Related provisions for LR 14.3.2A
Articles 3 to 23 of the PD Regulation provide for the minimum information to be included in a prospectus:
Note: the Annexes (including schedules and building blocks) referred to in these articles are set out for information in PR App 3.
Article 3 Minimum information to be included in a prospectus |
A prospectus shall be drawn up by using one or a combination of the schedules and building blocks set out in this Regulation.2 2 |
A prospectus shall contain the information items required in Annexes I to XVII and Annexes XX to XXX depending on the type of issuer or issues and securities involved. Subject to Article 4a(1), a competent authority shall not require that a prospectus contains information items which are not included in Annexes I to XVII or Annexes XX to XXX.3 1223 |
In order to ensure conformity with the obligation referred to in Article 5(1) of Directive 2003/71/EC, the competent authority of the home Member State, when approving a prospectus in accordance with Article 13 of that Directive, may, on a case by case basis, require the information provided by the issuer, the offeror or the person asking for admission to trading on a regulated market to be completed, for each of the information items.2 2 |
2Where the issuer, the offeror or the person asking for the admission to trading on a regulated market is required to include a summary in a prospectus, in accordance with Article 5(2) of Directive 2003/71/EC, the competent authority of the home Member State, when approving the prospectus in accordance with Article 13 of that Directive, may, on a case by case basis, require certain information provided in the prospectus, to be included in the summary. |
3[Note: See transitional provisions in Regulation (EU) No 862/2012] |
Article 4 Share registration document schedule |
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1. |
For the share registration document information shall be given in accordance with the schedule set out in Annex I. |
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2. |
The schedule set out in paragraph 1 shall apply to the following: |
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(1) |
shares and other transferable securities equivalent to shares; |
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(2) |
other securities which comply with the following conditions: |
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(a) |
they can be converted or exchanged into shares or other transferable securities equivalent to shares, at the issuer’s or at the investor’s discretion, or on the basis of the conditions established at the moment of the issue, or give, in any other way, the possibility to acquire shares or other transferable securities equivalent to shares, and |
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(b) |
provided that these shares or other transferable securities equivalent to shares are or will be issued by the issuer of the security and are not yet traded on a regulated market or an equivalent market outside the Community at the time of the approval of the prospectus covering the securities, and that the underlying shares or other transferable securities equivalent to shares can be delivered with physical settlement. |
1Article 4a Share registration document schedule in cases of complex financial history or significant financial commitment |
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1. |
Where the issuer of a security covered by Article 4(2) has a complex financial history, or has made a significant financial commitment, and in consequence the inclusion in the registration document of certain items of financial information relating to an entity other than the issuer is necessary in order to satisfy the obligation laid down in Article 5(1) of Directive 2003/71/EC, those items of financial information shall be deemed to relate to the issuer. The competent authority of the home Member State shall in such cases request that the issuer, the offeror or the person asking for admission to trading include those items of information in the registration document. Those items of financial information may include pro forma information prepared in accordance with Annex II. In this context, where the issuer has made a significant financial commitment any such pro forma information shall illustrate the anticipated effects of the transaction that the issuer has agreed to undertake, and references in Annex II to “the transaction” shall be read accordingly. |
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2. |
The competent authority shall base any request pursuant to the first subparagraph of paragraph 1 on the requirements set out in item 20.1 of Annex I, item 15.1 of Annex XXIII, item 20.1 of Annex XXV, item 11.1 of Annex XXVII and item 20.1 of Annex XXVIII as regards the content of financial information and the applicable accounting and auditing principles, subject to any modification which is appropriate in view of any of the following factors:2 2 |
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(a) |
the nature of the securities; |
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(b) |
the nature and range of information already included in the prospectus, and the existence of financial information relating to an entity other than the issuer in a form that might be included in a prospectus without modification; |
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(c) |
the facts of the case, including the economic substance of the transactions by which the issuer has acquired or disposed of its business undertaking or any part of it, and the specific nature of that undertaking; |
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(d) |
the ability of the issuer to obtain financial information relating to another entity with reasonable effort. |
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Where, in the individual case, the obligation laid down in Article 5(1) of Directive 2003/71/EC may be satisfied in more than one way, preference shall be given to the way that is the least costly or onerous. |
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(3) |
Paragraph 1 is without prejudice to the responsibility under national law of any other person, including the persons referred to in Article 6(1) of Directive 2003/71/EC, for the information contained in the prospectus. In particular, those persons shall be responsible for the inclusion in the registration document of any items of information requested by the competent authority pursuant to paragraph 1. |
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(4) |
For the purposes of paragraph 1, an issuer shall be treated as having a complex financial history if all of the following conditions apply: |
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(a) |
its entire business undertaking at the time that the prospectus is drawn up is not accurately represented in the historical financial information which it is required to provide under item 20.1 of Annex I, item 15.1 of Annex XXIII, item 20.1 of Annex XXV, item 11.1 of Annex XXVII and item 20.1 of Annex XXVIII;2 2 |
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(b) |
that inaccuracy will affect the ability of an investor to make an informed assessment as mentioned in Article 5(1) of Directive 2003/71/EC; and |
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(c) |
information relating to its business undertaking that is necessary for an investor to make such an assessment is included in financial information relating to another entity. |
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(5) |
For the purposes of paragraph 1, an issuer shall be treated as having made a significant financial commitment if it has entered into a binding agreement to undertake a transaction which, on completion, is likely to give rise to a significant gross change. In this context, the fact that an agreement makes completion of the transaction subject to conditions, including approval by a regulatory authority, shall not prevent that agreement from being treated as binding if it is reasonably certain that those conditions will be fulfilled. In particular, an agreement shall be treated as binding where it makes the completion of the transaction conditional on the outcome of the offer of the securities that are the subject matter of the prospectus or, in the case of a proposed takeover, if the offer of securities that are the subject matter of the prospectus has the objective of funding that takeover. |
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(6) |
