Related provisions for MCOB 9.8.6
1 - 20 of 91 items.
An illustration provided to a customer must:(1) contain the material set out in the relevant annex to this chapter in the order and using the numbered section headings, sub-headings and text prescribed, except where this section provides otherwise;88(2) follow the format of the template in 8the relevant annex to this chapter8, with:(a) prominent use of the Key facts5 logo followed by the text 'about this lifetime mortgage' or 'about this home reversion plan'8;55(b) each section
A firm must include in the illustration all prescribed section headings, except that:8(1) in Section 8 of the lifetime mortgageillustration8 (What you owe and when):(a) Section 8 (A) (details of mortgage payments) is only required where the customer is required to make payments to the mortgage lender in respect of the capital or all or part of the interest charged on the lifetime mortgage;77(b) Section 8(B) (projection of roll-up of interest) is only required where all or part
As a minimum the illustration must be personalised to reflect the following:(1) the specific equity release transaction8 in which the customer is interested;8(2) the amount of the loan or equity8 required by the customer, or for drawdown mortgages and instalment reversion plans,8 the amount the customer wishes to draw down or to receive8 on a monthly (or such frequency that amounts are available) basis. Where the amount the customer can draw down is variable, the firm must agree
In relation to the price or value of the property8, in order for the firm to comply with the principle that an illustration should be clear, fair and not misleading8, an estimated valuation, where the estimated valuation is not that provided by the customer, must be a reasonable assessment based on all the facts available at the time. For example, an overstated valuation could enable a more attractive lifetime mortgage7 to be illustrated on the basis of a lower ratio of the loan
(1) In estimating the term of a lifetime mortgage or an open-ended instalment reversion plan,8 a firm must:8(a) use the following mortality table: PMA92(C=2010) and PFA92(C=2010) for males and females respectively, derivable from the Continuous Mortality Investigation Report 17, published by the Institute of Actuaries and the Faculty of Actuaries in 1999; and2(b) for the purposes of the illustration, where the table does not result in a life expectancy expressed in whole years,
The amount to be specified in the illustration and 8referred to in MCOB 9.4.6 R(2) is:(1) the amount that the customer has asked to borrow, release8 or draw down; or(2) where the lifetime mortgage7 is a revolving credit agreement such as a secured overdraft or mortgage credit card:67(a) 6(if it provides for an initial drawdown and linked borrowing facilities that would allow the customer to increase the amount of the loan without any further approval from the mortgage lender)
Where the illustration relates to a lifetime mortgage7 that is sub-divided into different parts with different types of interest rate or different rates of interest or different conditions, or a combination of these, the requirements in MCOB 9.4 may be adapted to accommodate this. The adaptations made must be limited to those that are necessary.7
The following information must be included at the head of the illustration: (1) the customer's name;(2) the date of issue of the illustration;(3) details of how long the illustration is valid for, and whether there is any date by which the equity release transaction8 covered by the illustration needs to commence (for example, where a fixed interest rate is only available if the lifetime mortgage8 commences before a certain date); and8(4) the prescribed text at the head of the
(1) Unless (2) applies, under the section heading "Which service are we providing you with?" the prescribed text in MCOB 9 Annex 1 under this heading must be included with a "check box" for each statement, one of which must be marked prominently to indicate the level of service provided to the customer:(2) If the level of service described in the illustration is provided by another firm, (1) may be replaced by the following:Under the section heading "Which service are we providing
(1) Under the section heading "What you have told us", the illustration must state the information that has been obtained from the customer under MCOB 9.4.6 R and MCOB 9.3.12 R (apart from MCOB 9.4.6 R(1) and MCOB 9.4.6 R(5) which are provided for in Section 5 of the illustration ), and can include brief details of any other information that has been obtained from the customer and used to produce the illustration.(2) Where the customer requests an additional illustration showing
Under the section heading "Description of this mortgage" the illustration must:(1) state the name of the mortgage lender providing the lifetime mortgage7 to which the illustration relates (a trading name used by the mortgage lender may also be stated in accordance with MCOB 9.4.2 R(6)), and the name, if any, used to market the lifetime mortgage;777(2) include a statement describing the lifetime mortgage;77(3) if the lifetime mortgage7 is linked to an investment, and payments required
Examples of types of statement that would satisfy MCOB 9.4.24 R(2) are as follows (more than one may apply to particular types of lifetime mortgage7):7(1) For a roll-up of interest mortgage:"You do not have to make any repayments during the life of this lifetime mortgage. The loan, all of the interest and charges due to [name of mortgage lender] will be repaid from the sale of your home. This will happen on your death [or the death of the last borrower] or if you move home (either
Where the loan under the lifetime mortgage7 is divided into more than one part (for example where part of the loan is a fixed interest rate and part of the loan is a discounted variable interest rate) and the firm displays this in a tabular format in the illustration:7(1) the following text must be used to introduce the table "As this lifetime mortgage is made up of more than one part, these parts are summarised below:";(2) each part must be numbered for ease of reference in the
Under the section heading "Benefits", the illustration must include:(1) a description of the monetary amount(s), and in a box aligned to the right of the document, the monetary amount(s) that the customer will receive as a lump sum and/or as a monthly [or such other frequency as is applicable] payment;(2) where the lifetime mortgage7 is linked to an investment and the payments required on the lifetime mortgage7 will be deducted from the income from the investment, the monetary
Examples of text that would satisfy MCOB 9.4.31 R(1), depending on the nature of the7lifetime mortgage,7 are:(1) "This lifetime mortgage will provide a lump sum of £[x].";(2) "The amount you are borrowing will automatically be used to purchase a [name of linked investment product] from [name of provider]. The amount is £[x]."; and(3) "You will receive a monthly [or such other frequency as is applicable] payment from the start of your lifetime mortgage. This will be £ [state a
The illustration must include under the heading "Risks - important things you must consider" statements and warnings on the following:(1) a brief statement of the specific circumstances in which the mortgage lender is able to repossess the property;(2) a statement of how the mortgage lender will treat any negative equity arising during the life of the lifetime mortgage7 and at the time the amount borrowed under the lifetime mortgage7 is due to be repaid in full;77(3) a statement
Under the heading "Risks - important things you must consider" the illustration must also include the following if they apply:(1) for drawdown mortgages where there is a monthly (or such other frequency as may apply) cash sum payable, a statement that inflation can erode the value of the cash sum over time; (2) where:(a) the lifetime mortgage7 is linked to an investment; and7(b) the payments required on the lifetime mortgage7 will be deducted from the income from the investment;
The section headed "What you will owe and when" (A) 'Details of mortgage payments' will apply only where the customer is required to make payments to the mortgage lender during the life of the lifetime mortgage7 in respect of all or part of the interest, or part of the capital, charged on the lifetime mortgage.777 This will include those cases where the interest payment is deducted from the income provided by a linked investment product (such as an annuity) such that the customer
Section 8 of the illustration must contain the following information:(1) the loan amount on which the illustration is based. This figure should include all fees, charges and insurance premiums that have been added to the loan in accordance with MCOB 9.4.21 R(3) and MCOB 9.4.21 R(4), and the following text must follow the loan amount:"which include[s] the [fees] [and] [insurance premiums] that are shown in [Section 11] [and] [Section 12] as being added to your lifetime mortgage.";(2)
MCOB 9.4.39 R(3) applies to each interest rate charged on the lifetime mortgage7 covered by the illustration. This means that it applies to different interest rates charged at different times, for example, where the interest rate changes at the end of any initial discounted, fixed or other special interest rate period.7
Where the loan under the lifetime mortgage7 is divided into more than one part (for example, where part of the loan is on a fixed interest rate and part on a discounted variable interest rate) and the firm displays the initial cost of all parts, and the total cost, in a tabular format in the illustration, MCOB 9.4.39 R(3) and MCOB 9.4.43 R do not apply; instead:7(1) each part must be numbered for ease of reference in the illustration;(2) the loan amounts must be totalled;(3) the
Section 8 headed "What you will owe and when" (B) "Projection of roll-up of interest" applies only where all or part of the interest due over the life of the lifetime mortgage7 is added to the loan and paid to the mortgage lender on repayment of the loan. The projection should be based on the term of the lifetime mortgage7 estimated in accordance with MCOB 9.4.10 R (and if required, MCOB 9.4.12 R).77
The table showing the projection in the section headed "Projection of roll-up of interest" should show annual details in columns under the following headings:(1) "Year": this should list the years as 1,2,3... etc. The start date for year one must be an assumed date of completion of thelifetime mortgage.7 The table must show each year of the term estimated in accordance with MCOB 9.4.10 R (or if required, MCOB 9.4.12 R).7(2) "Balance at start of year": this must show the estimated
Where the customer is required to make payments to the mortgage lender on thelifetime mortgage,7 the illustration must include the following under the section heading "Will the interest rate change?":7(1) if the interest rate is fixed throughout the life of thelifetime mortgage,7 an explanation that the payments will not vary because the interest rate is fixed;7(2) if the interest rate is fixed for part of the life of thelifetime mortgage,7 an explanation of when or how increases
(1) Except where (3) applies, where the customer is required to make payments to the mortgage lender on thelifetime mortgage,7 and the customer's payments can vary with changes in interest rates at any time during the life of thelifetime mortgage,7 Section 9: "Will the interest rate change?" must also contain the following text:"The [frequency of payments from MCOB 9.4.37 R] payments shown in this illustration could be considerably different if interest rates change. For example,
The amount by which the customer's payments would increase in accordance with MCOB 9.4.54 R(1) must be calculated as follows:(1) the firm must use the total amount borrowed, or assume that all payments due on the lifetime mortgage7 have actually been paid, all additional fees and payments due have been paid, and no underpayments or overpayments have been made; and7(2) the interest rate from which the increase is calculated must be the variable interest rate charged on the lifetime
Where the customer is not required to make payments to the mortgage lender on the lifetime mortgage7 and therefore all or part of the interest is rolled up, the following information must be included under the section heading "Will the interest rate change?":7(1) if the interest rate is fixed throughout the life of thelifetime mortgage,7 an explanation that the estimated debt shown in accordance with MCOB 9.4.51 R(6) will not vary because the interest rate is fixed;7(2) if the
Where the customer is not required to make payments to the mortgage lender on the lifetime mortgage7 and therefore all or part of the interest is rolled up, Section 9: "Will the interest rate change?" must also contain (if applicable):7(1) if the interest rate is variable, the following text:"If the interest rate increases, the amount you owe will also increase. If the interest rate was [one percentage point higher than shown MCOB 9.4.51 R(4)(b)] throughout the example term of
Where the customer is required to make payments to the mortgage lender on the lifetime mortgage7 in respect of the interest payable, and therefore the amount outstanding on the lifetime mortgage7 will broadly remain unchanged, Section 10: "How the value of your home could change" must contain the following text:"The amount you owe will usually stay the same over the life of the mortgage so the amount due to [name of mortgage lender] when the mortgage is repaid will be [amount
Where the customer is not required to make payments to the mortgage lender on the lifetime mortgage7 and therefore all or part of the interest is rolled up, Section 10: "How the value of your home could change" must contain the following text:"When you look at how the amount you owe goes up, remember also that property prices can go up or down, and this can affect the amount of money left over for you or your estate after the mortgage is repaid to [name of mortgage lender].".
