Related provisions for CASS 7A.3.15
1 - 20 of 66 items.
Where an insurance transaction
involves more than one firm acting
in a chain such that for example money is
transferred from a "producing" broker who has received client money from a consumer5 to an intermediate broker and thereafter to an insurance
undertaking, each broker firm will
owe obligations to its immediate client to
segregate client money which
it receives (in this example the producing broker in relation to the consumer5and the intermediate broker in relation to the
2When
a firm acts in accordance with CASS
5.3 (Statutory trust) it should not make a payment from the client bank account unless it is satisfied
on reasonable grounds that the client has
provided it with cleared funds. Accordingly, a firm should
normally allow a reasonable period of time for cheques to clear. If a withdrawal
is made and the client's cheque
is subsequently dishonoured it will be the firm's responsibility
to make good the shortfall in
the account as quickly as possible
A firm can
hold client money in either
a general client bank account (CASS 5.5.38 R) or a designated client bank account (CASS 5.5.39 R). A firm holds all client money in general
client bank accounts for its clients as
part of a common pool of money so
those particular clients do
not have a claim against a specific sum in a specific account; they only have
a claim to the client money in
general. A firm holds client money in designated
client bank accounts for those clients who
requested
(1) A firm which handles client
money in accordance with the rules for
a non-statutory trust in CASS
5.4 may, to the extent it considers appropriate, but
subject to (2), satisfy the requirement to segregate client
money by segregating or arranging for the segregation of designated investments with a value at least
equivalent to such money as
would otherwise have been segregated into a client
bank account.(2) A firm may not segregate designated
investments unless it:(a) takes
reasonable
(1) A firm may draw down commission from
the client bank account if:(a) it
has received the premium from
the client (or from a third party premium finance
provider on the client's behalf);2 and(b) this
is consistent with the firm'sterms of business which it maintains with
the relevant client and 2the insurance undertaking to
whom the premium will become2 payable;and the firm may
draw down commission before
payment of the premium to the insurance undertaking, provided that the
conditions
(1) As
soon as commission becomes due
to the firm (in accordance with CASS
5.5.16 R (1)) it must be treated as a remittance which must be withdrawn in
accordance with CASS
5.5.16 R (2). 2The procedure required by CASS 5.5.16 R will also 2apply where moneyis 2due and payable 2to the firm in
respect of fees due from clients (whether to the firm or
other professionals).(2) Firms are reminded that money received
in accordance with CASS
5.2 must not,
except where a firm and an insurance
(1) Subject
to (4), a 2firm must
in relation to each of its appointed representatives, field representatives and other agents comply
with CASS 5.5.19 R to CASS
5.5.21 R (Immediate segregation) or with CASS 5.5.23 R (Periodic
segregation and reconciliation).(2) A firm must in relation to each representative or other agent keep a record
of whether it is complying with CASS 5.5.19 R to CASS 5.5.21 R or
with CASS 5.5.23 R.(3) A firm is, but without affecting the application
of CASS
A firm must
establish and maintain procedures to ensure that client
money received by its appointed
representatives, field representatives,
or other agents of the firm is:(1) paid
into a client bank account of
the firm in accordance with CASS 5.5.5 R; or(2) forwarded
to the firm, or in the case
of a field representative forwarded
to a specified business address of the firm,
so as to ensure that the money arrives
at the specified business address by the close of the third busi
For the purposes of CASS 5.5.19 R,
the client money received on business day one should be forwarded to the firm or specified business address of the firm no later than the next business day after receipt (business day two) in order for it to reach
that firm or specified business
address by the close of the third business
day. Procedures requiring the client
money to be sent to the firm or
the specified business address of the firm by
first class post no later than the next business
day
If client
money is received in accordance with CASS 5.5.19 R,
the firm must ensure that its appointed representatives, field representatives or other agents keep client money (whether in the form of premiums, claims money or premium refunds) separately identifiable
from any other money (including
that of the firm) until the client money is paid into a client bank account or sent to the firm.
(1) A firm must, on a regular basis, and at reasonable
intervals, ensure that it holds in its client
bank account an amount which (in addition to any other amount
which it is required by these rules to
hold) is not less than the amount which it reasonably estimates to be the
aggregate of the amounts held at any time by its appointed
representatives, field representatives,
and other agents.(2) A firm must, not later than ten business days following the expiry of each
period in
(1) CASS 5.5.23 R allows a firm with appointed representatives, field representatives and other agents to
avoid the need for the representative to
forward client money on a daily
basis but instead requires a firm to
segregate into its client money bank account amounts
which it reasonably estimates to be sufficient to cover the amount of client money which the firm expects
its representatives or agents
to receive and hold over a given period. At the expiry of each such period,
the
When a firm receives
a client entitlement on behalf
of a client, it must pay any
part of it which is client money:(1) for client entitlements received in the United Kingdom, into a client
bank account in accordance with CASS 5.5.5 R;
or(2) for client entitlements received outside the United Kingdom, into any bank account operated
by the firm, provided that such client money is:(a) paid
to, or in accordance with, the instructions of the client concerned;
or(b) paid
into a client
A firm may
allow another person, such as
another broker to hold or control client money,
but only if:(1) the firm transfers the client
money for the purpose of a transaction for a client through
or with that person; and(2) in
the case of a consumer,5 that customer has been notified (whether through
a client agreement,4terms of business, or otherwise in writing)
that the client money may be
transferred to another person.54
A firm may
open one or more client bank accounts in
the form of a designated client bank account.
Characteristics of these accounts are that:(1) the
account holds money of one or
more clients;(2) the
account includes in its title the word 'designated';(3) the clients whose money is
in the account have each consented in writing to the use of the bank with
which the client money is to
be held; and(4) in
the event of the failure of
that bank, the account is not pooled with any other
(1) A firm may operate as many client accounts
as it wishes.(2) A firm is not obliged to offer its clients the facility of a designated
client bank account.(3) Where
a firm holds money in
a designated client bank account,
the effect upon either:(a) the failure of a bank where any other client bank account is held; or(b) the failure of a third party to whom money has been transferred out of any other client bank account in accordance with CASS 5.5.34 R;(each of which is a secondary
A firm may
hold client money with a bank
that is not an approved bank if
all the following conditions are met:(1) the client money relates to one or more insurance
transactions which are subject to the law or market practice of a jurisdiction
outside the United Kingdom;(2) because
of the applicable law or market practice of that overseas jurisdiction, it
is not possible to hold the client money in
a client bank account with an approved bank;(3) the firm holds the money with
such
A firm owes
a duty of care to a client when
it decides where to place client money.
The review required by CASS 5.5.43 R is intended to ensure that the risks inherent
in placing client money with
a bank are minimised or appropriately diversified by requiring a firm to consider carefully the bank or banks
with which it chooses to place client money.
For example, a firm which is
likely only to hold relatively modest amounts of client
money will be likely to be able to satisfy this
When considering where to place client money and to determine the frequency
of the appropriateness test under CASS 5.5.43 R, a firm should
consider taking into account, together with any other relevant matters:(1) the
capital of the bank;(2) the
amount of client money placed,
as a proportion of the bank's capital and deposits;(3) the
credit rating of the bank (if available); and(4) to
the extent that the information is available, the level of risk in the investment
and loan activities
If a client has
notified a firm in writing that
he does not wish his money to
be held with a bank in the same group as
the firm, the firm must
either:(1) place
that client money in a client bank account with another bank in
accordance with CASS
5.5.38 R; or(2) return
that client money to, or pay
it to the order of, the client.