For the purposes of paragraph 5 of this Article, and of item 20.2 of Annex I, item 15.2 of Annex XXIII and item 20.2 of Annex XXV, a significant gross change means a variation of more than 25%, relative to one or more indicators of the size of the issuer's business, in the situation of an issuer.2 2 |
Recital 9 |
Pro forma financial information is needed in case of significant gross change, i. e. a variation of more than 25% relative to one or more indicators of the size of the issuer's business, in the situation of an issuer due to a particular transaction, with the exception of those situations where merger accounting is required. |
Article 5 Pro-forma financial information building block |
For pro-forma financial information, information shall be given in accordance with the building block set out in Annex II. |
Pro forma financial information should be preceded by an introductory explanatory paragraph that states in clear terms the purpose of including this information in the prospectus. |
Article 6 Share securities note schedule |
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1. |
For the share securities note information is necessary to be given in accordance with the schedule set out in Annex III. |
2. |
The schedule shall apply to shares and other transferable securities equivalent to shares5 |
53. |
Where shares with warrants give the right to acquire the issuer’s shares and these shares are not admitted to trading on a regulated market, the information required by the schedule set out in Annex XII except item 4.2.2 shall also be given. |
[Note: See transitional provisions in Regulation (EU) No 759/2013]5
Article 7 Debt and derivative securities registration document schedule for securities with a denomination per unit of less than EUR 100 0002 2 |
For the debt and derivative securities registration document concerning securities which are not covered in Article 4 with a denomination per unit of less than EUR 100 0002 or, where there is no individual denomination, securities that can only be acquired on issue for less than EUR 100 0002 per security, information shall be given in accordance with the schedule set out in Annex IV. 22 |
Article 8 Securities note schedule for debt securities with a denomination per unit of less than EUR 100 0002 2 |
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1. |
For the securities note for debt securities with a denomination per unit of less than EUR 100 0002 information shall be given in accordance with the schedule set out in Annex V. 2 |
2. |
The schedule shall apply to debt where the issuer has an obligation arising on issue to pay the investor 100% of the nominal value in addition to which there may be also an interest payment.5 |
53. |
Where debt securities are exchangeable or convertible into shares already admitted to trading on a regulated market, the information required by item 4.2.2 of the schedule set out in Annex XII shall also be given. |
54. |
Where debt securities are convertible or exchangeable into shares which are or will be issued by the issuer of the debt security or by an entity belonging to its group and these underlying shares are not already admitted to trading on a regulated market, information on the issuer of the underlying shares shall also be given in accordance with items 3.1 and 3.2 of the schedule set out in Annex III or, as the case may be, of the proportionate schedule set out in Annex XXIV. |
55. |
Where debt securities with warrants give the right to acquire the issuer’s shares and these shares are not admitted to trading on a regulated market, the information required by the schedule set out in Annex XII except item 4.2.2 shall also be given. |
[Note: See transitional provisions in Regulation (EU) No 759/2013]5
Article 9 Guarantees building block |
For guarantees information shall be given in accordance with the building block set out in Annex VI. |
2Item 3 of Annex VI shall not apply where a Member State acts as guarantor. |
Article 10 Asset backed securities registration document schedule |
For the asset backed securities registration document information shall be given in accordance with the schedule set out in Annex VII. |
Article 11 Asset backed securities building block |
For the additional information building block to the securities note for asset backed securities information shall be given in accordance with the building block set out in Annex VIII. |
Article 12 Debt and derivative securities registration document schedule for securities with a denomination per unit of at least EUR 100 0002 2 |
For the debt and derivative securities registration document concerning securities which are not covered in Article 4 with a denomination per unit of at least EUR 100 0002 or, where there is no individual denomination, securities that can only be acquired on issue for at least EUR 100 0002 per security, information shall be given in accordance with the schedule set out in Annex IX. 22 |
Article 13 Depository receipts schedule |
For depository receipts issued over shares information shall be given in accordance with the schedule set out in Annex X. |
Article 14 Banks registration document schedule |
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1. |
For the banks registration document for debt and derivative securities and those securities which are not covered by article 4 information shall be given in accordance with the schedule set out in Annex XI. |
2. |
The schedule set out in paragraph 1 shall apply to credit institutions as defined in point (a) of Article 1(1) of Directive 2000/12/EC as well as to third country credit institutions which do not fall under that definition but have their registered office in a state which is a member of the OECD. |
These entities may also use alternatively the registration document schedules provided for under in Articles 7 and 12. |
Article 15 Securities note schedule for derivative securities |
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1. |
For the securities note for derivative securities information shall be given in accordance with the schedule set out in Annex XII. |
2. |
The schedule shall apply to securities which are not in the scope of application of the other securities note schedules referred to in articles 6, 8 and 16, except for the cases mentioned in article 6(3), Article 8(3) and (5) and article 16 (3) and (5). The schedule shall apply to certain securities where the payment and/or delivery obligations are linked to an underlying.5 5 |
[Note: See transitional provisions in Regulation (EU) No 759/2013]5
Article 16 Securities note schedule for debt securities with a denomination per unit of at least EUR 100 0002 2 |
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1. |
For the securities note for debt securities with a denomination per unit of at least EUR 100 0002 information shall be given in accordance with the schedule set out in Annex XIII. 2 |
2. |
The schedule shall apply to debt where the issuer has an obligation arising on issue to pay the investor 100% of the nominal value in addition to which there may be also an interest payment.5 |
53. |
Where debt securities are exchangeable or convertible into shares already admitted to trading on a regulated market, the information required by item 4.2.2 of the schedule set out in Annex XII shall also be given. |
54. |
Where debt securities are convertible or exchangeable into shares which are or will be issued by the issuer of the debt security or by an entity belonging to its group and these underlying shares are not already admitted to trading on a regulated market, information on the issuer of the underlying shares shall also be given in accordance with items 3.1 and 3.2 of the schedule set out in Annex III or, as the case may be, of the proportionate schedule set out in Annex XXIV. |
55. |
Where debt securities with warrants give the right to acquire the issuer’s shares and these shares are not admitted to trading on a regulated market, the information required by the schedule set out in Annex XII except item 4.2.2 shall also be given. |
[Note: See transitional provisions in Regulation (EU) No 759/2013]5
Article 17 Additional information building block on the underlying share |
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1. |
For the additional information on the underlying share, the description of the underlying share shall be given in accordance with the building block set out in Annex XIV. |
