Related provisions for CONC 15.1.6
41 - 60 of 385 items.
The appropriate regulator may ask the auditor to attend meetings and to supply it with information about the firm. In complying with SUP 3.8.2 R, the auditor should attend such meetings as the appropriate regulator requests and supply it with any information the appropriate regulator may reasonably request about the firm to enable the appropriate regulator to discharge its functions under the Act.
Within the legal constraints that apply, the appropriate regulator may pass on to an auditor any information which it considers relevant to his function. An auditor is bound by the confidentiality provisions set out in Part XXIII of the Act (Public record, disclosure of information and cooperation) in respect of confidential information he receives from the appropriate regulator. An auditor may not pass on such confidential information without lawful authority, for example if
(1) Auditors are subject to regulations made by the Treasury under sections 342(5) and 343(5) of the Act (Information given by auditor or actuary to a regulator). Section 343 and the regulations also apply to an auditor of an authorised person in his capacity as an auditor of a person who has close links with the authorised person.3(2) These regulations oblige auditors to report certain matters to the appropriate regulator. Sections 342(3) and 343(3) of the Act provide that an
(1) A firm must provide appropriate information in a comprehensible form to a client about:(a) the firm and its services;(b) designated investments and proposed investment strategies; including appropriate guidance on and warnings of the risks associated with investments in those designated investments or in respect of particular investment strategies;(c) execution venues; and(d) costs and associated charges;so that the client is reasonably able to understand the nature and risks
3A firm, other than a venture capital firm, which is managing investments for a professional client that is not a natural person must disclose clearly on its website, or if it does not have a website in another accessible form:(1) the nature of its commitment to the Financial Reporting Council’s Stewardship Code; or(2) where it does not commit to the Code, its alternative investment strategy.
(1) 1A full scope regulatory reference firm must arrange for orderly records to be created and kept that are sufficient to enable it to comply with the requirements of this chapter.(2) This rule only applies to records in relation to the following questions in Part One of SYSC 22 Annex 1R (Template for regulatory references given by relevant authorised persons and disclosure requirements): (a) question (E) (fit and proper); and (b) question (F) (disciplinary action).
(1) SYSC 22.9.1R applies to keeping records created before the date this chapter came into force as well as ones created afterwards.(2) A full scope regulatory reference firm does not breach the requirements of this chapter by failing to include something in a reference because it destroyed the relevant records before the date this chapter came into force in accordance with the record keeping requirements applicable to it at the time of destruction.
Where article 20(3) of the Market Abuse Regulation requires a disclosure of the proportions of all investment recommendations published that are “buy”, “hold”, “sell” or equivalent terms, the FCA considers it important for these equivalent terms to be consistent and meaningful to the recipients in terms of the course of actions being recommended, particularly for non-equity material.22
(1) A firm (B) must provide a reference to another firm (A) as soon as reasonably practicable if:(a) A is considering:(i) permitting or appointing someone (P) to perform a controlled function; or(ii) issuing a certificate under the certification regime for P; or(iii) appointing P to another position in the table in SYSC 22.2.3R; (as explained in more detail in the table in SYSC 22.2.3R);(b) A makes a request, for a reference or other information in respect of P from B, in B’s
Table: What positions need a reference
Position |
When to obtain reference |
Comments |
(A) Permitting or appointing someone to perform an FCA controlled function or a PRA controlled function. |
One month before the end of the application period Where a request for a reference would require: (a) the firm requesting the reference; (b) the employer giving the reference; or (c) any other person; to make a mandatory disclosure prior to P disclosing to its current employer that such application has been made, the date is the end of the application period. |
|
(B) Issuing a certificate under section 63F of the Act (Certification of employees by relevant authorised persons). |
Before the certificate is issued |
This includes renewing an existing certificate. |
(C) Appointing someone to any of the following positions (as defined in the PRA Rulebook): (a) a notified non-executive director; (b) a credit union non-executive director; or (c) a key function holder. |
Not applicable |
