Related provisions for SUP 3.6.1
Module |
Relevance to Credit Unions |
The Principles for Businesses (PRIN) |
The Principles for Businesses (PRIN) set out, high-level requirements, some of which are imposed by the FCA and some by the PRA.12 They provide a general statement of regulatory requirements. The Principles apply to all12credit unions. In applying the Principles to credit unions, the appropriate regulator12 will be mindful of proportionality. In practice, the implications are likely to vary according to the size of the credit union. 121212 |
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 appropriate regulator12 of its powers. 1212 |
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 appropriate regulator12, 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. 12 |
The Fit and Proper test for Approved Persons (FIT) |
The purpose of FIT is to set out and describe the criteria that the appropriate regulator12 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. 12 |
General Provisions (GEN) |
GEN contains rules and guidance on general matters, including interpreting the Handbook, statutory status disclosure, the appropriate regulator's12 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: 13SUP 1A13 (The appropriate regulator's12 approach to supervision), SUP 2 (Information gathering by the appropriate regulator12 on its own initiative), SUP 3.1 to SUP 3.8 (Auditors), SUP 5 (Skilled persons), SUP 6 (Applications to vary or cancel Part 4A12permission), SUP 7 (Individual requirements), SUP 8 (Waiver and modification of rules), SUP 9 (Individual guidance), 13SUP 10A and SUP 10B13 (Approved persons), SUP 11 (Controllers and Close links), SUP 15 (Notifications to the appropriate regulator12) 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 appropriate regulator12 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. 1212121212 |
Decision, Procedure and Penalties manual (DEPP) |
DEPP is relevant to credit unions because it sets out: (1) the FCA's12 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 FCA's12 policy with respect to the imposition and amount of penalties under the Act (see DEPP 6). 1212 |
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.12 |
The Enforcement Guide (EG) |
The Enforcement Guide (EG) describes the FCA's12 approach to exercising the main enforcement powers given to it by the Act and by regulation 12 of the Unfair Terms Regulations. 12 |
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. |
This table belongs to COLL 8.3.2 R.
1 |
Document status |
|||
A statement that this document is the prospectus of the authorised fund valid as at a particular date which shall be the date of the document. |
||||
2 |
Description of the authorised fund |
|||
Information detailing: |
||||
(1) |
the name of the authorised fund; |
|||
(2) |
that the authorised fund is either an ICVC or an AUT; |
|||
(3) |
that the scheme is a qualified investor scheme; |
|||
(4) |
where relevant, that the unitholders in an ICVC are not liable for the debts of the authorised fund; |
|||
(5) |
where relevant, the address of the ICVC's head office and the address in the United Kingdom for service on the ICVC of documents required or authorised to be served on it; |
|||
(6) |
the effective date of the authorisation order made by the FCA and, if the duration of the authorised fund is not unlimited, when it will or may terminate; |
|||
(7) |
the base currency for the authorised fund; |
|||
(8) |
where relevant, the maximum and minimum sizes of the ICVC's capital; and |
|||
(9) |
the circumstances in which the authorised fund may be wound up under the rules in COLL and a summary of the procedure for, and the rights of unitholders under, such a winding up. |
|||
3 |
Investment objectives and policy |
|||
(1) |
Sufficient information to enable a unitholder to ascertain: |
|||
(a) |
the investment objectives of the authorised fund; |
|||
(b) |
the authorised fund's investment policy for achieving those investment objectives, including: |
|||
(i) |
the general nature of the portfolio and any intended specialisation; |
|||
(ii) |
the policy for the spreading of risk in the scheme property; and |
|||
(iii) |
the policy in relation to the exercise of borrowing powers; |
|||
(c) |
a description of any restrictions in the assets in which investment may be made; and |
|||
(d) |
the extent (if any) to which that investment policy does not envisage remaining fully invested at all times. |
|||
(2) |
For investment in immovables : |
|||
(a) |
the countries or territories of immovables in which the authorised fund may invest; |
|||
(b) |
the policy of the authorised fund manager in relation to insurance of immovables forming part of the scheme property; and |
|||
(c) |
the policy of the authorised fund manager in relation to the granting of options over immovables in the scheme property and the purchase of options on immovables. |
|||
(3) |
If intended, whether the scheme property may consist of units in collective investment schemes ("second schemes") which are managed by or operated by the authorised fund manager or by one of its associates and a statement as: |