Under the section heading "What fees must you pay?" the illustration must:(1) itemise all the fees that are included in the calculation of the APR in accordance with MCOB 10 (Annual Percentage Rate), excluding any charges for insurance set out in Section 12 in accordance with MCOB 9.4.72 R; and1(2) include a statement at the end of the section using the following text:"You may have to pay other taxes or costs in addition to any fees shown here.".
An example of a fee that would be included in Section 11 would be an administrative charge to redeem thelifetime mortgage.7 An example of a fee that would not be included would be a fee payable by the customer to insure their property elsewhere (however this would need to be stated in the separate "Insurance" section as required by MCOB 9.4.72 R). Where fees are payable only on early repayment of thelifetime mortgage.7 they should not be stated here (however these fees would need
The following information must be provided for each fee included in this section of the illustration in accordance with MCOB 9.4.65 R(1):(1) a description of the fee;(2) the amount payable by the customer recorded in a column headed "Fee amount" on the right-hand side of this section;(3) for fees included under the sub-heading "Other fees", to whom the fee is payable;(4) when the fee is payable;(5) whether or not the fee is refundable, and if so, the extent to which it is refundable;(6)
(1) If a higher lending charge is payable by the customer, the following text must be used to describe such a charge for the purposes of MCOB 9.4.68 R:"A higher lending charge is payable because you are borrowing [insert the ratio of the mortgage amount (from MCOB 9.4.13 R) to the property's price or value (from MCOB 9.4.6 R(3))] of the property's [estimated] [price/value]."(2) If the customer has asked for any fees to be added to the loan, this must be stated alongside each fee.2(3)
(1) Under the section heading "Insurance" the illustration must include details of:(a) insurance which is a tied product and(b) insurance which is required as a condition of the lifetime mortgage7 which is not a tied product7(2) Under this section heading a firm may also provide details of insurance which is optional for the customer to take out.(3) It must be clear to the customer which products he is required to purchase under which circumstances (for example, where both a tied
Under the sub-heading 'Insurance you must take out through [insert name of mortgage lender or where relevant the name of the mortgage intermediary, or both]' the following information must be included if the lifetime mortgage7 requires the customer to take out insurance that is a tied product either through the mortgage lender or where relevant the mortgage intermediary:7(1) details of which insurance is a tied product;(2) for how long the customer is obliged to purchase the insurance;(3)
If the lifetime mortgage7 does not require the customer to take out insurance as a tied product, the sub-heading "Insurance you must take out through [insert name of mortgage lender and where relevant the name of the mortgage intermediary] "must be retained and a statement must be provided under this heading that the customer is not obliged to take out any insurance through the mortgage lender or, where relevant, the mortgage intermediary.7
The following information must be included under the sub-heading "Insurance you must take out as a condition of this mortgage but that you do not have to take out through [insert name of mortgage lender or where relevant the name of the mortgage intermediary, or both]":(1) if the lifetime mortgage7 requires the customer to take out an insurance policy (other than that which is a tied product which the customer is obliged to purchase through the mortgage lender or where relevant
Under the heading "What happens if you do not want this mortgage any more?", the illustration must include the following information on the lifetime mortgage:77(1) under the sub-heading "Early repayment charges":(a) an explanation of whether early repayment charges are payable;(b) an explanation of when early repayment charges are payable;(c) an explanation of any other fees that are payable if the lifetime mortgage7 is repaid early, and the current level of these fees;7(d) a
(1) In calculating example cash amounts in accordance with MCOB 9.4.83 R(1)(e), it must be assumed that:(a) the lifetime mortgage7 is repaid in full;7(b) all payments due (if applicable) on the lifetime mortgage7 are actually paid;7(c) additional fees and charges such as insurance premiums have been paid; and(d) no underpayments or overpayments (if applicable) have been made.(2) If:(a) cashbacks or other incentives need to be repaid; or(b) fees need to be paid;the amounts that
Where the cash examples from MCOB 9.4.88 R included in the illustration would vary either if the interest rate charged on the lifetime mortgage7 changed or with changes in interest rates generally, an appropriate warning that the early repayment charges may vary from the cash examples must be included in the illustration.7
Under the section heading "Additional features" the illustration must include, where relevant, details of how the mortgage lender would treat any payments by the customer in excess of those required, and details of any additional features or facilities under the various sub-headings in MCOB 9.4.93 R.
(1) If none of the features at MCOB 9.4.93 R are applicable to the lifetime mortgage7 to which the illustration relates, the section headed 'Additional features' must be retained, but the sub-headings must not be included and a statement must be added to explain that there are no additional features.7(2) Only those features available on the lifetime mortgage7 need be included in the illustration.7(3) If a firm provides a customer with supplementary information about any additional
(1) Under the sub-heading 'Overpayments', the illustration must include details of any restrictions on lump sum and regular overpayments (if payments are required) on thelifetime mortgage,7 together with a statement as to whether or not the amount on which the interest is recalculated is reduced immediately on receipt of any lump sum or regular overpayment.7(2) Where such recalculation does not take place immediately (for example, if an annual rest method is used), this statement
Under the sub-heading "Additional borrowing available without further approval", the illustration must provide details of circumstances in which additional secured lending is offered with the lifetime mortgage7 that would allow the customer, subject to certain conditions, to increase the amount of the loan on which the illustration is based.7
Under the sub-heading "Additional secured borrowing", the illustration must provide details of circumstances in which additional secured lending is offered with the lifetime mortgage7 that would allow the customer, subject to certain conditions, to increase the amount of the loan on which the illustration is based.7
Under the sub-heading "Credit card", the illustration must:(1) state whether a credit card is offered with thelifetime mortgage;7 and7(2) if a credit card is offered and it is a mortgage credit card:(a) unless (b) applies, include the following text:"This card will not give you a number of the statutory rights associated with traditional credit cards. Your lifetime mortgage offer will tell you more about the differences." or(b) where the mortgage lender provides the customer with
(1) Where additional features are included in accordance with MCOB 9.4.91 R and these are credit facilities that do not meet the definition of a regulated mortgage contract, the relevant parts of Section 14 of the illustration must include the following text:"This additional feature is not regulated by the FCA."1(2) Where additional features are included in accordance with MCOB 9.4.91 R and these are credit facilities regulated by the Consumer Credit Act 1974, the relevant parts
Under the sub-heading "Linked current account" the illustration must include the following information:(1) whether a linked current account is a compulsory or optional product (if the current account is a compulsory product this must also be stated in Section 5 of the illustration in accordance with MCOB 9.4.24 R(7));(2) an explanation of the interest rates that apply under different circumstances to the linked current account, if different from the interest rate charged on the
Under the sub-heading "Linked savings account" the illustration must include the following information:(1) whether a linked savings account is a compulsory or optional product (if the savings account is a compulsory product this must also be stated in Section 5 of the illustration in accordance with MCOB 9.4.24 R(7));(2) the interest rate paid on the linked savings account if it differs from the interest rate charged on thelifetime mortgage;7 and7(3) the firm providing the linked
Under the section heading "Overall cost of this mortgage":(1) the following text must be included in the illustration:"The APR helps you to compare lifetime mortgages by giving you one rate that shows the overall cost of the mortgage. It takes into account some fees and charges as well as the interest due, and this means that the APR may be higher than the interest rate shown in Sections 5 and 8. Only use the APR to compare lifetime mortgages of the same type, and where the same
MCOB 9.4.111 R(3) would require, for example, a reference to the fact that the overall cost takes into account mortgage payment protection insurance where this is required as a condition of the lifetime mortgage7 to which the illustration relates. The requirement to take out such insurance must be stated in Sections 5 and 12 of the illustration in accordance with MCOB 9.4.24 R(7), MCOB 9.4.72 R or MCOB 9.4.76 R.7
(1) The APR and the total amount payable in MCOB 9.4.113 R must be calculated on the basis of information obtained from the customer in accordance with MCOB 9.4.6 R.(2) Where there is a charge to be included in the APR and total amount payable and the precise amount of that charge is not known at the time that the illustration is provided, MCOB 10.3 (Formula for calculating the APR) sets out a number of relevant assumptions to be used. If the method for including the charge is
The purpose of the illustration is to provide the customer with details of the cost of borrowing the amount required over the example term from MCOB 9.4.6 R and MCOB 9.4.10 R (or MCOB 9.4.12 R). Section 14 has been designed specifically to allow examples of the effect of any additional features of the lifetime mortgage7 such as a linked current account. Examples of these features should therefore be shown in Section 14 and not in Section 15 or Section 8 of the illustration.7
Where the illustration is issued to a customer by, or on behalf of, a mortgage intermediary, Section 16 "Using a mortgage intermediary" must be included in the illustration and must include the following:(1) unless MCOB 9.4.120 R applies, a clear statement of the amount payable (either directly or indirectly) by the mortgage lender to the mortgage intermediary, or to any third parties; and(2) the name of the mortgage lender who will make the payment, the name of the mortgage intermediary
If the customer's liability under a lifetime mortgage7 is in a currency other than sterling, MCOB 9.4 applies to the illustration for that lifetime mortgage7 with the following modifications:77(1) all cash amounts must be given in the relevant currency except where otherwise required by (2)(a) and (3);(2) the following information must be stated under Section 5 "Description of this mortgage"(a) the amount in sterling on which the illustration is based from MCOB 9.4.13 R based
If the lifetime mortgage7 is a shared appreciation mortgage, MCOB 9.4 applies to the illustration with the following modifications:7(1) Section 5 "Description of this mortgage" must contain the following additional information and text in this order after the details required by MCOB 9.4.24 R to MCOB 9.4.29 R:(a) "This lifetime mortgage involves [name of mortgage lender] taking a percentage share in any increase in the value of your property [insert details of all occasions when
The requirements at MCOB 9.4.130 R(1) must be immediately followed by the following additional text, prominently displayed (see MCOB 2.2.9 G):"You will need to pay this share in the value of your home to [name of mortgage lender] [insert time at which share must be paid - for example 'when your lifetime mortgage is repaid']. Think carefully about how this will affect the amount left over for you or your estate."