When a firm opens
a client bank account, the firm must give or have given written notice
to the bank requesting the bank to acknowledge to it in writing:(1) that
all money standing to the credit
of the account is held by the firm as
trustee (or if relevant in Scotland, as agent) and that the bank is not entitled
to combine the account with any other account or to exercise any right of
set-off or counterclaim against money in
that account in respect of any sum owed to it on any
In the case of a client
bank account in the United
Kingdom, if the bank does not provide the acknowledgement referred
to in CASS 5.5.49 R within 20 business days after
the firm dispatched the notice,
the firm must withdraw all money standing to the credit of the account
and deposit it in a client bank account with
another bank as soon as possible.
A firm must
not undertake any transaction for a consumer5 that involves client money being
passed to another broker or settlement agent located
in a jurisdiction outside the United Kingdom,
unless the firm has previously
disclosed to the consumer5 (whether in its terms of business, client agreement 4or otherwise in writing):554(1) that
his client money may be passed
to a person outside the United Kingdom but the client may
notify the firm that he does
not wish his money to be
(1) In order that a firm may
check that it has sufficient money segregated
in its client bank account (and
held by third parties) to meet its obligations to clients it
is required periodically to calculate the amount which should be segregated
(the client money requirement)
and to compare this with the amount shown as its client
money resource. This calculation is, in the first instance,
based upon the firm's accounting
records and is followed by a reconciliation with its banking
(1) A firm must, as often as is necessary to ensure
the accuracy of its records and at least at intervals of not more than 25 business days:2(a) check whether its client money resource, as determined by CASS 5.5.65 R on the previous business day,
was at least equal to the client money requirement,
as determined by CASS 5.5.66 R or CASS 5.5.68 R, as at the close of
business on that day; and2(b) ensure that:2(i) any shortfall is
paid into a client bank account by
the close of business
The client
money resource, for the purposes of CASS
5.5.63 R (1)(a),2 is:(1) the
aggregate of the balances on the firm's client money
bank accounts, as at the close of business on the previous business day and, if held in accordance with CASS
5.4, designated investments (valued
on a prudent and consistent basis) together with client
money held by a third party in accordance with CASS 5.5.34 R;
and(2) (but
only if the firm is comparing
the client money resource with
its client's
A firm's client money (accruals)
requirement is the sum of the following:(1) all
insurance creditors shown in the firm's business
ledgers as amounts due to insurance undertakings, clients and other persons;
plus(2) unearned commission 2being the amount of commission 2shown as accrued (but not shown
as due 2and payable) as at the date of
the calculation (a prudent estimate must be used if the firm is
unable to produce an exact figure at the date of the calculation).
A firm which
calculates its client money requirement
on the preceding basis must in addition and within a reasonable period be
able to match its client money resource
to its requirement by reference to individual clients (with
such matching being achieved for the majority of its clients and
transactions).
Money ceases to be client
money if it is paid:(1) to
the client, or a duly authorised
representative of the client;
or(2) to
a third party on the instruction of or with the specific consent of the client, but not if it is transferred to a
third party in the course of effecting a transaction, in accordance with CASS 5.5.34 R; or(3) into
a bank account of the client (not
being an account which is also in the name of the firm);
or(4) to
the firm itself, when it is
due and payable
(1) A firm which pays professional fees (for example
to a loss adjuster or valuer) on behalf of a client may
do so in accordance with CASS
5.5.80 R (2) where this is done on the instruction
of or with the consent of the client.(2) When
a firm wishes to transfer client money balances to a third party in
the course of transferring its business to another firm,
it should do so in compliance with CASS 5.5.80 R and a transferee firm will come under an obligation to treat
any client
For the purposes of CASS 5.1.5 R,
if a firm makes a payment to,
or on the instructions of, a client,
from an account other than a client bank account,
until that payment has cleared, no equivalent sum will become due and payable
to the firm or may be withdrawn
from a client bank account by
way of reimbursement.
(1) A firm that adopts the normal approach to segregating client money (CASS 7.13.6 R) will be using the methods in this section to check whether it has correctly segregated client money in its client bank accounts.(2) A firm that adopts the alternative approach to segregating client money (CASS 7.13.54 G) will be using the methods in this section to calculate how much money it needs to withdraw from, or place in, client bank accounts as a result of any discrepancy arising between
A firm that receives client money in the form of cash, a cheque or other payable order is reminded that it must pay that money (eg, into a client bank account) no later than on the business day after it receives the money (see CASS 7.13.32 R). Once deposited into a client bank account, that receipt of client money should form part of the firm'sclient money resource (see CASS 7.16.8 R). In calculating its client money requirement, a firm will need to take into account any client
(1) A firm should ensure that the amount it reflects in its internal client money reconciliation as its client money resource is equal to the aggregate balance on its client bank accounts. For example, if:(a) a firm holds client money received as cash, cheques or payment orders but not yet deposited in a client bank account (in accordance with CASS 7.13.32 R); and(b) that firm records all receipts from clients, whether or not yet deposited with a bank, in its cashbook (see CASS
(1) The client money requirement should represent the total amount of client money a firm is required to have segregated in client bank accounts under the client money rules.(2) CASS 7.16.11 R does not prevent a firm from adopting a net negative add-back method as part of a non-standard method of internal client money reconciliation.(3) CASS 7.16.12 R does not prevent a CASS loan-based crowdfunding firm from adopting the individual client balance method as part of a non-standard
(1) The individual client balance method (CASS 7.16.16 R) may be applied by any firm except a CASS 7 loan-based crowdfunding firm. This method requires a firm to calculate the total amount of client money it should be segregating in client bank accounts by reference to how much the firm should be holding in total (ie, across all its client bank accounts and businesses) for each of its individual clients for:(a) non-margined transactions (CASS 7.16.16 R (1) and CASS 7.16.21 R);
The net negative add-back method (CASS 7.16.17 R) is available to CASS 7 asset management firms and CASS 7 loan-based crowdfunding firms, many of whom may operate internal ledger systems on a bank account by bank account, not client-by-client, basis. This method allows a firm to calculate the total amount of client money it is required to have segregated in client bank accounts by reference to: (1) the balances in each client bank account (see CASS 7.16.17 R (1) and CASS 7.16.18
Subject to CASS 7.16.25 R and CASS 7.16.37 R, under this method the client money requirement must be calculated by taking the sum of, for all clients and across all products and accounts: (1) the individual client balances calculated under CASS 7.16.21 R, excluding:(a) individual client balances which are negative (ie, debtors); and(b) clients' equity balances;(2) the total margined transaction requirement (calculated under CASS 7.16.32 R); and(3) any amounts that have been segregated
Subject to CASS 7.16.25 R, under this method the client money requirement must be calculated by taking the sum of, for each client bank account: (1) the amount which the firm's internal records show as held on that account; and(2) an amount that offsets each negative net amount which the firm's internal records show attributed to that account for an individual client.
(1) A firm which utilises the net negative add-back method is reminded that it must do so in a way which allows it to maintain its records so that, at any time, the firm is able to promptly determine the total amount of client money it should be holding for each client (see CASS 7.15.5 R (1)).(2) For the purposes of CASS 7.16.17 R, a firm should be able to readily use the figures previously recorded in its internal records and ledgers (for example, its cashbook or other internal
(1) A firm which utilises the net negative add-back method may1 calculate its client money requirement and client money resource on a bank account by bank account basis;(2) For1 the purposes of CASS 7.16.17 R, a firm should take into account any amounts that have been segregated as client money according to the firm's records under either or both CASS 7.13.50 R (prudent segregation record) and CASS 7.13.66 R (alternative approach mandatory prudent segregation record).
