Related provisions for MCOB 4.4A.17
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. |
|
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 (Approving and confirming compliance of10 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. |
|
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. |
|
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. |
This table belongs to COLL 8.3.2 R.
1 |
Document status |
|||
A statement that this document is the prospectus of the authorised fund valid as at a particular date which shall be the date of the document. |
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2 |
Description of the authorised fund |
|||
Information detailing: |
||||
(1) |
the name of the authorised fund; |
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16(1A) |
its FCA product reference number (PRN); |
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(2) |
that the authorised fund is either an ICVC, ACS11 or an AUT; |
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(3) |
that the scheme is a qualified investor scheme; |
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(4) |
where relevant, that the unitholders in an ICVC are not liable for the debts of the authorised fund; |
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(5) |
where relevant, the address of the ICVC's head office and the address in the United Kingdom for service on the ICVC of documents required or authorised to be served on it; |
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(6) |
the effective date of the authorisation order made by the FCA and, if the duration of the authorised fund is not unlimited, when it will or may terminate; |
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(7) |
the base currency for the authorised fund; |
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(8) |
where relevant, the maximum and minimum sizes of the ICVC's capital; 11 |
|||
(9) |
the circumstances in which the authorised fund may be wound up under the rules in COLL and a summary of the procedure for, and the rights of unitholders under, such a winding up; and11 11 |
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(10)11 |
for an ACS that is a limited partnership scheme, the address of the proposed principal place of business of the limited partnership scheme. |
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3 |
Investment objectives and policy |
|||
(1) |
Sufficient information to enable a unitholder to ascertain: |
|||
(a) |
the investment objectives of the authorised fund; |
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(b) |
the authorised fund's investment policy for achieving those investment objectives, including: |
|||
(i) |
the general nature of the portfolio and any intended specialisation; |
|||
(ii) |
the policy for the spreading of risk in the scheme property; and |
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(iii) |
the policy in relation to the exercise of borrowing powers; |
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(c) |
a description of any restrictions in the assets in which investment may be made; and |
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(d) |
the extent (if any) to which that investment policy does not envisage remaining fully invested at all times. |
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(2) |
For investment in immovables : |
|||
(a) |
the countries or territories of immovables in which the authorised fund may invest; |
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(b) |
the policy of the authorised fund manager in relation to insurance of immovables forming part of the scheme property; and |
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(c) |
the policy of the authorised fund manager in relation to the granting of options over immovables in the scheme property and the purchase of options on immovables. |
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(3) |
If intended, whether the scheme property may consist of units in collective investment schemes ("second schemes") which are managed by or operated by the authorised fund manager or by one of its associates and a statement as: |
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(a) |
to the basis of the maximum amount of the charges in respect of transactions in a second scheme; and |
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(b) |
the extent to which any such charges will be reimbursed to the scheme. |
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(4) |
If intended, whether the scheme may enter into stock lending transactions and, if so, what procedures will operate and what collateral will be required. |
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(5) |
Where a scheme is a feeder scheme which (in respect of investment in units in a single collective investment scheme) is dedicated to units in a collective investment scheme, details of the master scheme and the minimum (and, if relevant, maximum) investment that the feeder scheme may make in it;8 |
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9 | ||||
4 |
Distributions and accounting dates |
|||
Relevant details of accounting and distribution dates and a description of the procedures: |