An illustration provided to a customer must:(1) contain the material set out in MCOB 5 Annex 1 in the order and using the numbered section headings, sub-headings and prescribed text in MCOB 5 Annex 1, except where provided for in MCOB 5.6;(2) follow the layout of the template in MCOB 5 Annex 1 with:(a) prominent use of the Key facts3 logo followed by the text 'about this mortgage';33(b) each section clearly separated;(c) all the amounts to be paid in Sections 5, 6, 8 and 9 in
As a minimum the illustration must be personalised to reflect the following requirements of the customer:(1) the specific regulated mortgage contract in which the customer is interested;(2) the amount of the loan required;(3) the price or value of the property on which the regulated mortgage contract would be secured (estimated where necessary);(4) the term of the regulated mortgage contract (where the customer is unable to suggest a date at which he expects to repay the loan,
In relation to MCOB 5.6.6 R(3), in orderfor the firm to comply with the principle of 'clear, fair and not misleading' in MCOB 2.2.6, an estimated valuation, where the estimated valuation is not that provided by the customer, must be a reasonable assessment based on all the facts available at the time. For example, an overstated valuation could enable a more attractive regulated mortgage contract to be illustrated on the basis of a lower ratio of the loan amount to the property
The amount referred to in MCOB 5.6.6 R(2) is:(1) in cases where on the basis of the information obtained from the customer before providing the illustration it is clear that the customer would not be eligible to borrow the amount he requested, an estimate of the amount that the customer could borrow based on the information obtained from the customer; or(2) where the regulated mortgage contract is a revolving credit agreement such as a secured overdraft or mortgage credit card:4(a)
Where the illustration relates to a regulated mortgage contract that is sub-divided into different parts with different types of interest rate or different rates of interest or different conditions, or a combination of these, the requirements in MCOB 5.6 may be adapted to accommodate this. The adaptations made must be limited to those that are necessary.
(1) MCOB 5.6.13 R applies where, for example, the illustration covers a regulated mortgage contract that is:(a) divided so that a certain amount of the loan is payable on a fixed interest rate, and a certain amount on a discounted interest rate; or(b) a combination of a repayment mortgage and an interest-only mortgage and the loan is subdivided into different types of interest rate and/or different rates of interest.(2) MCOB 5.6.13 R does not apply where an illustration covers
At the head of the illustration, the following information must be included:(1) the customer's name;(2) the date of issue of the illustration;(3) details of how long the illustration is valid and whether there is any date by which the regulated mortgage contract covered by the illustration needs to commence (for example, where a fixed interest rate is only available if the regulated mortgage contract commences before a certain date); and(4) the prescribed text at the head of the
(1) Under the section heading 'What you have told us', the illustration must state the information that has been obtained from the customer under MCOB 5.6.6 R (apart from MCOB 5.6.6 R(1) which is provided for in Section 4 of the illustration), and can include brief details of any other information that has been obtained from the customer and used to produce the illustration.(2) If the amount on which the illustration is based includes the amount that the customer wants to borrow
Where the same illustration covers a regulated mortgage contract that is a combination of a repayment mortgage and an interest-only mortgage, either:(1) Section 3 of the illustration must state the amount the customer wishes to borrow as a repayment mortgage and the amount required as an interest-only mortgage; or(2) Section 3 of the illustration must summarise the repayment method as partly an interest-only mortgage and partly a repayment mortgage, and Section 4 of the illustration
Where the same illustration covers a regulated mortgage contract that has different parts of the loan over a different term (that is, the final repayment date of the loan parts are different), either:(1) Section 3 of the illustration must state the amount repayable over each term; or(2) Section 3 of the illustration must state the longest term that applies and Section 4 of the illustration must state the amount repayable over each term.
For the purpose of illustrating to the customer the repayment method in Section 3 or Section 4 of the illustration, or the cost of the regulated mortgage contract in Section 5 of the illustration, if the illustration covers a regulated mortgage contract that is a combination of more than one interest-only part on the same product terms but with different repayment dates, the illustration must either treat it as one part by assuming the longest term, or alternatively treat it as
The purpose of the illustration is to provide the customer with details of the cost of borrowing the amount required over the term specified in MCOB 5.6.6 R(2) and MCOB 5.6.6 R(4). Section 12 has been designed specifically to illustrate any additional features of the regulated mortgage contract such as a linked current account, a linked savings account or the availability of unsecured lending. These features should therefore be shown in section 12 and not in section 3 of the
Under the section heading 'Description of this mortgage' the illustration must:(1) state the name of the mortgage lender providing the regulated mortgage contract to which the illustration relates (a trading name used by the mortgage lender may also be stated in accordance with MCOB 5.6.2 R(6)), and the name, if any, used to market the regulated mortgage contract;(2) (a) provide a description of the interest rate type and rate of interest that applies in accordance with the format
Where the loan under the regulated mortgage contract is divided into more than one part (for example where part of the loan is a fixed interest rate and part of the loan is a discounted variable interest rate) and the firm displays this in a tabular format in the illustration:(1) the following text must be used to introduce the table 'As this mortgage is made up of more than one part, these parts are summarised below:';(2) each part must be numbered for ease of reference in the
Under the section heading 'Overall cost of this mortgage' where the regulated mortgage contract has an agreed term for repayment and a regular payment plan (that is, it is not a revolving credit agreement such as a secured overdraft or mortgage credit card, or a regulated mortgage contract where all of the interest rolls up, such as an open-ended bridging loan):(1) the following text must be included in the illustration: 'The overall cost takes into account the payments in Sections
Under the section heading 'Overall cost of this mortgage' where the regulated mortgage contract has no agreed term for repayment, (and a 12 month term has been assumed), or no regular payment plan, or both (for example, a revolving credit agreement such as a secured overdraft or mortgage credit card or a regulated mortgage contract where all the interest rolls up such as an open-ended bridging loan):(1) the following text must be included in the illustration: 'The overall cost
MCOB 5.6.31 R(5) and MCOB 5.6.32 R(5) would require, for example, a reference to the fact that the overall cost takes into account mortgage payment protection insurance where this is required as a condition of the regulated mortgage contract to which the illustration relates. The requirement to take out such insurance must be stated in Sections 4 and 9 of the illustration in accordance with MCOB 5.6.25 R(6), MCOB 5.6.74 R or MCOB 5.6.77 R.
(1) The APR and the total amount payable in MCOB 5.6.34 R must be calculated on the basis of information obtained from the customer under MCOB 5.6.6 R.(2) Where there is a charge to be included in the APR and total amount payable and the precise amount of that charge is not known at the time that the illustration is provided, MCOB 10.3 (Formula for calculating the APR) sets out a number of relevant assumptions to be used. If the method for including the charge is not addressed
At the end of Section 5 of the illustration the following text must be included:(1) unless the interest rate is fixed throughout the term of the regulated mortgage contract:'The figures in this section will vary following interest rate changes and if you do not keep the mortgage for [insert term from MCOB 5.6.6 R(4)].'; and(2) (a) where the regulated mortgage contract is a repayment mortgage:'Only use the figures in this section to compare the cost with another repayment mortgage.';
The purpose of the illustration is to provide the customer with details of the cost of borrowing the amount required over the term specified from MCOB 5.6.6 R(2) and MCOB 5.6.6 R(4). Section 12 has been designed specifically to allow examples of the effect of any additional features of the regulated mortgage contract such as a linked current account or a linked savings account. Examples of these features should therefore be shown in Section 12 and not in Section 5 or Section 6
Section 6 of the illustration must contain the following information: (1) the loan amount on which the illustration is based. This figure should include all fees, charges and insurance premiums that have been added to the loan in accordance with MCOB 5.6.18 R(2) and MCOB 5.6.18 R(3), and the following text must follow the loan amount:'and include[s] the [fees] [and] [insurance premiums] that are shown in [Section 8] [and] [Section 9] as being added to your mortgage.'(2) the assumed
MCOB 5.6.42 R(3) applies to each interest rate charged on the regulated mortgage contract covered by the illustration. This means that it applies to different interest rates charged at different times, for example, where the interest rate changes at the end of any initial discounted, fixed or other special interest rate period.
The information required by MCOB 5.6.42 R(3)(d) must exclude:(1) the cost of repaying the capital if the regulated mortgage contract is an interest-only mortgage: where part of the regulated mortgage contract is an interest-only mortgage, the cost of repaying the capital must be excluded only for that part; and(2) the cost of any products which may be sold in conjunction with the regulated mortgage contract (whether tied products or not), unless the cost has been added to the
Where the illustration covers a regulated mortgage contract that is a combination of a repayment mortgage and an interest-only mortgage, the payment amounts in MCOB 5.6.42 R(3)(d) must be the combination of the amount to be paid on the repayment mortgage and the amount to be paid on the interest-only mortgage, unless MCOB 5.6.13 R or MCOB 5.6.54 R apply in which case they must be stated separately.
Where the interest is deferred on the regulated mortgage contract, the following text must be included under the information on the deferred interest rate included in the illustration in accordance with MCOB 5.6.42 R(3):'"The interest deferred will be added to your mortgage. The table at Section [insert 6a or 6b if MCOB 5.6.55 R applies] of this illustration shows how this will affect the amount you owe.'
