Related provisions for COBS 12.1.2
21 - 40 of 100 items.
A firm must make at least the following information easily, directly and permanently accessible to the recipients of the information society services it provides:(1) its name;(2) the geographic address at which it is established;(3) the details of the firm, including its e-mail address, which allow it to be contacted rapidly and communicated with in a direct and effective manner;(4) an appropriate statutory status disclosure statement (GEN 4 Annex 1 R), together with a statement
A firm must ensure that commercial communications which are part of, or constitute, an information society service, comply with the following conditions:(1) the commercial communication must be clearly identifiable as such;(2) the person on whose behalf the commercial communication is made must be clearly identifiable;(3) promotional offers must be clearly identifiable as such, and the conditions that must be met to qualify for them must be easily accessible and presented clearly
A firm must (except when otherwise agreed by parties who are not consumers):(1) give an ECA recipient at least the following information, clearly, comprehensibly and unambiguously, and prior to the order being placed by the recipient of the service:(a) the different technical steps to follow to conclude the contract;(b) whether or not the concluded contract will be filed by the firm and whether it will be accessible;(c) the technical means for identifying and correcting input
The effect of these application rules and the fact that the Insurance Mediation Directive does not apply to an insurer (unless it is involved in mediation activities) is that this chapter does not apply to an insurer when it is making a personal recommendation to a professional client to take out a life policy.
(1) If a firm is managing investments on behalf of a client, it must provide the client with a periodic statement in a durable medium unless such a statement is provided by another person.(2) If the client is a retail client, the periodic statement must include such of the periodic information (COBS 16 Annex 2R) 1as is applicable. [Note: article 41(1) and (2) of the MiFID implementing Directive]
(1) In the case of a retail client, the periodic statement must be provided once every six months, except in the following cases:(a) if the retail client so requests, the periodic statement must be provided every three months;(b) if the retail client elects to receive information about executed transactions on a transaction-by-transaction basis (COBS 16.3.3 R) and there are no transactions in derivatives or other securities giving the right to acquire or sell a transferable security
(1) If the client elects to receive information about executed transactions on a transaction-by-transaction basis, a firmmanaging investments must provide promptly to the client, on the execution of a transaction, the essential information concerning that transaction in a durable medium.(2) If the client is a retail client, the firm must send him a notice confirming the transaction and containing such of the information identified in column (1) of the table in COBS 16 Annex 1R
For the purposes of calculating the unit price in the trade confirmation information or periodic information, where the order is executed in tranches, the firm may supply the client with information about the price of each tranche or the average price. If the average price is provided, the firm must supply the retail client with information about the price of each tranche upon request. [Note: article 40(4) of the MiFID implementing Directive]
(1) If a firm:(a) manages investments for a retail client; or(b) operates a retail client account that includes an uncovered open position in a contingent liability transaction,it must report to the retail client any losses exceeding any predetermined threshold, agreed between it and the retail client.(2) The firm must report:(a) no later than the end of the business day in which the threshold is exceeded; or(b) if the threshold is exceeded on a non-business day, the close of
When providing a periodic statement to a retail client, a firm should consider whether to include:(1) the collateral value in respect of any contingent liability transaction in the client's portfolio during the relevant period; and(2) option account valuations in respect of each open option written by the client in the client's portfolio at the end of the relevant period; stating:(a) the share, future, index or other investment involved;(b) the trade price and date for the opening
A firm must make, and retain, a copy of any periodic statement:(1) for MiFID or equivalent third country business, for a period of at least five years; or(2) for business that is not MiFID or, for a period of at least three years;from the date of despatch. [Note: see article 51(3) of the MiFID implementing Directive]
(1) Subject to (2) and (3), this section applies to a firm in relation to:1(a) 1the provision of information in relation to its MiFID or equivalent third country business;222(b) the communication or approval of a financial promotion;1where such information or financial promotion is addressed to, or disseminated in such a way that it is likely to be received by, a retail client.1(2) This section does not apply in relation to a communication by afirm in relation to its MiFID or
