Related provisions for COBS 12.2.5A
41 - 60 of 117 items.
1This chapter applies to a firm which:4(a) 4makes a personal recommendation to a retail client in relation to a designated investment;(b) 4manages investments of a retail client of the firm;(c) 4manages the assets of an occupational pension scheme, stakeholder pension scheme or personal pension scheme,4other than in relation to its MiFID, equivalent third country or optional exemption business or to an insurance-based investment product5.32
3This chapter does not apply to a firm which manages investments when that firm takes a decision to trade for a client and that decision relates to a P2P agreement. This is because the regulated activity of managing investments does not extend to the management of assets where those assets are P2P agreements.
If a rule implemented6 a requirement of the IDD5, a Note (“Note:”)5 follows the rule indicating which provision was6 being implemented. COBS 2.1 (acting honestly fairly and professionally), COBS 2.6 (additional insurance distribution obligations, COBS 4 (communicating with clients), COBS 6 (information about the firm, its services and remuneration) and COBS 14 (product information) contains contain further rules which implemented6 the IDD5
For a firm making personal recommendations in relation to pensions:7(1) COBS 19.1 contains additional provisions relevant to assessing suitability and the contents of suitability reports for full pension transfer or conversion advice; and7(2) COBS 19.1A contains additional provisions relevant to assessing suitability and the contents of suitability reports for abridged advice.7
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 in the UK or a third country5:(a) a credit institution;(b) an investment firm;(c)
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
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]
(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]
(1) A firm must:3(a) take reasonable steps to ensure that a personal recommendation, or a decision to trade, is suitable for its client; and3(b) ensure that any life policy proposed is consistent with the client’s insurance demands and needs.3(2) When making the personal recommendation or managing his investments, the firm must obtain the necessary information regarding the client's:(a) knowledge and experience in the investment field relevant to the specific type of designated
(1) A firm must obtain from the client such information as is necessary for the firm to understand the essential facts about him and have a reasonable basis for believing, giving due consideration to the nature and extent of the service provided, that the specific transaction to be recommended, or entered into in the course of managing:(a) meets his investment objectives;(b) is such that he is able financially to bear any related investment risks consistent with his investment
The information regarding a client’s knowledge and experience in the investment field includes, to the extent appropriate to the nature of the client, the nature and extent of the service to be provided and the type of product or transaction envisaged, including their complexity and the risks involved, information on:(1) the types of service, transaction and designated investment with which the client is familiar;(2) the nature, volume, frequency of the client’s transactions in
Although a firm may not be permitted to make a personal recommendation or take a decision to trade because it does not have the necessary information, its client may still ask the firm to provide another service such as, for example, to arrange a deal or to deal as agent for the client. If this happens, the firm should ensure that it receives written confirmation of the instructions. The firm should also bear in mind the client's best interests rule and any obligation it may have
(1) When recommending a small friendly societylife policy, a firm, for the purpose of assessing suitability, need only obtain details of the net income and expenditure of the client and his dependants.(2) A friendly societylife policy is small if the premium:(a) does not exceed £50 a year; or(b) if payable weekly, £1 a week.(3) The firm must keep for five years a record of the reasons why the recommendation is considered suitable.
(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
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,
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.
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
(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.
(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.
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
A firm (Firm A) must establish an IGC, unless:3(1) Firm A has established a governance advisory arrangement in accordance with COBS 19.5.3R; or3(2) another firm in Firm A’s group has already established an IGC under this section, and Firm A has made arrangements with that IGC to cover a relevant scheme operated by Firm A or a pathway investment offered by Firm A.3
(1) If a firm considers it appropriate, it may establish a governance advisory arrangement instead of an IGC, having regard to:3(a) for a relevant scheme operator, the size, complexity and nature of the relevant scheme it operates; or3(b) for a pathway firm, the size of the take up, or expected size of the take up, complexity and nature of the pathway investment.3(2) If a firm has decided to establish a governance advisory arrangement rather than an IGC, this section (other than
(1) Firms with large or complex relevant schemes should establish an IGC. For the purposes of this section, a firm may determine whether it has large relevant schemes by reference to:(a) the number of relevant policyholders in relevant schemes; (b) the funds under management in relevant schemes; and(c) the number of employers contributing to relevant schemes.(2) Examples of features that might indicate complex schemes include: (a) schemes that are operated on multiple information
A firm must include, as a minimum, the following requirements in its terms of reference for an IGC:(1) the IGC will act solely in the interests of:3(a) relevant policyholders and any other members or clients a firm asks the IGC to consider; or3(b) pathway investors;3(2) the IGC will assess the ongoing value for money for relevant policyholders delivered by a relevant scheme particularly, though not exclusively, through assessing the three factors in (a) to (c) below, taking into
(1) An IGC is expected to act in the interests of relevant policyholders or pathway investors3 both individually and collectively. Where there is the potential for conflict between individual and collective interests, the IGC should manage this conflict effectively. An IGC is not expected to deal directly with complaints from individual policyholders or pathway investors3. (2) The primary focus of an IGC should be the interests of relevant policyholders or pathway investors in
A firm must:(1) take reasonable steps to ensure that the IGC acts and continues to act in accordance with its terms of reference;(2) take reasonable steps to provide the IGC with all information reasonably requested by the IGC in good time3 for the purposes of carrying out its role;(3) provide the IGC with sufficient resources as are reasonably necessary to allow it to carry out its role independently;(4) have arrangements to ensure that the views of relevant policyholders or
