Related provisions for COBS 2.3.-1B

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COBS 4.5.1RRP
(1) Subject to (2) and (3), this section applies to a firm in relation to:(a) the provision of information in relation to its designated investment business; and(b) the communication or approval of a financial promotion;where such information or financial promotion is addressed to, or disseminated in such a way that it is likely to be received by, a retail client.(2) This section does not apply to a firm communicating in relation to its MiFID, equivalent third country or optional
COBS 4.5.2RRP
A firm must ensure that information:(1) includes the name of the firm;(2) is accurate and always gives a fair and prominent indication of any relevant risks when referencing6 any potential benefits of relevant business or a relevant investment6; (3) is sufficient for, and presented in a way that is likely to be understood by, the average member of the group to whom it is directed, or by whom it is likely to be received;6(4) does not disguise, diminish or obscure important items,
COBS 4.5.3GRP
The name of the firm may be a trading name or shortened version of the legal name of the firm, provided the retail client can identify the firm communicating the information.
COBS 4.5.4GRP
In deciding whether, and how, to communicate information to a particular target audience, a firm should take into account the nature of the product or business, the risks involved, the client's commitment, the likely information needs of the average recipient, and the role of the information in the sales process.
COBS 4.5.5GRP
When communicating information, a firm should consider whether omission of any relevant fact will result in the6 information being insufficient, unclear, unfair or misleading. When considering whether a fact should be included in the communication or omitted from it, a firm should bear in the mind the guidance in COBS 4.2.2G to provide information which is appropriate and proportionate.7
COBS 4.5.6RRP
6If information compares relevant business, relevant investments, or persons who carry on relevant business, a firm must ensure that the comparison is meaningful and presented in a fair and balanced way
COBS 4.5.7RRP
(1) If any information refers to a particular tax treatment, a firm must ensure that it prominently states that the tax treatment depends on the individual circumstances of each client and may be subject to change in future.6(2) This rule applies in relation to a financial promotion except6 to the extent that it relates to66a pure protection contract that is a long-term care insurance contract6.
COBS 4.5.8RRP
(1) A firm must ensure that information contained in a financial promotion is consistent with any information the firm provides to a retail client in the course of carrying on designated investment business6.6(2) This rule does not apply to a financial promotion to the extent that it relates 6a pure protection contract that is a long-term care insurance contract.
COBS 4.5.9GRP
4Examples of information about relevant risks (COBS 4.5.2R) that a firm should give a retail client in relation to an innovative finance ISA include:(1) an explanation of the tax consequences if:(a) the innovative finance component is a P2P agreement that is not repaid; and (b) an operator of an electronic system in relation to lending which facilitates a P2P agreement fails;(2) the procedure for, timing and tax consequences of:(a) withdrawing a P2P agreement from the innovative
COBS 4.5.10GRP
4Operators of electronic systems in relation to lending and firms which advise on P2P agreements should also have regard to the guidance in COBS 14.3.7AG and COBS 14.3.7BG regarding the types of information they should provide to clients to explain the specific nature and risks of P2P agreements.
COBS 3.5.1RRP
A professional client is a client that is either a per se professional client or an elective professional client. [Note: article 4(1)(10)3 of MiFID]
COBS 3.5.2RRP
Each of the following is a per se professional client unless and to the extent it is an eligible counterparty or is given a different categorisation under this chapter:(1) an entity required to be authorised or regulated to operate in the financial markets. The following list includes all authorised entities carrying out the characteristic activities of the entities mentioned, whether authorised by an EEA State or a third country and whether or not authorised by reference to a
COBS 3.5.2ARRP
[deleted]312222
COBS 3.5.3RRP
A firm may treat a client other than a local public authority or municipality3 as an elective professional client if it complies with (1) and (3) and, where applicable, (2):(1) the firm undertakes an adequate assessment of the expertise, experience and knowledge of the client that gives reasonable assurance, in light of the nature of the transactions or services envisaged, that the client is capable of making his own investment decisions and understanding the risks involved (the
COBS 3.5.4RRP
If the client is an entity, the qualitative test should be performed in relation to the person authorised to carry out transactions on its behalf. [Note: fourth paragraph of section II.1 of annex II to MiFID]
COBS 3.5.5GRP
The fitness test applied to managers and directors of entities licensed under directives in the financial field is an example of the assessment of expertise and knowledge involved in the qualitative test. [Note: fourth paragraph of section II.1 of annex II to MiFID]
COBS 3.5.6RRP
Before deciding to accept a request for re-categorisation as an elective professional client a firm must take all reasonable steps to ensure that the client requesting to be treated as an elective professional client satisfies the qualitative test and, where applicable, the relevant3 quantitative test. [Note: second paragraph of section II.2 of annex II to MiFID]
COBS 3.5.7GRP
An elective professional client should not be presumed to possess market knowledge and experience comparable to a per se professional client [Note: second paragraph of section II.1 of annex II to MiFID]
COBS 3.5.8GRP
Professional clients3 are responsible for keeping the firm informed about any change that could affect their current categorisation. [Note: fourth paragraph of section II.2 of annex II to MiFID]
COBS 3.5.9RRP
(1) If a firm becomes aware that a client no longer fulfils the initial conditions that made it eligible for categorisation as an elective professional client , the firm must take the appropriate action.(2) Where the appropriate action involves re-categorising that client as a retail client, the firm must notify that client of its new categorisation. [Note: fourth paragraph of section II.2 of annex II to MiFID3]
COBS 21.2.1RRP
For the purposes of determining policyholder benefits, a1firm must ensure that the values of its permitted links are determined fairly and accurately.1
COBS 21.2.1ARRP
1An insurer must not contract to provide benefits under linked long-term contracts of insurance that are determined wholly or partly, directly or indirectly, by reference to fluctuations in any index or wholly or partly by reference to the value of, or the income from, or fluctuations in the value of, property other than in accordance with the rules in this section.
COBS 21.2.1BGRP
1Insurers other than EEAinsurers effecting linked long-term contracts of insurance are obliged to comply with the requirements on investments in the PRA Rulebook Solvency II Firms Investments.
COBS 21.2.4RRP
A firm must notify its linked policyholders of the risk profile and investment strategy for the linked fund:(1) at inception, and(2) before making any material changes.
COBS 21.2.4ARRP
1A firm that has entered into a reinsurance contract in respect of its linked long-term insurance business must nevertheless discharge its responsibilities under its linked long-term insurance contracts, as if no reinsurance contract had been effected.
COBS 21.2.4BGRP
To comply with the requirements of COBS 21.2.4A R, a firm should:(1) disclose to policyholders the implications of any credit-risk exposure they may face in relation to the solvency of the reinsurer; and(2) suitably monitor the way the reinsurer manages the business in order to discharge its continuing responsibilities to policyholders.
COBS 21.2.8RRP
A firm must notify the FCA1 in writing as soon as it becomes aware of any failure to meet the requirements of COBS 21, or of the PRA Rulebook Solvency II Firms Investments or the PRA Rulebook: Non-Solvency II firm sector2 to the extent applicable to linked long-term contracts of insurance.111
COBS 21.2.9GRP
In considering what action to take in response to written notification of a failure to meet the requirements of this section, the FCA2 will have regard to the extent to which the relevant circumstances are exceptional and temporary and to any other reasons for the failure.
COBS 20.4.1RRP
A firm must:(1) on request, provide its PPFM, or the PPFM applicable to specified with-profits funds:(a) free of charge to its with-profits policyholders; or(b) for a reasonable charge to any person who is not its with-profits policyholder; and(2) if the firm publishes its PPFM on its website, prominently signpost its location there.
COBS 20.4.2RRP
A firm must send its with-profits policyholders who are affected by any change in its PPFM, written notice, setting out any:(1) proposed changes to the with-profits principles, three months in advance of the effective date; and(2) changes to the with-profits practices, within a reasonable time.
COBS 20.4.3RRP
A firm need not give the notice required if the change to its PPFM:(1) is necessary to correct an error or omission; or(2) would improve clarity or presentation without materially affecting the PPFM's substance; or(3) is immaterial.
COBS 20.4.4RRP
In relation to any with-profits policyholder where the state of the commitment is2 the United Kingdom, an EEA insurer must:2(1) provide the information necessary to enable that policyholder properly to understand the insurer's commitment under the policy;2(2) ensure that the information provided is not narrower in scope or less detailed in content than the information required to be provided in the PPFM produced by a firm subject to COBS 20.3;2 and2(3) send the policyholder who
COBS 20.4.7RRP
A firm must produce an annual report to its with-profits policyholders, which must:(1) state whether, throughout the financial year to which the report relates, the firm believes it has complied with its obligations relating to its PPFM and setting out its reasons for that belief;(2) address all significant relevant issues, including the way in which the firm has:(a) exercised, or failed to exercise, any discretion that it has in the conduct of its with-profits business; and(b)
COBS 20.4.8GRP
The following documents should be annexed to the annual report in this section:(1) the report to with-profits policyholders made by a with-profits actuary in respect of each financial year (see SUP 4.3.16AR(4)); and(2) any statement or report provided by the person or committee who provides the independent judgement under the firm's governance arrangements for its with-profits business.
COBS 20.4.9GRP
In preparing the annual report to with-profits policyholders, a firm should take advice from a with-profits actuary.
COBS 20.4.10GRP
A firm should make the annual report available to with-profits policyholders within six months of the end of the financial year to which it relates. A firm should notify its with-profits policyholders in any annual statements how copies of the report can be obtained.
COBS 4.12.3RRP
(1) 3A firm must not communicate or approve an invitation or inducement to participate in, acquire, or underwrite a non-mainstream pooled investment where that invitation or inducement is addressed to or disseminated in such a way that it is likely to be received by a retail client. (2) The restriction in (1) is subject to COBS 4.12.4 R and does not apply to units in unregulated collective investment schemes, which are subject to a statutory restriction on promotion in section
COBS 4.12.4RRP
  1. (1)