|||
(a) |
to the basis of the maximum amount of the charges in respect of transactions in a second scheme; and |
|||
(b) |
the extent to which any such charges will be reimbursed to the scheme. |
|||
(4) |
If intended, whether the scheme may enter into stock lending transactions and, if so, what procedures will operate and what collateral will be required. |
|||
(5) |
Where a scheme is a feeder scheme which (in respect of investment in units in a single collective investment scheme) is dedicated to units in a collective investment scheme, details of the master scheme and the minimum (and, if relevant, maximum) investment that the feeder scheme may make in it;8 |
|||
(6) |
Where the scheme is a money market fund or a short-term money market fund, a statement identifying it as such a fund and a statement that the scheme's investment objectives and policies will meet the conditions in the definition of money market fund or short-term money market fund, as appropriate.9 |
|||
4 |
Distributions and accounting dates |
|||
Relevant details of accounting and distribution dates and a description of the procedures: |
||||
(1) |
for determining and applying income (including how any distributable income is paid); and |
|||
(2) |
relating to unclaimed distributions. |
|||
5 |
The characteristics of units in the authorised fund |
|||
Information as to: |
||||
(1) |
the names of the classes of units in issue or available for issue and the rights attached to them in so far as they vary from the rights attached to other classes; |
|||
(2) |
how unitholders may exercise their voting rights and what these are; and |
|||
(3) |
the circumstances where a mandatory redemption, cancellation or conversion of units from one class to another may be required. |
|||
6 |
The authorised fund manager |
|||
The following particulars of the authorised fund manager: |
||||
(1) |
its name and the nature of its corporate form; |
|||
(2) |
the country or territory of its incorporation; |
|||
(3) |
the date of its incorporation and if the duration of its corporate status is limited, when that status will or may cease; |
|||
(4) |
if it is a subsidiary, the name of its ultimate holding company and the country or territory in which that holding company is incorporated; |
|||
(5) |
the address of its registered office, its head office, and, if different, the address of its principal place of business in the United Kingdom; |
|||
(6) |
the amount of its issued share capital and how much of it is paid up; |
|||
(7) |
for an ICVC, a summary of the material provisions of the contract between the ICVC and the authorised fund manager which may be relevant to unitholders including provisions (if any) relating to termination, compensation on termination and indemnity; and |
|||
(8) |
||||
7 |
Directors of an ICVC, other than the ACD |
|||
Other than for the ACD: |
||||
(1) |
||||
(2) |
the manner, amount and calculation of the remuneration of the directors. |
|||
8 |
The depositary |
|||
The following particulars of the depositary: |
||||
(1) |
its name and the nature of its corporate form; |
|||
(2) |
the country or territory of its incorporation; |
|||
(3) |
the address of its registered office and the address of its head office if that is different from the address of its registered office; and |
|||
(4) |
if neither its registered office nor its head office is in the United Kingdom, the address of its principal place of business in the United Kingdom. |
|||
9 |
The investment adviser |
|||
If an investment adviser is retained in connection with the business of the authorised fund, its name and whether or not it is authorised by the FCA. |
||||
10 |
The auditor |
|||
The name of the auditor of the authorised fund. |
||||
11 |
The register of Unitholders |
|||
Details of the address in the United Kingdom where the register of unitholders is kept and can be inspected by unitholders. |
||||
12 |
Payments out of the scheme property |
|||
The payments that may be made out of the scheme property to any person whether by way of remuneration for services, or reimbursement of expense and for each category of remuneration or expense, the following should be specified: |
||||
(1) |
the current rates or amounts of such remuneration; |
|||
(2) |
how the remuneration will be calculated and accrue and when it will be paid; |
|||
(3) |
if notice has been given to unitholders of the authorised fund manager's intention to: |
|||
(a) |
introduce a new category of remuneration for its services; or |
|||
(b) |
increase the basis of any current charge; or |
|||
(c) |
change the basis of the treatment of a payment from the capital property set out in COLL 8.5.13 R (2) (Payments); |
|||
particulars of that introduction or increase and when it will take place; |
||||
(4) |
the types of any other charges and expenses that may be taken out of the scheme property; and |
|||
(5) |
if, in accordance with COLL 8.5.13 R (2), all or part of the remuneration or expense are to be treated as a capital charge: |