Where all or part of the regulated mortgage contract to which the illustration relates is an interest-only mortgage:(1) the illustration must include the sub-heading 'Cost of repaying the capital' with the following text under it:'You will still owe [insert amount of loan on an interest-only basis] at the end of the mortgage term. You will need to make separate arrangements to repay this. When comparing the payments on this mortgage with a repayment mortgage, remember to add any
Where the loan under the regulated mortgage contract is divided into more than one part (for example, where part of the loan is on a fixed interest rate and part on a discounted variable interest rate) and the firm displays the initial cost of all parts, and the total cost, in a tabular format in the illustration, MCOB 5.6.42 R(3) and MCOB 5.6.46 R do not apply; instead:(1) each part must be numbered for ease of reference in the illustration;(2) the loan amounts must be totalled;(3)
Where MCOB 5.6.55 R applies and part of the regulated mortgage contract is an interest-only mortgage:(1) if a quotation for the repayment vehicle has been included in the illustration in accordance with MCOB 5.6.52 R(3) then MCOB 5.6.52 R(5) does not apply.(2) a statement is required to indicate that these payments do not include the cost of any savings plan.
Under the section heading 'Are you comfortable with the risks?':(1) under the sub-heading 'What if interest rates go up?' the illustration must include the following:(a) if the interest rate is fixed throughout the term of the regulated mortgage contract, an explanation that the payments will not vary because the interest rate is fixed;(b) if the interest rate is fixed for part of the term of the regulated mortgage contract, an explanation of when or how increases in the interest
The amount by which the customer's payments would increase in accordance with MCOB 5.6.59 R(1)(g) and (h) must be calculated as follows:(1) the firm must use the total amount borrowed, or assume that all payments due on the regulated mortgage contract have actually been paid, all additional fees and payments due have been paid, and no underpayments or overpayments have been made;(2) where all or part of the regulated mortgage contract is a repayment mortgage, the calculation must
An example of a fee that would normally be included in Section 8 would be a fee to re-inspect a property after completion of works if it is known that this fee will be charged at the time the illustration is produced. An example of a fee that would not be included would be a fee payable by the customer to insure their property elsewhere (however this would need to be stated in Section 9 of the illustration 'Insurance', as required by MCOB 5.6.77 R(2)). Fees payable upon repayment
The following information must be provided for each fee included in this section of the illustration in accordance with MCOB 5.6.66 R(1):(1) a description of the fee;(2) the amount payable by the customer recorded in a column headed 'Fee amount' on the right-hand side of this section;(3) for fees included under the sub-heading 'Other fees', to whom the fee is payable;(4) when the fee is payable;(5) whether or not the fee is refundable, and if so, the extent to which it is refundable;
(1) Under the section heading 'Insurance' the illustration must include details of:(a) insurance which is a tied product; and(b) insurance which is required as a condition of the regulated mortgage contract which is not a tied product.(2) A firm may also provide details of insurance which it is optional for the customer to take out under this section heading.(3) It must be clear to the customer which products he is required to purchase under which circumstances (for example, where
Under the sub-heading 'Insurance you must take out through [insert name of mortgage lender or where relevant the name of the mortgage intermediary, or both]' the following information must be included if the regulated mortgage contract requires the customer to take out insurance that is a tied product either through the mortgage lender or where relevant the mortgage intermediary:(1) details of which insurance is a tied product;(2) for how long the customer is obliged to purchase
If the regulated mortgage contract does not require the customer to take out insurance as a tied product, the sub-heading 'Insurance you must take out through [insert the name of the mortgage lender, and where relevant the name of the mortgage intermediary]' must be retained and a statement must be provided under this heading that the customer is not obliged to take out any insurance through the mortgage lender or, where relevant, the mortgage intermediary.
The following information must be included under the sub-heading 'Insurance you must take out as a condition of this mortgage but that you do not have to take out through [insert the name of the mortgage lender, or where relevant the name of the mortgage intermediary, or both]':(1) if the regulated mortgage contract requires the customer to take out an insurance policy (other than that which is a tied product which the customer is obliged to purchase through the mortgage lender,
Under the heading 'What happens if you do not want this mortgage any more?', the illustration must include the following information on the regulated mortgage contract:(1) under the sub-heading 'Early repayment charges':(a) an explanation that the customer cannot repay the regulated mortgage contract early, if this is the case;(b) an explanation of whether early repayment charges are payable;(c) an explanation of when early repayment charges are payable;(d) an explanation of any
(1) In calculating example cash amounts in accordance with MCOB 5.6.84 R(1)(f), it must be assumed that:(a) the regulated mortgage contract is repaid in full;(b) unless the original amount borrowed is used, that all payments due on the regulated mortgage contract are actually paid;(c) additional fees and charges such as insurance premiums have been paid; and(d) no underpayments or overpayments have been made.(2) If:(a) cashbacks or other incentives need to be repaid; or(b) fees
Where the cash examples from MCOB 5.6.88 R included in the illustration would vary either if the interest rate charged on the regulated mortgage contract changed or with changes in interest rates generally, an appropriate warning that the early repayment charges may vary from the cash examples must be included in the illustration.
(1) Under the section heading 'What happens if you want to make overpayments?', the illustration must include details of any restrictions on lump sum and regular overpayments on the regulated mortgage contract, together with a statement as to whether or not the amount on which the interest charged is recalculated is reduced immediately on receipt of any lump sum or regular overpayment.(2) Where such recalculation does not take place immediately (for example, if an annual rest
(1) If none of the features at MCOB 5.6.94 R are applicable to the regulated mortgage contract to which the illustration relates, the section headed 'Additional features' must be retained, but the sub-headings must not be included and a statement must be added to explain that there are no additional features.(2) Only those features available on the regulated mortgage contract need be included in the illustration.(3) If a firm provides a customer with supplementary information
Under the sub-heading 'Additional secured borrowing', the illustration must provide details of circumstances in which additional secured lending is offered with the regulated mortgage contract that would allow the customer, subject to certain conditions, to increase the amount of the loan on which the illustration is based.
Under the sub-heading 'Credit card', the illustration must:(1) state if a credit card is offered with the regulated mortgage contract; and(2) if a credit card is offered and it is a mortgage credit card:(a) unless (b) applies, include the following text:'This card will not give you a number of the statutory rights associated with traditional credit cards. Your mortgage offer will tell you more about the differences.'; or(b) where the mortgage lender provides the customer with
(1) Where additional features are included in accordance with MCOB 5.6.92 R and these are credit facilities that do not meet the definition of a regulated mortgage contract, the relevant parts of Section 12 of the illustration must include the following text:'This additional feature is not regulated by the FCA'.1(2) Where additional features are included in accordance with MCOB 5.6.92 R and these are credit facilities regulated by the Consumer Credit Act 1974, the relevant parts
(1) Under the sub-heading 'Linked current account', the illustration must include the following information:(a) whether a linked current account is a compulsory or optional product (if the current account is a compulsory product this must also be stated in Section 4 of the illustration in accordance with MCOB 5.6.25 R(6));(b) an explanation of the interest rates that apply under different circumstances to the linked current account, if different from the interest rate charged
(1) Under the sub-heading 'Linked savings account', the illustration must include the following information:(a) whether a linked savings account is a compulsory or optional product (if the savings account is a compulsory product this must also be stated in Section 4 of the illustration in accordance with MCOB 5.6.25 R(6));(b) the interest rate paid on the linked savings account if it differs from the interest rate charged on the regulated mortgage contract; and(c) the firm providing
(1) An amortisation table may be added to the end of the illustration after the information required by MCOB 5.6.124 R if the mortgage lender or mortgage intermediary wishes. A firm may find that this is particularly appropriate to illustrate certain types of regulated mortgage contract, for example, a regulated mortgage contract with more than one part.(2) The purpose of (1) is to permit a firm to add an amortisation table in accordance with the European Commission's 'Recommendation
If the customer's liability under a regulated mortgage contract is in a currency other than sterling, MCOB 5.6 applies to the illustration for that regulated mortgage contract with the following amendments:(1) all cash amounts must be given in the relevant currency except where otherwise required in (2)(a) and (3);(2) the following information must be stated under Section 4 'Description of this mortgage':(a) the amount in sterling on which the illustration is based from MCOB 5.6.6
If the interest rate charged on the regulated mortgage contract is deferred, MCOB 5.6 applies with the following additions:(1) A section headed: 'Effect of deferring interest on the amount you owe' must be included in the illustration after Section 6.(2) This section must be numbered 6a so that the numbering follows on consecutively from the preceding section unless MCOB 5.6.55 R applies in which case it should be numbered 6b.(3) Under the section heading the following text must
The heading for Section 6 of the illustration and the heading of the column on the right-hand side of this section must state the frequency with which payments must be made by the customer. (For example, if payments were to be made on a monthly basis, the heading for this section would be 'What you will need to pay each month' and the column would be headed 'Monthly payments'). Where no regular payments are required on the regulated mortgage contract, for example where all interest
Section 6 of the illustration must contain the following information:(1) the loan amount on which the illustration is based. Where fees are being added to the loan then this figure should include all fees, charges and insurance premiums that have been added to the loan in accordance with MCOB 5.6.18 R(2) and MCOB 5.6.18 R(3), and the following text must follow the loan amount:'and include[s] the fees [and insurance premiums] that are shown in Section 8 [and Section 9] as being
Under the section heading 'Are you comfortable with the risks?':(1) under the sub-heading 'What if interest rates go up?' the illustration must include the following:(a) if the interest rate is fixed throughout the term of the regulated mortgage contract, an explanation that the interest rate will not vary because the interest rate is fixed;(b) if the interest rate is fixed for part of the term of the regulated mortgage contract, an explanation of when or how increases in the
The amount by which the total amount payable would increase in accordance with MCOB 5.6.140 R(1)(e) must be calculated as follows:(1) unless the total amount borrowed is used, it must be assumed that all payments due on the regulated mortgage contract have actually been paid, all additional fees and payments due have been paid, and no under or overpayments have been made;(2) unless the total amount borrowed is used, the calculation must be based on the amount of the loan outstanding
Article 61(3)(a) of the Regulated Activities Order defines a regulated mortgage contract as a contract which, at the time it is entered into, satisfies the following conditions:(1) the contract is one where a lender provides credit to an individual or trustees (the 'borrower');(2) the contract provides for the obligation of the borrower to repay to be secured by a first legal mortgage on land (other than timeshare accommodation) in the United Kingdom; and(3) at least 40% of that
(1) Article 61(3)(c) of the Regulated Activities Order states that credit includes a cash loan and any other form of financial accommodation. Although 'financial accommodation' has a potentially wide meaning, its scope is limited by the terms used in the definition of a regulated mortgage contract set out in PERG 4.4.1 G. Whatever form the financial accommodation may take, article 61(3)(a) envisages that it must involve an obligation to repay on the part of the individual who
The condition set out in PERG 4.4.1G (1) limits the range of borrowers to whom the protections of the mortgage regulation regime apply to individuals and trustees. If a company (which is not acting as a trustee) borrows money for the purpose of funding the company's business, and the loan is secured by a mortgage over the company's property, the mortgage contract is not a regulated mortgage contract. So a lender will not carry on a regulated activity by entering into that contract,
In order to meet the definition of a regulated mortgage contract, a mortgage contract must meet the conditions set out in PERG 4.4.1G (1) to PERG 4.4.1G (3) at the time it was entered into. The effect is that contracts which meet those conditions at that time remain regulated mortgage contracts throughout their remaining term, even if there are periods of time when some or all of the conditions are not satisfied. Conversely, contracts that do not start out as regulated mortgage
There may, however, be instances where an existing contract, which was not a regulated mortgage contract at the time it was entered into, is replaced as a result of a variation (whether the variation is initiated by the customer or by the lender), and the new contract qualifies as a regulated mortgage contract. A person may therefore need to consider this possibility (which could affect contracts initially entered into before 31 October 2004 as well as subsequent loans) when deciding
The condition set out in PERG 4.4.1G (2) means that a regulated mortgage contract must be secured on land in the United Kingdom. Contracts which involve taking security over moveable property therefore cannot be regulated mortgage contracts. So a contract secured on a caravan will not be a regulated mortgage contract, unless the contract also involves a mortgage over the land on which the caravan stands.
