Related provisions for MCOB 4.1.8
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. |
2The applicable data items, reporting frequencies and submission deadlines referred to in SUP 16.12.4 R are set out in the table below. Reporting frequencies are calculated from a firm'saccounting reference date, unless indicated otherwise. The due dates are the last day of the periods given in the table below following the relevant reporting frequency period.
Frequency |
Submission deadline |
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Annual regulated business revenue up to and including £5 million |
Annual regulated business revenue over £5 million |
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Balance Sheet |
Section A RMAR |
Half yearly |
Quarterly |
|
Income Statement |
Section B RMAR |
Half yearly |
Quarterly |
|
Capital Adequacy (note 3)58 |
Section D1 RMAR |
Half yearly |
Quarterly |
|
Professional indemnity insurance (note 2)11 |
Section E RMAR |
Half yearly |
Quarterly 11 11 |
|
Threshold Conditions |
Section F RMAR |
Half yearly |
Half yearly |
|
Training and Competence |
Section G RMAR |
Half yearly |
Half yearly |
|
COBS11 data |
Section H RMAR |
Half yearly |
Half yearly |
|
Supplementary product sales data |
Section I RMAR |
Half yearly11 11 |
Annually |
|
Client money and client assets (note 3)58 |
Section C RMAR |
Half yearly |
Quarterly |
|
Fees and levies |
Section J RMAR |
Annually |
Annually |
|
Note 1 |
When submitting the completed data item required, a firm must use the format of the data item set out in SUP 16 Annex 18A. Guidance notes for the completion of the data items is set out in SUP 16 Annex 18B. |
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11Note 2 |
This item only applies to firms that may be subject to an FCA68 requirement to hold professional indemnity insurance and are not exempt CAD firms. |
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58Note 3 |
This item does not apply to firms who only carry on home finance mediation activities exclusively in relation to second charge regulated mortgage contracts or legacy CCA mortgage contracts (or both)66 and who are not otherwise expected to complete it by virtue of carrying out other regulated activities. |
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