Related provisions for MCOB 6.4.14
Multiple principal agreement
Matter |
Explanation |
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1. |
Scope of appointment |
The scope of appointment given by each principal to the appointed representative. |
2. |
Complaints handling |
The identity of the principal which will be the point of contact for a complaint from a client (referred to as the "lead-principal" in SUP 12.4.5D G to SUP 12.4.5E G). |
An agreement that each principal will co-operate with each other principal in resolving a complaint from a client in relation to the appointed representative's conduct. |
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The arrangements for complaints handling, including arrangements for resolving disputes between the principals in relation to their liability to a client in respect of a complaint and arrangements for dealing with referrals to the Financial Ombudsman Service. |
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3. |
The arrangements for approving financial promotion. |
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4. |
Control and monitoring |
The arrangements for the control and monitoring of the activities of the appointed representative (see in particular SUP 12.6.6 R (Regulated activities and investment services outside the scope of appointment) and SUP 12.6.7 G (Senior management responsibility for appointed representatives)). |
5. |
Approved person status |
The arrangements for making applications for approved person status (see SUP 10 (Approved persons)). |
6. |
Training and competence |
The arrangements for training and competence (see TC). |
7. |
Co-operation |
The arrangements for co-operation over any other issues which may arise from the multiple appointments, including issues which may damage the interests of clients dealing with the appointed representative and administrative issues. |
An agreement by each principal to take reasonable steps to ensure that it does not cause the appointed representative or any of its other principals to be in breach of their obligations to each other or under the regulatory system. |
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8. |
Sharing information |
The arrangements for sharing information on matters relevant to the matters covered under the multiple principal agreement and each principal's obligations under SUP 12.6 (Continuing obligations of firms with appointed representatives). |
An agreement that each principal will notify each other principal of any information which is materially relevant to the multiple principal agreement. |
- (1)
In order to provide adequate information to describe how the operation of the scheme is governed, an operator of an unregulated collective investment scheme should include in the scheme documents a provision about each of the items of relevant information set out in the following table (Content of scheme documents).
- (2)
Compliance with (1) may be relied on as tending to establish compliance with COBS 18.5.5 R.
- (3)
Contravention of (1) may be relied on as tending to establish contravention of COBS 18.5.5 R.
Table: Content of scheme documents
Content of scheme documents
The scheme documents should include provision about: |
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(1) |
Regulator The firm statutory status in accordance with GEN 4 Annex 1 R (Statutory status disclosure); |
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(2) |
Services the nature of the services that the operator will provide in relation to the scheme; |
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(3) |
Payments for services details of any payment for services payable by the scheme or from the property of the scheme or participants in the scheme to the operator, including where appropriate: |
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(a) |
the basis of calculation; |
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(b) |
how it is to be paid and collected; |
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(c) |
how frequently it is to be paid; and |
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(d) |
whether or not any other payment is receivable by the operator (or to its knowledge by any of its associates) in connection with any transactions effected by the operator with or for the scheme, in addition to or in lieu of any fees; |
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(4) |
Commencement when and how the operator is appointed; |
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(5) |
Accounting the arrangements for accounting to the scheme or participants in the scheme for any transaction effected; |
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(6) |
Termination method how the appointment of the operator may be terminated; |
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(7) |
Complaints procedure how to complain to the operator and a statement that the participants in the scheme may subsequently complain direct to the Financial Ombudsman Service; |
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(8) |
Compensation whether or not compensation may be available from the compensation scheme should the operator be unable to meet its liabilities, and information about any other applicable compensation scheme; and, for each applicable scheme, the extent and level of cover and how further information can be obtained; |
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(9) |
Investment objectives the investment objectives for the portfolio of the scheme; |
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(10) |
Restrictions |
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(a) |
any restrictions on: |
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(i) |
the types of investments or property which may be included in the portfolio of the scheme; |
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(ii) |