(1) A firm should consider allocating responsibility for the management of the relationship between the firm and its IGC to a person at the firm holding an FCAsignificant-influence function or designated senior management function2.(2) A firm should fund independent advice for the IGC if this is necessary and proportionate.(3) A firm should not unreasonably withhold from the IGC information that would enable the IGC to carry out its duties in the IGC’s remit of review3. (3A)
(1) A firm must take reasonable steps to ensure that the IGC has sufficient collective expertise and experience to be able to make judgements on the matters in the IGC’s remit of review3.(2) A firm must recruit independent IGC members through an open and transparent recruitment process.(3) A firm must appoint members to the IGC so that:(a) the IGC consists of at least five members, including an independent Chair and a majority of independent members; (b) IGC members are bound
(1) The effect of COBS 19.5.9R (3)(b) is that employees of the firm who serve on an IGC should be subject to appropriate contractual terms so that, when acting in the capacity of an IGC member, they are free to act within the terms of reference of the IGC without conflict with other terms of their employment. In particular, when acting as an IGC member, an employee will be expected to act solely in the interests of relevant policyholders or pathway investors3 and should be able
(1) An IGC member is unlikely to be considered independent if any of the following circumstances exist:(a) the individual is an employee of the firm or of a company within the firm'sgroup or paid by them for any role other than as an IGC member, including participating in the firm's share option or performance-related pay scheme;(b) the individual has been an employee of the firm or of another company within the firm'sgroup within the five years preceding his appointment to the
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
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
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 |
Adviser charging and remuneration |
|
Retail investment product provider requirements relating to adviser charging and remuneration |
|
| 3 | Describing advice services |
Disclosure of charges, remuneration and commission |
|
Suitability reports |
|
Special rules for providing basic advice on a stakeholder product |
|
Guidance on contingent liability transaction |
|
Quotations for surrender values |
|
Life insurance contracts - communications to clients |
|
Information to be provided in accordance with COBS 16.2.1 R and 16.3 |
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 |
Distance communications |
|
Insurance distribution6 |
|
Preparing product information |
|
Providing product information to clients |
|
Cancellation |
|
Claims handling for long-term care insurance |
|
Trustee firms' regime |
|
Corporate finance business |
|
Stock lending activity |
|
Pensions - supplementary provisions |
|
With-profits |
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.
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.
(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
(1) 4Subject to (2) and (3), this section applies to a firm in relation to the communication or approval of a financial promotion that relates to the business of an overseas person.4(2) This section does not apply to a firm in relation to its MiFID or equivalent third country business.(3) 4If a communication relates to a firm's business that is not MiFID or equivalent third country business, this section does not apply:4(a) to the extent that it is an excluded communication;(b)
A firm must not communicate or approve a financial promotion which relates to a particular relevant investment or relevant business of an overseas person, unless:(1) the financial promotion makes clear which firm has approved or communicated it and, where relevant, explains:(a) that the rules made under the Act for the protection of retail clients do not apply;(b) the extent and level to which the compensation scheme will be available, or if the scheme will not be available, a
A firm may only2communicate or approve a financial promotion to enter into a life policy with a person who is:22(1) an authorised person; or(2) an exempt person who is exempt in relation to effecting or carrying out contracts of insurance of the class to which the financial promotion relates; or(3) an overseas long-term insurer that is entitled under the law of its home country or territory to carry on there insurance business of the class to which the financial promotion rel
A financial promotion for an overseas long-term insurer, which has no establishment in the United Kingdom, must include:(1) the full name of the overseas long-term insurer, the country where it is registered, and, if different, the country where its head office is situated;(2) a prominent statement that 'holders of policies issued by the company will not be protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme if the company becomes unable to meet its liabilities to them'; and(3)
A financial promotion for an overseas long-term insurer which is authorised to carry on long-term insurance business in any country or territory listed in paragraph (c) of the Glossary definition of overseas long-term insurer must also include:(1) the full name of any trustee of property of any description which is retained by the overseas long-term insurer in respect of the promoted contracts;(2) an indication whether the investment of such property (or any part of it) is managed
If a financial promotion relates to a life policy with an overseas long-term insurer but does not name the overseas long-term insurer by giving its full name or its business name:(1) it must include the following prominent statement: "This financial promotion relates to an insurance company which does not, and is not authorised to, carry on in any part of the United Kingdom the class of insurance business to which this promotion relates. This means that the management and solvency
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
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.
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
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
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
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
(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
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
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
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
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 |
| 2 | |
6.4 |
Disclosure of charges, remuneration and commission |
9.6 |
Special rules for providing basic advice on a stakeholder product |
16A.4.54 |
Guidance on contingent liability transactions |
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 |
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
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.