    3The restriction in COBS 4.12.3 R does not apply if the promotion falls within an exemption in the table in (5) below.

  2. (2)

    A firm may communicate an invitation or inducement to participate in an unregulated collective investment scheme without breaching the restriction on promotion in section 238 of the Act if the promotion falls within an exemption in the table in (5) below.

  3. (3)

    Where the middle column in the table in (5) refers to promotion to a category of person, this means that the invitation or inducement:

    1. (a)

      is made only to recipients who the firm has taken reasonable steps to establish are persons in that category; or

    2. (b)

      is directed at recipients in a way that may reasonably be regarded as designed to reduce, so far as possible, the risk of participation in, acquisition or underwriting of the non-mainstream pooled investment by persons who are not in that category.

  4. (4)

    A firm may rely on more than one exemption in relation to the same invitation or inducement.

  5. (5)

    Title of Exemption

    Promotion to:

    Promotion of a non-mainstream pooled investment which is:

    1. Replacement products and rights issues

    A person who already participates in, owns, holds rights to or interests in, a non-mainstream pooled investment that is being liquidated or wound down or which is undergoing a rights issue. [See Note 1.]

    1. A non-mainstream pooled investment which is intended by the operator or manager to absorb or take over the assets of that non-mainstream pooled investment, or which is being offered by the operator or manager of that non-mainstream pooled investment as an alternative to cash on its liquidation;

    or

    2. Securities offered by the existing non-mainstream pooled investment as part of a rights issue.

    2. Certified high net worth investors

    An individual6 who meets the requirements set out in COBS 4.12.6 R, or a person (or persons) legally empowered to make investment decisions on behalf of such individual6.

    Any non-mainstream pooled investment the firm considers is likely to be suitable for that individual6, based on a preliminary assessment of the client's profile and objectives.

    [See COBS 4.12.5G (2).]