the markets on which investments or property may be acquired for the portfolio of the scheme; |
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(iii) |
the amount or value of any one investment or asset, or on the proportion of the portfolio of the scheme which any one investment or asset or any particular kind of investment or asset may constitute; or |
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(b) |
that there are no such restrictions; |
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(11) |
Holding scheme assets |
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(a) |
if it is the case, that the operator will: |
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(i) |
hold money on behalf of the scheme or be the custodian of investments or other property of the scheme; or |
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(ii) |
arrange for some other person to act in either capacity and, if so, whether that person is an associate of the operator identifying that person and describing the nature of any association; and |
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(b) |
in either case: |
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(i) |
how any money is to be deposited; |
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(ii) |
the arrangements for recording and separately identifying registrable investments of the scheme and, where the registered holder is the operator's own nominee, that the operator will be responsible for the acts and omissions of that person; |
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(iii) |
the extent to which the operator accepts liability for any loss of the investment of the scheme; |
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(iv) |
the extent to which the operator or any other person mentioned in (11)(a)(ii), may hold a lien or security interest over investments of the scheme; |
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(v) |
where investments of the scheme will be registered collectively in the same name, a statement that the entitlements of the scheme may not be identifiable by separate certificates or other physical documents of title, and that, should the operator default, any shortfall in investments of the scheme registered in that name may be shared proportionately among all schemes and any other customers of the operator whose investments are so registered; |
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(vi) |
whether or not investments or other property of the scheme can be lent to, or deposited by way of collateral with, a third party and whether or not money can be borrowed on behalf of the scheme against the security of those investments or property and, if so, the terms upon which they may be lent or deposited; |
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(vii) |
the arrangements for accounting to the scheme for investments of the scheme, for income received (including any interest on money and any income earned by lending investments or other property) of the scheme, and for rights conferred in respect of investments or other property of the scheme; |
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(viii) |
the arrangements for determining the exercise of any voting rights conferred by investments of the scheme; and |
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(ix) |
where investments of the scheme may be held by an eligible custodian outside the United Kingdom, a general statement that different settlement, legal and regulatory requirements, and different practices relating to the segregation of those investments, may apply; |
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(12) |
Clients' money outside the United Kingdom if it is the case, that the operator may hold the money of the scheme in a client bank account outside the United Kingdom; |
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(13) |
Exchange rates if a liability of the scheme in one currency is to be matched by an asset in a different currency, or if the services to be provided to the operator for the scheme may relate to an investment denominated in a currency other than the currency in which the investments of the scheme are valued, a warning that a movement of exchange rates may have a separate effect, unfavourable or favourable, on the gain or loss otherwise made on the investments of the scheme; |
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(14) |
Stabilised investments if it is the case, that the operator is to have the right under the schemedocuments to effect transactions in investments the prices of which may be the subject of stabilisation; |
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(15) |
Conflict of interest and material interest if it is the case, that the operator is to have the right under the agreement or instrument constituting the scheme to effect transactions on behalf of the scheme in which the operator has directly or indirectly a material interest (except for an interest arising solely from the participation of the operator as agent for the scheme), or a relationship of any description with another party which may involve a conflict with the operator's duty to the scheme, together with a disclosure of the nature of the interest or relationship; |
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(16) |
Use of dealing commission if the operator receives goods or services in addition to the execution of its customer orders in accordance with the section on the use of dealing commission, the prior disclosure required by the rule on prior disclosure (see COBS 11.6.2 R); |
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(17) |
Acting as principal if it is the case, that the operator may act as principal in a transaction with the scheme; |
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(18) |