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In addition, if the issuer of the underlying share is an entity belonging to the same group, the information required by the schedule referred to in Article 4 shall be given in respect of that issuer. |
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2. |
The additional information referred to in the first subparagraph of paragraph 1 shall only apply to those securities which comply with both of the following conditions: |
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(1) |
they can be converted or exchanged into shares or other transferable securities equivalent to shares, at the issuer’s or at the investor’s discretion, or on the basis of the conditions established at the moment of the issue or give, in any other way, the possibility to acquire shares or other transferable securities equivalent to shares; and |
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(2) |
provided that these shares or other transferable securities equivalent to shares are or will be issued by the issuer of the security, by an entity belonging to the group of that issuer or by a third party and are not yet traded on a regulated market or an equivalent market outside the Union at the time of the approval of the prospectus covering the securities, and that the underlying shares or other transferable securities equivalent to shares can be delivered with physical settlement.5 5 |
[Note: See transitional provisions in Regulation (EU) No 759/2013]5
Article 18 Registration document schedule for collective investment undertakings of the closed-end type |
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1. |
In addition to the information required pursuant to items 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.1, 7, 9.1, 9.2.1, 9.2.3, 10.4, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17.2, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25 of Annex I, for the registration document for securities issued by collective investment undertakings of the closed-end type information shall be given in accordance with the schedule set out in Annex XV. |
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2. |
The schedule shall apply to collective investment undertakings of the closed-end type holding a portfolio of assets on behalf of investors that: |
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(1) |
are recognised by national law in the Member State in which it is incorporated as a collective investment undertaking of the closed end type; or |
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(2) |
do not take or seek to take legal or management control of any of the issuers of its underlying investments. In such a case, legal control and/or participation in the administrative, management or supervisory bodies of the underlying issuer(s) may be taken where such action is incidental to the primary investment objective, necessary for the protection of shareholders and only in circumstances where the collective investment undertaking will not exercise significant management control over the operations of that underlying issuer(s). |
Article 19 Registration document schedule for Member States, third countries and their regional and local authorities |
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1. |
For the registration document for securities issued by Member States, third countries and their regional and local authorities information shall be given in accordance with the schedule set out in Annex XVI. |
2. |
The schedule shall apply to all types of securities issued by Member States, third countries and their regional and local authorities. |
Article 20 Registration document schedule for public international bodies and for issuers of debt securities guaranteed by a member state of the OECD |
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1. |
For the registration document for securities issued by public international bodies and for securities unconditionally and irrevocably guaranteed, on the basis of national legislation, by a state which is a member of the OECD information shall be given in accordance with the schedule set out in Annex XVII. |
2. |
The schedule shall apply to: |
- all types of securities issued by public international bodies; - to debt securities unconditionally and irrevocably guaranteed, on the basis of national legislation, by a state which is a member of the OECD. |
3Article 20a Additional information building block for consent given in accordance with Article 3(2) of Directive 2003/71/EC |
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1. |
For the purposes of the third subparagraph of Article 3(2) of Directive 2003/71/EC, the prospectus shall contain the following: |
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(a) |
the additional information set out in Sections 1 and 2A of Annex XXX where the consent is given to one or more specified financial intermediaries; |
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(b) |
the additional information set out in Sections 1 and 2B of Annex XXX where the issuer or the person responsible for drawing up the prospectus chooses to give its consent to all financial intermediaries. |
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2. |
Where a financial intermediary does not comply with the conditions attached to consent as disclosed in the prospectus, a new prospectus shall be required in accordance with the second paragraph of Article 3(2) of Directive 2003/71/EC. |
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[Note: See transitional provisions in Regulation (EU) No 862/2012] |
Article 21 Combination of schedules and building blocks |
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1. |
The use of the combinations provided for in the table set out in Annex XVIII shall be mandatory when drawing up prospectuses for the types of securities to which those combinations correspond according to this table. However, for securities not covered by those combinations further combinations may be used. |
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2. |
The most comprehensive and stringent registration document schedule, i.e. the most demanding schedule in term of number of information items and the extent of the information included in them, may always be used to issue securities for which a less comprehensive and stringent registration document schedule is provided for, according to the following ranking of schedules: |
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(1) |
share registration document schedule; |
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(2) |
debt and derivative securities registration document schedule for securities with a denomination per unit of less than EUR 100 0002; 2 |
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(3) |
debt and derivative securities registration document schedule for securities with a denomination per unit at least EUR 100 0002. 2 |
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23. |
The issuer, the offeror and the person asking for admission to trading on a regulated market may choose to draw up a prospectus in accordance with the proportionate schedules set out in Annexes XXIII to XXIX instead of the schedules set out in Annexes I, III, IV, IX, X and XI as described in the second subparagraph provided that the respective conditions laid down in Articles 26a, 26b and 26c are fulfilled. |
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Where the issuer, the offeror and the person asking for admission to trading on a regulated market makes that choice: |
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(a) |
the reference to Annex I in Annex XVIII shall be read as a reference to Annexes XXIII or XXV; |
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(b) |
the reference to Annex III in Annex XVIII shall be read as a reference to Annex XXIV; |
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(c) |
the reference to Annex IV in Annex XVIII shall be read as a reference to Annex XXVI; |
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(d) |
the reference to Annex IX in Annex XVIII shall be read as a reference to Annex XXVII; |
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(e) |
the reference to Annex X in Annex XVIII shall be read as a reference to Annex XXVIII; |
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(f) |
the reference to Annex XI in Annex XVIII shall be read as a reference to Annex XXIX. |
Article 22 Minimum information to be included in a base prospectus and its related final terms |
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1. |