||||
(1) |
for determining and applying income (including how any distributable income is paid); and |
|||
(2) |
relating to unclaimed distributions. |
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5 |
The characteristics of units in the authorised fund |
|||
Information as to: |
||||
(1) |
the names of the classes of units in issue or available for issue and the rights attached to them in so far as they vary from the rights attached to other classes; |
|||
(2) |
how unitholders may exercise their voting rights and what these are; and |
|||
(3) |
the circumstances where a mandatory redemption, cancellation or conversion of units from one class to another may be required.11 |
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115A |
Issue of units in ACSs: eligible investors |
|||
(1) |
A statement that units may not be issued to a person other than to a person : 12 |
|||
(a) |
who 12is a: |
|||
(i) |
||||
(ii) |
||||
(iii) |
||||
(b) |
to whom units in a qualified investor scheme may be promoted under COBS 4.12B.7R23. 1212 |
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(2) |
A statement that the authorised contractual scheme manager of an ACS must redeemunits as soon as practicable after becoming aware that those units are vested in anyone (whether as a result of subscription or transfer of units) other than a person meeting the criteria in (1). |
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115B |
Transfer of units in ACSs |
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(1) |
A statement whether the transfer of units in the ACSscheme is either: |
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(a) |
prohibited; or |
|||
(b) |
allowed; |
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by the instrument constituting the fund13 and prospectus. 13 |
||||
(2) |
A statement that where transfer of units is allowed by the instrument constituting the fund13 and prospectus in accordance with (1)(b), units may only be transferred in accordance with the conditions specified by FCArules, including that units may not be transferred to a person other than a person : 1312 |
|||
(a) |
who 12is a: |
|||
(i) |
||||
(ii) |
||||
(iii) |
||||
(b) |
to whom units in a qualified investor scheme may be promoted under COBS 4.12B.7R23. 1212 |
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(3) |
For a co-ownership scheme which is an umbrella, a statement in accordance with (1)(a) or (1)(b) and, where appropriate, a statement in accordance with (2), must also be made for the sub-funds. Where individual sub-funds have differing policies in relation to transfer of units, separate statements are required. |
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6 |
The authorised fund manager |
|||
The following particulars of the authorised fund manager: |
||||
(1) |
its name and the nature of its corporate form; |
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(2) |
the country or territory of its incorporation; |
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(3) |
the date of its incorporation and if the duration of its corporate status is limited, when that status will or may cease; |
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(4) |
if it is a subsidiary, the name of its ultimate holding company and the country or territory in which that holding company is incorporated; |
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(5) |
the address of its registered office, its head office, and, if different, the address of its principal place of business in the United Kingdom; |
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(6) |
the amount of its issued share capital and how much of it is paid up; |
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(7) |
for an ICVC, a summary of the material provisions of the contract between the ICVC and the authorised fund manager which may be relevant to unitholders including provisions (if any) relating to termination, compensation on termination and indemnity; and |
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(8) |
for an AUT, the names of the directors of the authorised fund manager.11 11 |
|||
7 |
Directors of an ICVC, other than the ACD |
|||
Other than for the ACD: |
||||
(1) |
||||
(2) |
the manner, amount and calculation of the remuneration of the directors. |
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8 |
The depositary |
|||
The following particulars of the depositary: |
||||
(1) |
its name and the nature of its corporate form; |
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(2) |
the country or territory of its incorporation; |
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(3) |
the address of its registered office and the address of its head office if that is different from the address of its registered office; and |
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(4) |
if neither its registered office nor its head office is in the United Kingdom, the address of its principal place of business in the United Kingdom. |
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9 |
The investment adviser |
|||
If an investment adviser is retained in connection with the business of the authorised fund, its name and whether or not it is authorised by the FCA. |