Stock lending if it is the case, that the operator may undertake stock lending activity with or for the scheme specifying the type of assets of the scheme to be lent, the type and value of relevant collateral from the borrower and the method and amount of payment due to the scheme in respect of the lending; |
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(19) |
Transactions involving contingent liability investments |
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(a) |
if it is the case, that the agreement or instrument constituting the scheme allows the operator to effect transactions involving contingent liability investments for the account of the portfolio of the scheme; |
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(b) |
if applicable, whether there are any limits on the amount to be committed by way of margin and, if so, what those limits are; and |
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(c) |
if applicable, that the operator has the authority to effect transactions involving contingent liability investments otherwise than under the rules of a recognised investment exchange or designated investment exchange and in a contract traded thereon; |
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(20) |
Periodic statements |
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(a) |
the frequency of any periodic statement (this should not be less than once every 12 months) except where a periodic statement is not required (see COBS 18.5.13R); and |
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(b) |
whether those statements will include some measure of performance, and, if so, what the basis of that measurement will be; |
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(21) |
Valuation the bases on which assets comprised in the portfolio of the scheme are to be valued; |
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(22) |
Borrowings if it is the case, that the operator may supplement the funds in the portfolio of the scheme and, if it may do so: |
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(a) |
the circumstances in which the operator may do so; |
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(b) |
whether there are any limits on the extent to which the operator may do so and, if so, what those limits are; and |
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(c) |
any circumstances in which such limits may be exceeded; |
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(23) |
Underwriting commitments if it is the case, that the operator may for the account of the portfolio of the scheme underwrite or sub-underwrite any issue or offer for sale of securities, and: |
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(a) |
whether there are any restrictions on the categories of securities which may be underwritten and, if so, what these restrictions are; and |
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(b) |
whether there are any financial limits on the extent of the underwriting and, if so, what these limits are; |
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(24) |
Investments in other collective investment schemes whether or not the portfolio may contain units in a collective investment scheme either operated or advised by the operator or by an associate of the operator or in a collective investment scheme which is not a regulated collective investment scheme; |
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(25) |
Investments in securities underwritten by the operator whether or not the portfolio may contain securities of which any issue or offer for sale was underwritten, managed or arranged by the operator or by an associate of the operator during the preceding 12 months. |
- (1)
Before a pure protection contract is concluded, a firm must inform a customer of the information in the table below.
- (2)
The information must be communicated in a clear and accurate manner, in writing, and in an official language of the State of the commitment or in another language agreed by the parties.
Information to be communicated before conclusion |
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(1) |
The name of the insurance undertaking and its legal form. |
(2) |
The name of the EEA State in which the head office and, where appropriate, the agency or branch concluding the contract is situated. |
(3) |
The address of the head office and, where appropriate, of the agency or branch concluding the contract. |
(4)* |
Definition of each benefit and each option. |
(5)* |
Term of the contract. |
(6)* |
Means of terminating the contract. |
(7)* |
Means of payment of premiums and duration of payments. |
(8)* |
Information on the premiums for each benefit, both main benefits and supplementary benefits, where appropriate. |
(9) |
Arrangements for application of the cancellation period. |
(10) |
General information on the tax arrangements applicable to the type of policy. |
(11) |
The arrangements for handling complaints concerning contracts by policyholders, lives assured or beneficiaries under contracts including, where appropriate, the existence of a complaints body (usually the Financial Ombudsman Service), without prejudice to the right to take legal proceedings. |
(12) |
The law applicable to the contract where the parties do not have a free choice or, where the parties are free to choose the law applicable, the law the insurance undertaking proposes to choose. |
Note: The rule on mid-term changes applies to items marked with an asterisk (see ICOBS 6.3.3 R). |
[Note: Annex III(A) to the Consolidated Life Directive]
Module |
Relevance to Credit Unions |
The Principles for Businesses (PRIN) |
The Principles for Businesses (PRIN) set out, in a small number of high-level requirements, the basic obligations of all regulated firms. They provide a general statement of regulatory requirements, and the FSA considers that the Principles are appropriate expressions of the standards of conduct to be expected of all financial firms including credit unions. In applying the Principles to credit unions, the FSA will be mindful of proportionality. In practice, the implications are likely to vary according to the size of the credit union. |
