Related provisions for MCOB 4.1.3
Table: Items which are eligible to contribute to the capital resources of a firm
Item |
Additional explanation |
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1. |
Share capital |
This must be fully paid and may include: |
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(1) |
ordinary share capital; or |
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(2) |
preference share capital (excluding preference shares redeemable by shareholders within two years). |
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2. |
Capital other than share capital (for example, the capital of a sole trader, partnership or limited liability partnership) |
The capital of a sole trader is the net balance on the firm's capital account and current account. The capital of a partnership is the capital made up of the partners': |
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(1) |
capital account, that is the account: |
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(a) |
into which capital contributed by the partners is paid; and |
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(b) |
from which, under the terms of the partnership agreement, an amount representing capital may be withdrawn by a partner only if: |
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(i) he ceases to be a partner and an equal amount is transferred to another such account by his former partners or any person replacing him as their partner; or |
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(ii) the partnership is otherwise dissolved or wound up; and |
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(2) |
current accounts according to the most recent financial statement. |
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For the purpose of the calculation of capital resources, in respect of a defined benefit occupational pension scheme: |
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(1) |
a firm must derecognise any defined benefit asset; |
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(2) |
a firm may substitute for a defined benefit liability the firm'sdeficit reduction amount, provided that the election is applied consistently in respect of any one financial year. |
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3. |
Reserves (Note 1) |
These are, subject to Note 1, the audited accumulated profits retained by the firm (after deduction of tax, dividends and proprietors' or partners' drawings) and other reserves created by appropriations of share premiums and similar realised appropriations. Reserves also include gifts of capital, for example, from a parent undertaking. |
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For the purposes of calculating capital resources, a firm must make the following adjustments to its reserves, where appropriate: |
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(1) |
a firm must deduct any unrealised gains or, where applicable, add back in any unrealised losses on debt instruments held, or formerly held,3 in the available-for-sale financial assets category; |
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(2) |
a firm must deduct any unrealised gains or, where applicable, add back in any unrealised losses on cash flow hedges of financial instruments measured at cost or amortised cost; |
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(3) |
in respect of a defined benefit occupational pension scheme: |
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(a) |
a firm must derecognise any defined benefit asset; |
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(b) |
a firm may substitute for a defined benefit liability the firm'sdeficit reduction amount, provided that the election is applied consistently in respect of any one financial year. |
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4. |
Interim net profits (Note 1) |
If a firm seeks to include interim net profits in the calculation of its capital resources, the profits have, subject to Note 1, to be verified by the firm's external auditor, net of tax, anticipated dividends or proprietors' drawings and other appropriations. |
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5. |
Revaluation reserves |
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6. |
General/ collective provisions (Note 1) |
These are provisions that a firm carrying on home financing1or home finance administration1holds against potential losses that have not yet been identified but which experience indicates are present in the firm's portfolio of assets. Such provisions must be freely available to meet these unidentified losses wherever they arise. Subject to Note 1, general/collective provisions must be verified by external auditors and disclosed in the firm's annual report and accounts. 1111 |
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7. |
Subordinated loans |
Subordinated loans must be included in capital on the basis of the provisions in this chapter that apply to subordinated loans. |
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Note: |
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1 |
Reserves must be audited and interim net profits, general and collective provisions must be verified by the firm's external auditor unless the firm is exempt from the provisions of Part VII of the Companies Act 1985 (section 249A (Exemptions from audit)) or, where applicable, Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006 (section 477 (Small companies: Conditions for exemption from audit))2 relating to the audit of accounts. 2 |
- (1)
This rule applies to a firm which:
- (a)
carries on:
- (i)
- (ii)
home finance mediation activity1(or both); and
1
in relation to those activities, holds client money or other client assets; or5
- (b)
carries on home financing or home finance administration connected to regulated mortgage contracts (or both) unless as at 26 April 2014 its Part IV permission was and continues to remain subject to a restriction preventing it from undertaking new home financing or home finance administration connected to regulated mortgage contracts.5
5
- (a)
- (2)
In calculating its capital resources, the firm must exclude any amount by which the aggregate amount of its subordinated loans and its redeemable preference shares exceeds the amount calculated as follows:
four times (a - b - c); |
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where: |
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a |
= |
items 1 to 5 in the Table of items which are eligible to contribute to a firm's capital resources (see MIPRU 4.4.2 R) |
b |
= |
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c |
= |
the amount of its intangible assets (but not goodwill until 14 January 2008 - see transitional provision 1). |
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 23 (Senior managers and certification regime: Introduction and classification), SYSC 24 (Senior managers and certification regime: Allocation of prescribed responsibilities), SYSC 25 (Senior managers and certification regime: Management responsibilities maps and handover procedures and material), SYSC 26 (Senior managers and certification regime: Overall and local responsibility), SYSC 27 (Senior managers and certification regime: Certification regime)7 and SYSC 18 apply to all credit unions in respect of both their regulated activities and their unregulated activities. 33 |
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 Employees and Senior Personnel7 (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 senior managers7 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 distribution activity5 or home finance mediation activity, or using these services. In particular, it sets out requirements for allocation of responsibility for the credit union’sinsurance distribution activity5 (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 distribution5 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 policy5 for itself, such as a policy5 against default by members on their loans where the credit union is the beneficiary of the policy5, 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. |
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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 BCOBS 3 contains requirements which implemented9 the Distance Marketing Directive39where there is "an organised distance sales or service-provision scheme run by the supplier" (Article 2(a)) of the Distance Marketing Directive)9, 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 managers7 regime for approved persons in SMCR firms7), SUP 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. 121212121213312121212 |
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. |
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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 |
6General guidance on Benchmark Administration, Contribution and Use (BENCH) |
BENCH provides guidance about which parts of the Handbook are relevant to a firm when carrying out benchmark activities and when using a benchmark. It also provides guidance about the benchmarks regulation. |
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 Guide: A firm’s guide to countering financial crime risks (FCG) and Financial Crime Thematic Reviews (FCTR)8 |
FCG and FCTR provide8guidance on steps that a firm can take to reduce the risk that it might be used to further financial crime. |
1This table belongs to COBS 2.3.14 G.