The expression 'as or in connection with a dwelling' set out in PERG 4.4.1G (3) means that loans to buy a small house with a large garden would in general be covered. However, if at the time of entering into the contract the intention was for the garden to be used for some other purpose – for example, if it was intended that a third party were to have use of the garden – the contract would not constitute a regulated mortgage contract. Furthermore, the FCA would not regard a loan
The definition of regulated mortgage contract contains no reference to the purpose for which the loan is being made. So, in addition to loans made to individuals to purchase residential property, the definition is wide enough to cover other loans secured on land, such as loans to consolidate debts, or to enable the borrower to purchase other goods and services.
The definition of regulated mortgage contract also covers a variety of types of product. Apart from the normal mortgage loan for the purchase of property, the definition also includes other types of secured loan, such as secured overdraft facility, a secured bridging loan, a secured credit card facility and regulated lifetime mortgage contracts under which the borrower (usually an older person) takes out a loan where repayment of the capital (and in some cases the interest) is
A number of products, however, are excluded from the definition, such as:(1) loans secured by a second or subsequent charge (as the lender does not have a first charge); and3(2) loans secured on commercial premises (as the borrower will not be using the land as or in connection with a dwelling).33(3) [deleted]33
Article 53A of the Regulated Activities Order (Advising on regulated mortgage contracts) makes advising on regulated mortgage contracts a regulated activity. This covers advice which is both:(1) given to a person in his capacity as borrower or potential borrower; and(2) advice on the merits of the borrower:(a) entering into a particular regulated mortgage contract (whether or not the entering into is done by way of business); or(b) varying the terms of a regulated mortgage contract
In the FCA's view, the circumstances in which a person is giving advice on the borrower varying the terms of a regulated mortgage contract so as to vary his obligations under the contract include (but are not limited to) where the advice is about:(1) the borrower obtaining a further advance secured on the same land as the original loan; or(2) a rate switch or a product switch (that is, where the borrower does not change lender but changes the terms for repayment from, say, a variable
Advice will come within the regulated activity in article 53A of the Regulated Activities Order only if it relates to a particular regulated mortgage contract (or several different regulated mortgage contracts). The question is whether a recommendation is made to a customer which either explicitly or implicitly steers the customer to a particular regulated mortgage contract because of its features.
In the FCA's view, guiding a person through scripted questions or a decision tree should not, of itself, involve advice within the meaning of article 53A (it should be generic advice). But the combination of advice, which in isolation may properly be considered generic, with the identification of a particular or several particular regulated mortgage contracts may well, in the FCA's view, cause the person to be advising on regulated mortgage contracts; the FCA considers that it
For the purposes of article 53A, advice must be given to or directed at someone who is acting as borrower or potential borrower. As indicated in PERG 4.4.2 G (Which borrowers?), this means the individual or trustee to whom the credit has been provided by the lender or who is looking to obtain the credit on the security of his property. Advice given to a body corporate will not generally be caught because the advice will not concern a regulated mortgage contract, as defined. But
Article 53A will not, for example, apply where advice is given to persons who receive it as:(1) a lender under or administrator of a regulated mortgage contract; or(2) an adviser who may use it to inform advice given by him to others; or(3) a journalist or broadcaster; or(4) an agent of a borrower unless appointed as the borrower's attorney and therefore entering into the regulated mortgage contract as agent (or proxy) for the borrower.
Information relating to entering into regulated mortgage contracts may often involve one or more of the following:(1) an explanation of the terms and conditions of a regulated mortgage contract, whether given orally or in writing or by providing leaflets and brochures;(2) a comparison of the features and benefits of one regulated mortgage contract with another;(3) the production of scripted questions for the borrower to use in order to exclude options that would fail to meet his
Without explicit or implicit advice on the merits of entering into as borrower or varying the terms of a regulated mortgage contract, advice will not fall under article 53A if it is advice on the likely meaning of uncertain provisions in a regulated mortgage contract or on how to complete an application form.
Undertaking the process of scripted questioning gives rise to particular issues concerning advice. These mainly involve two aspects of this regulated activity. These are that advice must relate to a particular regulated mortgage contract (see PERG 4.6.5 G) and the distinction between information and advice (see PERG 4.6.13 G). Whether or not scripted questioning in any particular case is advising on regulated mortgage contracts will depend on all the circumstances. If the process
The potential for variation in the form, content and manner of scripted questioning is considerable, but there are two broad types. The first type involves providing questions and answers which are confined to factual matters (for example, whether a borrower wishes to pay a fixed or variable rate of interest or the size of deposit available). In the FCA's view, this does not of itself amount to advising on regulated mortgage contracts, as it involves the provision of information
The second type of scripted questioning involves providing questions and answers incorporating opinion, judgement or recommendations (for example, whether a repayment mortgage or interest-only mortgage is a better option or whether interest rates are likely to rise). There are various possible scenarios, including the following:(1) the scripted questioning may not lead to the identification of any particular regulated mortgage contract; in this case, the questioner has provided
In the scenarios identified inPERG 4.6.23G (3)1 andPERG 4.6.24G (2)1, the FCA considers that it is necessary to look at the process and outcome of scripted questioning as a whole. It may be that the element of advice incorporated in the questioning may properly be viewed as generic advice if it were considered in isolation. But, although the actual advice may be generic, the process has ended in identifying one or more particular regulated mortgage contracts. The combination of
The main exclusion from advising on regulated mortgage contracts relates to advice given in periodical publications, regularly updated news and information services and broadcasts (article 54 of the Regulated Activities Order (Advice given in newspapers etc)). The exclusion applies if the principal purpose of any of these is neither to give advice of the kind to which article 53 (Advising on investments) or article 53A applies nor to lead or enable persons to:(1) acquire or dispose
2Further examples of what is and is not regulated advice
This table belongs to PERG 4.6.33 G.
Example of what the firm3 says and does 3 |
Regulated or not? |
(1) The firm says “We have a wide range of mortgages, including fixed and variable rates. Here are some leaflets which set out the main features.” |
No. Leaflets that just explain the terms and conditions of a lender’s products are not advice (see PERG 4.6.15G (1)). Even if the leaflet contains promotional material, merely handing over the leaflet does not mean that the firm is giving advice. |
(2) The firm says “We have a wide range of mortgages, our best rates are two-year fixed rates, you might want to look at those.” |
Yes. The firm has identified specific products that it offers and is steering the customer to those products. Identifying which products have the lowest rates is not advice on its own, only facts. However, “best” involves a value judgment, particularly when a comparison is made with other products that have different periods for which interest is fixed or that have variable interest rates. |
(3) The firm says “In order to provide you with an illustration, I need to know how much you want to borrow, the term and the property value. Which product or products would you like an illustration for?” |
No. The firm is collecting factual information to provide the customer with an illustration of costs. |
(4) The firm says “Based on what you’ve told me I think you would be best to look at two-year fixed rates. Here is some information about our products.” |
Yes. The firm has made a judgment on what type of product is best for the customer and has identified specific products of that type that it offers. |
(5) The firm says “Our fixed rates start at 4.99% for two years with a £900 fee. Our variable rates start at 4.50% with a £800 fee. Depending on how much you want to borrow and your circumstances, this may affect the rate available to you.” |
No. The firm is comparing two products without recommending either, nor is the firm steering the customer to one over the other. |
(6) A lender with just one mortgage product advises a customer to take out that mortgage. The lender makes it clear that it does not give advice about products other than its own. |
Yes. The lender may argue that this is not regulated advice because it is not recommending one product over another as it only has one product itself and does not give advice about the products of other lenders. However, in the FCA's view this is still regulated advice. For advice to be regulated it must be advice on the merits of entering into a particular regulated mortgage contract (or varying one). It is possible to give advice about the merits of a product without comparing that product with another. |
Note: Unless otherwise specified, the firm might be the lender or an advisory or intermediary firm. |
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(1) A firm must provide the customer with an illustration for a regulated mortgage contract before the customer submits an application for that particular regulated mortgage contract to a mortgage lender, unless an illustration for that particular regulated mortgage contract has already been provided.(2) A firm must provide the customer with an illustration for a regulated mortgage contract when any of the following occurs, unless an illustration for that regulated mortgage contract
The effect of the requirements at MCOB 5.3.1 R and MCOB 5.5.1 R(1) is that if a customer's application to enter into a regulated mortgage contract with a mortgage lender, made via a mortgage intermediary, is subsequently passed by that mortgage intermediary to another mortgage lender, then the mortgage intermediary must ensure that the application is amended and the customer is provided with an illustration for the other mortgage lender'sregulated mortgage contract before the
The effect of the requirements at MCOB 5.5.1 R(1) and MCOB 5.5.4 R is that a customer will be deemed to be committed to an application if, for example, he pays a product related fee (including a valuation fee) or provides electronic or verbal authority to process an application. It is not necessary for a customer to provide a mortgage lender with a completed application form to submit an application for a regulated mortgage contract.
