directive friendly societies". The activities of such societies are regulated
Under the Act and the Regulated Activities Order, the activities of effecting and carrying out contracts of insurance are treated as being carried on in the United Kingdom on the basis of legal tests under which the location of the risk is only one factor. If the risk is located in the United Kingdom, then (other relevant factors being taken into account) the activity will, in the vast majority of cases, also be viewed as carried on in the United Kingdom. There are exceptions,
So, the effect of App 3.12.1 is that an insurer may be carrying on insurance business in the United Kingdom which is to be treated as a regulated activity under article 10 to the Regulated Activities Order (Effecting and carrying out contracts of insurance) in circumstances where the risks covered are treated as located in another EEA State. In that event, the insurer is required by Schedule 3 to the Act to passport into the State concerned and may be subject to conduct of business
The exclusions in article 72(5A) to (5F) of the Regulated Activities Order (Overseas persons) provide that an overseas person does not carry on the regulated activities of:(1) arranging (bringing about) or making arrangements with view to a regulated mortgage contract;(2) entering into a regulated mortgage contract; or(3) administering a regulated mortgage contract;if the borrower (and each of them, if more than one) is an individual and is normally resident overseas. In the case
The FSA's view of the effect of the Act and Regulated Activities Order in various territorial scenarios is set out in the remainder of this section. In those scenarios:(1) the term "service provider" is used to describe a person carrying on any of the regulated mortgage activities;(2) the term "borrower" refers to a borrower who is an individual and not a trustee; the position of a borrower acting as a trustee is not considered; and(3) it is assumed that the activity is not an
There may also be situations where a lender, who does not maintain an establishment in the United Kingdom, provides services in the United Kingdom. For instance, a lender might attend a property exhibition in the United Kingdom at which he sets up a loan with a borrower. A lender might also attend the offices of its UK-based lawyers, or appoint them as its agent, to enter into a contract with a borrower. In these cases, the overseas lender would only be carrying on a regulated
If a service provider is overseas, the question of whether that person is carrying on a regulated activity in the United Kingdom will depend upon:(1) the type of regulated activity being carried on;(2) section 418 of the Act;(3) the residence and location of the borrower;(4) the application of the overseas persons exclusion in article 72(5A) to (5F) of the Regulated Activities Order; and(5) whether the service provider is carrying on an electronic commerce activity.The factors
When a person is arranging (bringing about) regulated mortgage contracts or making arrangements with a view to regulated mortgage contracts from overseas, the question of whether he will be carrying on regulated activities in the United Kingdom will depend on the relevant circumstances. In the FSA's view, factors to consider include:(1) the territorial limitation in the definition of regulated mortgage contract so that regulation only applies if the land is in the United Kingdom;(2)
In the FSA's view, in circumstances other than those excluded by article 72(5D) of the Regulated Activities Order, an overseas lender is likely to carry on the regulated activity of entering into regulated mortgage contracts in the United Kingdom. This is because of:(1) the territorial limitation in the definition of regulated mortgage contract so that regulation applies only if the land is in the United Kingdom;(2) the general principle and practice that contracts relating to
The effect of article 72(5E) and (5F) of the Regulated Activities Order is that an overseas person who administers a regulated mortgage contract, where the borrower was resident overseas at the time that the contract was entered into, does not carry on the regulated activity of administering a regulated mortgage contract.
In the FSA's view, in circumstances other than those excluded by article 72(5E) of the Regulated Activities Order, an overseas administrator is likely to carry on the regulated activity of administering a regulated mortgage contract in the United Kingdom. This is because:(1) the territorial limitation in the definition of regulated mortgage contract means that regulation applies only if the land is in the United Kingdom;(2) when administrators notify borrowers resident in the
Without an explicit or implicit recommendation on the merits of buying or selling an investment, advice will not be covered by article 53 if it is advice on:(1) the likely meaning of uncertain provisions in an investment agreement; or(2) how to complete an application form; or(3) the value of investments for which there is no ready market; or(4) the effect of contractual terms and their commercial consequences; or(5) how to structure a transaction to comply with regulatory, competition
As respects article 53, the main exclusion relates to advice given in periodical publications, regularly updated news and information services and broadcasts (article 54: Advice given in newspapers etc). The exclusion applies if the principal purpose of any of these is not to give advice covered in article 53 or to lead or enable persons to acquire or dispose of securities or contractually based investments. This is explained in greater detail, together with the provisions on
It is also possible for advice to be excluded if it is given by a person in the course of carrying on a profession or business (other than a regulated activity). This is if it is reasonably to be regarded as necessary for him to give the advice to provide his professional or other services and he is not separately paid for giving the advice (article 67: Activities carried on in the course of a profession or non-investment business). This could arise in the context of advice given
Certain of the exclusions in the Regulated Activities Order that apply to the regulated activity of advising on investments are not available where the advice either relates to a contract of insurance or amounts to insurance mediation or reinsurance mediation. This results from the requirements of the Insurance Mediation Directive and is explained in more detail in PERG 5 (Insurance mediation activities).
Article 29 of the Regulated Activities Order states that certain arrangements are not covered by article 25. These are arrangements made by an unauthorised person ('A'). The arrangements must be made for or with a view to a transaction which is or is to be entered into by another person (the client) with or through an authorised person. It must also be the case that:(1) the transaction is or will be entered into on advice given to the client by an authorised person; or(2) it is
Of potentially greater significance is the exclusion in article 33 of the Regulated Activities Order which excludes arrangements where:(1) they are arrangements under which persons will be introduced to another person;(2) the person to whom introductions are to be made is:(a) an authorised person; or(b) an exempt person acting in the course of business comprising a regulated activity in relation to which he is exempt; or(c) a person who is not unlawfully carrying on regulated
The exclusions in Articles 29 and 33 of the Regulated Activities Order are not available where the investment is a contract of insurance. However, certain other exclusions do apply. This results from implementation of the requirements of the Insurance Mediation Directive and is explained in more detail in PERG 5.6 (The regulated activities: arranging deals in, and making arrangements with a view to transactions in, contracts of insurance).
Under article 61(3)(b) of the Regulated Activities Order, administering a regulated mortgage contract is defined as either or both of:(1) notifying the borrower of changes in interest rates or payments due under the contract, or of other matters of which the contract requires him to be notified; and(2) taking any necessary steps for the purposes of collecting or recovering payments due under the contract from the borrower;but does not include merely having or exercising a right
Article 62 of the Regulated Activities Order provides that a person who is not an authorised person does not administer a regulated mortgage contract if he:(1) arranges for a firm with permission to administer a regulated mortgage contract (a 'mortgage administrator') to administer the contract; or(2) administers the regulated mortgage contract itself, provided that the period of administration is no more than one month after the arrangement in (1) has come to an end.
Under article 63 of the Regulated Activities Order, a person who is not an authorised person does not administer a regulated mortgage contract if he administers the contract under an agreement with a firm with permission to administer a regulated mortgage contract. A firm with permission to administer a regulated mortgage contract may thus outsource or delegate the administration function to an unauthorised third party. A firm that proposes to do this should however note, as set
The Regulated Activities Order contains an exclusion which has the effect of preventing certain activities of trustees, nominees and personal representatives from amounting to administering regulated mortgage contracts. This is referred to in PERG 4.10 (Exclusions applying to more than one regulated activity). There is also an exclusion where both the administrator and borrower are overseas, which is referred to in PERG 4.11 (Link between activities and the United Kingdom)..