|||
(a) |
that fact; and |
|||
(b) |
the basis of the charge which may be so treated |
|||
13 |
Dealing |
|||
Details of: |
||||
(1) |
the dealing days and times in the dealing day on which the authorised fund manager will receive requests for the sale and redemption of units; |
|||
(2) |
the procedures for effecting: |
|||
(a) |
the issue and cancellation of units; |
|||
(b) |
the sale and redemption of units; and |
|||
(c) |
the settlement of transactions; |
|||
(3) |
the steps required to be taken by a unitholder in redeeming units before he can receive the proceeds including any relevant notice periods and the circumstances and periods where a deferral of payment as provided in COLL 8.5.11 R (3) (Sale and redemption) may be applied; |
|||
(4) |
the circumstances in which the redemption of units may be suspended; |
|||
(5) |
the days and times in the day on which recalculation of the price will commence; |
|||
(6) |
details of the minimum number or value of each type of unit in the authorised fund which: |
|||
(a) |
any one person may hold; and |
|||
(b) |
may be the subject of any one transaction of sale or redemption; |
|||
(7) |
the circumstances in which the authorised fund manager may arrange for, and the procedure for, a redemption of units in specie; |
|||
(8) |
the circumstances in which the further issue of units in any particular class may be limited and the procedures relating to this:66 |
|||
(9) |
the circumstances in which direct issue or cancellation of units by the ICVC or the trustee (as appropriate) may occur and the relevant procedures for such issues and cancellations; and66 |
|||
(10) |
6whether a unitholder may effect transfer of title to units on the authority of an electronic communication and if so the conditions that must be satisfied in order to effect a transfer.6 |
|||
14 |
Valuation of scheme property |
|||
Details as to: |
||||
(1) |
how frequently and at what times of the day the scheme property will be regularly valued to determine the price at which units in the scheme may be purchased from or redeemed by the authorised fund manager and a description of any circumstance where the scheme property may be specially valued; |
|||
(2) |
in relation to each purpose for which the scheme property must be valued, the basis on which it will be valued; and |
|||
(3) |
how the price of units of each class will be determined, including whether a forward price or historic price basis is to be applied. |
|||
15 |
Sale and redemption charges |
|||
If the authorised fund manager makes any charges on sale or redemption of units, details of the charging structure and how notice will be provided to unitholders of any increase. |
||||
15A5 |
Property Authorised Investment Funds |
|||
For a property authorised investment fund, a statement that: |
||||
(1) |
it is a property authorised investment fund; |
|||
(2) |
no body corporate may seek to obtain or intentionally maintain a holding of more than 10% of the net asset value of the fund; and |
|||
(3) |
in the event that the authorised fund manager reasonably considers that a body corporate holds more than 10% of the net asset value of the fund, the authorised fund manager is entitled to delay any redemption or cancellation of units if the authorised fund manager reasonably considers such action to be: |
|||
(a) |
necessary in order to enable an orderly reduction of the holding to below 10%; and |
|||
(b) |
in the interests of the unitholders as a whole. |
|||
16 |
General information |
|||
Details as to: |
||||
(1) |
when annual and half- yearly reports will be published; and |
|||
(2) |
the address at which copies of the instrument constituting the scheme, any amending instrument and the most recent annual reports may be inspected and from which copies may be obtained. |
|||
17 |
Information on the umbrella |
|||
In the case of a scheme which is an umbrella, the following information: |
||||
(1) |
that a unitholder may exchange units in one sub-fund for units in another sub-fund and that such an exchange is treated as a redemption and sale; |
|||
(2) |
what charges may be made on exchanging units in one sub-fund for units in other sub-funds; |
|||
(3) |
the policy for allocating between sub-funds any assets of, or costs, charges and expenses payable out of, the scheme property which are not attributable to any particular sub-fund; |
|||
(4) |
in respect of each sub-fund, the currency in which the scheme property allocated to it will be valued and the price of units calculated and payments made, if this currency is not the base currency of the umbrella; and |
|||
(5) |
10 | |||
10(a) |
its sub-funds are segregated portfolios of assets and, accordingly, the assets of a sub-fund belong exclusively to that sub-fund and shall not be used to discharge directly or indirectly the liabilities of, or claims against, any other person or body, including the umbrella, or any other sub-fund, and shall not be available for any such purpose; and |
|||
10(b) |