Where a firm has already provided an illustration in accordance with MCOB 5.5.1 R and the terms for the proposed regulated mortgage contract are subsequently materially altered, the firm must ensure that the customer is provided with a revised illustration, before acting on the amendment, when the change occurs at the point at which a customer submits an application for the regulated mortgage contract.
What constitutes 'materially altered' requires consideration of the facts of each individual case. For example, a change of product such that the underlying terms and conditions of the regulated mortgage contract have changed should normally be regarded as material, as would an additional charge, such as a higher lending charge, applying to the regulated mortgage contract when it did not previously.
(1) If, at the point an illustration must be provided in accordance with MCOB 5.5.1 R, a firm is uncertain whether the contract will be a regulated mortgage contract, the firm must:(a) provide an illustration; or(b) seek to obtain from the customer information that will enable the firm to ascertain whether the contract will be a regulated mortgage contract.(2) Where (1)(b) applies, an illustration must be provided, unless, on the basis of the information the customer provides,
If the firm has reasonable evidence that the contract is not a regulated mortgage contract and has not provided an illustration before a customer submits an application, and it is subsequently found that the contract is a regulated mortgage contract, there is no requirement to provide a separate illustration at that stage. However, the requirement to integrate an illustration into the offer document at MCOB 6.4.1 R will apply.
Where the customer requests written information from the firm that is specific to the amount that the customer wants to borrow on a particular regulated mortgage contract under MCOB 5.5.1 R(2)(c), the purpose of MCOB 5.5.15 R, MCOB 5.5.16 R and MCOB 5.5.17 G is to ensure that the customer receives an illustration without unnecessary delay. These requirements do not restrict the information that the firm may obtain from the customer after it has provided the customer with an i
In meeting a request under MCOB 5.5.1 R (2)(c), the firm must not delay the provision of the illustration by requesting information other than:(1) the information necessary to personalise the illustration in accordance with MCOB 5.6.6 R, if the firm does not already know it;(2) where the firm acts in accordance with MCOB 5.5.11 R(2), such information as is necessary to ascertain whether or not the contract will be a regulated mortgage contract;(3) where the regulated mortgage
If, on the basis of the information obtained from the customer or on the basis of information that the firm already holds on the customer, the firm would do business with the customer, but not on the terms requested, the firm may provide the customer with an illustration in respect of a different regulated mortgage contract if it chooses to do so.
A firm must give the customer reasonable notice, in advance, of:(1) any changes to the payments that the customer is required to make resulting from interest rate changes; and(2) any material change by the firm (other than changes which come within MCOB 7.6.2 R) to the terms and conditions of the regulated mortgage contract, where that change is permitted without the customer's prior consent.
A firm must notify a customer, as soon as the details are known, of who will be responsible for setting interest rates and charges on the regulated mortgage contract if any interest in the regulated mortgage contract is to be sold, assigned, or transferred, and the firm will no longer be responsible for this.
Where the customer has, in accordance with the terms of the regulated mortgage contract, taken up an additional tranche of borrowing on a mortgage that is released in tranches and this did not require any further approval of the mortgage lender, a firm must provide confirmation as soon as possible of:(1) the new amount owed by the customer under the regulated mortgage contract; (2) the amount of each payment that is due; and(3) the interest rate charged.
Before a customer submits an application to a firm for a further advance on an existing regulated mortgage contract or for a further advance that is a new regulated mortgage contract, if the further advance requires the approval of the mortgage lender, the firm must provide the customer with an illustration that complies with the requirements of MCOB 5 (Pre-application disclosure) and MCOB 7.6.9 R to MCOB 7.6.17 R for the further advance, unless an illustration has already been
The illustration provided in accordance with MCOB 7.6.7 R must:(1) be based on the amount of the further advance only;(2) use the term 'additional borrowing' in place of the term 'mortgage' where appropriate throughout the titles and text of the illustration;(3) include an additional section headed: 'Total borrowing' and numbered '7a' after Section 7, including the following text:(a) "This section gives you information about how your mortgage will be affected by taking out this
For the purposes of MCOB 7.6.9 R(3) and (4):(1) a customer's existing mortgage includes a mortgage entered into prior to 31 October 2004 as well as a regulated mortgage contract;(2) the frequency of payments is that in MCOB 5.6.40 R; and (3) a firm may generally rely on information provided by the customer unless, taking a common-sense view of this information, it has reason to doubt it.
Before a customer submits an application to a firm to change all or part of a regulated mortgage contract from one interest rate to another (for example, a transfer from a variable rate regulated mortgage contract to a fixed rate regulated mortgage contract, or from one fixed rate regulated mortgage contract to another fixed rate regulated mortgage contract), the firm must provide the customer with an illustration for the whole loan that complies with the requirements of MCOB
The FCA would not view: (1) a simple notification of the death of a party to the regulated mortgage contract as an application for the purposes of MCOB 7.6.22 R; or1(2) a guarantor as a party to a regulated mortgage contract;1so MCOB 7.6.22 R does not mean that someone becoming a surviving joint borrower on or a guarantor to the regulated mortgage contract should receive an illustration.1
MCOB 7.6.25 R allows the firm to make changes to wording and to add, remove or alter information that would otherwise be misleading to the customer. For example, a firm may choose not to include a property valuation in the 'What you have told us' section of the illustration if the property value does not have a bearing on the terms of the regulated mortgage contract.
If a customer requests, or agrees to, a change to a regulated mortgage contract (other than a change as described in MCOB 7.6.7 R to MCOB 7.6.26 G44) that changes the amount of each payment due, a firm must provide the customer with the following information, in a single communication (subject to MCOB 7.6.28AR (3))4, before the change takes effect:(1) the amount outstanding on the regulated mortgage contract at the date the change is requested;(2) the payment due and the frequency
(1) 4MCOB 7.6.28 R (5) does not apply where the regulated mortgage contract is changing to an interest-only mortgage and interest is being deferred and capitalised by the firm as a result of the customer having payment difficulties.(2) Where (1) applies, the firm must instead provide a prominent reminder to the customer of the amount outstanding together with an explanation of the implications of deferred payments being capitalised, before the change in the regulated mortgage
3(1) This sourcebook applies to activities carried out in respect of four5 types of product: regulated mortgage contracts (which includes lifetime mortgages), home purchase plans, home reversion plans and regulated sale and rent back agreements.5 Together, these products are referred to as home finance transactions.355(2) Lifetime mortgages and home reversion plans are together referred to as equity release transactions.3(3) The application of most of this sourcebook is expressed
In relation to a regulated mortgage contract for a business purpose(1) MCOB applies if the customer is not a large business customer; and(2) if MCOB applies, a firm must either:(a) comply with MCOB in full (disregarding the tailored provisions for regulated mortgage contracts for a business purpose in the remainder of MCOB); or(b) comply with MCOB taking account of those tailored provisions, including MCOB 1.2.7 R.
(1) In order for a loan to fall within the definition of a regulated mortgage contract, at least 40% of the total of the land to be given as security must be used as or in connection with a dwelling. Therefore, the variation in approach provided for in MCOB 1.2.3 R(2) can only apply where the loan being used for a business purpose is secured against a property at least 40 per cent of which is used as a dwelling. It cannot apply to a loan secured on property that is used solely
In relation to a regulated mortgage contract for a business purpose, if a firm has opted for the tailored route, it must adopt the following modifications to the sourcebook:333(1) (except in relation to sections 6 and 8 of any initial disclosure document3 or sections 5 and 8 of any combined initial disclosure document3) substitute an alternative description of the facility provided under the regulated mortgage contract for 'mortgage' where that term is used in any disclosure;33(2)
The disclosure rules in MCOB place particular emphasis on the description of borrowing. Where the regulated mortgage contract is for a business purpose, a firm should reflect this emphasis in any disclosure by first describing any borrowing before addressing the other facilities provided under the regulated mortgage contract.
The exclusions in article 72(5A) to (5F) of the Regulated Activities Order (Overseas persons) provide that an overseas person does not carry on the regulated activities of:(1) arranging (bringing about) or making arrangements with view to a regulated mortgage contract;(2) entering into a regulated mortgage contract; or(3) administering a regulated mortgage contract;of the borrower (and each of them, if more than one) is an individual and is normally resident overseas. In the case
An overseasperson might advise a person in the United Kingdom on an endowment assurance at the same time as advising on a regulated mortgage contract. If so, whilst the overseas person exclusion in article 72(5) will apply in relation to the advice on the endowment assurance, there will be no 'overseas persons exclusion' for the advice on the regulated mortgage contract.
There may also be situations where a lender, who does not maintain an establishment in the United Kingdom, provides services in the United Kingdom. For instance, a lender might attend a property exhibition in the United Kingdom at which he sets up a loan with a borrower. A lender might also attend the offices of its UK-based lawyers, or appoint them as its agent, to enter into a contract with a borrower. In these cases, the overseas lender would only be carrying on a regulated
When a person is arranging (bringing about) regulated mortgage contracts or making arrangements with a view to regulated mortgage contracts from overseas, the question of whether he will be carrying on regulated activities in the United Kingdom will depend on the relevant circumstances. In the FCA's view, factors to consider include:(1) the territorial limitation in the definition of regulated mortgage contract so that regulation only applies if the land is in the United Kingdom;(2)
In the FCA's view:(1) if the borrower is normally resident in the United Kingdom, the clear territorial limitation in the definition of regulated mortgage contract carries most weight in determining where regulation should apply; it is likely that the arranger will be carrying on regulated activities in the United Kingdom;(2) if the borrower is normally resident overseas, the arrangements are excluded by the overseas persons exclusion.In the case of arranging (bringing about)
In the FCA's view, advising on regulated mortgage contracts is carried on where the borrower receives the advice. Accordingly:(1) if the borrower is located in the United Kingdom, a person advising that borrower on regulated mortgage contracts is carrying on a regulated activity in the United Kingdom; but(2) if the service provider and borrower are both located overseas, the regulated activity is not carried on in the United Kingdom.