- (1)
A firm may calculate either:
- (a)
one individual client balance for each client,1 based on the total of the firm's holdings for that1client; or
- (b)
a number of individual client balances for each client, equal to the number of products or business lines the firm operates for that client and each balance based on the total of the firm's holdings for that client in respect of the particular product or business line.1
- (a)
- (2)
Each individual client balance for a client should be calculated in accordance with this table:
Individual client balance calculation
Free money (sums held for a client free of sale or purchase (eg, see (3)(a)) and
A
sale proceeds due to the client:
(a)
for principal deals when the client has delivered the designated investments; and
B
(b)
for agency deals, when:
(i)
the sale proceeds have been received by the firm and the client has delivered the designated investments; or
C1
(ii)
the firm holds the designated investments for the client; and
C2
the cost of purchases:
(c)
for principal deals, paid for by the client when the firm has not delivered the designated investments to the client; and
D
(d)
(i)
the firm has not remitted the money to, or to the order of, the counterparty; or
E1
(ii)
the designated investments have been received by the firm but have not been delivered to the client;
E2
Less
money owed by the client for unpaid purchases by, or for, the client if delivery of those designated investments has been made to the client; and
F
proceeds remitted to the client for sales transactions by, or for, the client if the client has not delivered the designated investments.
G
Individual client balance 'X' = (A+B+C1+C2+D+E1+E2)-F-G
X
- (3)
When calculating an individual client balance for each client, a firm should also:
- (a)
ensure it includes:
- (i)
client money consisting of dividends received and interest earned and allocated (see CASS 7.11.32 R);
- (ii)
client money consisting of dividends (actual or payments in lieu), stock lending fees and other payments received and allocated (see CASS 6.1.2 G);
- (iii)
money the firm appropriates and segregates as client money to cover an unresolved shortfall in safe custody assets it identifies in its internal records which is attributable to an individual client (see CASS 6.6.54R (2)); and
- (iv)
money the firm segregates as client money instead of an individual client's safe custody asset until such time as the relevant delivery versus payment transaction settles under CASS 6.1.12R (2); and
- (i)
- (b)
deduct any amounts due and payable by the client to the firm (see CASS 7.11.25 R).
- (a)
- (4)
Compliance with (1), (2) and (3)1 may be relied on as tending to establish compliance with CASS 7.16.21 R.
When calculating the client money requirement under either of the methods in CASS 7.16.10 R, a firm must:(1) include any unallocated client money (see CASS 7.13.36 R) and unidentified receipts of money it considers prudent to segregate as client money (see CASS 7.13.37 R);(2) include any money the firm appropriates and holds as client money to cover an unresolved shortfall in safe custody assets identified in its internal records which is not attributable, or cannot be attributed
(1) Under CASS 7.16.25 R (3), where a firm holds client money received as cash, cheques or payment orders but not yet deposited in a client bank account under CASS 7.13.32 R, it may:(a) include these balances when calculating its client money requirement (eg, where the firm records all receipts from clients, whether or not yet deposited with a bank, in its cashbook); or(b) exclude these balances when calculating its client money requirement (eg, where the firm only records client
(1) In accordance with CASS 7.16.25 R (5), where a firm has allowed another person to hold client money in connection with a client's non-margined transaction (eg, in a client transaction account under CASS 7.14 (Client money held by a third party))1, the firm should include these balances when calculating its client money requirement.(2) If a firm is utilising the individual client balance method (CASS 7.16.16 R) to calculate its client money requirement, CASS 7.16.21 R requires
Subject to CASS 7.16.30 R, a client's equity balance is the amount which the firm would be liable to pay to the client (or the client to the firm) under the client money rules for margined transactions if each of the open positions were liquidated at the closing or settlement prices published by the relevant exchange or other appropriate pricing source and the account with the firm were closed. This notional balance should include any unrealised losses or profits associated with
Subject to CASS 7.16.30 R, a firm's equity balance is the amount which the firm would be liable to pay to the exchange, clearing house, intermediate broker or OTC counterparty (or vice-versa) for the firm's margined transactions if each of the open positions of those of the firm's clients that are entitled to protection under the client money rules were liquidated at the closing or settlement prices published by the relevant exchange or other appropriate pricing source and the
The margined transaction requirement should represent the total amount of client money a firm is required under the client money rules to segregate in client bank accounts for margined transactions. The calculation in CASS 7.16.33 R is designed to ensure that an amount of client money is held in client bank accounts which equals at least the difference between the equity the firm holds at exchanges, clearing houses, intermediate brokers and OTC counterparties for margined transactions
A firm with a Part 30 exemption order which also operates an LME bond arrangement for the benefit of US-resident investors must exclude the client equity balances for transactions undertaken on the LME on behalf of those US-resident investors from the calculation of the margined transaction requirement, to the extent those transactions are provided for by an LME bond arrangement (see CASS 12.2.3 G).1
Where appropriate, a firm may:(1) when, in respect of a client, there is a positive individual client balance and a negative client equity balance, offset the credit against the debit and, therefore, have a reduced individual client balance in CASS 7.16.21 R for that client; and(2) when, in respect of a client, there is a negative individual client balance and a positive client equity balance, offset the credit against the debit and, therefore, have a reduced client equity balance
(1) 1Where a client transfers full ownership of money to a firm for the purpose of securing or otherwise covering present or future, actual or contingent or prospective obligations, such money should no longer be regarded as client money.[Note: recital 27 to MiFID](2) Excepted from (1) is a transfer of the full ownership of money:(a) belonging to a retail client; (b) whose purpose is to secure or otherwise cover that client's present or future, actual, contingent or prospective
Where a firm has received full title or full ownership to money under a collateral arrangement, the fact that it has also granted a security interest to its client to secure its obligation to repay that money to the client would not result in the money being client money. This can be compared to a situation in which a firm takes a charge or other security interest over money held in a client bank account, where that money would still be client money as there would be no absolute
Firms are reminded of the client'sbest interest rule, which requires a firm to act honestly, fairly and professionally in accordance with the best interests of its clients when structuring its business particularly in respect of the effect of that structure on firms' obligations under the client money rules.
(1) In line with CASS 7.11.14 R, where a firm receives money from the client in fulfilment of the client's payment obligation in respect of a delivery versus payment transaction the firm is carrying out through a commercial settlement system in respect of a client's purchase, and the firm has not fulfilled its delivery obligation to the client by close of business on the third business day following the date of the client's fulfilment of its payment obligation to the firm, the
A firm will not be in breach of the requirement under CASS 7.13.6 R to receive client money directly into a client bank account if it: (1) receives the money in question: (a) in accordance with CASS 7.11.14 R (1)(a) but it is subsequently required under CASS 7.11.14 R (2) to hold that money in accordance with the client money rules; or(b) in the circumstances referred to in CASS 7.11.18 G (2)(b); and(2) pays the money in question into a client bank account promptly, and in any
An authorised fund manager will not be in breach of the requirement under CASS 7.13.6R to receive client money directly into a client bank account if it received the money in accordance with CASS 7.11.21 R (1) and is subsequently required under CASS 7.11.21 R (2) to hold that money in accordance with the client money rules.
(1) If a firm makes use of the exemption under CASS 7.11.21 R, it must obtain the client's written agreement to the firm's use of the exemption.(2) In respect of each client, the record created in (1) must be retained for the duration of the time that the firm makes use of the exemption under CASS 7.11.21 R in respect of that client's money.
(1) Money is not client money when it becomes properly due and payable to the firm for its own account.(2) For these purposes, if a firm makes a payment to, or on the instructions of, a client, from an account other than a client bank account, until that payment has cleared, no equivalent sum from a client bank account for reimbursement will become due and payable to the firm.