while the provisions of the OEIC Regulations provide for segregated liability between sub-funds, the concept of segregated liability is relatively new. Accordingly, where claims are brought by local creditors in foreign courts or under foreign law contracts, it is not yet known how those foreign courts will react to regulations 11A and 11B of the OEIC Regulations. |
|||
18 |
Application of the prospectus contents to an umbrella |
|||
For a scheme which is an umbrella, information required must be stated: |
||||
(1) |
in relation to each sub-fund where the information for any sub-fund differs from that for any other; and |
|||
(2) |
for the umbrella as a whole, but only where the information is relevant to the umbrella as a whole. |
|||
318A |
Investment in overseas4 property through an intermediate holding vehicle3 |
|||
If investment in an overseas4 immovable is to be made through an intermediate holding vehicle or a series of intermediate holding vehicles a statement disclosing the existence of that intermediate holding vehicle or series of intermediate holding vehicles and confirming that the purpose of that intermediate holding vehicle or series of intermediate holding vehicles is to enable the holding of overseas4 immovables by the scheme.3 |
||||
19 |
Additional information |
|||
Any other material information which is within the knowledge of the directors of an ICVC or the manager of an AUT, or which the directors or manager would have obtained by the making of reasonable enquiries which investors and their professional advisers would reasonably require, and reasonably expect to find in the prospectus, for the purpose of making an informed judgement about the merits of investing in the authorised fund and the extent and characteristics of the risks accepted by so participating. |
Information and supporting documentation (see REC 5.2.4 G).
(1) |
Details of the applicant's constitution, structure and ownership, including its memorandum and articles of association (or similar or analogous documents ) and any agreements between the applicant, its owners or other persons relating to its constitution or governance (if not contained in the information listed in REC 5.2.3A G)1. An applicant for RAP status must provide details of the relationship between the governance arrangements in place for the UK RIE and the RAP.3 |
(2) |
Details of all business to be conducted by the applicant, whether or not a regulated activity (if not contained in the information listed in REC 5.2.3A G)1. |
(3) |
Details of the facilities which the applicant plans to operate, including details of the trading platform or (for an RAP) auction platform,3 settlement arrangements, clearing facilitation services5 and custody services which it plans to supply. An applicant for RAP status must provide details on the relationship between the auction platform and any secondary market in emissions auction products4 which it operates or plans to operate.3 54 |
(4) |
Copies of the last three annual reports and accounts and, for the current financial year, quarterly management accounts. |
(5) |
Details of its business plan for the first three years of operation as a UK recognised body (if not contained in the information listed in REC 5.2.3A G)1. |
(6) |
A full organisation chart and a list of the posts to be held by key individuals (with details of the duties and responsibilities) and the names of the persons proposed for these appointments when these names are available (if not contained in the information listed in REC 5.2.3A G)1. |
(7) |
Details of its auditors, bankers, solicitors and any persons providing corporate finance advice or similar services (such as reporting accountants) to the applicant. |
(8) |
Details of any relevant functions to be outsourced or delegated, with copies of relevant agreements. |
(9) |
Details of information technology systems and of arrangements for their supply, management, maintenance and upgrading, and security. |
(10) |
Details of all plans to minimise disruption to operation of its facilities in the event of the failure of its information technology systems. |
(11) |
Details of internal systems for financial control, arrangements for risk management and insurance arrangements to cover operational and other risks. |
(12) |
Details of its arrangements for managing any counterparty risks. 5 |
(13) |
Details of internal arrangements to safeguard confidential or privileged information and for handling conflicts of interest. |
(14) |
Details of arrangements for complying with the notification rules and other requirements to supply information to the FCA5. 5 |
(15) |
Details of the arrangements to be made for monitoring and enforcing compliance with its rules and with its clearing, settlement and default arrangements. |
(16) |
A summary of the legal due diligence carried out in relation to ascertaining the enforceability of its rules (including default rules) and the results and conclusions reached. 5 |
(17) |
Details of the procedures to be followed for declaring a member in default, and for taking action after that event to close out positions, protect the interests of other members and enforce its default rules. |