A firm must ensure that information that contains an indication of past performance of relevant business, a relevant investment or a financial index, satisfies the following conditions:(1) that indication is not the most prominent feature of the communication;(2) the information includes appropriate performance information which covers at least the immediately preceding five years, or the whole period for which the investment has been offered, the financial index has been established,
The obligations relating to describing performance should be interpreted in the light of their purpose and in a way that is appropriate and proportionate taking into account the means of communication and the information the communication is intended to convey. For example, a periodic statement in relation to managing investments that is sent in accordance with the rules on reporting information to clients (see COBS 16) may include past performance as its most prominent featu
If a financial promotion includes information referring to the past performance of a packaged product that is not a financial instrument2, a firm will comply with the rule on appropriate performance information (COBS 4.6.2R (2)) if the financial promotion includes, in the case of a scheme, unit-linked life policy, unit-linked personal pension scheme or unit-linked stakeholder pension scheme (other than a unitised with-profits life policy or stakeholder pension scheme) past performance
(1) In relation to a packaged product (other than a scheme, a unit-linked life policy, unit-linked personal pension scheme or a unit-linked stakeholder pension scheme (that is not a unitised with-profits life policy or stakeholder pension scheme)), the information should be given on:(a) an offer to bid basis (which should be stated) if there is an actual return or comparison of performance with other investments; or(b) an offer to offer, bid to bid or offer to bid basis (which
A firm must ensure that information that contains an indication of simulated past performance of relevant business, a relevant investment or a financial index, satisfies the following conditions:(1) it relates to an investment or a financial index;(2) the simulated past performance is based on the actual past performance of one or more investments or financial indices which are the same as, or underlie, the investment concerned;(3) in respect of the actual past performance, the
(1) A firm must ensure that information that contains an indication of future performance of relevant business, a relevant investment, a structured deposit or a financial index, satisfies the following conditions:(a) it is not based on and does not refer to simulated past performance;(b) it is based on reasonable assumptions supported by objective data;(c) it discloses the effect of commissions, fees or other charges if the indication is based on gross performance; and(d) it contains
(1) 1A firm that communicates to a client a projection for a packaged product which is not a financial instrument2must ensure that the projection complies with the projectionsrules in COBS 13.4, COBS 13.5 and COBS 13 Annex 2.2(2) A firm must not communicate a projection for a highly volatile product to a client unless the product is a financial instrument.
(1) Before a firmapproves a financial promotion for communication by an unauthorised person, it must confirm that the financial promotion complies with the financial promotion rules.(2) If, at any time after a firm has complied with (1), a firm becomes aware that a financial promotion no longer complies with the financial promotion rules, it must withdraw its approval and notify any person that it knows to be relying on its approval as soon as reasonably practicable.(3) When approving
(1) Section 21(1) of the Act (Restrictions on financial promotion) prohibits an unauthorised person from communicating a financial promotion, in the course of business, unless an exemption applies or the financial promotion is approved by a firm. Many of the rules in this chapter apply when a firmapproves a financial promotion in the same way as when a firmcommunicates a financial promotion itself.(2) A firm may also wish to approve a financial promotion that it communicates itself.
If a firmapproves a financial promotion in circumstances in which one or more of the financial promotion rules, or the prohibition on approval of promotions for collective investment schemes in section 240(1) of the Act (Restriction on approval), are expressly disapplied, the approval must be given on terms that it is limited to those circumstances.
If an approval is limited, and an unauthorised personcommunicates the financial promotion to persons not covered by the approval, the unauthorised person may commit an offence under the restriction on financial promotion in the Act (section 21). A firm giving a limited approval may wish to notify the unauthorised person accordingly.
1This sourcebook applies to a firm with respect to the following activities carried on from an establishment maintained by it, or its appointed representative, in the United Kingdom:(1) accepting deposits;(2) designated investment business;(3) long-term insurance business in relation to life policies;and activities connected with them.