Money will not become properly due and payable to the firm merely through the firm holding that money for a specified period of time. If a firm wishes to cease to hold client money for a client it must comply with CASS 7.11.34 R (Discharge of fiduciary duty) or, if the balance is allocated but unclaimed client money, CASS 7.11.50 R (Allocated but unclaimed client money) or CASS 7.11.57 R (De minimis amounts of unclaimed client money).
Firms are reminded that, notwithstanding that money may be due and payable to them, they have a continuing obligation to segregate client money in accordance with the client money rules. In particular, in accordance with CASS 7.15.2 R, firms must ensure the accuracy of their records and accounts and are reminded of the requirement to carry out internal client money reconciliations either in accordance with the standard methods of internal client money reconciliation or the requirements
When a client's obligation or liability, which is secured by that client's asset, crystallises, and the firm realises the asset in accordance with an agreement entered into between the client and the firm, the part of the proceeds of the asset to cover such liability that is due and payable to the firm is not client money. However, any proceeds of sale in excess of the amount owed by the client to the firm should be paid over to the client immediately or be held in accordance
Money ceases to be client money (having regard to CASS 7.11.40 R where applicable) if:(1) it is paid to the client, or a duly authorised representative of the client; or(2) it is:(a) paid to a third party on the instruction of, or with the specific consent of, the client unless it is transferred to a third party in the course of effecting a transaction under CASS 7.14.2 R (Transfer of client money to a third party); or(b) paid to a third party pursuant to an obligation on the
Client money which the firm places at an authorised central counterparty in connection with a regulated clearing arrangement ceases to be client money for that firm if, as part of the default management process of that authorised central counterparty in respect of a default by the firm, it is ported by the authorised central counterparty in accordance with article 48 of EMIR.
Client money which the firm places at an authorised central counterparty in connection with a regulated clearing arrangement ceases to be client money if, as part of the default management process of that authorised central counterparty in respect of a default by the firm, it is paid directly to the client by the authorised central counterparty in accordance with the procedure described in article 48(7) of EMIR.
Subject to CASS 7.11.44 R, money ceases to be client money for a firm if:(1) it is transferred by the firm to another person as part of a transfer of business to that person where the client money relates to the business being transferred;(2) it is transferred on terms which require the other person to return a client's transferred sums to the client as soon as practicable at the client's request;(3) a written agreement between the firm and the relevant client provides that:(a)
(1) Client money belonging to those categories of clients set out in (2) and in respect of those amounts set out in (2) ceases to be client money of the firm if it is transferred by the firm to another person:(a) as part of a transfer of business to that other person where these sums relate to the business being transferred; and(b) on terms which require the other person to return a client's transferred sums as soon as practicable at the client's request.(2) (a) For retail clients
Before acting in accordance with CASS 7.11.50 R to CASS 7.11.58 G, a firm should consider whether its actions are permitted by law and consistent with the arrangements under which the client money is held. For the avoidance of doubt, these provisions relate to a firm's obligations as an authorised person and to the treatment of client money under the client money rules.
A firm may pay away to a registered charity of its choice a client money balance which is allocated to a client and if it does so the released balance will cease to be client money under CASS 7.11.34 R (10), provided:(1) this is permitted by law and consistent with the arrangements under which the client money is held; (2) the firm held the balance concerned for at least six years following the last movement on the client's account (disregarding any payment or receipt of interest,
(1) If a firm pays away client money under CASS 7.11.50 R (4) it must make and retain, or where the firm already has such records, retain: (a) records of all balances released from client bank accounts under CASS 7.11.50 R (including details of the amounts and the identity of the client to whom the money was allocated); (b) all relevant documentation (including charity receipts); and(c) details of the communications the firm had or attempted to make with the client concerned pursuant
The purpose of CASS 7.11.57 R is to allow a firm to pay away to charity client money balances of (i) £25 or less for retail clients or (ii) £100 or less for other clients when those balances remain unclaimed. If a firm follows this process, the money will cease to be client money (see CASS 7.11.34 R (10).
A firm may pay away to a registered charity of its choice a client money balance which is allocated to a client and if it does so the released balance will cease to be client money under CASS 7.11.34 R (10):(1) the balance in question is (i) for a retail client, in aggregate, £25 or less, or (ii) for a professional client, in aggregate, £100 or less; (2) the firm held the balance concerned for at least six years following the last movement on the client's account (disregarding
Any costs associated with the firm ceasing to treat unclaimed client money balances as client money pursuant to CASS 7.11.50 R to CASS 7.11.57 R should be paid for from the firm's own funds, including:(1) any costs associated with the firm carrying out the steps in CASS 7.11.50 R (3), CASS 7.11.51 G or CASS 7.11.57 R (3); and(2) the cost of any insurance purchased by a firm or the relevant member of its group to cover any legally enforceable claim in respect of the client money
A firm may open one or more client bank accounts in the form of a general client bank account, a designated client bank account or a designated client fund account (see CASS 7A.2.1 G (Failure of the authorised firm: primary pooling event)). The requirements of CASS 7.13.13 R (2) and CASS 7.13.13 R (3) apply for each type of client bank account.
A designated client fund account may be used for a client only where that client has consented to the use of that account and all other designated client fund accounts which may be pooled with it. For example, a client who consents to the use of bank A and bank B should have his money held in a different designated client fund account at bank B from a client who has consented to the use of banks B and C. If a firm deposits client money into a designated client fund account then,
Except in the circumstances described in CASS 7.13.72 R (1)(a), where a firm using the normal approach receives a mixed remittance it should:(1) in accordance with CASS 7.13.6 R, take necessary steps to ensure the mixed remittance is paid directly into a client bank account; and(2) promptly and, in any event no later than one business day after the payment of the mixed remittance into the client bank account has cleared, pay the money that is not client money out of the client
Where a firm receives client money in the form of cash, a cheque or other payable order, it must:(1) pay the money in accordance with CASS 7.13.6 R, promptly, and no later than on the business day after it receives the money into a client bank account, unless either:(a) the money is received by a business line for which the firm uses the alternative approach, in which case the money must be paid into the firm's own bank account promptly, and no later than on the business day after
Where a firm receives client money in the form of a cheque that is dated with a future date, unless the firm returns the cheque it must:(1) pay the money in accordance with CASS 7.13.6 R, promptly, and no later than the date on the cheque if the date is a business day or the next business day after the date on the cheque; (2) in the meantime, hold it in a secure location in accordance with Principle 10; and(3) record the receipt of the money in the firm's books and records in
A firm must ensure that client money received by its appointed representatives, tied agents, field representatives or other agents is:(1) received directly into a client bank account of the firm, where this would have been required if such client money had been received by the firm otherwise than through its appointed representatives, tied agents, field representatives or other agents (see CASS 7.13.6 R and CASS 7.13.7 G); or(2) if it is received in the form of a cheque or other
Under CASS 7.13.34 R (2)(b), client money received on business day one should be forwarded to the firm or specified business address of the firm promptly and, in any event, no later than the next business day after receipt (business day two) in order for it to reach that firm or specified business address by the close of the third business day. Procedures requiring the client money in the form of a cheque to be sent to the firm or the specified business address of the firm by
(1) A firm must allocate any client money it receives to an individual client promptly and, in any case, no later than ten business days following the receipt (or where subsequent to the receipt of money it has identified that the money, or part of it, is client money under CASS 7.13.37 R, no later than ten business days following that identification). (2) Pending a firm's allocation of a client money receipt to an individual client under (1), it must record the received client
If a firm receives money (either in a client bank account or an account of its own) which it is unable to immediately identify as client money or its own money, it must:(1) take all necessary steps to identify the money as either client money or its own money;(2) if it considers it reasonably prudent to do so, given the risk that client money may not be adequately protected if it is not treated as such, treat the entire balance of money as client money and record the money in
If a firm is unable to identify money that it has received as either client money or its own money under CASS 7.13.37 R, it should consider whether it would be appropriate to return the money to the person who sent it or to the source from where it was received (3for example, the banking institution).