SYSC 22.2.1R (obligation to obtain a reference) does not apply to a firm appointing someone to the position in column (1). However SYSC 22.2.2R does apply to a firm asked to give a reference to a firm appointing someone to the position in column (1). |
Note 1: Mandatory disclosure means an obligation in any applicable laws, regulations or rules to declare or disclose information to the public. |
||
Note 2: P refers to the employee or ex-employee about whom the reference is given as defined in more detail in SYSC 22.2.1R and SYSC 22.2.2R. |
||
Note 3: The application period means the period for consideration referred to in section 61 of the Act (Determination of application). |
||
This rule sets out time limits about the obligation to update a reference in SYSC 22.2.4R. (1) If B still employs P, SYSC 22.2.4R applies throughout the period B remains employed.(2) If B no longer employs P, the obligation to update ends six years after P ceased to be employed by B.(3) If B no longer employs P and the matters or circumstances are not serious misconduct by P, B does not have to disclose something if it did not occur or exist in the six year period ending on the
The declaration for the purposes of articles 60H(1)(c) and 60Q(b) of the Regulated Activities Order must have the following form and content- 2“Declaration by high net worth borrower or hirer(articles 60H(1) and 60Q of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Regulated Activities) Order 2001)2I confirm that I have received a copy of the statement of high net worth made in relation to me for the purposes of article 60H(1)(d) 2or article 60Q(c) of the Financial Services and
2Declaration by high net worth borrower under an MCD article 3(1)(b) credit agreementThe declaration for the purposes of article 60H(1)(c) of the Regulated Activities Order and of CONC 1.2.10R(2) must have the following form and content-
“Declaration by high net worth borrower under an MCD article 3(1)(b) credit agreement
(article 60H(1)(c) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Regulated Activities) Order 2001)I confirm that I have received a copy of the statement of
A statement of high net worth for the purposes of articles 60H(1)(d) and 60Q(c) of the Regulated Activities Order must have the following form and content: 2“Statement of High Net Worth(articles 60H(1) and 60Q of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Regulated Activities) Order 2001)2I/We* (insert full name) .............................................................. of (insert address and postcode).............................................................. confirm
A declaration for the purposes of articles 60C or 60O of the Regulated Activities Order must have the following form and content“Declaration for exemption relating to businesses(articles 60C and 60O of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Regulated Activities) Order 2001)I am/We are* entering this agreement wholly or predominantly for the purposes of a business carried on by me/us or intended to be carried on by me/us.I/We* understand that I/We* will not have the benefit
(1) This rule applies if a firm (F1), in the course of performing MiFID or equivalent third country business, receives an instruction to provide3 an investment or ancillary service on behalf of a client (C) through another firm (F2), if F2 is:(a) a MiFID investment firm or a third country investment firm; or(b) an investment firm that is:(i) a firm or authorised in another EEA State; and(ii) subject to equivalent relevant requirements.(2) F1 may rely upon:(a) any information about
(1) This rule applies if the rule on reliance on other investment firms (COBS 2.4.4 R) does not apply.(2) A firm will be taken to be in compliance with any rule in this sourcebook that requires it to obtain information to the extent it can show it was reasonable for it to rely on information provided to it in writing by another person.
(1) In relying on COBS 2.4.6 R, a firm should take reasonable steps to establish that the other person providing written information is not connected with the firm and is competent to provide the information.(2) Compliance with (1) may be relied upon as tending to establish compliance with COBS 2.4.6 R.(3) Contravention of (1) may be relied upon as tending to establish contravention of COBS 2.4.6 R.
In good time before a credit agreement is made and, where section 58 applies, before an unexecuted agreement is sent to the customer for signature a firm must:(1) disclose key contract terms and conditions of the prospective credit agreement;(2) disclose any features of the prospective credit agreement which carry a particular risk to the customer;(3) inform the customer of the consequences of missing payments or of making underpayments, including the imposition of default charges,
Where a firm has reasonable grounds to suspect that the customer does not understand material aspects of the obligations they will take on and the resulting risks, under a regulated credit agreement, the firm:(1) must not enter into a regulated credit agreement; and (2) must provide further explanation of any such obligations or risks.