A base prospectus shall be drawn up using one or a combination of schedules and building blocks provided for in this Regulation according to the combinations for various types of securities set out in Annex XVIII.2 2 |
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A base prospectus shall contain the information items required in Annexes I to XVII, Annex XX and Annexes XXIII to XXX depending on the type of issuer and securities involved. Competent authorities shall not require that a base prospectus contains information items which are not included in Annexes I to XVII, Annex XX or Annexes XXIII to XXX.3 223 |
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In order to ensure conformity with the obligation referred to in Article 5(1) of Directive 2003/71/EC, the competent authority of the home Member State, when approving a base prospectus in accordance with Article 13 of that Directive, may, on a case by case basis, require the information provided by the issuer, the offeror or the person asking for admission to trading on a regulated market to be completed for each of the information items.2 2 |
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2Where the issuer, the offeror or the person asking for the admission to trading on a regulated market is required to include a summary in a base prospectus, in accordance with Article 5(2) of Directive 2003/71/EC, the competent authority of the home Member State, when approving the base prospectus in accordance with Article 13 of that Directive, may, on a case-by-case basis, require certain information provided in the base prospectus to be included in the summary. |
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21a. |
The base prospectus may contain options with regard to information categorised as Category A, Category B and Category C, required by the relevant securities note schedules and building blocks, and set out in Annex XX. The final terms shall determine which of these options is applicable to the individual issue, by referring to the relevant sections of the base prospectus or by replicating such information. |
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2. |
The issuer, the offeror or the person asking for admission to trading on a regulated market may omit information items which are not known when the base prospectus is approved and which can only be determined at the time of the individual issue. |
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3. |
The use of the combinations provided for in the table in Annex XVIII shall be mandatory when drawing up base prospectuses for the types of securities to which those combinations correspond according to this table. However, for securities not covered by those combinations further combinations may be used. |
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4. |
The final terms attached to a base prospectus shall only contain the following:2 2 |
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2(a) |
within the various securities notes schedules according to which the base prospectus is drawn up, the information items in Categories B and C listed in Annex XX. When an item is not applicable to a prospectus, the item shall appear in the final terms with the mention "not applicable; |
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2(b) |
on a voluntary basis, any “additional information” set out in Annex XXI; |
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2(c) |
any replication of, or reference to options already provided for in the base prospectus which are applicable to the individual issue. |
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2The final terms shall not amend or replace any information in the base prospectus. |
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5. |
In addition to the information items set out in the schedules and building blocks referred to in Articles 4 to 20 the following information shall be included in a base prospectus: |
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(1) |
indication on the information that will be included in the final terms;2 |
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2(1a) |
a section containing a template, the "form of the final terms", which has to be filled out for each individual issue; |
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(2) |
the method of publication of the final terms; if the issuer is not in a position to determine, at the time of the approval of the prospectus, the method of publication of the final terms, an indication of how the public will be informed about which method will be used for the publication of the final terms; |
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(3) |
in the case of issues of non equity securities according to [PR 2.2.7R (1)], a general description of the programme. |
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6. |
Only the following categories of securities may be contained in a base prospectus and its related final terms covering issues of various types of securities: |
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(1) |
asset backed securities; |
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(2) |
warrants falling under Article 17; |
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(3) |
non-equity securities provided for under [PR 2.2.7R (2)]; |
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(4) |
all other non-equity securities including warrants with the exception of those mentioned in point (2). |
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In drawing up a base prospectus the issuer, the offeror or the person asking for admission to trading on a regulated market shall clearly segregate the specific information on each of the different securities included in these categories. |
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7. |
Where an event envisaged under [section 87G(1) of the Act (Supplementary prospectus)] occurs between the time that the base prospectus has been approved and the final closing of the offer of each issue of securities under the base prospectus or, as the case may be, the time that trading on a regulated market of those securities begins, the issuer, the offeror or the person asking for admission to trading on a regulated market shall publish a supplement prior to the final closing of the offer or the admission of those securities to trading. |
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2Where the issuer needs to prepare a supplement concerning information in the base prospectus that relates to only one or several specific issues, the right of investors to withdraw their acceptances pursuant to Article 16(2) of Directive 2003/71/EC shall only apply to the relevant issues and not to any other issues of securities under the base prospectus. |
2[Note: See transitional provisions in Regulation (EU) No 862/2012]3
5Article 23 Adaptations to the minimum information given in prospectuses and base prospectuses |
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1. |
Notwithstanding Articles 3 second paragraph and 22(1) second subparagraph, where the issuer’s activities fall under one of the categories included in Annex XIX, the [FCA], taking into consideration the specific nature of the activities involved, may ask for adapted information, in addition to the information items included in the schedules and building blocks set out in 4 to 20, including, where appropriate, a valuation or other expert’s report on the assets of the issuer, in order to comply with the obligation referred to in [sections 87A(2),(3) and (4) of the Act]. The [FCA] shall forthwith inform the Commission thereof. |
In order to obtain the inclusion of a new category in Annex XIX a Member State shall notify its request to the Commission. The Commission shall update this list following the Committee procedure provided for in Article 24 of [the prospectus directive]. |
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2. |
By way of derogation of Articles 3 to 22, where an issuer, an offeror or a person asking for admission to trading on a regulated market applies for approval of a prospectus or a base prospectus for a security which is not the same but comparable to the various types of securities mentioned in the table of combinations set out in Annex XVIII, the issuer, the offeror or the person asking for admission to trading on a regulated market shall add the relevant information items from another securities note schedule provided for in Articles 4 to 20 to the main securities note schedule chosen. This addition shall be done in accordance with the main characteristics of the securities being offered to the public or admitted to trading on a regulated market. |