A firm must create and keep up-to-date records so that the amount of money paid into client bank accounts and retained as client money pursuant to CASS 7.13.41 R or withdrawn pursuant to CASS 7.13.49 R, and the reasons for such payment, retention and withdrawal can be easily ascertained (the prudent segregation record).
During the period between the adjustment in CASS 7.13.62 R (3) and the completion of the next reconciliations in CASS 7.13.62 R (2), a firm that uses the alternative approach for a particular business line may:(1) increase the balance held in its client bank account by making intra-day transfers (during T0) from its own bank account to its client bank account before the completion of the internal client money reconciliation under CASS 7.13.62 R (2) (that is expected sometime later
A firm must create and keep up-to-date records so that any amount of money that is, pursuant to CASS 7.13.65 R:(1) paid into a client bank account and retained as client money; or(2) withdrawn from a client bank account;can be easily ascertained (the alternative approach mandatory prudent segregation record).
A firm that is also a clearing member that is using the normal approach in connection with regulated clearing arrangements must use reasonable endeavours to ensure it is not required under its arrangements with an authorised central counterparty to receive mixed remittances from or pay mixed remittances to the authorised central counterparty through a single bank account.
(1) If, notwithstanding its reasonable endeavours in accordance with CASS 7.13.71 R, the firm is required under its arrangements with an authorised central counterparty to: (a) receive mixed remittances from the authorised central counterparty5 into a single bank account and pay mixed remittances to the authorised central counterparty from that bank account; or(b) pay mixed remittances to the authorised central counterparty using a single bank account;then such arrangements for
(1) Where the circumstances described in CASS 7.13.72 R (1)(a) apply to a firm it must pay an amount (determined in accordance with this rule) of its own money into its client bank account and retain that money in its client bank account (clearing arrangement mandatory prudent segregation). The amount segregated by a firm in its client bank account under this rule will be client money for the purposes of the client money rules and the client money distribution rules. (2) The amount
The obligation to use reasonable endeavours referred to in CASS 7.13.71 R is a continuing obligation. Firms should at least on an annual basis, whether it is possible for payments of client money between the firm and the authorised central counterparties to be made separately from house monies and for such payments to be received into and made from its client bank accounts.
A firm is reminded that when CASS 7.10.1 R applies it should treat client money in an appropriate manner so that, for example:(1) if it holds client money in a client bank account that account is held in the firm's name in accordance with CASS 7.13.13 R;(2) if it allows another person to hold client money this is effected under CASS 7.14; and(3) its internal client money reconciliation takes into account any client equity balance relating to its margined transaction requireme
(1) A firm that is only subject to the insurance client money chapter may not opt to comply with this chapter under either or both CASS 7.10.3 R (1) and CASS 7.10.3 R (2).3(2) Under CASS 7.10.3 R (2A), a firm may opt to comply with this chapter regardless of whether it is otherwise subject to the client money rules.3
Money is not client money if a firm, in respect of designated investment business which is not an investment service or activity, an ancillary service, a listed activity or insurance mediation activity:(1) holds it on behalf of or receives it from a professional client who is not an authorised person; and (2) has sent a separate written notice to the professional client stating the matters set out in CASS 7.10.10 R (1) to CASS 7.10.10 R (3).
In relation to the application of the client money rules (and any other rule in so far as it relates to matters covered by the client money rules) to the firms referred to in (1) and (2), the following is not client money:(1) any deposits within the meaning of the CRD held by a CRD credit institution; and[Note: article 13(8) of MiFID and article 18(1) of the MiFID Implementing Directive](2) any money held by an approved bank that is not a CRD credit institution in an account with
The effect of CASS 7.10.16 R is that, unless notified otherwise in accordance with CASS 7.10.20 R or CASS 7.10.22 R, clients of CRD credit institutions or approved banks that are not CRD credit institutions should expect that where they pass money to such firms in connection with designated investment business these sums will not be held as client money.
A firm holding money in either of the ways described in CASS 7.10.16 R must, before providing designated investment business services to the client in respect of those sums, notify the client that:(1) the money held for that client is held by the firm as banker and not as a trustee under the client money rules; and(2) if the firmfails, the client money distribution rules will not apply to these sums and so the client will not be entitled to share in any distribution under the
A firm holding money in either of the ways described in CASS 7.10.16 R in respect of a client and providing the services to it referred to in CASS 7.10.19 R must:(1) explain to its clients the circumstances, if any, under which it will cease to hold any money in respect of those services as banker and will hold the money as trustee in accordance with the client money rules; and(2) set out the circumstances in (1), if any, in its terms of business so that they form part of its
If a CRD credit institution or an approved bank that is not a CRD credit institution wishes to hold client money for a client (rather than hold the money in either of the ways described in CASS 7.10.16 R) it must, before providing designated investment business services to the client, disclose the following information to the client:(1) that the money held for that client in the course of or in connection with the business described under (2) is being held by the firm as client
A firm that holds money on behalf of, or receives money from, an affiliated company in respect of designated investment business which is not MiFID business must not treat the money as client money unless:(1) the firm has been notified by the affiliated company that the money belongs to a client of the affiliated company; or(2) the affiliated company is a client dealt with at arm's length; or(3) the affiliated company is a manager of an occupational pension scheme or is an overseas
(1) An authorised professional firm regulated by the Law Society (of England and Wales), the Law Society of Scotland or the Law Society of Northern Ireland that, with respect to its regulated activities, is subject to the following rules of its designated professional body, must comply with those rules and, where relevant paragraph (3), and if it does so, it will be deemed to comply with the client money rules.(2) The relevant rules are: (a) if the firm is regulated by the Law
(1) A firm which receives and holds client money in respect of life assurance business in the course of its designated investment business that is not MiFID business may:(a) under CASS 7.10.3 R (2) elect to comply with the client money chapter in respect of such client money and in doing so avoid the need to comply with the insurance client money chapter which would otherwise apply to the firm in respect of client money received in the course of its insurance mediation activity;
Subject to CASS 7.10.35 R only the client money rules listed in the table below apply to a trustee firm in connection with money that the firm receives, or holds for or on behalf of a client in the course of or in connection with its designated investment business which is not MiFID business.
Reference |
Rule |
CASS 7.10.1 R to CASS 7.10.6 G, and CASS 7.10.16 R to CASS 7.10.27 R |
Application |
Trustee firms |
|
General purpose |
|
Depositing client money |
|
Selection, appointment and review of third parties |
|
Client bank accounts |
|
Diversification of client money |
|
Qualifying money market funds |
|
CASS 7.15.5 R (3), CASS 7.15.7 R and CASS 7.15.12 R to CASS 7.15.34 G |
Reconciliation of client money balances |
The standard methods of internal client money reconciliation |
|
Requirement |
(1) A trustee firm to which CASS 7.10.34 R applies may, in addition to the client money rules set out at CASS 7.10.34 R, also elect to comply with:(a) all the client money rules in CASS 7.13 (Segregation of client money); (b) CASS 7.14 (Client money held by a third party);(c) all the client money rules in CASS 7.15 (Records, accounts and reconciliations); or(d) CASS 7.18 (Acknowledgement letters).(2) A trustee firm must make a written record of any election it makes under this
A trustee firm to which CASS 7.10.34 R applies and which is otherwise subject to the client money rules should ensure that in designing its systems and controls it:(1) takes into account that the client money distribution rules will only apply in relation to any client money that the firm holds other than in its capacity as trustee firm; and(2) has regard to other legislation that may be applicable.