    3. Enterprise and charitable funds

    A person who is eligible to participate or invest in an arrangement constituted under:

    (1) the Church Funds Investment Measure 1958;

    (2) section 96 5or 100 of the Charities Act 2011;

    (3) section 25 of the Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 1964;

    (4) the Regulation on European Venture Capital Funds (‘EuVECAs’); or

    (5) the Regulation on European Social Entrepreneurship Funds (‘EuSEFs’).

    Any non-mainstream pooled investment which is such an arrangement.

    4. Eligible employees

    An eligible employee, that is, a person who is:

    (1) an officer;

    (2) an employee;

    (3) a former officer or employee; or

    (4) a member of the immediate family of any of (1) - (3), of an employer which is (or is in the same group as) the firm, or which has accepted responsibility for the activities of the firm in carrying out the designated investment business in question.

    1. A non-mainstream pooled investment, the instrument constituting which:

    A. restricts the property of the non-mainstream pooled investment, apart from cash and near cash, to:

    (1) (where the employer is a company) shares in and debentures of the company or any other connected company; [See Note 2.]

    (2) (in any case), any property, provided that the non-mainstream pooled investment takes the form of:

    (i) a limited partnership, under the terms of which the employer (or connected company) will be the unlimited partner and the eligible employees will be some or all of the limited partners; or

    (ii) a trust which the firm reasonably believes not to contain any risk that any eligible employee may be liable to make any further payments (other than charges) for investment transactions earlier entered into, which the eligible employee was not aware of at the time he entered into them; and

    B. (in a case falling within A(1) above) restricts participation in the non-mainstream pooled investment to eligible employees, the employer and any connected company.

    2. Any non-mainstream pooled investment, provided that the participation of eligible employees is to facilitate their co-investment:

    (i) with one or more companies in the same group as their employer (which may include the employer); or

    (ii) with one or more clients of such a company.

    5. Members of the Society of Lloyd’s

    A person admitted to membership of the Society of Lloyd's or any person by law entitled or bound to administer his affairs.

    A scheme in the form of a limited partnership which is established for the sole purpose of underwriting insurance business at Lloyd's.

    6. Exempt persons

    An exempt person (other than a person exempted only by section 39 of the Act (Exemption of appointed representatives)) if the financial promotion relates to a regulated activity in respect of which the person is exempt from the general prohibition.

    Any non-mainstream pooled investment.

    7. Non-retail clients

    An eligible counterparty or a professional client.

    Any non-mainstream pooled investment in relation to which the client is categorised as a professional client or eligible counterparty.

    [See Note 4.]

    8. Certified sophisticated investors

    An individual6 who meets the requirements set out in COBS 4.12.7 R, including an individual who is legally empowered (solely or jointly with others) to make investment decisions on behalf of another person who is the firm'sclient6.

    Any non-mainstream pooled investment.

    9. Self-certified sophisticated investors

    An individual6 who meets the requirements set out in COBS 4.12.8 R, including an individual who is legally empowered (solely or jointly with others) to make investment decisions on behalf of another person who is the firm'sclient6.

    Any non-mainstream pooled investment the firm considers is likely to be suitable for that client, based on a preliminary assessment of the client's profile and objectives.

    [See COBS 4.12.5G (2)]

    10. Solicited advice

    Any person.

    Any non-mainstream pooled investment, provided the communication meets all of the following requirements:

    (a) the communication only amounts to a financial promotion because it is a personal recommendation on a non-mainstream pooled investment;

    (b) the personal recommendation is made following a specific request by that client for advice on the merits of investing in the non-mainstream pooled investment; and

    (c) the client has not previously received a financial promotion or any other communication from the firm (or from a person connected to the firm) which is intended to influence the client in relation to that non-mainstream pooled investment. [See Note 3.]

    11. Excluded communications

    Any person.

    Any non-mainstream pooled investment, provided the financial promotion is an excluded communication.

    [See COBS 4.12.12 G and COBS 4.12.13 G.]

    12. Non-recognised UCITS

    Any person.

    Any EEA UCITS scheme which is not a recognised scheme, provided the following requirements are met:

    (1) the firm considers it is likely to be suitable for that client based on a preliminary assessment of the client's profile and objectives; and

    (2) the firm provides that client with the same product information as it would be required to provide by COBS 14.2 if the scheme was a recognised scheme.

    [See COBS 4.12.5G (2).]

    13. US persons

    A person who is classified as a United States person for tax purposes under United States legislation or who owns a US qualified retirement plan.

    Any investment company registered and operated in the United States under the Investment Company Act 1940.

    The following Notes explain certain words and phrases used in the table above.

    Note 1

    Promotion of non-mainstream pooled investments to a category of person includes any nominee company acting for such a person.

    Note 2

    A company is 'connected' with another company if:

    • they are both in the same group; or
    • one company is entitled, either alone or with another company in the same group, to exercise or control the exercise of a majority of the voting rights attributable to the share capital, which are exercisable in all circumstances at any general meeting of the other company or of its holding company.

    Note 3

    A person is connected with a firm if it acts as an introducer or appointed representative for that firm or if it is any other person, regardless of authorisation status, who has a relevant business relationship with the firm.