Each of the following is a per se eligible counterparty (including an entity that is not from an EEA state that is equivalent to any of the following) unless and to the extent it is given a different categorisation under this chapter:(1) an investment firm;(2) a credit institution;(3) an insurance company;(4) a collective investment scheme authorised under the UCITS Directive or its management company;(5) a pension fund or its management company;(6) another financial institution
A firm may treat a client as an elective eligible counterparty if:(1) the client is an undertaking and:(a) is a per se professional client (except for a client that is only a per se professional client because it is an institutional investor under COBS 3.5.2 R (5)) and, in relation to business other than MiFID or equivalent third country business:1(i) is a body corporate (including a limited liability partnership) which has (or any of whose holding companies or subsidiaries has)
In the case of MiFID or equivalent third country business, in the event of a transaction where the prospective counterparties are located in different EEA States, the firm shall defer to the status of the other undertaking as determined by the law or measures of the EEA State in which that undertaking is established. [Note: first paragraph of article 24(3) of MiFID]
A firm must allow a professional client or an eligible counterparty to request re-categorisation as a client that benefits from a higher degree of protection. [Note: second paragraph of article 24(2) of, and the second paragraph of section I of annex II to, MiFID and the second paragraph of article 50(2) of the MiFID implementing Directive]
It is the responsibility of a professional client or eligible counterparty to ask for a higher level of protection when it deems it is unable to properly assess or manage the risks involved. [Note: third paragraph of section I and fourth paragraph of section II.2 of annex II to MiFID and second paragraph of article 50(2) of the MiFID implementing Directive]
A firm may, either on its own initiative or at the request of the client concerned:(1) treat as a professional client or a retail client a client that might otherwise be categorised as a per se eligible counterparty;(2) treat as a retail client a client that might otherwise be categorised as a per se professional client;and if it does so, the client will be re-categorised accordingly. Where applicable, this re-categorisation is subject to the requirement for a written agreement
If a per se eligible counterparty requests treatment as a client whose business with the firm is subject to conduct of business protections, but does not expressly request treatment as a retail client and the firm agrees to that request, the firm must treat that eligible counterparty as a professional client. [Note: first paragraph of article 50(2) of the MiFID implementing Directive]
(1) If, in relation to MiFID or equivalent third country business a per se professional client or a per se eligible counterparty requests treatment as a retail client, the client will be classified as a retail client if it enters into a written agreement with the firm to the effect that it will not be treated as a professional client or eligible counterparty for the purposes of the applicable conduct of business regime.(2) This agreement must specify the scope of the re-categorisation,
(1) In accordance with Principle 7 (communications with clients) if a firm at its own initiative re-categorises a client in accordance with this section, it should notify that client of its new category under this section.(2) If the firm already has an agreement with the client, it should also consider any contractual requirements concerning the amendment of that agreement.
The ways in which a client may be provided with additional protections under this section include re-categorisation:(1) on a general basis; or(2) on a trade by trade basis; or(3) in respect of one or more specified rules; or(4) in respect of one or more particular services or transactions; or(5) in respect of one or more types of product or transaction. [Note: second paragraph of article 24(2) of MiFID]
(1) Subject to (3) and (4), a firm must ensure that a direct offer financial promotion that is addressed to, or disseminated in such a way that it is likely to be received by, a retail client contains:(a) such of the information referred to in the rules on information disclosure (COBS 6.1.4 R, COBS 6.1.6 R, COBS 6.1.7 R, COBS 6.1.9 R, COBS 14.3.2 R, COBS 14.3.3 R, COBS 14.3.4 R and COBS 14.3.5 R) as is relevant to that offer or invitation; and[Note: article 29(8) of the MiFID
In order to enable a client to make an informed assessment of a relevant investment or relevant business, a firm may wish to include in a direct offer financial promotion:(1) a summary of the taxation of any investment to which it relates and the taxation consequences for the average member of the group to whom it is directed or by whom it is likely to be received;1(2) a statement that the recipient should seek a personal recommendation if he has any doubt about the suitability
(1) 2A firm must not communicate or approve a direct offer financial promotion:(a) relating to a warrant or derivative;(b) to or for communication to a retail client; and(c) where the firm will not itself be required to comply with the rules on appropriateness (see COBS 10);unless the firm has adequate evidence that the condition in (2) is satisfied.(2) The condition is that the person who will arrange or deal in relation to the derivative or warrant will comply with the rules
(1) Subject to (2) and (3), this section applies to a firm in relation to:(a) the provision of information in relation to its designated investment business; and(b) the communication or approval of a financial promotion;where such information or financial promotion is addressed to, or disseminated in such a way that it is likely to be received by, a retail client.(2) This section does not apply in relation to a communication that is made by afirm in relation to its MiFID or equivalent
A firm must ensure that information:(1) includes the name of the firm;(2) is accurate and in particular does not emphasise any potential benefits of relevant business or a relevant investment without also giving a fair and prominent indication of any relevant risks;(3) is sufficient for, and presented in a way that is likely to be understood by, the average member of the group to whom it is directed, or by whom it is likely to be received; and(4) does not disguise, diminish or
In deciding whether, and how, to communicate information to a particular target audience, a firm should take into account the nature of the product or business, the risks involved, the client's commitment, the likely information needs of the average recipient, and the role of the information in the sales process.