||||
10 |
The auditor |
|||
The name of the auditor of the authorised fund. |
||||
11 |
The register of Unitholders |
|||
Details of the address in the United Kingdom where the register of unitholders is kept and can be inspected by unitholders. |
||||
12 |
Payments out of the scheme property |
|||
The payments that may be made out of the scheme property to any person whether by way of remuneration for services, or reimbursement of expense and for each category of remuneration or expense, the following should be specified: |
||||
(1) |
the current rates or amounts of such remuneration; |
|||
(2) |
how the remuneration will be calculated and accrue and when it will be paid; |
|||
(3) |
if notice has been given to unitholders of the authorised fund manager's intention to: |
|||
(a) |
introduce a new category of remuneration for its services; or |
|||
(b) |
increase the basis of any current charge; or |
|||
(c) |
change the basis of the treatment of a payment from the capital property set out in COLL 8.5.13 R (2) (Payments); |
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particulars of that introduction or increase and when it will take place; |
||||
(4) |
the types of any other charges and expenses that may be taken out of the scheme property; and |
|||
(5) |
if, in accordance with COLL 8.5.13 R (2), all or part of the remuneration or expense are to be treated as a capital charge: |
|||
(a) |
that fact; and |
|||
(b) |
the basis of the charge which may be so treated |
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13 |
Dealing |
|||
Details of: |
||||
(1) |
the dealing days and times in the dealing day on which the authorised fund manager will receive requests for the sale and redemption of units; |
|||
(2) |
the procedures for effecting: |
|||
(a) |
the issue and cancellation of units; |
|||
(b) |
the sale and redemption of units; and |
|||
(c) |
the settlement of transactions; |
|||
(3) |
the steps required to be taken by a unitholder in redeeming units before he can receive the proceeds including any relevant notice periods and the circumstances and periods where a deferral of payment as provided in COLL 8.5.11 R (3) (Sale and redemption) may be applied; |
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(4) |
the circumstances in which the redemption of units may be suspended; |
|||
(5) |
the days and times in the day on which recalculation of the price will commence; |
|||
(6) |
details of the minimum number or value of each type of unit in the authorised fund which: |
|||
(a) |
any one person may hold; and |
|||
(b) |
may be the subject of any one transaction of sale or redemption; |
|||
(7) |
the circumstances in which the authorised fund manager may arrange for, and the procedure for, a redemption of units in specie; |
|||
(8) |
the circumstances in which the further issue of units in any particular class may be limited and the procedures relating to this:66 |
|||
(9) |
the circumstances in which direct issue or cancellation of units by the ICVC or the depositary of an AUT or ACS11 (as appropriate) may occur and the relevant procedures for such issues and cancellations; 18 116 |
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(10) |
6whether a unitholder may effect transfer of title to units on the authority of an electronic communication and if so the conditions that must be satisfied in order to effect a transfer; and18 6 |
|||
18(11) |
if the authorised fund manager deals as principal in units of the scheme and holds them for that purpose, a statement of its policy for doing so and, where applicable: |
|||
18(a) |
a description of when the authorised fund manager may retain any profits it earns and absorb any losses it incurs for these activities; and |
|||
18(b) |
a statement of non-accountability as referred to in COLL 8.5.14G. |
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14 |
Valuation of scheme property |
|||
Details as to: |
||||
(1) |
how frequently and at what times of the day the scheme property will be regularly valued to determine the price at which units in the scheme may be purchased from or redeemed by the authorised fund manager and a description of any circumstance where the scheme property may be specially valued; |
|||
(2) |
in relation to each purpose for which the scheme property must be valued, the basis on which it will be valued; and |
|||
(3) |
how the price of units of each class will be determined, including a statement that 16a forward price16 basis is to be applied. |
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15 |
Sale and redemption charges |
|||
If the authorised fund manager makes any charges on sale or redemption of units, details of the charging structure and how notice will be provided to unitholders of any increase. |
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15A5 |
Property Authorised Investment Funds |
|||
For a property authorised investment fund, a statement that: |
||||
(1) |
it is a property authorised investment fund; |
|||
(2) |
no body corporate may seek to obtain or intentionally maintain a holding of more than 10% of the net asset value of the fund; and |
|||
(3) |