In the FCA's view, in circumstances other than those excluded by article 72(5D) of the Regulated Activities Order, an overseas lender is likely to carry on the regulated activity of entering into regulated mortgage contracts in the United Kingdom. This is because of:(1) the territorial limitation in the definition of regulated mortgage contract so that regulation applies only if the land is in the United Kingdom;(2) the general principle and practice that contracts relating to
The effect of article 72(5E) and (5F) of the Regulated Activities Order is that an overseas person who administers a regulated mortgage contract, where the borrower was resident overseas at the time that the contract was entered into, does not carry on the regulated activity of administering a regulated mortgage contract.
In the FCA's view, in circumstances other than those excluded by article 72(5E) of the Regulated Activities Order, an overseas administrator is likely to carry on the regulated activity of administering a regulated mortgage contract in the United Kingdom. This is because:(1) the territorial limitation in the definition of regulated mortgage contract means that regulation applies only if the land is in the United Kingdom;(2) when administrators notify borrowers resident in the
In most cases, there will be no preliminary agreement to enter into a regulated mortgage contract in advance of entering into the contract itself. Moreover, the exclusions relevant to a regulated activity are taken into account to determine whether a person is agreeing to carry on that regulated activity. So, for example, agreeing to arrange regulated mortgage contracts in cases where borrower and service provider are overseas, would not be regulated activities because the activities
The purpose of MCOB 5.4.8 R is not to require a firm to ascertain whether a customer is eligible for a particular regulated mortgage contract before providing an illustration. Instead, the purpose is to ensure that the firm takes into account the information it has obtained from the customer before providing an illustration to the customer.
Where the illustration provided to the customer does not contain an accurate quotation or a reasonable estimate of the payments the customer will need to make in connection with any tied product that the customer must take out with the regulated mortgage contract, and the customer applies for that regulated mortgage contract:(1) the firm must provide the customer with an accurate quotation as soon as possible after he has applied, and in good time before the offer document is
The rules on the content of an illustration at MCOB 5.6 (Content of illustrations) mean that if the regulated mortgage contract requires the customer to take out a tied product, the illustration must include an accurate quotation or a reasonable estimate of the payments the customer would need to make for the tied product (see MCOB 5.6.52 R(2) on a repayment vehicle that is a tied product and MCOB 5.6.74 R on insurance that is a tied product). If it is not possible to include
An agreement for qualifying credit includes the following types of loan in addition to those that would be a regulated mortgage contract, but in each case only if the lender carries on the regulated activity of entering into regulated mortgage contracts:(1) loans secured by a second or subsequent charge;(2) secured loans for buy-to-let or other purely investment purposes;(3) loans secured on land situated outside the United Kingdom;(4) loans that include some unsecured credit
Arranging qualifying credit is a controlled activity under paragraph 10A of Schedule 1 to the Financial Promotion Order; that is, making arrangements:(1) for another person to enter as borrower into an agreement for qualifying credit; or(2) for a borrower under a regulated mortgage contract entered into on or after 31 October 2004 to vary the terms of that contract in such a way as to vary his obligations under that contract.This means that invitations and inducements relating
Advising on qualifying credit is8 a controlled activity under paragraph 10B of Schedule 1 to the Financial Promotion Order; that is, advising a person if the advice is:8(1) given to the person in his capacity as a borrower or potential borrower; and(2) advice on the merits of his doing any of the following:(a) entering into an agreement for qualifying credit; or(b) varying the terms of a regulated mortgage contract entered into by him on or after 31 October 2004 in such a way
The exemptions in Part IV of the Financial Promotion Order (Exempt communications: all controlled activities) will apply to financial promotions about qualifying credit . Some of the exemptions in Part VI of the Financial Promotion Order (Exempt communications: certain controlled activities) will also apply. Those of particular note are referred to in PERG 8.17.10 G to PERG 8.17.12 G.2
Article 28B (Real time communications: introductions) exempts a real time financial promotion that relates to one or more of the controlled activities about regulated mortgage contracts, as well as home reversion plans, home purchase plans and regulated sale and rent back agreements3. The exemption is subject to the following conditions being satisfied:22(1) the financial promotion must be made for the purpose of, or with a view to, introducing the recipient to a person ('N')
Subject to MCOB 7.5.2 R, a firm must provide the customer with a statement at least once a year (or, in relation to the first statement, within the first 13 months)2:(1) covering the regulated mortgage contract and any tied product purchased through the firm; and(2) giving information about the existence of any linked borrowing or linked deposits, or any other products purchased through the firm where the payments for those products are combined with the payments on the regulated
Where a tied product is operated separately from the regulated mortgage contract, for example where the premiums on a tied insurance product are not combined with payments on the regulated mortgage contract, the statement required by MCOB 7.5.1 R in relation to the tied product may be provided in a separate communication.
The statement required by MCOB 7.5.1 R must contain the following:(1) except in the case of mortgage credit cards, information on the type of regulated mortgage contract, including:(a) a clear statement of whether the regulated mortgage contract is an interest-only mortgage, or repayment mortgage, or a combination of both; and(b) a prominent reminder, where all of the regulated mortgage contract is an interest-only mortgage, that:(i) the customer's payments to the firm do not
(1) 4MCOB 7.5.3 R (1)(b) does not apply where as a result of the customer having payment difficulties:(a) the regulated mortgage contract has changed to an interest-only mortgage; and(b) interest is being deferred and capitalised by the firm.(2) Paragraph (1) applies only where the customer continues to have payment difficulties.
Whether a firm is likely to provide the information set out in MCOB 7.5.3 R(2) more frequently than once a year will depend on the nature of the regulated mortgage contract. In determining how frequently to provide that information, a firm should take into account the need to keep the customer informed of any changes in the amount they owe, the customer's expectations and, where appropriate, the duration of the loan. For example, for a mortgage credit card the information might
If the tariff of charges has changed since the last annual statement was sent to the customer (or, where the annual statement is the first statement, since the customer entered into the regulated mortgage contract) and a firm has not already sent a revised tariff of charges to the customer, it must include one with the annual statement.
A firm that enters into a lifetime mortgage1 with a customer where interest payments are required (whether or not they will be collected by deduction from the income from an annuity or other linked investment product) must provide the customer with the following information before the customer makes the first payment under the contract:1(1) the amount of the first payment required;(2) the amount of the subsequent payments;(3) the method by which the payments will be collected
A firm that enters into a lifetime mortgage1 which is a drawdown mortgage, with fixed payments to the customer, must provide the customer with the following information before the first payment is drawn down by the customer:1(1) the amount of the first payment to be made;(2) the amount of subsequent payments, if different; (3) the method by which the payment will be made (for example, by transfer to the customer's bank account) and the date of issue of the first and subsequent
Where the lifetime mortgage1 is a drawdown mortgage and the customer can choose the amount and frequency of the payments they receive, or the amount and frequency of payments can vary for other reasons (for example in line with interest rates) the firm must provide the customer with the following information before the first payment is drawn down by the customer:1(1) (a) where the customer can choose the amount and frequency of the payments they receive, details of any limitations
Where thelifetime mortgage1 provides for a lump sum payment to be made to the customer, and all or part of the interest will be rolled up during the life of the mortgage, the firm must provide the customer with the following information before the customer makes the first payment under the contract, or if no payments are required from the customer, within seven days of completion of the mortgage:1(1) if no payments are required from the customer, confirmation that no payments
(1) A firm must make and retain an adequate record of the information that it provides to each customer at the start of the lifetime mortgage1 in accordance with this section.1(2) The record required by (1) must be maintained for a year from the date that the information is provided to the customer.
The statement required by MCOB 7.5.1 R must contain the following information:(1) except in the case of mortgage credit cards, information on the type oflifetime mortgage,3 (for example, fixed rate or variable rate) including a clear statement of how the firm expects the capital, or capital and interest (whichever is applicable) to be repaid (for example, from the proceeds of the sale of the property);3(2) details of the following transactions and information on the lifetime
A firm must give the customer reasonable notice, in advance, of any of the following:(1) any changes to the payments that the customer is required to make (where payments are required, and whether or not they are collected by deduction from the income provided by a linked investment product such as annuity) resulting from interest rate changes;(2) the exercising of the firm's right (if allowed by the terms of the lifetime mortgage3 ) to enter the property to carry out essential
The illustration provided in accordance with MCOB 7.6.7 R must;(1) be based on the amount of the further advance only;(2) use the term 'additional borrowing' in place of the term 'lifetime mortgage' where appropriate throughout the titles and text of the illustration;(3) include an additional section headed: 'Total borrowing' and numbered '9' after Section 8, (with subsequent sections of the illustration renumbered accordingly) including the following text:(a) "This section gives
MCOB 9.4.18 R is replaced with the following: "Section 1: 'About this information' Under the section heading 'About this information', the following text must be included:"We are required by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) - the independent watchdog that regulates financial services - to provide you with this illustration. All firms selling lifetime mortgages are required to give illustrations, like this one, that contain similar information presented in the same way."
If a customer requests, or agrees to, a change to a lifetime mortgage3 (other than a change as described in MCOB 7.6.7 R to MCOB 7.6.27 R (as modified by MCOB 9)) that changes the amount of each payment due (where payments are required), a firm must provide the customer with the following information, in a single communication, before the change takes effect:3(1) the amount outstanding on the lifetime mortgage3 at the date the change is requested;3(2) the payment due and the frequency
If a customer requests, or agrees to, a change to a lifetime mortgage.3(other than a change as described in MCOB 7.6.7 R to MCOB 7.6.27 R (as modified by MCOB 9)) that changes the amount paid to the customer under a drawdown mortgage, or the amount that the customer will owe under a roll-up of interest mortgage, or both, a firm must provide the customer with the following information, in a single communication, before the change takes effect:3(1) the amount outstanding on the
Article 26 of the Regulated Activities Order (Arrangements not causing a deal) excludes from article 25A(1) arrangements which do not bring about or would not bring about the regulated mortgage contract in question. In the FCA's view, a person brings about or would bring about a regulated mortgage contract if his involvement in the chain of events leading to the transaction is of enough importance that without that involvement it would not take place.