(1) If information compares relevant business, relevant investments, or persons who carry on relevant business, a firm must ensure that:(a) the comparison is meaningful and presented in a fair and balanced way; and(b) in relation to MiFID or equivalent third country business;(i) the sources of the information used for the comparison are specified; and(ii) the key facts and assumptions used to make the comparison are included.(2) In this rule, in relation to MiFID or equivalent
(1) If any information refers to a particular tax treatment, a firm must ensure that it prominently states that the tax treatment depends on the individual circumstances of each client and may be subject to change in future.[Note: article 27(7) of the MiFID implementing Directive](2) This rule applies in relation to MiFID or equivalent third country business or, otherwise, to a financial promotionfinancial promotion. However, it does not apply to a financial promotion to the extent
(1) A firm must ensure that information contained in a financial promotion is consistent with any information the firm provides to a retail client in the course of carrying on designated investment business or, in the case of MiFID or equivalent third country business, ancillary services.[Note: article 29(7) of the MiFID implementing Directive](2) This rule does not apply to a financial promotion to the extent that it relates to:(a) a deposit; or(b) a pure protection contract
For example:(1) the Child Trust Fund Regulations contain provisions relevant to cancellation rights; in particular they provide that any uninvested sums held in connection with a CTF should be held in a designated bank account; and the effect of conditions 4(a) and (b) in regulation 5 of the Child Trust Fund Regulations (applicable to non-HMRC allocated CTF) is that a CTF opened by way of distance contract has a cancellable management agreement in all cases and the CTF cannot
When a consumer cancels a distance contract under this chapter, his notice may also operate to cancel any attached contract which is also a distance financial services contract unless the consumer gives notice that cancellation of the main contract is not to operate to cancel the attached contract (see regulation 12 of the Distance Marketing Regulations). Where relevant, this should be disclosed to the consumer along with other information on cancellation.
This chapter does not act to cancel distance contracts entered into by an appointed representative or where applicable, by a tied agent,1 as principal such as a distance contract to provide advisory services, but the Distance Marketing Regulations (regulations 9 to 13, see regulation 4(3)) may have this effect.
Where a life policy or unit bought on opening or transferring an ISA is cancellable, the right to cancel, or substitute right to withdraw, applies to the entire arrangement. For example, a maxi-ISA comprising a life policy in the stocks and shares component and a cash component would be cancellable as a whole with a cancellation period of 30 calendar days. However, a firm is free to give the consumer the option of cancelling individual components separately with the same cancellation
Under the territorial application rules in COBS 1, the rules in this section apply to:(1) a UK firm's business carried on from an establishment in an EEA State other than the United Kingdom for a retail client in the United Kingdom unless, if the office from which the activity is carried on were a separate person, the activity:(a) would fall within the overseas persons exclusion in article 72 of the Regulated Activities Order; or(b) would not be regarded as carried on in the United
(1) If a firm sells, personally recommends or arranges the sale of a packaged product to a retail client, and subsequently if the retail client requests it, the firm must disclose to the client in cash terms:(a) any commission receivable by it or any of its associates in connection with the transaction; (b) if the firm is also the product provider, any commission or commission equivalent payable in connection with the transaction; and (c) if the firm or any of its associates is
(1) A firm must make the disclosure required by the rule on disclosure of commission or equivalent (COBS 6.4.3 R) as close as practicable to the time that it sells, personally recommends or arranges the sale of a packaged product.(2) The firm must make the disclosure:(a) in a durable medium; or(b) when a retail client does not make a written application to enter into a transaction, orally. In these circumstances, the firm must give written confirmation as soon as possible after
(1) When determining the value of cash payments, benefits and services under the rule on disclosure of commission equivalent (COBS 6.4.3 R), a firm should follow the provisions of COBS 6 Annex 6.(2) Compliance with this evidential provision may be relied on as tending to establish compliance with COBS 6.4.3 R; and(3) Contravention of this evidential provision may be relied on as tending to establish contravention of COBS 6.4.3 R.