(18) |
Details of membership selection criteria, rules and procedures, including (for an RAP) details of how the rules of the UK RIE will change in order to reflect RAP status.3 |
(19) |
Details of arrangements for recording transactions effected by, or cleared through, its facilities. |
(20) |
Details of arrangements for detecting financial crime and market abuse , including arrangements for complying with money laundering law. |
(21) |
Details of criteria, rules and arrangements for selecting specified investments to be admitted to trading on (or cleared by) an RIE and, where relevant, details of how information regarding specified investments will be disseminated to users of its facilities. 5 |
(22) |
Details of arrangements for cooperating with the FCA5 and other appropriate authorities, including draft memoranda of understanding or letters. 5 |
(23) |
Details of the procedures and arrangements for making and amending rules, including arrangements for consulting on rule changes. |
(24) |
Details of disciplinary and appeal procedures, and of the arrangements for investigating complaints. |
Frequently asked questions about allocation of functions in SYSC 2.1.3 R
This table belongs to SYSC 2.1.5 G
Question |
Answer |
|
1 |
Does an individual to whom a function is allocated under SYSC 2.1.3 R need to be an approved person? |
An individual to whom a function is allocated under SYSC 2.1.3 R will be performing the apportionment and oversight function (CF 8, see SUP 10A.7.1 R15) and an application must be made under section 59 of the Act for approval of the individual before the function is performed. There are exceptions from this inSUP 10A.115 (Approved persons - Application). 15155 |
2 |
If the allocation is to more than one individual, can they perform the functions, or aspects of the functions, separately? |
If the functions are allocated to joint chief executives under SYSC 2.1.4 R, column 2, they are expected to act jointly. If the functions are allocated to an individual under SYSC 2.1.4 R, column 2, in addition to individuals under SYSC 2.1.4 R, column 3, the former may normally be expected to perform a leading role in relation to the functions that reflects his position. Otherwise, yes. |
3 |
What is meant by "appropriately allocate" in this context? |
The allocation of functions should be compatible with delivering compliance with Principle 3, SYSC 2.1.1 R and SYSC 3.1.1 R. The appropriate regulator considers that allocation to one or two individuals is likely to be appropriate for most firms. |
4 |
If a committee of management governs a firm or group, can the functions be allocated to every member of that committee? |
Yes, as long as the allocation remains appropriate (see Question 3).If the firm also has an individual as chief executive, then the functions must be allocated to that individual as well under SYSC 2.1.4 R, column 2 (see Question 7). |
5 |
Does the definition of chief executive include the possessor of equivalent responsibilities with another title, such as a managing director or managing partner? |
Yes. |
6 |
Is it possible for a firm to have more than one individual as its chief executive? |
Although unusual, some firm may wish the responsibility of a chief executive to be held jointly by more than one individual. In that case, each of them will be a chief executive and the functions must be allocated to all of them under SYSC 2.1.4 R, column 2 (see also Questions 2 and 7). |
7 |
If a firm has an individual as chief executive, must the functions be allocated to that individual? |
Normally, yes, under SYSC 2.1.4 R, column 2. But if the firm is a body corporate and a member of a group, the functions may, instead of to the firm's chief executive, be allocated to a director or senior manager from the group responsible for the overall management of the group or of a relevant group division, so long as this is appropriate (see Question 3). Such individuals may nevertheless require approval under section 59 (see Question 1). If the firm chooses to allocate the functions to a director or senior manager responsible for the overall management of a relevant group division, the appropriate regulator would expect that individual to be of a seniority equivalent to or greater than a chief executive of the firm for the allocation to be appropriate. See also Question 14. |
8 |
If a firm has a chief executive, can the functions be allocated to other individuals in addition to the chief executive? |
Yes. SYSC 2.1.4 R, column 3, permits a firm to allocate the functions, additionally, to the firm's (or where applicable the group's) directors and senior managers as long as this is appropriate (see Question 3). |
9 |
What if a firm does not have a chief executive? |