Gifts, Hospitality and Promotional Competition Prizes |
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1 |
A retail investment product provider5 giving and a firm receiving gifts, hospitality and promotional competition prizes of a reasonable value. 5 |
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Promotion |
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2 |
A retail investment product provider5 assisting another firm to promote its retail investment products5 so that the quality of its service to clients is enhanced. Such assistance should not be of a kind or value that is likely to impair the recipient firm's ability to pay due regard to the interests of its clients, and to give advice on, and recommend, retail investment products5 available from the recipient firm's whole range or ranges. 555 |
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Joint marketing exercises |
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3 |
A retail investment product provider5 providing generic product literature (that is, letter heading, leaflets, forms and envelopes) that is suitable for use and distribution by or on behalf of another firm if: 5 |
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(a) |
the literature enhances the quality of the service to the client and is not primarily of promotional benefit to the retail investment product provider;5 and 5 |
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(b) |
the total costs (for example, packaging, posting, mailing lists) of distributing such literature to its client are borne by the recipient firm. |
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4 |
A retail investment product provider5 supplying another firm with 'freepost' envelopes, for forwarding such items as completed applications, medical reports or copy client agreements. 5 |
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5 |
A retail investment product provider5 supplying product specific literature (for example, key features documents, minimum information) to another firm if: 5 |
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(a) |
the literature does not contain the name of any other firm; or |
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(b) |
if the name of the recipient firm is included, the literature enhances the quality of the service to the client and is not primarily of promotional benefit to the recipient firm. |
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6 |
A retail investment product provider5 supplying draft articles, news items and financial promotions for publication in another firm's magazine, only if in each case any costs paid by the product provider for placing the articles and financial promotions are not more than market rate, and exclude distribution costs. 5 |
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Seminars and conferences |
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7 |
A retail investment product provider5 taking part in a seminar organised by another firm or a third party and paying toward the cost of the seminar, if: 5 |
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(a) |
its participation is for a genuine business purpose; and |
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(b) |
the contribution is reasonable and proportionate to its participation and by reference to the time and sessions at the seminar when its staff play an active role. |
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Technical services and information technology |
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8 |
A retail investment product provider5 supplying a 'freephone' link to which it is connected. 5 |
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9 |
A retail investment product provider5 supplying another firm with any of the following: 5 |
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(a) |
quotations and projections relating to its retail investment products5 and, in relation to specific investment transactions (or for the purpose of any scheme for review of past business), advice on the completion of forms or other documents; 5 |
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(b) |
access to data processing facilities, or access to data, that is related to the retail investment product provider’s5 business; 5 |
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(c) |
access to third party electronic dealing or quotation systems that are related to the retail investment product provider's5 business; and 5 |
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(d) |
software that gives information about the retail investment product provider's retail investment products5 or which is appropriate to its business (for example, for use in a scheme for review of past business or for producing projections or technical product information). 5 |
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10 |
A retail investment product provider5 paying cash amounts or giving other assistance to a firm not in the same immediate group for the development of software or other computer facilities necessary to operate software supplied by the retail investment product provider,5 but only to the extent that by doing so it will generate equivalent cost savings to itself or clients. 55 |
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11 |
A retail investment product provider5 supplying another firm with information about sources of mortgage finance. 5 |
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12 |
A retail investment product provider5 supplying another firm with generic technical information in writing, not necessarily related to the product provider's business, when this information states clearly and prominently that it is produced by the product provider or (if different) supplying firm. 5 |
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Training |
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13 |
A retail investment product provider5 providing another firm with training facilities of any kind (for example, lectures, venue, written material and software). 5 |
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Travel and accommodation expenses |
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14 |
A retail investment product provider5 reimbursing another firm's reasonable travel and accommodation expenses when the other firm: 5 |
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(a) |
participates in market research conducted by or for the retail investment product provider;5 5 |
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(b) |
attends an annual national event of a United Kingdom trade association, hosted or co-hosted by the retail investment product provider;5 5 |
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(c) |
participates in the retail investment product provider’s5 training facilities (see 13); 5 |
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(d) |
visits the retail investment product provider’s5United Kingdom office in order to: 5 |
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(i) |
receive information about the retail investment product provider's5 administrative systems; or 5 |
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(ii) |
attend a meeting with the retail investment product provider5 and an existing or prospective client of the receiving firm. 5 |