3. |
By way of derogation of Articles 3 to 22, where an issuer, an offeror or a person asking for admission to trading on a regulated market applies for approval of a prospectus or a base prospectus for a new type of security, the issuer, the offeror or the person asking for admission to trading on a regulated market shall notify a draft prospectus or base prospectus to the [FCA]. |
The [FCA] shall decide, in consultation with the issuer, the offeror or the person asking for admission to trading on a regulated market, what information shall be included in the prospectus or base prospectus in order to comply with the obligation referred to in [sections 87A(2),(3) and (4) of the Act]. The [FCA] shall forthwith inform the Commission thereof. |
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The derogation referred to in the first subparagraph shall only apply in case of a new type of security which has features completely different from the various types of securities mentioned in Annex XVIII, if the characteristics of this new security are such that a combination of the different information items referred to in the schedules and building blocks provided for in Articles 4 to 20 is not pertinent. |
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4. |
By way of derogation of Articles 3 to 22, in the cases where one of the information items required in one of the schedules or building blocks referred to in 4 to 20 or equivalent information is not pertinent to the issuer, to the offer or to the securities to which the prospectus relates, that information may be omitted. |
Module |
Relevance to Credit Unions |
The Principles for Businesses (PRIN) |
The Principles for Businesses (PRIN) set out 3high-level requirements 3imposed by the FCA3. They provide a general statement of regulatory requirements. The Principles apply to all12credit unions. In applying the Principles to credit unions, the FCA3 will be mindful of proportionality. In practice, the implications are likely to vary according to the size and complexity 3of the credit union. 1212121212 |
Senior Management Arrangements, Systems and Controls (SYSC) |
SYSC 1,3SYSC 4 to 10 and SYSC 213 apply to all credit unions in respect of the carrying on of their regulated activities and unregulated activities in a prudential context. SYSC 4.5 (Management responsibilities maps for relevant authorised persons), SYSC 4.7 (Senior management responsibilities for relevant authorised persons: allocation of responsibilities), SYSC 4.9 (Handover procedures and material), SYSC 5.2 (Certification regime) and SYSC 18 apply3 to all credit unions in respect of both their regulated activities and their unregulated activities3. |
This contains rules and guidance that are directly applicable to a credit union’sSMF managers, certification employees and (from 2017) other conduct rules staff. There is also guidance for credit unions on giving their staff training about COCON. |
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Threshold Conditions (COND) |
In order to become authorised under the Act all firms must meet the threshold conditions. The threshold conditions must be met on a continuing basis by credit unions. Failure to meet one of the conditions is sufficient grounds for the exercise by the FCA3 of its powers. 121212 |
12312 | |
The Fit and Proper test for Approved Persons (FIT) |
The purpose of FIT is to set out and describe the criteria that a firm should3 consider when assessing the fitness and propriety of a person (1)3 in respect of whom an application is being made for approval to undertake a controlled function under the approved persons regime, (2)3 who has already been approved, (3) who is a certification employee or (4) whom a firm is considering appointing to be a certification employee3. It also sets out and describes criteria that the FCA will consider when assessing the fitness and propriety of a candidate for a controlled function position and that it may consider when assessing the continuing fitness and propriety of approved persons.3 12312 |
General Provisions (GEN) |
GEN contains rules and guidance on general matters, including interpreting the Handbook, statutory status disclosure, the FCA's3 logo and insurance against financial penalties. 12 |
Fees manual (FEES) |
This manual sets out the fees applying to credit unions. |
3Prudential sourcebook for Mortgage and Home Finance Firms, and Insurance Intermediaries (MIPRU) |
MIPRU applies to any credit union carrying out insurance mediation activity or home finance mediation activity, or using these services. In particular, it sets out requirements for allocation of responsibility for the credit union’sinsurance mediation activity (MIPRU 2), for the use of home finance intermediaries (MIPRU 5) and for professional indemnity insurance (MIPRU 3). |
Conduct of Business sourcebook (COBS) |
A credit union which acts as a CTF provider or provides a cash-deposit ISA will need to be aware of the relevant requirements in COBS. COBS 4.6 (Past, simulated past and future performance), COBS 4.7.1 R (Direct offer financial promotions), COBS 4.10 (Systems and controls and approving and communicating financial promotions), COBS 13 (Preparing product information) and COBS 14 (Providing product information to clients) apply with respect to accepting deposits as set out in those provisions, COBS 4.1 and BCOBS. A credit union that communicates with clients, including in a financial promotion, in relation to the promotion of deferred shares and credit union subordinated debt will need to be aware of the requirements of COBS 4.2 (Fair, clear and not misleading communications) and COBS 4.5 (Communicating with retail clients).4 |
ICOBS applies to any credit union carrying on non-investment insurance activities, such as arranging or advising on general insurance contracts to be taken out by members. But ICOBS does not apply to a credit union taking out an insurance policy for itself, such as a policy against default by members on their loans where the credit union is the beneficiary of the policy, since in this circumstance the credit union would not be acting as an insurance intermediary, but would itself be the customer. Credit unions are reminded that they are subject to the requirements of the appropriate legislation, including the Credit Unions Act 1979, relating to activities a credit union may carry on. |
|
3Mortgages and Home Finance: Conduct of Business sourcebook (MCOB) |
MCOB applies to any credit union that engages in any home finance activity. MCOB rules cover advising and selling standards, responsible lending (including affordability assessment), charges, and the fair treatment of customers in payment difficulties. |
Banking: Conduct of Business sourcebook (BCOBS) |
BCOBS sets out rules and guidance for credit unions on how they should conduct their business with their customers. In particular there are rules and guidance relating to communications with banking customers3and financial promotions (BCOBS 2), distance communications (BCOBS 3), information to be communicated to banking customers3(BCOBS 4), post sale requirements (BCOBS 5), and cancellation (BCOBS 6). 3The rules in BCOBS 3.1 that relate to distance contracts may apply 3to a credit union. This is because the Distance Marketing Directive3applies where there is "an organised distance sales or service-provision scheme run by the supplier" (Article 2(a)), i.e. if the credit union routinely sells any of its services by post, telephone, fax or the internet3. |
Supervision manual (SUP) |
The following provisions of SUP are relevant to credit unions: 13SUP 1A13 (The FCA’s 3 approach to supervision), SUP 2 (Information gathering by the FCA or PRA 3 on its own initiative), SUP 3.1 to SUP 3.8 (Auditors), SUP 5 (Skilled persons), SUP 6 (Applications to vary or cancel Part 4A12permission), SUP 7 (Individual requirements), SUP 8 (Waiver and modification of rules), SUP 9 (Individual guidance), 13SUP 10C (FCA senior management regime for approved persons in relevant authorised persons),3SUP 11 (Controllers and Close links), SUP 15 (Notifications to the FCA or PRA 3) and SUP 16 (Reporting Requirements). Credit unions are reminded that they are subject to the requirements of the Act and SUP 11 on close links, and are bound to notify the FCA3 of changes. It may be unlikely, in practice, that credit unions will develop such relationships. It is possible, however, that a person may acquire close links with a 3credit union3 within the meaning of the Act by reason of holding the prescribed proportion of deferred shares in the credit union. In relation to SUP 16, credit unions are exempted from the requirement to submit annual reports of 3close links. 12121212121312121212 |