(1) Principle 10 (Clients' assets) requires a firm to arrange adequate protection for clients' assets when the firm is responsible for them. An essential part of that protection is the proper accounting and treatment of client money. The client money rules provide requirements for firms that receive or hold client money, in whatever form.(2) The client money rules also, where relevant, implement the provisions of MiFID which regulate the obligations of a firm when it holds client
If a primary
pooling event occurs:(1) client money held in each client
money account of the firm is
treated as pooled;(2) the firm must distribute that client
money in accordance with CASS 5.3.2 R or,
as appropriate, CASS 5.4.7 R, so that each client receives
a sum which is rateable to the client money entitlement
calculated in accordance with CASS 5.5.66 R; and(3) the firm must, as trustee, call in and make demand
in respect of any debt due to the firm as
trustee, and must liquidate
Client
money received by the firm (including
in its capacity as trustee under CASS
5.4 (Non-statutory trust)) after
a primary pooling event must
not be pooled with client money held
in any client money account
operated by the firm at the
time of the primary pooling event.
It must be placed in a client bank account that
has been opened after that event and must be handled in accordance with the client money rules, and returned to the relevant client without delay, except to the
If a firm receives
a mixed remittance after a primary pooling event, it must:(1) pay
the full sum into the separate client bank
account opened in accordance with CASS 5.6.9 R;
and (2) pay
the money that is not client money out of that client
bank account into the firm's own
bank account within one business day of
the day on which the remittance
is cleared.
When a bank fails and
the firm decides not to make
good the shortfall in the amount
of client money held at that
bank, a secondary pooling event will
occur in accordance with CASS 5.6.20 R. The firm would
be expected to reflect the shortfall that
arises at the firm's bank in
the periodic client money calculation
by reducing the client money resource
and client money requirement
accordingly.
The client
money (insurance) distribution rules seek to ensure that clients who have previously specified that
they are not willing to accept the risk of the bank that has fails, and who therefore requested that their client money be placed in a designated client bank account as a different
bank, should not suffer the loss of the bank that has failed.
If a secondary
pooling event occurs as a result of the failure of
a bank where one or more general client bank
accounts are held, then:(1) in
relation to every general client bank account of
the firm, the provisions of CASS 5.6.22 R and CASS 5.6.26 R to CASS 5.6.28 G will apply;(2) in
relation to every designated client bank account held
by the firm with the failed bank, the provisions of CASS 5.6.24 R and CASS 5.6.26 R to CASS 5.6.28 G will apply; and(3) any money held at a
Money held
in each general client bank account of
the firm must be treated as
pooled and:(1) any shortfall in client
money held, or which should have been held, in general client bank accounts, that has arisen
as a result of the failure of
the bank, must be borne by all the clients whose client money is held in a general
client bank account of the firm,
rateably in accordance with their entitlements;(2) a
new client money entitlement
must be calculated for each client by
the firm,
For each client with
a designated client bank account held
at the failed bank:(1) any shortfall in client
money held, or which should have been held, in designated client bank accounts that has
arisen as a result of the failure,
must be borne by all the clients whose client money is held in a designated
client bank account of the firm at
the failed bank, rateably in
accordance with their entitlements;(2) a
new client money entitlement
must be calculated for each of the relevant
Client
money received by the firm after
the failure of a bank, that
would otherwise have been paid into a client
bank account at that bank:(1) must
not be transferred to the failed bank
unless specifically instructed by the client in
order to settle an obligation of that client to
the failed bank; and(2) must
be, subject to (1), placed in a separate client
bank account that has been opened after the secondary
pooling event and either:(a) on
the written instruction of the client,
transferred
If a firm receives
a mixed remittance after the secondary pooling event which consists of client money that would have been paid into
a general client bank account,
a designated client bank account or
a designated client fund account maintained
at the bank that has failed,
it must:(1) pay
the full sum into a client bank account other
than one operated at the bank that has failed;
and(2) pay
the money that is not client money out of that client
bank account within one business
day
Money held
in each general client bank account of
the firm must be treated as
pooled and:(1) any shortfall in client
money held, or which should have been held, in general client bank accounts, that has arisen
as a result of the failure,
must be borne by all the clients whose client money is held in a general
client bank account of the firm,
rateably in accordance with their entitlements;(2) a
new client money entitlement
must be calculated for each client by
the firm, to reflect
Client
money received by the firm after
the failure of another broker
or settlement agent, to whom
the firm has transferred client money that would otherwise have been
paid into a client bank account at
that broker or settlement agent:(1) must
not be transferred to the failed thirty
party unless specifically instructed by the client in
order to settle an obligation of that client to
the failed broker or settlement agent; and(2) must
be, subject to (1), placed in a separate client
bank
The requirements in CASS 7.15.2 R to CASS 7.15.3 R are for a firm to keep internal records and accounts of client money. Therefore, any records falling under those requirements should be maintained by the firm and should be separate to any records the firm may have obtained from any third parties, such as those with or through whom it may have deposited, or otherwise allowed to hold, client money.
(1) A firm must maintain records so that it is able to promptly determine the total amount of client money it should be holding for each of its clients.(2) A firm must ensure that its records are sufficient to show and explain its transactions and commitments for its client money.(3) Unless otherwise stated, a firm must ensure that any record made under the this chapter is retained for a period of five years starting from the later of:(a) the date it was created; and(b) (if it
For each internal client money reconciliation and external client money reconciliation the firm conducts, it must ensure that it records: (1) the date it carried out the relevant process;(2) the actions the firm took in carrying out the relevant process; and(3) the outcome of its calculation of its client money requirement and client money resource.
Firms following one of the standard methods of internal client money reconciliation in CASS 7.16 are also reminded that they must, as part of their internal client money reconciliation, take into account all receipts of client money in the form of cash, cheque or other payable order that are not yet deposited in a client bank account (see CASS 7.13.32 R and CASS 7.13.33 R).
When determining the frequency at which it will undertake external client money reconciliations, a firm must have regard to:(1) the frequency, number and value of transactions which the firm undertakes in respect of client money; and(2) the risks to which the client money is exposed, such as the nature, volume and complexity of the firm's business and where and with whom client money is held.
When a discrepancy arises between a firm's client money resource and its client money requirement identified by a firm's internal client money reconciliations, the firm must determine the reason for the discrepancy and ensure that:(1) any shortfall is paid into a client bank account by the close of business on the day that the reconciliation is performed; or(2) any excess is withdrawn from a client bank account within the same time period.
A firm must inform the FCA in writing without delay if: (1) its internal records and accounts of client money are materially out of date, inaccurate or invalid so that the firm is no longer able to comply with the requirements in CASS 7.15.2 R, CASS 7.15.3 R or CASS 7.15.5 R (1);(2) it will be unable to, or materially fails to, pay any shortfall into a client bank account or withdraw any excess from a client bank account so that the firm is unable to comply with CASS 7.15.29 R
If a primary pooling event occurs, then4:(1) (a) in respect of a sub-pool,4 the following is treated as a single notional pool of client money for the beneficiaries of that pool:45(i) any client money held in a client bank account of the firm relating to that sub-pool; and5(ii) any client money held in a client transaction account of the firm relating to that sub-pool, except for client money held in a client transaction account at an authorised central counterparty3 or a clearing
(-1) 1Each client'sclient equity balance must be reduced by:(a) any amount paid by:3(i) an authorised central counterparty to a clearing member other than the firm in connection with a porting arrangement in accordance with
CASS 7.11.34R (6)4
in respect of that client; 4(ii) a clearing member to another clearing member or firm (other than the firm) in connection with a transfer in accordance CASS 7.11.34R (8);44(b) any amount paid by:3(i) an authorised central counterparty directly
If a firm receives a mixed remittance after a primary pooling event, it must:(1) pay the full sum into the separate client bank account opened in accordance with CASS 7A.2.7 R; and(2) pay the money that is not client money out of that client bank account into a firm's own bank account within one business day of the day on which the firm would normally expect the remittance to be cleared.