Article 27 of the Regulated Activities Order (Enabling parties to communicate) contains an exclusion that applies to arrangements which might otherwise fall within article 25A(2) merely because they provide the means by which one party to a regulated mortgage contract (or potential regulated mortgage contract) is able to communicate with other parties. Simply providing the means by which parties to a regulated mortgage contract (or potential regulated mortgage contract) are able
Arranging a regulated mortgage contract (or contract variation) to which the arranger is to be a party is excluded from both article 25A(1) and (2) by article 28A of the Regulated Activities Order (Arranging contracts to which the arranger is a party). As a result, a person cannot both be entering into a regulated mortgage contract and arranging a regulated mortgage contract under article 25A as regards a particular regulated mortgage contract. This means that a direct sale by
An unauthorised person who makes arrangements for or with a view to a regulated mortgage contract between a borrower and an authorised person, is excluded from article 25A(1) and (2) by article 29 of the Regulated Activities Order (Arranging deals with or through authorised persons) if specified conditions as to advice and remuneration are satisfied. For example, the exclusion is dependent on the borrower not receiving any advice on the regulated mortgage contract from the unauthorised
Article 29A of the Regulated Activities Order excludes from article 25A(1)(b) (which covers making arrangements for another person to vary the terms of a regulated mortgage contract) certain activities of an unauthorised person who is taking advantage of the exclusion from administering a regulated mortgage contract in article 62 (Exclusion: arranging administration by authorised persons) see PERG 4.8.4 G).
Article 33A of the Regulated Activities Order (Introducing to authorised persons) excludes from article 25A(2) arrangements under which a borrower is introduced to certain persons. Introducing is only a regulated activity under article 25A(2) as it does not of itself bring about regulated mortgage contracts (see PERG 4.5.2 G).
A business illustration provided to a customer must:(1) use the headings and prescribed text in MCOB 5 Annex 1 (except as provided in MCOB 5.7) but need not follow the format;(2) include the content required by MCOB 5.6.3 R to MCOB 5.6.130 G (except MCOB 5.6.5 R, MCOB 5.6.101 R, MCOB 5.6.109 R to MCOB 5.6.112 G, MCOB 5.6.120 R and MCOB 5.6.121 R);1(3) use the key facts logo followed by the text 'about this [term used by the firm to describe the borrowing, for example 'mortgage']';(4)
(1) MCOB 5.7.2 R(1) means that firms do not have to follow the ordering of sections set down in MCOB 5.6, although they may choose to do so.(2) In accordance with MCOB 5.7.2 R(8) an example of an appropriate variation to the risk warning would be:'Your home may be repossessed if you are unable to fulfil the terms of this secured overdraft'.(3) A firm may also choose to include other information beyond that required by MCOB 5.6. However, when adding additional material a firm should
MCOB 5.6.31 R(2), MCOB 5.6.52 R(1) and MCOB 5.6.52 R(4) prescribe text that should be used to remind a customer with an interest-only mortgage that there is a need to separately arrange for the repayment of capital. The options for repayment of capital may be different where the regulated mortgage contract is for a business purpose, and a firm must vary the prescribed wording in the business illustration to reflect this. One approach may be for the firm to revise the wording to
(1) When providing a business illustration in accordance with MCOB 5.7.2 R a firm should describe facilities provided under the regulated mortgage contract that are not a loan within section 12 (Additional features) of the business illustration.(2) In complying with (1), a firm should follow the requirements in MCOB 5.6.92 RMCOB 5.6.108 G where these are relevant. Where the facility is of a type not considered in MCOB 5.6.92 RMCOB 5.6.108 G the firm should provide in section 12:(a)
(1) In accordance with MCOB 5.7.6 R(1), where the regulated mortgage contract includes a loan, the facilities described in section 12 of the business illustration should include the existence of, and a simple explanation of, any all monies charge, any contingent liabilities such as guarantees and so on.(2) Where the regulated mortgage contract includes more than one loan facility (such as a secured loan and a separate secured overdraft facility) the business illustration should
(1) The capital resources requirement for a firm carrying on home financing, 1or home financing1and home finance administration1 (and no other regulated activity) is the higher of:111111(a) £100,000; and(b) 1% of:(i) its total assets plus total undrawn commitments and unreleased amounts under the home reversion plan1; less:(ii) excluded loans or amounts 1plus intangible assets (see Note 1 in the table in MIPRU 4.4.4 R).(2) Undrawn commitments and unreleased amounts 1means the
The capital resources requirement for a firm carrying on home finance administration1only, which has all or part of the home finance transactions1that it administers on its balance sheet, is the amount which is applied to a firm carrying on home financing1or home financing1and home finance administration1(and no other regulated activity) (see MIPRU 4.2.12 R). 111111111
The capital resources requirement for a firm carrying on insurance mediation activity and home financing1 or home finance administration1 is the sum of the requirements which are applied to the firm by: 1111(1) the capital resources rule for a firm carrying on insurance mediation activity or home finance mediation activity1 (and no other regulated activity) (see MIPRU 4.2.11 R); and1(2) (a) the capital resources requirement rule for a firm carrying on home financing1 or home
(1) If a firm carrying on home finance mediation activity1 and home financing1 or home finance administration1 does not hold client money or other client assets in relation to itshome finance mediation activity1, the capital requirement isthe amount applied to a firm, according to the activities carried on by the firm, by:111111(a) the capital resources requirement rule for a firm carrying on home financing1 or home financing1 and home finance administrator1 (and no other regulated
(1) MCOB 5.1 to MCOB 5.5 (with the modifications stated in MCOB 9.3.2 R to MCOB 9.3.12 R) apply to a firm where the home finance transaction is an equity release transaction, except that those provisions that by their nature are only relevant to regulated mortgage contracts do not apply to home reversion plans (see MCOB 9.1.2A G).33(2) The table in MCOB 9.3.2 R shows how the relevant rules and guidance in MCOB 5 must be modified by replacing the cross-references with the relevant
3The provisions in this sourcebook that apply to home reversion plans should be read in a purposive way. This means that firms should substitute equivalent home reversion terminology for lifetime mortgage terminology, where appropriate. Examples of terms and expressions that must be replaced are 'loan' or 'amount borrowed', which should be replaced with 'amount released' or 'amount to be released', as appropriate, and 'mortgage lender' and 'mortgage intermediary' which should
Table of modified cross-references to other rules.
This table belongs to MCOB 9.3.1 R.
Subject |
Rule or guidance |
Reference in rule or guidance |
To be read as a reference to: |
Variations |
MCOB 5.1.3R(2) |
MCOB 7 |
|
Part of loan not an equity release transaction2 2 |
MCOB 5.1.9G |
MCOB 5.6.6R(2) |
MCOB 9.4.6R(2) |
Waiver of provisions |
MCOB 5.1.10G |
MCOB 5.6 |
MCOB 9.4. |
Purpose |
MCOB 5.2.1G |
MCOB 5 |
|
Applying for a lifetime mortgage2 2 |
MCOB 5.3.2G |
||
MCOB 5.4.24G |
MCOB 5.6.74R |
||
Issue of offer document in place of illustration |
MCOB 5.5.3G |
||
Customer's credit record |
MCOB 5.5.16R |
MCOB 5.5.15R(4) |
MCOB 9.3.12R(3) |
An offer document may not always exactly match the illustration provided before application even when the equity release3 requirements have not changed. For example, where a fixed rate has a defined end date, the total amount payable may be different because the number of payments at the fixed rate has reduced, or the estimated amount of interest to be charged has changed, assuming a later date at which the lifetime mortgage3will start.33
In meeting a request for written information specific to the customer's requirements on a particular equity release transaction (see MCOB 5.5.1 R (2)(c))3, the firm must not delay the provision of the illustration by requesting information other than:3(1) the information necessary to personalise the illustration, if the firm does not already know it;3(2) where the firm is uncertain whether the transaction will be an equity release transaction,3 such information as is necessary
A firm must ensure that any regulated mortgage contract that it enters into does not impose, and cannot be used to impose, an early repayment charge other than one that is:(1) able to be expressed as a cash value; and(2) a reasonable pre-estimate of the costs as a result of the customer repaying the amount due under the regulated mortgage contract before the contract has terminated.
A firm may calculate the same level of early repayment charge for all regulated mortgage contracts of a similar type (for example a tranche of regulated mortgage contracts offering a particular fixed rate of interest), rather than on the basis of the individual regulated mortgage contract with the particular customer.
Before: (1) entering into a regulated mortgage contract with a customer; or(2) making a further advance on an existing regulated mortgage contract; or (3) changing all or part of a regulated mortgage contract from one interest rate to another;1a firm must disclose to the customer:(a) in the illustration provided in accordance with MCOB 5, MCOB 7.6.7 R, MCOB 7.6.18 R, MCOB 7.6.22 R, MCOB 7.6.31 R, or MCOB 9; and(b) in the illustration provided as part of the offer document in accordance
(1) Where, in relation to a regulated mortgage contract for a business purpose, a customer either:(a) seeks an immediate increase in the borrowing provided under the regulated mortgage contract; or(b) overdraws on the borrowing under the regulated mortgage contract;the further advance rules in MCOB 7.6.7 R to MCOB 7.6.17 R do not apply.(2) Where (1) applies, the firm must within five business days provide the customer with either:(a) a business illustration for the new total borrowing;
The illustration provided as part of the offer document in accordance with MCOB 6.4.1 R (1) must meet the requirements of MCOB 5.6 (Content of illustrations) with the following modifications:(1) the illustration must be suitably adapted and revised to reflect the fact that the firm is making an offer to a customer and updated to reflect changes to, for example, the interest rate, charges, the exchange rate or the APR required by MCOB 10 (Annual Percentage Rate), at the date the
A firm must ensure that the offer document contains a prominent statement:(1) of the period for which the offer is valid;(2) explaining, where the regulated mortgage contract contains features, such as additional unsecured borrowing facilities, which could result in the customer borrowing more money, that where such features are used, the amount of the customer's debt will increase;(3) explaining when any interest rate change on the regulated mortgage contract takes effect. This
A firm must ensure that the contact details section of the offer document (as required by MCOB 5.6.122 R) also includes information on how to complain to the firm about the services provided by the firm in relation to the regulated mortgage contract and whether or not complaints may subsequently be referred to the Financial Ombudsman Service.
In addition to the information required by MCOB 6.4.13 R, a firm may include information about how to complain to any other firm about the services that firm provided to the customer in relation to the regulated mortgage contract. For example, where the customer received advice from another firm, a mortgage lender may include contact details for the firm that provided the advice.
If the firm knows at the point that the offer is made to the customer that its interest in the regulated mortgage contract will be assigned (by sale or transfer) and the firm will no longer be responsible for setting interest rates and charges, the offer document must:(1) state this; and(2) state, where known, who will be responsible for setting interest rates and charges after the sale or transfer.