    Note 4

    In deciding whether a promotion is permitted under the rules of this section or under section 238 of the Act, firms may use the client categorisation regime that applies to business other than MiFID or equivalent third country business. (This is the case even if the firm will be carrying on a MiFID activity at the same time as or following the promotion.)
COBS 4.12.5GRP
(1) 3Where a firm communicates any promotion of a non-mainstream pooled investment in the context of advice, it should have regard to and comply with its obligations under COBS 9 or 9A (as applicable)10. Firms should also be mindful of the appropriateness requirements in COBS 10 and 10A10 which apply to a wide range of non-advised services.(2) (a) A firm which wishes to rely on exemptions 2 (certified high net worth investors), 9 (self-certified sophisticated investors) or 12
COBS 4.12.6RRP
3A certified high net worth investor is an individual who has signed, within the period of twelve months ending with the day on which the communication is made, a statement in the following terms:“HIGH NET WORTH INVESTOR STATEMENTI make this statement so that I can receive promotional communications which are exempt from the restriction on promotion of non-mainstream pooled investments. The exemption relates to certified high net worth investors and I declare that I qualify as
COBS 4.12.7RRP
A certified sophisticated investor is an individual:(1) who has a written certificate signed within the last 36 months by a firm confirming he has been assessed by that firm as sufficiently knowledgeable to understand the risks associated with engaging in investment activity in non-mainstream pooled investments; and(2) who has signed, within the period of twelve months ending with the day on which the communication is made, a statement in the following terms:“SOPHISTICATED INVESTOR
COBS 4.12.8RRP
3A self-certified sophisticated investor is an individual who has signed, within the period of twelve months ending with the day on which the communication is made, a statement in the following terms:“SELF-CERTIFIED SOPHISTICATED INVESTOR STATEMENTI declare that I am a self-certified sophisticated investor for the purposes of the restriction on promotion of non-mainstream pooled investments. I understand that this means:(i) I can receive promotional communications made by a person
COBS 4.12.9GRP
(1) 3A firm which wishes to rely on any of the certified high net worth investor exemptions (see Part I of the Schedule to the Promotion of Collective Investment Schemes Order, Part I of Schedule 5 to the Financial Promotions Order and COBS 4.12.6 R) should have regard to its duties under the Principles and the client's best interests rule. In particular, the firm should take reasonable steps to ascertain that the retail client does, in fact, meet the income and net assets criteria
COBS 4.12.10GRP
(1) 3A firm which is asked to or proposes to assess and certify a retail client as a certified sophisticated investor (see article 23 of the Promotion of Collective Investment Schemes Order, article 50 of the Financial Promotions Order and COBS 4.12.7 R) should have regard to its duties under the Principles and the client's best interests rule. In particular, the firm should carry out that assessment with due skill, care and diligence, having regard to the generally complex nature
COBS 4.12.11GRP
(1) 3A firm which wishes to rely on any of the self-certified sophisticated investor exemptions (see Part II of the Schedule to the Promotion of Collective Investment Schemes Order, Part II of Schedule 5 to the Financial Promotions Order and COBS 4.12.8 R) should have regard to its duties under the Principles and the client's best interests rule. In particular, the firm should consider whether the promotion of the non-mainstream pooled investment is in the interests of the client
COBS 4.12.12GRP
(1) 3A firm which wishes to rely on one of the one-off promotion exemptions provided by the Promotion of Collective Investment Schemes or the Financial Promotion Order to promote a non-mainstream pooled investment to a retail client should have regard to its duties under the Principles and the client's best interests rule. In particular, the firm should consider whether the promotion of the non-mainstream pooled investment is in the interests of the client and whether it is fair
COBS 4.12.13GRP
(1) 3A firm which wishes to rely on the excluded communications exemption in COBS 4.12.4R (5) to promote units in a qualified investor scheme to a retail client should have regard to its duties under the Principles and the client's best interests rule. (2) As explained in COLL 8.1, qualified investor schemes are intended only for professional clients and retail clients who are sophisticated investors. Firms should note that, in the FCA's view, promotion of units in a qualified
COBS 4.12.14GRP
7In this section: (1) any requirement that a document is signed may be satisfied by an electronic signature or electronic evidence of assent; and(2) any references to writing should be construed in accordance with GEN 2.2.14R and its related guidance provisions.
COBS 18.6.1RRP
1This section applies to a firm when it carries on Lloyd's market activities.
COBS 18.6.2RRP
Only COBS 3 (Client categorisation) and the financial promotion rules apply when a firm is carrying out Lloyd's market activities.
COBS 18.6.3GRP
Firms are reminded that syndicate business plans may be used in ways that bring them within the definition of a financial promotion.
COBS 18.6.4RRP
When a firm is carrying on Lloyd's market activities, any reference in COBS to the term:(1) designated investment is to be taken to include the following specified investments:(a) the underwriting capacity of a Lloyd's syndicate;(b) membership of a Lloyd's syndicate; and (c) rights to or interests in the specified investments in (a) or (b);(2) designated investment business is to be taken to include the following regulated activities:(a) advising on syndicate participation at
COBS 18.6.5GRP
Whilst COBS has limited application to Lloyd's market activities, firms conducting Lloyd's market activities are reminded that they are required to comply with the Principles.
COBS 13.6.1RRP
1A firm that agrees to facilitate3 the payment of an adviser charge or consultancy charge, or an increase in such a charge, from a new or3 in-force packaged product, must prepare sufficient information for the retail client to be able to understand the likely effect of that facilitation, in good time before it takes effect2.2
COBS 18.2.1RRP

The provisions of COBS in the table do not apply in relation to any energy market activity or oil market activity carried on by a firm which is MiFID or equivalent third country business:

COBS

Description

36.1A

Adviser charging and remuneration

36.1B

Retail investment product provider requirements relating to adviser charging and remuneration

COBS 6.2B5

3

Describing advice services

4

4

6.4

Disclosure of charges, remuneration and commission

9.4

Suitability reports

9.6

Special rules for providing basic advice on a stakeholder product

5

5

16.3.9

Guidance on contingent liability transaction

16.5

Quotations for surrender values

16.6

Life insurance contracts - communications to clients

16 Annex 1 R (1) 14

Information to be provided in accordance with COBS 16.2.1 R and 16.3
COBS 18.2.2GRP

The provisions of COBS in the table are unlikely to be relevant to any energy market activity or oil market activity carried on by a firm which is MiFID or equivalent third country business:

COBS

Description

5

Distance communications

7

Insurance distribution6

13

Preparing product information

14.2

Providing product information to clients

15

Cancellation

17

Claims handling for long-term care insurance

18.1

Trustee firms' regime

18.3

Corporate finance business

18.4

Stock lending activity

19

Pensions - supplementary provisions

20

With-profits
COBS 18.2.7RRP
1The duty to provide best execution does not apply where:(1) the firm has agreed with a professional client that it does not owe a duty of best execution to him; or(2) the firm relies on another person to whom it passes a customer order for execution to provide best execution, but only if it has taken reasonable care to ensure that he will do so.
COBS 18.2.8RRP
1To provide best execution, a firm must:(1) take reasonable care to ascertain the price which is the best available for the customer order in the relevant market at the time for transactions of the kind and size concerned; and (2) execute the customer order at a price which is no less advantageous to the customer, unless the firm has taken reasonable steps to ensure that it would be in the customer's best interests not to do so.
COBS 18.2.9ERP
(1) 1In order to take reasonable care to ascertain the price which is the best available, a firm:(a) should disregard any charges and commission made by it or its agents that are disclosed to the customer under COBS 6.1.9 R (Information about costs and associated charges);(b) need not have access to competing exchanges, or to all, or a minimum number of, available price sources; but if a firm can access prices displayed by different exchanges and trading platforms and make a direct
COBS 22.2.1RRP
(1) 1The requirements in this section apply to a firm when dealing in or arranging a deal in a mutual society share with or for a retail client in the EEA where the retail client is to enter into the deal as buyer.(2) The requirements in this section do not apply if:(a) the firm has taken reasonable steps to ensure that one (or more) of the exemptions in COBS 22.2.4R applies; or(b) the deal relates to the trading of a mutual society share in the secondary market.(3) In this section,
COBS 22.2.2RRP
1The firm must give the retail client the following risk warning on paper or another durable medium and obtain confirmation in writing from the retail client that he has read it, in good time before the retail client has committed to buy the mutual society share:“The investment to which this communication relates is a share. Direct investment in shares can be high risk and is very different to investment in deposit accounts or other savings products. In particular, you should
COBS 22.2.3RRP
(1) 1The requirements in (2) and (3) must be met if:(a) the firm is not providing an investment service in the course of MiFID or equivalent third country business; and(b) the retail client is not otherwise receiving a personal recommendation4 on the mutual society share from the firm or another person.(2) The firm must give the retail client the following statement on paper or another durable medium and obtain confirmation in writing from the retail client that he or she2 has
COBS 22.2.4RRP

  1. 1Each of the exemptions listed below applies only if the retail client is of the type described for the exemption and provided any additional conditions for the exemption are met.

    2. Title

    Type of retail client

    Additional conditions

    Certified high net worth investor

    (a) An individual who meets the requirements set out in

    COBS 4.12.6R; or

    (b) an individual in an EEA State other than the UK who meets requirements which are broadly equivalent to those set out in COBS 4.12.6R; or

    (c) a person (or persons) legally empowered to make investment decisions on behalf of an individual who meets the earnings or net asset requirements in (a) or (b) above.

    The firm must consider that the mutual society share is likely to be suitable for that individual, based on a preliminary assessment of that individual’s profile and objectives (see COBS 4.12.5G(2)).

    Certified sophisticated investor

    (a) An individual who meets the requirements set out in

    COBS 4.12.7R; or

    (b) an individual in an EEA State other than the UK who meets requirements which are broadly equivalent to those set out in COBS 4.12.7R; or

    (c) an individual who meets the requirements for either (a) or (b) above and who is legally empowered (solely or jointly with others) to make investment decisions on behalf of another person who is the firm's client.

    Not applicable.

    Self-certified sophisticated investor

    (a) An individual who meets the requirements set out in

    COBS 4.12.8R; or

    (b) an individual in an EEA State other than the UK who meets requirements which are broadly equivalent to those set out in COBS 4.12.8R; or

    (c) an individual who meets the requirements for either (a) or (b) above and who is legally empowered (solely or jointly with others) to make investment decisions on behalf of another person who is the firm's client.