(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
(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
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]
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]
1This sourcebook applies to a firm with respect to the following activities carried on from an establishment maintained by it, or its appointed representative, in the United Kingdom:(1) [deleted]33(2) designated investment business;(3) long-term insurance business in relation to life policies;and activities connected with them.
3This sourcebook applies7 to a firm with respect to activities7 carried on in relation to deposits7 from an establishment maintained by it, or its appointed representative, in the United Kingdom only as follows:7
67Section / chapter |
Application in relation to deposits |
|
(1) |
Rules in this sourcebook which implemented9 articles 24, 25, 26, 28 and 30 of MiFID (and related provisions of the MiFID Delegated Directive) (see COBS 1.1.1ADG)9. |
A MiFID investment firm, a third country investment firm and a MiFID optional exemption firm when selling, or advising a client in relation to, a structured deposit. |
(2) |
COBS 4.6 (Past, simulated past and future performance) |
Communication or approval of a financial promotion relating to a structured deposit that is addressed to, or disseminated in such a way that it is likely to be received by, a retail client. |
(3) |
COBS 4.7 (Direct offer financial promotions) |
Communication or approval of a financial promotion relating to a cash deposit ISA, cash-only lifetime ISA or cash deposit CTF that is addressed to, or disseminated in such a way that it is likely to be received by, a retail client. |
(4) |
COBS 4.10 (Systems and controls and approving and communicating financial promotions) |
|
(5) |
COBS 13 (Preparing product information) |
Producing a cash-deposit ISA, cash-only lifetime ISA or cash-deposit CTF. |
(6) |
COBS 14 (Providing product information to clients) |
Selling, personally recommending or arranging the sale of a cash-deposit ISA, cash-only lifetime ISA or cash-deposit CTF to a retail client. |
(7) |
COBS 15 (Cancellation) |
4COBS 4.4.3 R, COBS 5 (Distance communications), COBS 15.2 (The right to cancel), COBS 15.3 (Exercising a right to cancel), COBS 15.4 (Effects of cancellation) and COBS 15 Annex 1 (Exemptions from the right to cancel) apply to a firm with respect to the activity of issuing electronic money as set out in those provisions.
10In addition to the application rules in COBS as relevant, TP firms and Gibraltar-based firms carrying on business from an establishment in the United Kingdom must also comply with the provisions in:(1) COBS 16.6.7AR10 (drawdown pensions: annual statements) and COBS 16.6.8R to COBS 16.6.13G (income withdrawals – annual statements);(2) COBS 19.1010 (Drawdown, investment pathways and cash warnings).(3) COBS TP 210 paragraphs 2.8G to 2.8J (Other Transitional Provisions)
(1) 1This
chapter applies to a firm in
relation to designated investment business carried
on for a retail client3. (2) [deleted]3(3) But this chapter does not apply
to: (a) 3a firm in relation to its MiFID, equivalent third country or optional exemption business; or(b) 3subject to (3A),4 a firm to the extent that it is effecting contracts of insurance in relation to a life policy issued or to be issued by the firm as principal.(3A) COBS 8.1.4R and COBS 8.1.5R apply to a firm carrying
If a firm carries
on designated investment business,
other than advising on investments or advising on conversion or transfer of pension benefits, 2with or for a new retail client,
the firm must enter into a written
basic agreement, on paper or other durable
medium, with the client setting
out the essential rights and obligations of the firm and
the client.3
(1) A firm must,
in good time before a client3 is
bound by any agreement relating to designated
investment business3 or before the provision of those services, whichever
is the earlier, provide that client with:(a) the terms of any such agreement;
and(b) the information about the firm and its services relating to that agreement
or to those services required by COBS 6.1.4 R, including information on communications, conflicts
of interest and authorised status.(2) A firm must
provide
(1) A firm must
establish a record that includes the document or documents agreed between
it and a client which set out
the rights and obligations of the parties, and the other terms on which it
will provide services to the client.(2) The record must be maintained for3:(a) [deleted]3(b) unless (c) applies, at least3 the duration of the relationship
with the client; or(c) in the case of a record relating
to a pension transfer, pension conversion, 2pension opt-out or FSAVC,
indefinitely.3[Note:
When considering its approach to
client agreements, a firm should
be aware of other obligations in the Handbook which
may be relevant. These include the fair,
clear and not misleading rule,3 the rules on
disclosure of information to a client before
providing services,3 the rules on
distance communications (principally in COBS 2.2, 5, 6 and 13) and the provisions on record keeping (principally in SYSC 3, for insurers and managing agents, and SYSC 9, for other firms4.3
(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 United Kingdom5 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)
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
(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
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.
Title |
Type of retail client |
Additional conditions |
(a) An individual who meets the requirements set out in COBS 4.12.6R; or (b) 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) above.5 |
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)). |
|
(a) An individual who meets the requirements set out in COBS 4.12.7R; or (b) an individual who meets the requirements for (a) 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.5 |
Not applicable. |
|
(a) An individual who meets the requirements set out in COBS 4.12.8R; or (b) an individual who meets the requirements for (a) 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.5 |
Not applicable. |
(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
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
(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
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
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
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.
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