Normally, the functions must be allocated to one or more individuals selected from the firm's (or where applicable the group's) directors and senior managers under SYSC 2.1.4 R, column 3. But if the firm: (1) is a body corporate and a member of a group; and (2) the group has a director or senior manager responsible for the overall management of the group or of a relevant group division; then the functions must be allocated to that individual (together, optionally, with individuals from column 3 if appropriate) under SYSC 2.1.4 R, column 2.2 |
10 |
What do you mean by "group division within which some or all of the firm's regulated activities fall"? |
A "division" in this context should be interpreted by reference to geographical operations, product lines or any other method by which the group's business is divided. If the firm's regulated activities fall within more than one division and the firm does not wish to allocate the functions to its chief executive, the allocation must, under SYSC 2.1.4 R, be to: (1) a director or senior manager responsible for the overall management of the group; or (2) a director or senior manager responsible for the overall management of one of those divisions; together, optionally, with individuals from column 3 if appropriate. (See also Questions 7 and 9.) |
11 |
How does the requirement to allocate the functions in SYSC 2.1.3R apply to an overseas firm which is not an incoming EEA firm, incoming Treaty firm or UCITS qualifier? |
The firm must appropriately allocate those functions to one or more individuals, in accordance with SYSC 2.1.4 R, but: (1) The responsibilities that must be apportioned and the systems and controls that must be overseen are those relating to activities carried on from a UK establishment with certain exceptions (see SYSC 1 Annex 1.1.7 R)6. Note that SYSC 1 Annex 1.1.10 R6 does not extend the territorial scope of SYSC 2 for an overseas firm. (2) The chief executive of an overseas firm is the person responsible for the conduct of the firm's business within the United Kingdom (see the definition of "chief executive"). This might, for example, be the manager of the firm's UK establishment, or it might be the chief executive of the firm as a whole, if he has that responsibility. The apportionment and oversight function applies to such a firm, unless it falls within a particular exception from the approved persons regime (see Question 1). 66 |
12 |
How does the requirement to allocate the functions in SYSC 2.1.3R apply to an incoming EEA firm or incoming Treaty firm? |
SYSC 1 Annex 1.1.1R6and SYSC 1 Annex 1.1.8 R6restrict the application of SYSC 2.1.3 R for such a firm. Accordingly: (1) Such a firm is not required to allocate the function of dealing with apportionment in SYSC 2.1.3 R (1). (2) Such a firm is required to allocate the function of oversight in SYSC 2.1.3 R (2). However, the systems and controls that must be overseen are those relating to matters which the appropriate regulator, as Host State regulator, is entitled to regulate (there is guidance on this in SUP 13A Annex 2 G3). Those are primarily, but not exclusively, the systems and controls relating to the conduct of the firm's activities carried on from its UK branch. (3) Such a firm need not allocate the function of oversight to its chief executive; it must allocate it to one or more directors and senior managers of the firm or the firm's group under SYSC 2.1.4 R, row (2). (4) An incoming EEA firm which has provision only for cross border services is not required to allocate either function if it does not carry on regulated activities in the United Kingdom; for example if they fall within the overseas persons exclusions in article 72 of the Regulated Activities Order. See also Questions 1 and 15.1 663 |
13 |
What about a firm that is a partnership or a limited liability partnership? |
The appropriate regulator envisages that most if not all partners or members will be either directors or senior managers, but this will depend on the constitution of the partnership (particularly in the case of a limited partnership) or limited liability partnership. A partnership or limited liability partnership may also have a chief executive (see Question 5). A limited liability partnership is a body corporate and, if a member of a group, will fall within SYSC 2.1.4 R, row (1) or (2). |
14 |
What if generally accepted principles of good corporate governance recommend that the chief executive should not be involved in an aspect of corporate governance? |
The Note to SYSC 2.1.4 R provides that the chief executive or other executive director or senior manager need not be involved in such circumstances. For example, the UK Corporate Governance Code7 recommends that the board of a listed company should establish an audit committee of non-executive directors to be responsible for oversight of the audit. That aspect of the oversight function may therefore be allocated to the members of such a committee without involving the chief executive. Such individuals may require approval under section 59 in relation to that function (see Question 1). 7 |
15 |
What about electronic commerce activities carried on from an establishment in another EEA State with or for a person in the United Kingdom?4 4 |
SYSC does not apply to an incoming ECA provider acting as such.1 4 |