The action referred to in CONC 6.7.2 R should generally include:(1) notifying the customer of the risk of escalating debt, additional interest or charges and of potential financial difficulties; and [Note: paragraph 6.16 of ILG](2) providing contact details for not-for-profit debt advice bodies.[Note: paragraph 6.2 (box) of ILG]
A firm under a regulated credit agreement for a credit card or store card must notify the customer of a proposed increase in the credit limit under the agreement at least 30 days before the increase comes into effect, except where: 1[Note: paragraph 6.17 of ILG](1) the increase is at the express request of the customer: or11(2) the increase is proposed by the firm, but the customer agrees to it at that time and wishes it to come into effect in less than 30 days.11
For the purposes of CONC 6.7.7 R and CONC 6.7.10 R a customer is at risk of financial difficulties if the customer:(1) is two or more payments in arrears; or(2) has agreed a repayment plan with the firm in question; or(3) is in serious discussion with a firm which carries on debt counselling with a view to entering into a debt management plan and the firm has been notified of this fact.[Note: paragraph 6.10 (box) of ILG]
Where a firm increases a rate of interest based on a change in the risk presented by the customer, the firm must: (1) notify the customer that the rate of interest has been increased based on a change in risk presented by the customer; and (2) if requested by the customer provide a suitable explanation which may be a generic explanation for such increases.[Note: paragraph 6.20 (box) of ILG]
Before a firm agrees to refinance high-cost short-term credit, it must: (1) give or send an information sheet to the customer; and(2) where reasonably practicable to do so, bring the sheet to the attention of the customer before the refinance;in the form of the arrears information sheet issued by the FCA referred to in section 86A of the CCA with the following modifications:(3) for the title and first sentence of the information sheet substitute:“High-cost short-term loansFailing
A listed company that is not already required to comply with the obligations referred to under article 17 of the Market Abuse Regulation12 must comply with those obligations12 as if it were an issuer for the purposes of the disclosure requirements12 and transparency rules subject to article 22 of the Market Abuse Regulation12.1
A listed company must ensure that the FCA is provided with up to date contact details of at least one appropriate person nominated by it to act as the first point of contact with the FCA in relation to the company's compliance with the listing rules and the disclosure requirements12 and transparency rules.
(1) This rule applies to a listed company that has published:(a) any unaudited financial information in a class 1 circular or a prospectus; or(b) any profit forecast or profit estimate.(2) The first time a listed company publishes financial information as required by DTR 4.17 after the publication of the unaudited financial information, profit forecast or profit estimate, it must:7(a) reproduce that financial information, profit forecast or profit estimate in its next annual report
A firm must ensure that a financial statement sent to a lender on behalf of a customer: (1) is accurate and realistic and must present a sufficiently clear and complete account of the customer's income and expenditure, debts and the availability of surplus income; [Note: paragraph 3.24 of DMG](2) state any fees or charges being made by the firm; (3) is sent only after having obtained the customer's consent to send the statement and the customer's confirmation as to the accuracy
The format of the financial statement sent to lenders on behalf of the customer should be uniform and logically structured in a way that encourages consistent responses from lenders and reduces queries and delays. Firms may wish to use the Common Financial Statement facilitated by the Money Advice Trust or an equivalent or similar statement. [Note: paragraph 3.24 of DMG]
A firm must:(1) take reasonable steps to verify the customer's identity, income and outgoings; [Note: paragraph 3.26a of DMG](2) seek explanations if a customer indicates expenditure which is particularly high or low; and [Note: paragraph 3.26b of DMG](3) where applicable, notify a customer that a particular lender will not deal with the firm (for whatever reason), as soon as possible after the firm becomes aware that the customer owes a debt to that lender. [Note: paragraph 3.26l
A firm must:(1) where it has responsibility for doing so, explain the key features of a regulated credit agreement to enable the customer to make an informed choice as required by CONC 4.2.5 R;[Note: paragraphs 4.27 to 4.30 of CBG and 2.2 of ILG](2) take reasonable steps to satisfy itself that a product it wishes to recommend to a customer is not unsuitable for the customer's needs and circumstances;[Note: paragraph 4.22 of CBG](3) advise a customer to read, and allow the customer
Where a credit broker ("B") is a negotiator (within the meaning of section 56(1) of the CCA), B must, at the same time as B gives notice to a customer, under section 157(1) of the CCA (which relates to the duty to disclose on request the name and address of any credit reference agency consulted by B) also give the customer notice of the name and address of any credit reference agency of which B has been informed under CONC 2.4.2 R.[Note: regulation 3 of SI 1977/ 330]