A key features document must:(1) include enough information about the nature and complexity of the product, how it works, any limitations or minimum standards that apply and the material benefits and risks of buying or investing for a retail client to be able to make an informed decision about whether to proceed; and(2) explain:(a) the arrangements for handling complaints about the product;(b) that compensation might be available from the FSCS if the firm cannot meet its liabilities
Table
A key features document for a packaged product must: |
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(1) |
Include the title: ‘key features of the [name of product]’; |
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(2) |
describe the product in the order of the following headings, and by giving the following information under those headings: |
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Heading |
Information to be given |
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‘Its aims’ |
A brief description of the product’s aims |
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‘Your commitment’ or ‘Your investment’ |
What a retail client is committing to or investing in and any consequences of failing to maintain the commitment or investment |
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‘Risks’ |
The material risks associated with the product, including a description of the factors that may have an adverse effect on performance or are material to the decision to invest |
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‘Questions and Answers’ |
(in the form of questions and answers) the principle terms of the product, what it will do for a retail client and any other information necessary to enable a retail client to make an informed decision. |
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The EEA territorial scope rule modifies the default territorial scope of the section on personal account dealing (see COBS 11.7) to the extent necessary to be compatible with European law (see paragraph 1.1R of Part 3 of COBS 1 Annex 1). This means that the section on personal account dealing also applies to passported activities carried on by a UK MiFID investment firm from a branch in another EEA state, but does not apply to the UKbranch of an EEAMiFID investment firm in relation
3The section on best execution (COBS 11.2) does not apply to a firm when:(1) executing orders: or(2) placing orders with other entities for execution: or(3) transmitting orders to other entities for execution;in relation to a spread-bet which is not a financial instrument, where the firm has not made a personal recommendation in relation to that spread-bet.
A firm that conducts designated investment business must establish, implement and maintain adequate arrangements aimed at preventing the following activities in the case of any relevant person who is involved in activities that may give rise to a conflict of interest, or who has access to inside information as defined in the Market Abuse Directive or to other confidential information relating to clients or transactions with or for clients by virtue of an activity carried out by
1The requirements of this section are without prejudice to article 3(a) of the Market Abuse Directive which prohibits any person who possesses inside information under article 2 of that directive from disclosing that information to any other person unless that disclosure is made in the normal course of the exercise of his employment, profession or duties.
The arrangements required under this section must in particular be designed to ensure that:(1) each relevant person covered by this section is aware of the restrictions on personal transactions, and of the measures established by the firm in connection with personal transactions and disclosure, in accordance with this section;(2) the firm:(a) is informed promptly of any personal transaction entered into by a relevant person, either by notification of that transaction or by other
This section does not apply to the following kinds of personal transaction:(1) personal transactions effected under a discretionary portfolio management service where there is no prior communication in connection with the transaction between the portfolio manager and the relevant person or other person for whose account the transaction is executed;(2) personal transactions in units or shares in collective undertakings that comply with the conditions necessary to enjoy the rights
For the purposes of this section, a person who is not:(1) a director, partner or equivalent, manager or appointed representative (or, where applicable, a tied agent) of the firm; or(2) a director, partner or equivalent, or manager of any appointed representative (or where applicable, a tied agent) of the firm;will only be a relevant person to the extent that they are involved in the provision of designated investment business
Where successive personal transactions are carried out on behalf of a person in accordance with prior instructions given by that person, the obligations under this section do not apply:(1) separately to each successive transaction if those instructions remain in force and unchanged; or(2) to the termination or withdrawal of such instructions, provided that any financial instruments which had previously been acquired pursuant to the instructions are not disposed of at the same
(1) If a firm (F) is aware that a person (C1) with or for whom it is providing services is acting as agent for another person (C2) in relation to those services, C1, and not C2, is the client of F in respect of that business.(2) Paragraph (1) does not apply if:(a) F has agreed with C1 in writing to treat C2 as its client; or(b) C1 is neither a firm nor an overseas financial services institution1 and the main purpose of the arrangements between the parties is the avoidance of duties
(1) This rule applies if a firm (F1), in the course of performing MiFID or equivalent third country business, receives an instruction to perform an investment or ancillary service on behalf of a client (C) through another firm (F2), if F2 is:(a) a MiFID investment firm or a third country investment firm; or(b) an investment firm that is:(i) a firm or authorised in another EEA State; and(ii) subject to equivalent relevant requirements.(2) F1 may rely upon:(a) any information about
(1) If F1 is required to perform a suitability assessment or an appropriateness assessment under COBS 9 or COBS 10, it may rely upon a suitability assessment performed by F2, if F2 was subject to the requirements for assessing suitability in COBS 9 (excluding the basic advicerules) or equivalent requirements in another EEA State in performing that assessment.(2) If F1 is required to perform an appropriateness assessment under COBS 10, it may rely upon an appropriateness assessment
(1) This rule applies if the rule on reliance on other investment firms (COBS 2.4.4 R) does not apply.(2) A firm will be taken to be in compliance with any rule in this sourcebook that requires it to obtain information to the extent it can show it was reasonable for it to rely on information provided to it in writing by another person.