Senior Management Arrangements, Systems and Controls (SYSC) |
SYSC 1 and SYSC 4 to 10 apply to all credit unions in respect of the carrying on of their regulated activities and unregulated activities in a prudential context. SYSC 18 applies to all credit unions without restriction. |
Threshold Conditions (COND) |
In order to become authorised under the Act all firms must meet the threshold conditions. The threshold conditions must be met on a continuing basis by credit unions. Failure to meet one of the conditions is sufficient grounds for the exercise by the FSA of its powers (see EG). |
Statements of Principle and Code of Practice for Approved Persons (APER) |
The purpose of the Statements of Principle contained in APER 2 is to provide guidance to approved persons in relation to the conduct expected of them in the performance of a controlled function. The Code of Practice for Approved Persons sets out descriptions of conduct which, in the opinion of the FSA, do not comply with a Statement of Principle and, in the case of Statement of Principle 3, conduct which tends to show compliance within that statement. |
The Fit and Proper test for Approved Persons (FIT) |
The purpose of FIT is to set out and describe the criteria that the FSA will consider when assessing the fitness and propriety of a person in respect of whom an application is being made for approval to undertake a controlled function under the approved persons regime. The criteria are also relevant in assessing the continuing fitness and propriety of persons who have already been approved. |
General Provisions (GEN) |
GEN contains rules and guidance on general matters, including interpreting the Handbook, statutory status disclosure, the FSA logo and insurance against financial penalties. |
Fees manual (FEES) |
This manual sets out the fees applying to credit unions. |
Conduct of Business sourcebook (COBS) |
A credit union which acts as a CTF provider or provides a cash-deposit ISA will need to be aware of the relevant requirements in COBS. COBS 4.6 (Past, simulated past and future performance), COBS 4.7.1 R (Direct offer financial promotions), COBS 4.10 (Systems and controls and approving and communicating financial promotions), COBS 13 (Preparing product information) and COBS 14 (Providing product information to clients) apply with respect to accepting deposits as set out in those provisions, COBS 4.1 and BCOBS. |
Banking: Conduct of Business sourcebook (BCOBS) |
BCOBS sets out rules and guidance for credit unions on how they should conduct their business with their customers. In particular there are rules and guidance relating to communications with banking customers and financial promotions (BCOBS 2), distance communications (BCOBS 3), information to be communicated to banking customers (BCOBS 4), post sale requirements (BCOBS 5), and cancellation (BCOBS 6). BCOBS 5.1.13 R (Value dating) does not apply to credit unions. The rules in BCOBS 3.1 that relate to distance contracts for accepting deposits are likely to have limited application to a credit union. This is because the Distance Marketing Directive only applies where there is "an organised distance sales or service-provision scheme run by the supplier" (Article 2(a)). If, therefore, the credit union normally operates face to face and has not set up facilities to enable customers to deal with it at a distance, such as facilities for a customer to deal with it purely by post, telephone, fax or the Internet, the provisions will not be relevant. |
Supervision manual (SUP) |
The following provisions of SUP are relevant to credit unions: SUP 1 (The FSA approach to supervision), SUP 2 (Information gathering by the FSA on its own initiative), SUP 3.1 to SUP 3.8 (Auditors), SUP 5 (Skilled persons), SUP 6 (Applications to vary or cancel Part IVpermission), SUP 7 (Individual requirements), SUP 8 (Waiver and modification of rules), SUP 9 (Individual guidance), SUP 10 (Approved persons), SUP 11 (Controllers and Close links), SUP 15 (Notifications to the FSA) and SUP 16 (Reporting Requirements). Credit unions are reminded that they are subject to the requirements of the Act and SUP 11 on controllers and close links, and are bound to notify the FSA of changes. It may be unlikely, in practice, that credit unions will develop such relationships. It is possible, however, that a person may acquire control of a credit union within the meaning of the Act by reason of holding the prescribed proportion of deferred shares in the credit union. In relation to SUP 16, credit unions are exempted from the requirement to submit annual reports of controllers and close links. |
Decision, Procedure and Penalties manual (DEPP) |
DEPP is relevant to credit unions because it sets out: (1) the FSA's decision-making procedure for giving statutory notices. These are warning notices, decision notices and supervisory notices (DEPP 1.2 to DEPP 5); and (2) the FSA's policy with respect to the imposition and amount of penalties under the Act (see DEPP 6). |
Dispute Resolution: Complaints (DISP) |
DISP sets out rules and guidance in relation to treating complainants fairly and the Financial Ombudsman Service. |
Compensation (COMP) |
COMP sets out rules relating to the scheme for compensating consumers when authorised firms are unable, or likely to be unable, to satisfy claims against them. |
Complaints against the FSA (COAF) |
This relates to complaints against the FSA. |
The Enforcement Guide (EG) |
The Enforcement Guide (EG) describes the FSA's approach to exercising the main enforcement powers given to it by the Act and by regulation 12 of the Unfair Terms Regulations. |
Financial crime: a guide for firms (FC) |
FC provides guidance on steps that a firm can take to reduce the risk that it might be used to further financial crime. |