    Not applicable.
COBS 22.2.5RRP
(1) 1For the purposes of any assessments or certifications required by the exemptions in COBS 22.2.4R, any references in COBS 4.12 provisions to non-mainstream pooled investments must be read as though they are references to mutual society shares.(2) If the firm is relying on the exemptions for certified high net worth investors, certified sophisticated investors or self-certified sophisticated investors to comply with this section, the statement the investor must sign should
COBS 22.2.6RRP
1A firm which carries on an activity which is subject to this section must comply with the following record-keeping requirements:(1) the person allocated the compliance oversight function in the firm must make a record at or near the time of the activity certifying it complies with the requirements set out in this section;(2) the making of the record required in (1) may be delegated to one or more employees of the firm who report to and are supervised by the person allocated the
COBS 22.2.7GRP
1In this section:(1) any requirement that a document is signed may be satisfied by an electronic signature or electronic evidence of assent; and(2) any references to writing should be construed in accordance with GEN 2.2.14R and its related guidance provisions.
COBS 16.2.1RRP
(1) If a firm has carried out an order in the course of its designated investment business on behalf of a client, it must:(a) promptly provide the client, in a durable medium, with the essential information concerning the execution of the order;(b) in the case of a retail client, send the client a notice in a durable medium confirming the execution of the order and such of the trade confirmation information (COBS 16 Annex 1R) 2as is applicable: (i) as soon as possible and no later
COBS 16.2.2GRP
The requirement concerning orders relating to bonds funding a mortgage loan agreement is unlikely to be relevant to products in the United Kingdom market.
COBS 16.2.3RRP
For the purposes of calculating the unit price in the trade confirmation information, where the order is executed in tranches, the firm may supply the client with information about the price of each tranche or the average price. If the average price is provided, the firm must supply the retail client with information about the price of each tranche upon request.6
COBS 16.2.3AGRP
1In determining what is essential information, a firm should consider including:(1) for transactions in a derivative:(a) the maturity, delivery or expiry date of the derivative;(b) in the case of an option, a reference to the last exercise date, whether it can be exercised before maturity and the strike price;(c) if the transaction closes out an open futures position, all essential details required in respect of each contract comprised in the open position and each contract by
COBS 16.2.4GRP
Where a firm executes an order in tranches, the firm may, where appropriate, indicate the trading time and the execution venue in a way that is consistent with this, such as, "multiple". In accordance with the client's best interests rule, a firm should provide additional information at the client's request.
COBS 16.2.5GRP
In accordance with COBS 2.4.9 R, a firm may dispatch a confirmation to an agent, other than the firm or an associate of the firm, nominated by the client in writing.
COBS 16.2.7RRP
A firm must retain a copy of any confirmation despatched to a client under this section for a period of at least three years6 from the date of despatch.6
COBS 3.6.1RRP
(1) An eligible counterparty is a client that is either a per se eligible counterparty or an elective eligible counterparty.(2) A1client can only be an eligible counterparty in relation to eligible counterparty business (PRIN 1 Annex 1 R is an exception to this).1 [Note: article 30(1)5 of MiFID]
COBS 3.6.2RRP
Each of the following is a per se eligible counterparty (including an entity that is not from an EEA State3 that is equivalent to any of the following) unless and to the extent it is given a different categorisation under this chapter:(1) an investment firm;(2) a credit institution;(3) an insurance company;(4) a collective investment scheme authorised under the UCITS Directive or its management company;(5) a pension fund or its management company;(6) another financial institution
COBS 3.6.3GRP
For the purpose of COBS 3.6.2 R (6), a financial institution includes regulated institutions in the securities, banking and insurance sectors.
COBS 3.6.4RRP
A firm may treat a client as an elective eligible counterparty in relation to business other than MiFID or equivalent third country business5 if:(1) the client is an undertaking and:(a) is a per se professional client (except for a client that is only a per se professional client because it is an institutional investor under COBS 3.5.2 R (5)) and5: 1(i) is a body corporate (including a limited liability partnership) which has (or any of whose holding companies or subsidiaries
COBS 3.6.5GRP
The categories of elective eligible counterparties include an equivalent undertaking that is not from an EEA State provided the above conditions and requirements are satisfied.
COBS 3.6.6RRP
A firm may obtain a prospective counterparty's confirmation that it agrees to be treated as an eligible counterparty either in the form of a general agreement or in respect of each individual transaction. [Note: second paragraph of article 30(3)5 of MiFID]
COBS 3.6.7RRP
In the case of MiFID or equivalent third country business, in the event of a transaction where the prospective counterparties are located in different EEA States, the firm shall defer to the status of the other undertaking as determined by the law or measures of the EEA State in which that undertaking is established. [Note: first paragraph of article 30(3)5 of MiFID]
COBS 16.4.1RRP
(1) A firm that holds clientdesignated investments or client money for a client must send that client at least once a year a statement in a durable medium of those designated investments or that client money unless:4(a) 4such a statement has been provided in a periodic statement; or(b) 4the firm: (i) 4provides the client with access to an online system, which qualifies as a durable medium, where up-to-date statements of a client’sdesignated investments or client money can be easily
COBS 16.4.2RRP
A firm must include the following information4 in a statement of client assets referred to under this section4: (1) details of all the designated investments or client money held by the firm for the client at the end of the period covered by the statement;(2) the extent to which any clientdesignated investments or client money have been the subject of securities financing transactions; and(3) the extent of any benefit that has accrued to the client by virtue of participation in
COBS 16.4.3RRP
In cases where the portfolio of a client includes the proceeds of one or more unsettled transactions, the information in a statement provided under this section may be based either on the trade date or the settlement date, provided that the same basis is applied consistently to all such information in the statement.4
COBS 16.4.4RRP
A firm which holds designated investments or client money and is managing investments for a client may include the statement under this section in the periodic statement it provides to that client.4
COBS 16.4.5GRP
1In reporting to a client in accordance with this section, a firm should consider whether to provide details of any assets loaned or charged including:(1) which investments (if any) were at the end of the relevant period loaned to any third party and which investments (if any) were at that date charged to secure borrowings made on behalf of the portfolio; and(2) the aggregate of any interest payments made and income received during the period in respect of loans or borrowings
COBS 16.4.6GRP
3Firms subject to either or both the custody chapter and the client money chapter are reminded of the reporting obligations to clients in CASS 9.2 (Prime broker’s daily report to clients) and CASS 9.5 (Reporting to clients on request).
COBS 18.1.1RRP
(1) 1This section applies to the MiFID, equivalent third country or optional exemption business4 carried on by a trustee firm.(2) It does not apply to a trustee firm when acting as:(a) a depositary; or(b)R the trustee of a personal pension scheme or stakeholder pension scheme.
COBS 18.1.2RRP

The provisions of COBS in the table do not apply to a trustee firm to which this section applies:

COBS

Description

26.1A

Adviser charging and remuneration

26.1B

Retail investment product provider requirements relating to adviser charging and remuneration

4

2

4

3

3

6.4

Disclosure of charges, remuneration and commission

4

4

9.6

Special rules for providing basic advice on a stakeholder product

16A.4.54

Guidance on contingent liability transactions

4

4

4

4

4

4
COBS 18.1.3GRP

The provisions of COBS in the table are unlikely to be relevant in relation to a trustee firm to which this section applies:

COBS

Description

5

Distance communications

13

Preparing product information

14.2

Providing product information

15

Cancellation

17

Claims handling for long-term care insurance

18.2

Energy market activity and oil market activity

18.3

Corporate finance business

18.4

Stock lending activity

19

Pensions - supplementary provisions

20

With-profits
COBS 18.1.4GRP
To the extent a rule in COBS applies to a trustee firm, that rule:(1) applies in addition to any duties or powers imposed or conferred upon a trustee by the general law; and(2) does not qualify or restrict the duties or powers that the general law imposes or confers upon a trustee; trustee firms will be under a duty to observe the provisions of their trust instrument; if its provisions conflict with any applicable rule, trustee firms will need to take advice in resolving the
COBS 18.1.5GRP
In considering and reaching decisions as to how applicable rules in COBS apply in the context of a particular trust arrangement, a trustee firm should consider the nature of that arrangement and the provisions of the relevant trust instrument.
COBS 18.1.6GRP
Where an applicable rule in COBS requires the doing of any thing in relation to a client, the trustee firm should consider who, in the context of that rule and having regard to the particular trust arrangement, is the most appropriate person to treat as its client. This might, for example, be the beneficiary, another trustee or the trust, depending on the particular circumstances.
COBS 15.4.1RRP
By exercising a right to cancel, the consumer withdraws from the contract and the contract is terminated.
COBS 15.4.2RRP
(1) This rule applies in relation to a distance contract that is not a life policy, personal pension scheme, cash deposit ISA, cash-only lifetime ISA3 or CTF.(2) When the consumer exercises their3 right to cancel they3 may be required to pay, without any undue delay, for the service actually provided by the firm in accordance with the contract. The performance of the contract may only begin after the consumer has given their3 approval. The amount payable must not:(a) exceed an
COBS 15.4.3RRP
(1) The firm may require the consumer to pay for any loss under a contract caused by market movements that the firm would reasonably incur in cancelling it. The period for calculating the loss shall end on the day on which the firm receives the notification of cancellation.(2) This rule:(a) does not apply for a distance contract or for a contract established on a regular or recurring premium or payment basis; and(b) only applies if the firm has complied with its obligations to
COBS 15.4.4RRP
The firm must, without any undue delay and no later than within 30 calendar days, return to the consumer any sums it has received from him in accordance with the contract2, except for any amount that the consumer may be required to pay under this section. This period shall begin from the day on which the firm receives the notification of cancellation.2 [Note: article 7(4) of the Distance Marketing Directive]
COBS 15.4.5RRP
The firm is entitled to receive from the consumer any sums and/or property he has received from the firm without any undue delay and no later than within 30 calendar days. This period shall begin from the day on which the consumer dispatches the notification of cancellation. [Note: article 7(5) of the Distance Marketing Directive]
COBS 15.4.6RRP
Any sums payable under this section on cancellation of a contract are owed as simple contract debts and may be set off against each other.
COBS 11.4.1RRP
Unless a client expressly instructs otherwise, a firm must, in the case of a clientlimit order in respect of shares admitted to trading on a regulated market or traded on a trading venue2 which is not immediately executed under prevailing market conditions, take measures to facilitate the earliest possible execution of that order by making public immediately that clientlimit order in a manner which is easily accessible to other market participants. [Note: article 28(2)2 of Mi
COBS 11.4.2GRP
In respect of transactions executed between eligible counterparties, the obligation to disclose clientlimit orders should only apply where the counterparty is explicitly sending a limit order to a firm for its execution. [Note: recital 1052 to MiFID]
COBS 11.4.3EURP
[deleted]2
COBS 11.4.4GRP
[deleted]21
COBS 11.4.5RRP
The obligation in COBS 11.4.1R2 to make public a limit order is disapplied in respect of transactions that are2 large in scale compared with normal market as determined under article 4 of MiFIR2. [Note: article 28(2)2 of MiFID]
COBS 11.4.6GRP
[deleted]2
COBS 4.7.1RRP
(1) Subject to (3) and (4), a firm must ensure that a direct offer financial promotion that is addressed to, or disseminated in such a way that it is likely to be received by, a retail client contains:(a) 11the information referred to in the rules on information disclosure (COBS 6.1.4 R, COBS 6.1.6 R, COBS 6.1.7 R, COBS 6.1.9 R, COBS 14.3.2 R, COBS 14.3.3 R, COBS 14.3.4 R and COBS 14.3.5 R) as is relevant to that offer or invitation; and11(b) 11additional appropriate information
COBS 4.7.4GRP
In order to enable a client to make an informed assessment of a relevant investment or relevant business, a firm may wish to include in a direct offer financial promotion:(1) a summary of the taxation of any investment to which it relates and the taxation consequences for the average member of the group to whom it is directed or by whom it is likely to be received;1(2) a statement that the recipient should seek a personal recommendation if he has any doubt about the suitability
COBS 4.7.5AGRP
4COBS 4.13.2 R (Marketing communications relating to UCITS schemes or EEA UCITS schemes) and COBS 4.13.3 R (Marketing communications relating to feeder UCITS) contain additional disclosure requirements for firms in relation to marketing communications (other than key investor information) that concern particular investment strategies of a UCITS scheme or EEA UCITS scheme.
COBS 4.7.6RRP
(1) 2A firm must not communicate or approve a direct offer financial promotion:(a) relating to a warrant or derivative;(b) to or for communication to a retail client; and(c) where the firm will not itself be required to comply with the rules on appropriateness (see COBS 10 and 10A11);unless the firm has adequate evidence that the condition in (2) is satisfied.(2) The condition is that the person who will arrange or deal in relation to the derivative or warrant will comply with
COBS 4.7.7RRP
(1) 5Unless permitted by COBS 4.7.8 R, a firm must not communicate or approve a direct-offer financial promotion relating to a non-readily realisable security to or for communication to a retail client without the conditions in (2) and (3) being satisfied.(2) The first condition is that the retail client recipient of the direct-offer financial promotion is one of the following:(a) certified as a ‘high net worth investor’ in accordance with COBS 4.7.9 R;(b) certified as a ‘sophisticated
COBS 4.7.8RRP
5A firm may communicate or approve a direct-offer financial promotion relating to a non-readily realisable security to or for communication to a retail client if:(1) the firm itself will comply with the suitability rules (COBS 9 and 9A11) in relation to the investment promoted; or(2) the retail client has confirmed before the promotion is made that they are a retail client of another firm that will comply with the suitability rules (COBS 9 and 9A11) in relation to the investment
COBS 4.7.9RRP
5A certified high net worth investor, a certified sophisticated investor or a self-certified sophisticated investor is an individual who has signed, within the period of twelve months ending with the day on which the communication is made, a statement in the terms set out in the applicable rule listed below, substituting “non-readily realisable securities” for “non-mainstream pooled investments”:(1) certified high net worth investor: COBS 4.12.6 R;(2) certified sophisticated investor:
COBS 4.7.10RRP

5A certified restricted investor is an individual who has signed, within the period of twelve months ending with the day on which the communication is made, a statement in the following terms:

“RESTRICTED INVESTOR STATEMENT

I make this statement so that I can receive promotional communications relating to non-readily realisable securities as a restricted investor. I declare that I qualify as a restricted investor because:

(a)

in the twelve months preceding the date below, I have not invested more than 10% of my net assets in non-readily realisable securities; and

(b)

I undertake that in the twelve months following the date below, I will not invest more than 10% of my net assets in non-readily realisable securities.