CONC contains rules that apply to firms carrying on credit-related regulated activities. PERG 2.7.19IG provides guidance on relevant exemptions. Most credit union lending is therefore outside the scope of CONC. However, subject to the constraints in the Credit Unions Act 1979 or the Credit Unions (Northern Ireland) Order 1985 (as relevant), credit unions may undertake credit-related regulated activities to which CONC does apply if the activity is carried out by way of business. This could include lending under a borrower-lender-supplier agreement, or debt adjusting or debt counselling where the credit union is not the lender. A credit union carrying on such activities should consider whether it requires permission to do so. Further information can be found on the FCA’s website. |
|
Decision, Procedure and Penalties manual (DEPP) |
DEPP is relevant to credit unions because it sets out: (1) the FCA's12 decision-making procedure for giving statutory notices. These are warning notices, decision notices and supervisory notices (DEPP 1.2 to DEPP 5); and (2) the FCA's12 policy with respect to the imposition and amount of penalties under the Act (see DEPP 6). 1212 |
Dispute Resolution: Complaints (DISP) |
DISP sets out rules and guidance in relation to treating complainants fairly and the Financial Ombudsman Service. |
Compensation (COMP) |
COMP sets out rules relating to the scheme for compensating consumers when authorised firms are unable, or likely to be unable, to satisfy claims against them.12 |
The Enforcement Guide (EG) |
The Enforcement Guide (EG) describes the FCA's12 approach to exercising the main enforcement powers given to it by the Act and by other legislation.2 12 |
Financial crime: a guide for firms (FC) |
FC provides guidance on steps that a firm can take to reduce the risk that it might be used to further financial crime. |
1Note: The following definitions relevant to the prospectus rules are extracted from the Glossary.
Act |
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admission to trading |
admission to trading on a regulated market. |
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advertisement |
(as defined in the PD Regulation) announcements: |
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(1) |
relating to a specific offer to the public of securities or to an admission to trading on a regulated market; and |
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(2) |
aiming to specifically promote the potential subscription or acquisition of securities.4 |
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applicant |
an applicant for approval of a prospectus or supplementary prospectus relating to transferable securities. |
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asset backed security |
(as defined in the PD Regulation) securities which: |
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(1) |
represent an interest in assets, including any rights intended to assure servicing, or the receipt or timeliness of receipts by holders of assets of amounts payable thereunder; or |
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(2) |
are secured by assets and the terms of which provide for payments which relate to payments or reasonable projections of payments calculated by reference to identified or identifiable assets. |
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base prospectus |
a base prospectus referred to in PR 2.2.7 R. |
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body corporate |
(in accordance with section 417(1) of the Act (Definitions) any body corporate, including a body corporate constituted under the law of a country or territory outside the United Kingdom; |
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building block |
(as defined in the PD Regulation) a list of additional information requirements, not included in one of the schedules, to be added to one or more schedules, as the case may be, depending on the type of instrument and/or transaction for which a prospectus or base prospectus is drawn up.4 |
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collective investment undertaking other than the closed-end type |
(in PR) (as defined in Article 2.1(o) of the prospectus directive) unit trusts and investment companies: |
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(1) |
the object of which is the collective investment of capital provided by the public, and which operate on the principle of risk-spreading; |
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(2) |
the units of which are, at the holder's request, repurchased or redeemed, directly or indirectly, out of the assets of these undertakings.4 |
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any body corporate. |
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Consolidated Admissions and Reporting Directive |
Directive 2001/34/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on the admission of securities to official stock exchange listing and on information to be published on those securities. |
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credit institution |
as defined in article 4(1)(1) of the 7EUCRR.7 77 |
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director |
(in accordance with section 417(1)(a) of the Act) a person occupying in relation to it the position of a director (by whatever name called) and, in relation to an issuer which is not a body corporate, a person with corresponding powers and duties. |
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EEA State |
(in accordance with paragraph 8 of Schedule 3 to the Act (EEA Passport Rights)) a State which is a contracting party to the agreement on the European Economic Area signed at Oporto on 2 May 1992, as it has effect for the time being; as at 1 May 2004, the following are the EEA States: Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, the Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom. |
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equity security |
(as defined in Article 2.1(b) of the prospectus directive) shares and other transferable securities equivalent to shares in companies, as well as any other type of transferable securities giving the right to acquire any of the aforementioned securities as a consequence of their being converted or the rights conferred by them being exercised, provided that securities of the latter type are issued by the issuer of the underlying shares or by an entity belonging to the group of the said issuer. |
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equity share |
shares comprised in a company'sequity share capital. |
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equity share capital |
(for a company), its issued share capital excluding any part of that capital which, neither as respects dividends nor as respects capital, carries any right to participate beyond a specified amount in a distribution. |
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8 | ||||
(1) |
Format of the base prospectus and consistent application of article 26(4) of the Prospectus Regulation (ESMA/2013/1944);10 |
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(2) |
Framework for the assessment of third country prospectuses under article 20 of the Prospectus Directive (ESMA/2013/317);10 |
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(3) |
Assessment of Israeli laws and regulations on prospectuses (ESMA/2015/1015); and10 |
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(4) |
Assessment of Turkish laws and regulations on prospectuses (ESMA/2016/268). 10 |
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8ESMA Prospectus Questions and Answers |
the Questions and Answers for prospectuses published by ESMA (ESMA/2016/1674)13. 10 |
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ESMA Prospectus Recommendations8 8 |
the ESMA update of the CESR8recommendations: The consistent implementation of Commission Regulation (EC) No 809/2004 implementing the Prospectus Directive (ESMA/2013/319).8 8 |
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executive procedures |
the procedures relating to the giving of warning notices, decision notices and supervisory notices that are described in DEPP 4 (Decision by FCA staff under executive procedures)2. 22 |