A CASS large debt management firm internal client money reconciliation requires a CASS large debt management firm to check whether its client money resource, as determined by CASS 11.11.16 R, on the previous business day, was at least equal to the client money requirement, as determined by CASS 11.11.17 R as at the close of business on that day.
(1) The client money requirement is the sum of:(a) the aggregate of all individual client balances calculated in accordance with CASS 11.11.21 R and CASS 11.11.22 R;(b) the amount of any unallocated client money under CASS 11.9.7 R;(c) the amount of any unidentified client money under CASS 11.9.8 R; and(d) any other amounts of client money included in the calculation under (2). (2) For the purposes of (1)(d), the CASS debt management firm must consider whether there are amounts
Firms are reminded that, under CASS 11.4.3 R, if a firm has drawn any cheques, or other payable orders, to discharge its fiduciary duty to its clients (for example, to return client money to the client or distribute it to the client's creditors), the sum concerned must be included in the firm's calculation of its client money requirement until the cheque or order is presented and paid.
The following guidance applies where a CASS debt management firm receives client money in the form of cash, a cheque or other payable order:(1) In carrying out the calculation of the client money requirement, a CASS debt management firm may initially include the amount of client money received as cash, cheques or payment orders that has not yet been deposited in a client bank account in line with CASS 11.9.5 R. If it does so, the firm should ensure, before finalising the calculation,
The individual client balance for each client must be calculated as follows:(1) the amount paid by the client to the CASS debt management firm; plus(2) the amount of any interest, and any other sums, due to the client;less:(3) the aggregate of the amount of money:(a) paid back to that client; and(b) due and payable by the client to the CASS debt management firm; and(c) paid out to a third party for, or on behalf of, that client.
Where the individual client balance calculated in respect of an individual client under CASS 11.11.21 R is a negative figure (because the amounts paid by or due to a client under CASS 11.11.21 R (1) and CASS 11.11.21 R (2) are less than the amounts paid out or due and payable by that client under CASS 11.11.21 R (3), that individual client balance should be treated as zero for the purposes of the calculation of the firm'sclient money requirement in CASS 11.11.17 R.
When a CASS large debt management firm internal client money reconciliation reveals a difference between the client money resource and its client money requirement a CASS large debt management firm must:(1) identify the reason for the difference; (2) ensure that any shortfall in the amount of the client money resource as compared to the amount of the client money requirement is made up by a payment into the firm'sclient bank accounts by the end of the business day following the
While a CASS large debt management firm is unable to resolve a discrepancy arising from the CASS large debt management firm external client money reconciliation, and one record or a set of records examined by the firm during the reconciliation process indicates that there is a need to have greater amount of client money than is in fact the case, the firm must assume, until the matter is finally resolved, that the record or set of records is accurate and pay its own money into
The requirements imposed on a CASS debt management firm that holds client money vary depending on whether a firm is classified as a CASS small debt management firm or a CASS large debt management firm in CASS 11.2.3 R (CASS debt management firm types). CASS 11.1.4 R to CASS 11.1.6 R indicate which rules in the debt management client money chapter apply to which category of firm.
The debt management client money chapter applies (to the extent indicated by CASS 11.1.4 R to CASS 11.1.6 R) to a CASS debt management firm, even if at the date of the determination or, as the case may be, the notification, referred to in CASS 11.2.4 R, the CASS debt management firm is not holding client money, provided that:(1) it held client money in the previous calendar year; or(2) it projects to hold client money in the current calendar year.
Subject to CASS 11.1.6 R, only the rules and guidance in the debt management client money chapter listed in the table below apply to CASS small debt management firms.
Reference |
Rule |
Application |
|
Firm classification |
|
Responsibility for CASS operational oversight |
|
Definition of client money and discharge of fiduciary duty |
|
Organisational requirements |
|
Statutory trust |
|
Selecting an approved bank at which to hold client money |
|
Client bank account acknowledgement letters |
|
Segregation and the operation of client money accounts |
|
Payments to creditors |
|
CASS 11.11.1 R to CASS 11.11.12 R , CASS 11.11.30 R and CASS 11.11.32 G |
Records, accounts and reconciliations |
CASS 11 resolution pack |
|
Client money distribution in the event of a failure of a firm or approved bank |
(1) An authorised professional firm regulated by the Law Society of England and Wales, the Law Society of Scotland or the Law Society of Northern Ireland that, with respect to its regulated activities, is subject to the following rules of its designated professional body, must comply with those rules and, if it does so, it will be deemed to comply with the debt management client money chapter.(2) The relevant rules are: (a) if the firm is regulated by the Law Society of England
The debt management client money distribution rules seek, in the event of the failure of a CASS debt management firm or of an approved bank at which the CASS debt management firm holds client money, to protect client money and to facilitate the timely payment of sums to creditors or the timely return of client money to clients.
(1) Subject to (2), if a secondary pooling event occurs as a result of the failure of an approved bank where one or more client bank accounts are held then in relation to every client bank account of the firm, the provisions of CASS 11.13.12 R (1), CASS 11.13.12 R (2) and CASS 11.13.12 R (3) will apply.(2) CASS 11.13.12 R does not apply if, on the failure of the approved bank, the CASS debt management firm pays to its clients, or pays into a client bank account at an unaffected
Money held in each client bank account of the firm must be treated as pooled and:(1) any shortfall in client money held, or which should have been held, in client bank accounts, that has arisen as a result of the failure of the approved bank, must be borne by all clients whose client money is held in a client bank account of the firm, rateably in accordance with their entitlements to the pool;(2) a new client money entitlement must be calculated for each client by the firm, to
CASS 11 provides important safeguards for the protection of client money held by CASS debt management firms that sit alongside the fiduciary duty owed by firms in relation to client money. CASS 11.4.2 R to CASS 11.4.4 G provide guidance and rules for when money ceases to be client money for the purposes of both those rules and of the fiduciary duty which CASS debt management firms owe to clients in relation to client money.