Net assets for these purposes do not include:

(a)

the property which is my primary residence or any money raised through a loan secured on that property;

(b)

any rights of mine under a qualifying contract of insurance; or

(c)

any benefits (in the form of pensions or otherwise) which are payable on the termination of my service or on my death or retirement and to which I am (or my dependants are), or may be entitled; or7

7 (d)

any withdrawals from my pension savings (except where the withdrawals are used directly for income in retirement).

I accept that the investments to which the promotions will relate may expose me to a significant risk of losing all of the money or other property invested. I am aware that it is open to me to seek advice from an authorised person who specialises in advising on non-readily realisable securities.

Signature:

Date:”
COBS 11.7.1RRP
A firm that conducts designated investment business must establish, implement and maintain adequate arrangements aimed at preventing the following activities in the case of any relevant person who is involved in activities that may give rise to a conflict of interest, or who has access to inside information as defined in the Market Abuse Regulation3 or to other confidential information relating to clients or transactions with or for clients by virtue of an activity carried out
COBS 11.7.2RRP
For the purposes of this section, the relevant provisions are:(1) the rules article 37(2)(a) and (b) of the MiFID Org Regulation4 on personal transactions undertaken by financial analysts copied out in COBS 12.2.21EU which apply as rules as a result of COBS 12.2.15R4; (2) article 67(3) of the MiFID Org Regulation4 on the misuse of information relating to pending client orders copied out in COBS 11.3.5AEU which applies as a rule as a result of COBS 11.3.1AR4.
COBS 11.7.2AGRP
1The requirements of this section are without prejudice to the prohibition under article 14(c)3 of the Market Abuse Regulation3.
COBS 11.7.3GRP
For the purposes of COBS 11.7.1R (1)(c), any other obligation of the firm under MiFID refers to a firm's obligations under the regulatory system that are not owed to a customer and any of the firm's obligations under another EEA States' implementation of MiFID where it operates a branch in the EEA.
COBS 11.7.4RRP
The arrangements required under this section must in particular be designed to ensure that:(1) each relevant person covered by this section is aware of the restrictions on personal transactions, and of the measures established by the firm in connection with personal transactions and disclosure, in accordance with this section;(2) the firm:(a) is informed promptly of any personal transaction entered into by a relevant person, either by notification of that transaction or by other
COBS 11.7.5RRP
This section does not apply to the following kinds of personal transaction:(1) personal transactions effected under a discretionary portfolio management service where there is no prior communication in connection with the transaction between the portfolio manager and the relevant person or other person for whose account the transaction is executed;(2) personal transactions in units or shares in collective undertakings that comply with the conditions necessary to enjoy the rights
COBS 11.7.6RRP
For the purposes of this section, a person who is not:(1) a director, partner or equivalent, manager or appointed representative (or, where applicable, a tied agent) of the firm; or(2) a director, partner or equivalent, or manager of any appointed representative (or where applicable, a tied agent) of the firm;will only be a relevant person to the extent that they are involved in the provision of designated investment business or collective portfolio management services.2
COBS 11.7.7RRP
Where successive personal transactions are carried out on behalf of a person in accordance with prior instructions given by that person, the obligations under this section do not apply:(1) separately to each successive transaction if those instructions remain in force and unchanged; or(2) to the termination or withdrawal of such instructions, provided that any financial instruments which had previously been acquired pursuant to the instructions are not disposed of at the same
COBS 13.4.1RRP
1 A key features illustration must include appropriate charges information, information about any interest that will be paid to clients on money held within a personal pension scheme bank account5 and, if it is a non-PRIIP packaged product8 which is not a financial instrument:(1) must include a standardised deterministic projection;(2) the projection and charges information must be consistent with each other so that:66(a) the same intermediate growth rate and assumptions about
COBS 13.4.2RRP
When the rules in this chapter require a key features illustration to be prepared, it must not take the form of a generic key features illustration:33(1) unless 3there are reasonable grounds for believing that it3 will be sufficient to enable a retail client to make an informed decision about whether to invest; or3(2) if it is part of a3direct offer financial promotion which contains a personal recommendation; or33(3) if a personal pension scheme or a stakeholder pension scheme
COBS 13.4.3GRP
A generic key features illustration3is unlikely to be sufficient to enable a retail client to make an informed decision about whether to invest if the premium or investment returns on the product will be materially affected by the personal characteristics of the investor. 3
COBS 13.4.4RRP
There is no requirement under COBS 13.4.1 R5 to include a projection in a key features illustration:(1) for a single premiumlife policy bought as a pure investment product, a product with benefits that do not depend on future investment returns or any other product if it is reasonable to believe that a retail client will not need one to be able to make an informed decision about whether to invest; or(2) if the product is a life policy that will be held in a CTF or sold with basic
COBS 13.4.5GRP
Although there may be no obligation to include a projection in a key features illustration, where a firm chooses to include one, the projection should:9(1) 9Comply with the requirements in this section unless the projection relates to an investment that is a financial instrument. (2) 9Where the projection relates to a financial instrument, the firm should comply with either: (a) 9the requirements in article 44(6) of the MiFID Org Regulation (see COBS 4.5A.14EU) where the firm