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FCA |
the Financial Conduct Authority. |
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guarantee |
(as defined in the PD Regulation) any arrangement intended to ensure that any obligation material to the issue will be duly serviced, whether in the form of guarantee, surety, keep well agreement, mono-line insurance policy or other equivalent commitment. |
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guarantor |
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Home State or Home Member State |
(as defined in section 102C of the Act) in relation to an issuer of transferable securities, the EEA State which is the "home Member State" for the purposes of the prospectus directive (which is to be determined in accordance with Article 2.1(m) of that directive). |
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Host State or Host Member State |
(as defined in Article 2.1(n) of the prospectus directive) the EEA State where an offer to the public is made or admission to trading is sought, when different from the home State. |
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issuer |
(as defined in section 102A of the Act) a legal person who issues or proposes to issue the transferable securities in question.4 |
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(in PR) (as defined in section 87A(9) and (10) of the Act) the information which is essential to enable investors to understand the transferable securities to which the prospectus relates and decide whether to consider the offer further. The key information must include: |
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(a) |
the essential characteristics of, and risks associated with, the issuer and any guarantor, including their assets, liabilities and financial positions; |
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(b) |
the essential characteristics of, and risks associated with, investment in the transferable securities, including any rights attaching to the securities; |
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(c) |
the general terms of the offer, including an estimate of the expenses charged to an investor by the issuer and the offeror, if not the issuer; |
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(d) |
details of the admission to trading; and |
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(e) |
the reasons for the offer and proposed use of the proceeds. |
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(a) |
a body corporate incorporated under the Limited Liability Partnerships Act 2000; |
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(b) |
a body corporate incorporated under legislation having the equivalent effect to the Limited Liability Partnerships Act 2000. |
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Directive 2014/65/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 May 2014 on markets in financial instruments and amending the insurance mediation directive and AIFMD.12 3 |
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non-equity transferable securities |
(as defined in section 102A of the Act) all transferable securities that are not equity securities. |
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Note: In the prospectus directive and the PD Regulation, the Commission uses the term "non-equity securities" rather than "non-equity transferable securities". |
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offer |
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offer of transferable securities to the public |
(as defined in section 102B of the Act), in summary: |
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(a) |
a communication to any person which presents sufficient information on:
to enable an investor to decide to buy or subscribe for the securities in question; |
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(b) |
which is made in any form or by any means; |
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(c) |
including the placing of securities through a financial intermediary; |
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(d) |
but not including a communication in connection with trading on:
|
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Note: This is only a summary, to see the full text of the definition, readers should consult section 102B of the Act. |
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offering programme |
(as defined in Article 2.1(k) of the prospectus directive) a plan which would permit the issuance of non-equity securities, including warrants in any form, having a similar type and/or class, in a continuous or repeated manner during a specified issuing period. |
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offeror |
a person who makes an offer of transferable securities to the public. |
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(in relation to a body corporate) (as defined in section 400(5) of the Act (Offences by bodies corporate etc)) a director, member of the committee of management, chief executive, manager, secretary, or other similar officer of the body, or a person purporting to act in that capacity or a controller of the body. |
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overseas company |
a company incorporated outside the United Kingdom. |
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Part 6 rules |
(in accordance with section 73A(1) of the Act), rules made for the purposes of Part 6 of the Act. |
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5partnership |
(in accordance with section 417(1) of the Act (Definitions)) any partnership, including a partnership constituted under the law of a country or territory outside the United Kingdom, but not including a limited liability partnership. |
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PD |
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PD Regulation |
Regulation number 809/2004 of the European Commission. |
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person |
(in accordance with the Interpretation Act 1978) any person, including a body of persons corporate or unincorporated that is, a natural person, a legal person and, for example, a partnership). |
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PR |
the Prospectus Rules sourcebook. |
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Regulation (EU) No 1286/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 November 2014 on key information documents for packaged retail and insurance-based investment products (PRIIPs). |
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profit estimate |
(as defined in the PD Regulation) a profit forecast for a financial period which has expired and for which results have not yet been published. |
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profit forecast |
(as defined in the PD Regulation) a form of words which expressly states or by implication indicates a figure or a minimum or maximum figure for the likely level of profits or losses for the current financial period and/or financial periods subsequent to that period, or contains data from which a calculation of such a figure for future profits or losses may be made, even if no particular figure is mentioned and the word "profit" is not used. |
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property collective investment undertaking |
(as defined in the PD Regulation) a collective investment undertaking whose investment objective is the participation in the holding of property in the long term. |
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prospectus |
a prospectus required under the prospectus directive. |
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prospectus directive |
the Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council of 4 November 2003 on the prospectus to be published when securities are offered to the public or admitted to trading (No 2003/71/EC). |
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Regulation (EU) No 2017/1129 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 June 2017 on the prospectus to be published when securities are offered to the public or admitted to trading on a regulated market, and repealing Directive 2003/71/EC. |
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8 | 9(1) |
9Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) No 382/2014 supplementing Directive 2003/71/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council with regard to regulatory technical standards for publication of supplements to the prospectus9; and |