(1) In relying on COBS 2.4.6 R, a firm should take reasonable steps to establish that the other person providing written information is not connected with the firm and is competent to provide the information.(2) Compliance with (1) may be relied upon as tending to establish compliance with COBS 2.4.6 R.(3) Contravention of (1) may be relied upon as tending to establish contravention of COBS 2.4.6 R.
It will generally be reasonable (in accordance with COBS 2.4.6R (2)) for a firm to rely on information provided to it in writing by an unconnected authorised person or a professional firm, unless it is aware or ought reasonably to be aware of any fact that would give reasonable grounds to question the accuracy of that information.
(1) Prior to the conclusion of any initial life policy and, if necessary, on amendment or renewal, a firm must provide a client with at least the following information:(a) its name and address;(b) the fact that it is registered on the FSA register and its FSA register number (or, if it is not on the FSA register, the register in which it has been included and the means for verifying that it has been registered);(c) whether it has a direct or indirect holding representing more
When a firm informs a client that it gives advice on the basis of a fair analysis of the market, it must give that advice on the basis of an analysis of a sufficiently large number of life policies available on the market to enable the firm to make a recommendation, in accordance with professional criteria, regarding which life policy would be adequate to meet the client's needs. [Note: article 12(2) of the Insurance Mediation Directive]
(1) Prior to the conclusion of any specific life policy, a firm must at least specify, in particular on the basis of the information provided by the client, the demands and needs of that client. Those demands and needs must be modulated according to the complexity of the relevant policy.(2) This rule does not apply when a firm makes a personal recommendation in relation to a life policy. [Note: article 12(3) of the Insurance Mediation Directive]
All information to be provided to a client in accordance with the rules in this chapter must be communicated:(1) in a durable medium available and accessible to the client;(2) in a clear and accurate manner, comprehensible to the client; and(3) in an official language of the State of the commitment or in any other language agreed by the parties. [Note: article 13(1) of the Insurance Mediation Directive]
In the case of telephone selling, the prior information given to a client must be in accordance with the distance marketing disclosure rules (COBS 5.1). Moreover, information must be provided to the client in accordance with the means of communication to clients rule (COBS 7.2.6 R) immediately after the conclusion of the life policy. [Note: article 13(3) of the Insurance Mediation Directive]
The information referred to in the means of communication to clients rule (COBS 7.2.6 R) may be provided orally where the client requests it, or where immediate cover is necessary. In those cases, the information must be provided to the client in accordance with that rule immediately after the conclusion of the life policy. [Note: article 13(2) of the Insurance Mediation Directive]
(1) When providing a service to which this chapter applies, a firm must ask the client to provide information regarding his knowledge and experience in the investment field relevant to the specific type of product or service offered or demanded so as to enable the firm to assess whether the service or product envisaged is appropriate for the client.(2) When assessing appropriateness, a firm:(a) must determine whether the client has the necessary experience and knowledge in order
The information regarding a client's knowledge and experience in the investment field includes, to the extent appropriate to the nature of the client, the nature and extent of the service to be provided and the type of product or transaction envisaged, including their complexity and the risks involved, information on:(1) the types of service, transaction and designated investment with which the client is familiar;(2) the nature, volume, frequency of the client's transactions in
If a firm is satisfied that the client has the necessary experience and knowledge in order to understand the risks involved in relation to the product or service, there is no duty to communicate this to the client. If the firm does so, it must not do so in a way that amounts to making a personal recommendation unless it complies with the rules in COBS 9 on suitability.
(1) A firm must ensure that a communication or a financial promotion is fair, clear and not misleading.(2) This rule applies in relation to:(a) a communication by the firm to a client in relation to designated investment business other than a third party prospectus;(b) a financial promotioncommunicated by the firm that is not:(i) an excluded communication;(ii) a non-retail communication;(iii) a third party prospectus; and(c) a financial promotion approved by the firm.[Note: article
(1) 1The fair, clear and not misleading rule applies in a way that is appropriate and proportionate taking into account the means of communication and the information the communication is intended to convey. So a communication addressed to a professional client may not need to include the same information, or be presented in the same way, as a communication addressed to a retail client.(2) COBS 4.2.1R(2)(b)1 does not limit the application of the fair, clear and not misleading
A firm should ensure that a financial promotion:(1) for a product or service that places a client's capital at risk makes this clear;(2) that quotes a yield figure gives a balanced impression of both the short and long term prospects for the investment;(3) that promotes an investment or service whose charging structure is complex, or in relation to which the firm will receive more than one element of remuneration, includes the information necessary to ensure that it is fair, clear