Money ceases to be client money if:(1) it is paid to the client, or a duly authorised representative of the client; or(2) it is:(a) paid to a third party on the instruction of the client, or with the specific consent of the client; or(b) paid to a third party further to an obligation on the firm under any applicable law; or(3) it is paid into an account of the client (not being an account which is also in the name of the firm) on the instruction, or with the specific consent,
For each client with a designated client bank account maintained by the firm for the general pool or a particular sub-pool and2 held at the failed bank:(1) any shortfall in client money held, or which should have been held, in designated client bank accounts that has arisen as a result of the failure, must be borne by all the clients of the relevant pool2 whose client money is held in a designated client bank account of the firm at the failed bank, rateably in accordance with
Money held by the firm2 in each designated client fund account for the general pool or a particular sub-pool with the failedbank must be treated as pooled with any other designated client fund accounts for the general pool or a particular sub-pool as the case may be2 which contain part of the same designated fund and:2(1) any shortfall in client money held, or which should have been held, in designated client fund accounts that has arisen as a result of the failure, must be borne
Client money received by the firm after the failure of a bank, that would otherwise have been paid into a client bank account at that bank , for either the general pool or a particular sub-pool2:(1) must not be transferred to the failed bank unless specifically instructed by the client in order to settle an obligation of that client to the failed bank; and(2) must be, subject to (1), placed in a separate client bank account relating to the general pool or the particular sub-pool
If a firm receives a mixed remittance after the secondary pooling event which consists of client money that would have been paid into a general client bank account, a designated client bank account or a designated client fund account maintained at the bank that has failed, it must:(1) pay the full sum into a client bank account other than one operated at the bank that has failed; and(2) pay the money that is not client money out of that client bank account within one business
(1) CASS 5.1 to CASS
5.6 apply, subject to (2), (3) and CASS 5.1.3 R to CASS 5.1.6 R, to a firm that receives
or holds money in the course
of or in connection with its insurance mediation
activity.(2) CASS 5.1 to CASS
5.6 do not, subject to (3), apply:(a) to
a firm to the extent that it
acts in accordance with the client
money chapter; or64(b) to
a firm in carrying on an insurance mediation activity which is in
respect of a reinsurance contract;
or(c) to
an insurance undertaking
A firm that
is an approved bank, and relies
on the exemption under CASS
5.1.1 R (2)(e), should be able to account to all of
its clients for amounts held
on their behalf at all times. A bank account opened with the firm that is in the name of the client would generally be sufficient. When money from clients deposited
with the firm is held in a pooled
account, this account should be clearly identified as an account for clients. The firm should
also be able to demonstrate that an
3CASS
5.1.5 R (1)(b) and CASS
5.1.5 R (2) do not apply, and hence money is client money, in any case where:(1) in relation to an activity specified
in CASS 5.2.3 R (1)
(a) to CASS 5.2.3 R (1) (c), the insurance undertaking has agreed that the firm may treat money which
it receives and holds as agent of the undertaking,
as client money and in accordance
with the provisions of CASS
5.3 to CASS
5.6; and(2) the agreement in (1) is in writing
and adequate to show that the insurance
(1) Principle 10 (Clients' assets) requires a firm to arrange adequate protection for clients' assets when the firm is
responsible for them. An essential part of that protection is the proper accounting
and handling of client money.
The rules in CASS 5.1 to CASS
5.6 also give effect to the requirement in article 4.4 of the Insurance
Mediation Directive5 that all necessary measures should
be taken to protect clients against
the inability of an insurance intermediary to
transfer
Firms which
carry on designated investment business which
may, for example, involve them handling client
money in respect of life assurance business should refer to the non-directive
client money chapter4 which includes provisions enabling firms to elect to comply solely with that chapter4 or with the insurance
client money chapter4 in respect of that business. Firms that also carry on5MiFID
or equivalent third country business5 may
elect to comply solely with the MiFID client
money
A firm must include in a statement of client assets referred to under this section the following information:(1) details of all the designated investments or client money held by the firm for the client at the end of the period covered by the statement;(2) the extent to which any clientdesignated investments or client money have been the subject of securities financing transactions; and(3) the extent of any benefit that has accrued to the client by virtue of participation in any
In cases where the portfolio of a client includes the proceeds of one or more unsettled transactions, the information in a statement provided under this section may be based either on the trade date or the settlement date, provided that the same basis is applied consistently to all such information in the statement. [Note: article 43(2) of the MiFID implementing Directive]
1In reporting to a client in accordance with this section, a firm should consider whether to provide details of any assets loaned or charged including:(1) which investments (if any) were at the end of the relevant period loaned to any third party and which investments (if any) were at that date charged to secure borrowings made on behalf of the portfolio; and(2) the aggregate of any interest payments made and income received during the period in respect of loans or borrowings
(1) A firm must once every year, and by the time it is required to make a notification in accordance with4CASS 1A.2.9R (4), determine whether it is a CASS large firm, CASS medium firm or a CASS small firm according to the amount of client money or safe custody assets which it holds, using the limits set out in the table in CASS 1A.2.7 R.4(2) For the purpose of determining its ‘CASS firm type’ in accordance with CASS 1A.2.7 R, a firm must:(a) if it currently holds client money
For the purpose of calculating the value of the total amounts of client money and safe custody assets that it holds on any given day during a calendar year a firm must:(1) in complying with CASS 1A.2.2R (2)(a), base its calculation upon internal reconciliations performed during the previous year;(2) in relation to client money or safe custody assets denominated in a currency other than sterling, translate the value of that money or that safe custody assets into sterling at the
CASS firm types
CASS firm type |
Highest total amount of client money held during the firm’s last calendar year or as the case may be that it projects that it will hold during the current calendar year |
Highest total value of safe custody assets held by the firm during the firm's last calendar year or as the case may be that it projects that it will hold during the current calendar year |
more than £1 billion |
more than £100 billion |
|
an amount equal to or greater than £1 million and less than or equal to £1 billion |
an amount equal to or greater than £10 million and less than or equal to £100 billion |
|
less than £1 million |
less than £10 million |
Once every calendar year a firm must notify to the FCA in writing the information specified in (1), (2) or (3) as applicable, and the information specified in (4), in each case no later than the day specified in (1) to (4):44(1) if it held client money or safe custody assets in the previous calendar year, the highest total amount of client money and the highest total value of safe custody assets held during the previous calendar year, notification of which must be made no later
4A firm's 'CASS firm type' and any change to it takes effect:(1) if the firm notifies the FCA in accordance with CASS 1A.2.9 R (1) or CASS 1A.2.9 R (2), on 1 February following the notification; or(2) if the firm notifies the FCA in accordance with CASS 1A.2.9 R (3), on the day it begins to hold client money or safe custody assets; or(3) if the firm makes an election under CASS 1A.2.5 R (1), and provided the conditions in CASS 1A.2.5 R (2) are satisfied, on the day the notification
Subject to CASS 7.17.3 R in respect of a trustee firm, a firm receives and holds client money as trustee on the following terms:(1) for the purposes of, and on the terms of, the client money rules and the client money distribution rules; (2) (a) where a firm maintains only a general pool of client money, subject to (4), for the clients (other than clients which are insurance undertakings when acting as such with respect to client money received in the course of insurance mediation
The statutory trust under CASS 7.17.2 R does not permit a firm, in its capacity as trustee, to use client money to advance credit to the firm's clients, itself, or any other person. For example, if a firm wishes to undertake a transaction for a client in advance of receiving client money from that client to fund that transaction, it should not advance credit to that client or itself using other clients'client money (ie, it should not 'pre-fund' the transaction using other clients'
If a firm holds money as agent of an insurance
undertaking then the firm'sclients (who are not insurance
undertakings) will be adequately protected to the extent that
the premiums which it receives
are treated as being received by the insurance
undertaking when they are received by the agent and claims money and premium refunds
will only be treated as received by the client when
they are actually paid over. The rules in CASS
5.2 make provision for agency agreements between firms
(1) Agency
agreements between insurance intermediaries and insurance undertakings may be of a general
kind and facilitate the introduction of business to the insurance
undertaking. Alternatively, an agency agreement may confer on
the intermediary contractual
authority to commit the insurance undertaking to
risk or authority to settle claims or handle premium refunds
(often referred to as "binding authorities"). CASS 5.2.3 R requires
that binding authorities of this kind must
The records maintained under this section, including the sub-pool disclosure documents, are a record of the firm that must be kept in a durable medium for at least five years following the date on which client money was last held by the firm for a sub-pool to which those records or the sub-pool disclosure document applied.
2As a result of CASS 7A.1.1A R, the client money distribution rules relating to primary pooling events and secondary pooling events will not affect any client money held by a firm in its capacity as trustee firm. Instead, the treatment of that client money will be determined by the terms of the relevant instrument of trust or by applicable law. However, the client money distribution rules do apply to a firm for any client money that it holds other than in that capacity which