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9(2) |
9Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2016/301 supplementing Directive 2003/71/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council with regard to regulatory technical standards for approval and publication of the prospectus and dissemination of advertisements and amending Commission Regulation (EC) No 809/2004. |
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Prospectus Rules |
(as defined in section 73A(4) of the Act) rules expressed to relate to transferable securities. |
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Public international body |
(as defined in the PD Regulation) a legal entity of public nature established by an international treaty between sovereign States and of which one or more Member States are members. |
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qualified investor |
(as defined in section 86(7) of the Act) in relation to an offer of transferable securities:4 |
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(a) |
a person or entity described in points (1) to (4) of Section I of Annex II to MiFID, other than a person who, before the making of the offer, has agreed in writing with the relevant firm (or each of the relevant firms) to be treated as a non-professional client in accordance with MiFID; or4 4 |
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(b) |
a person who has made a request to one or more relevant firms to be treated as a professional client in accordance with Section II of Annex II to MiFID and has not subsequently, but before the making of the offer, agreed in writing with the relevant firm (or each of the relevant firms) to be treated as a non-professional client in accordance with the final paragraph of Section I of Annex II of MiFID; or4 4 |
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(c) |
a person who is14 an eligible counterparty in accordance with article 3014 of MiFID and has not, before the making of the offer, agreed in writing with the relevant firm (or each of the relevant firms) to be treated as a non-professional client in accordance with the final paragraph of Section I of Annex II of MiFID; or4 4 |
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(d) |
a person whom:14 4 |
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14(i) |
any relevant firm was14 authorised to continue to treat as a professional client immediately before 3 January 2018 by virtue of article 71.6 of Directive 2004/39/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 21 April 2004 on markets in financial instruments; and14 |
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14(ii) |
the firm may continue to treat as a professional client from 3 January 2018 by virtue of Section II.2 of Annex II to MiFID. |
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registration document |
a registration document referred to in PR 2.2.2 R. |
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regulated information |
(as defined in the PD Regulation) all information which the issuer, or any person who has applied for the admission of securities to trading on a regulated market without the issuer’s consent, is required to disclose under Directive 2001/34/EC or under Article 6 of Directive 2003/6/EC.3 |
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regulated market |
a multilateral system operated and/or managed by a market operator, which brings together or facilitates the bringing together of multiple third-party buying and selling interests in financial instruments in the system and in accordance with its non-discretionary rules in a way that results in a contract, in respect of the financial instruments admitted to trading under its rules and/or systems, and which is authorised and functions regularly and in accordance with12 Title III of MiFID.3 |
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RIS |
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risk factors |
(as defined in the PD Regulation) a list of risks which are specific to the situation of the issuer and/or the securities and which are material for taking investment decisions. |
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rule |
(in accordance with section 417(1) of the Act (Definitions)) a rule made by the FCA under the Act. |
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schedule |
(as defined in the PD Regulation) a list of minimum information requirements adapted to the particular nature of the different types of issuers and/or the different securities involved. |
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securities issued in a continuous and repeated manner |
(as defined in Article 2.1(l) of the prospectus directive) issues on tap or at least two separate issues of securities of a similar type and/or class over a period of 12 months. |
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securities note |
a securities note referred to in PR 2.2.2 R. |
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small and medium-sized enterprise |
(as defined in Article 2.1(f) of the prospectus directive) companies, which, according to their last annual or consolidated accounts, meet at least two of the following three criteria: an average number of employees during the financial year of less than 250, a total balance sheet not exceeding €43,000,000 and an annual net turnover not exceeding €50,000,000. |
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special purpose vehicle |
(as defined in the PD Regulation) an issuer whose objects and purposes are primarily the issue of securities. |
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statutory notice associated decision |
a decision which is made by the FCA and which is associated with a decision to give a statutory notice, including a decision: |
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statutory notice decision |
a decision by the FCA on whether or not to give a statutory notice. |
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(a) |
to determine or extend the period for making representations; |
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(b) |
to determine whether a copy of the statutory notice needs to be given to any third party and the period for him to make representations; |
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(c) |
to refuse access to FCA material; |
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(d) |
as to the information which it is appropriate to publish about the matter to which a final notice or an effective supervisory notice relates. |
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summary |
(in relation to a prospectus) the summary included in the prospectus. |
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supplementary prospectus |
a supplementary prospectus containing details of a new factor, mistake or inaccuracy. |
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transferable security |
(as defined in section 102A of the Act) anything which is a transferable security for the purposes of MiFID3, other than money-market instruments for the purposes of that directive which have a maturity of less than 12 months. 3 |
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Note: In the prospectus directive and PD regulation, the Commission uses the term "security" rather than "transferable security". |
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umbrella collective investment scheme |
(as defined in the PD Regulation) a collective investment undertaking invested in one or more collective investment undertakings, the asset of which is composed of separate class(es) or designation(s) of securities. |
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United Kingdom |
England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland (but not the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man). |
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units of a collective investment scheme |
(as defined in Article 2.1(p) of the prospectus directive) securities issued by a collective investment undertaking as representing the rights of the participants in such an undertaking over its assets. |
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working day |
(as defined in section 103 of the Act) any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday, Christmas Day, Good Friday or a day which is a bank holiday under the Banking and Financial Dealings Act 1971 in any part of the United Kingdom. |