Where a credit broker ("B") is not a negotiator (within the meaning of section 56(1) of the CCA), B must, within seven working days after receiving a request in writing for any such information, which is made by a customer within 28 days after the termination of any negotiations relating to a regulated credit agreement or a regulated consumer hire agreement whether on the making of the agreement or otherwise, give to the customer notice of: (1) the name and address of any credit
A firm must not:(1) make or cause to be made unsolicited calls to numbers entered on the register kept under regulation 25 or 26 of the Privacy and Electronic Communications (EC Directive) Regulations 2003 or to a customer who has notified the firm not to call the number being used to call; [Note: paragraph 3.9a of CBG](2) other than where:(a) [deleted]4(b) [deleted]4(c) [deleted]4(ca) (i) the firm has obtained the contact details of a customer (C) in the course of the sale or
(1) It is likely to be an inappropriate offer of an inducement or incentive to enter into an regulated credit agreement or a regulated consumer hire agreement to state that the offer in relation to the agreement will be withdrawn or the terms and conditions of the offer will worsen if the agreement is not signed immediately or within a stated period after the communication, unless the firm's offer on those terms and conditions will in fact be withdrawn or worsen in the period
Provided the conditions in PERG 8.12.25 G are met, the exemption in article 20 applies to any non-real time financial promotion. However, there is an additional condition where the subject matter of the financial promotion is shares or options, futures or contracts for differences relating to shares and the financial promotion identifies directly a person who issues or provides such an investment. In such cases, the exemption is subject to a disclosure requirement which is itself
The exceptions to the disclosure requirement are where the financial promotion is in either:(1) a publication, service or broadcast which has proper systems and procedures which prevent the publication of communications without disclosure of financial interests; or(2) a publication, service or broadcast which falls within the remit of:(a) the Code of Practice issued by the Press Complaints Commission; or(b) the OFCOM Broadcasting1 Code; or11(c) the Producers’ Guidelines issued
The effect of PERG 8.12.27G (2) is that financial promotions made by journalists in publications, services or broadcasts to which one of the codes or the guidelines apply are not subject to the disclosure requirement. This is so even if a financial promotion is made in breach of the codes or guidelines. Such financial promotions would remain to be dealt with by the body responsible for the code or guidelines and the publisher concerned. The code or guidelines may, of course, themselves
The effect of PERG 8.12.27G (1) is that a journalist will not breach section 21 by not disclosing a financial interest, providing that the publication, service or broadcast concerned operates proper systems and procedures. As with the exemption in article 12 of the Financial Promotion Order (see PERG 8.12.6 G), what proper systems and procedures are will be a matter ultimately for the courts to determine and may vary according to the medium used. It will depend upon all the circumstances
Persons such as experts or analysts may be approached to contribute at very short notice and may be overseas. In such cases, the systems and procedures referred to in PERG 8.12.29 G may not be practical. It is the FCA's opinion that, where occasional contributors are concerned, proper systems and procedures may include arrangements for ensuring that the need for disclosure (or the avoidance of financial interests) is drawn to the contributor’s attention before the communication
If an issuer is required to notify information to a RIS at a time when a RIS is not open for business, it must distribute the information as soon as possible to:(1) not less than two national newspapers in the United Kingdom;(2) two newswire services operating in the United Kingdom; and(3) a RIS for release as soon as it opens.
In assessing redress, the firm should consider whether there are any other further losses that flow from its breach or failing or from its failure to disclose commission (as applicable), 1 that were reasonably foreseeable as a consequence of the firm's breach or failing or of its failure to disclose commission,1 for example, where the payment protection contract's cost or rejected claims contributed to affordability issues for the associated loan or credit which led to arrears
(1) This chapter sets out minimum requirements for a reference. It does not prevent a firm from including more than is required by this chapter.(2) If a firm does disclose more than is required by this chapter the reference should still meet its duties under general law to its former employee and the recipient (see SYSC 22.5.3G to SYSC 22.5.5G).
An issuer, person discharging managerial responsibilities or connected person should consult with the FCA at the earliest possible stage if they:
- (1)
are in doubt about how the disclosure requirements2 apply in a particular situation.2
- (2)
[deleted]2
1Where a disclosure requirements and the disclosure guidance refers2 to consultation with the FCA, submissions should be made in writing other than in circumstances of exceptional urgency.
Address for correspondence
Note: The FCA's address for correspondence in relation to the disclosure requirements and the disclosure guidance2 is:
Primary Market Monitoring |
Enforcement and Markets Oversight Division2 |
The Financial Conduct Authority |
25 The North Colonnade |
Canary Wharf |
London E14 5HS |