in the event that the authorised fund manager reasonably considers that a body corporate holds more than 10% of the net asset value of the fund, the authorised fund manager is entitled to delay any redemption or cancellation of units if the authorised fund manager reasonably considers such action to be: |
|||
(a) |
necessary in order to enable an orderly reduction of the holding to below 10%; and |
|||
(b) |
in the interests of the unitholders as a whole. |
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16 |
General information |
|||
Details as to: |
||||
(1) |
when annual and half- yearly reports will be published; and |
|||
(2) |
the address at which copies of the instrument constituting the fund,13 any amending instrument and the most recent annual reports may be inspected and from which copies may be obtained. 13 |
|||
17 |
Information on the umbrella |
|||
In the case of a scheme which is an umbrella, the following information: |
||||
(1) |
that a unitholder may exchange units in one sub-fund for units in another sub-fund and that such an exchange is treated as a redemption and sale; |
|||
(2) |
what charges may be made on exchanging units in one sub-fund for units in other sub-funds; |
|||
(3) |
the policy for allocating between sub-funds any assets of, or costs, charges and expenses payable out of, the scheme property which are not attributable to any particular sub-fund; |
|||
(4) |
in respect of each sub-fund, the currency in which the scheme property allocated to it will be valued and the price of units calculated and payments made, if this currency is not the base currency of the umbrella; 16 |
|||
(5) |
for an ICVC or a co-ownership scheme,11 that:10 10 |
|||
10(a) |
for an ICVC,11 its sub-funds are segregated portfolios of assets and, accordingly, the assets of a sub-fund belong exclusively to that sub-fund and shall not be used to discharge directly or indirectly the liabilities of, or claims against, any other person or body, including the umbrella, or any other sub-fund, and shall not be available for any such purpose; 11 |
|||
11(aa) |
for a co-ownership scheme, the property subject to a sub-fund is beneficially owned by the participants in that sub-fund as tenants in common (or, in Scotland, is the common property of the participants in that sub-fund) and must not be used to discharge any liabilities of, or meet any claims against, any person other than the participants in that sub-fund; and |
|||
10(b) |
for an ICVC or a co-ownership scheme,11 while the provisions of the OEIC Regulations, and section 261P (Segregated liability in relation to umbrella co-ownership schemes) of the Act in the case of co-ownership schemes,11 provide for segregated liability between sub-funds, the concept of segregated liability is relatively new. Accordingly, where claims are brought by local creditors in foreign courts or under foreign law contracts, it is not yet known how those foreign courts will react to regulations 11A and 11B of the OEIC Regulations or, as the case may be, section 261P of the Act; and16 1111 |
|||
16(6) |
||||
18 |
Application of the prospectus contents to an umbrella |
|||
For a scheme which is an umbrella, information required must be stated: |
||||
(1) |
in relation to each sub-fund where the information for any sub-fund differs from that for any other; and |
|||
(2) |
for the umbrella as a whole, but only where the information is relevant to the umbrella as a whole. |
|||
318A |
Investment in overseas4 property through an intermediate holding vehicle3 |
|||
If investment in an overseas4 immovable is to be made through an intermediate holding vehicle or a series of intermediate holding vehicles a statement disclosing the existence of that intermediate holding vehicle or series of intermediate holding vehicles and confirming that the purpose of that intermediate holding vehicle or series of intermediate holding vehicles is to enable the holding of overseas4 immovables by the scheme.3 |
||||
1118B |
Information on authorised contractual schemes |
|||
A statement that: |
||||
(1) |
a unitholder in a co-ownership scheme is not liable to make any further payment after he has paid the price of his units and that no further liability can be imposed on him in respect of the units he holds; |
|||
(2) |
a unitholder in a limited partnership scheme is not liable for the debts or obligations of the limited partnership scheme beyond the amount of the scheme property which is available to the authorised contractual scheme manager to meet such debts or obligations, provided that the unitholder does not take part in the management of the partnership business; |
|||
(3) |
the exercise of rights conferred on limited partners by FCArules does not constitute taking part in the management of the partnership business; and |
|||
(4) |
the scheme property of a co-ownership scheme is beneficially owned by the participants as tenants in common (or, in Scotland, is the common property of the participants). |
|||
2418C |
Sustainability information |
|||
The following information, as applicable:24 |
||||
(1) |
where a sustainability label is used in relation to a scheme, the information set out at ESG 5.3.3R and ESG 5.3.6R, in accordance with ESG 5.3.2R(1); or24 |
|||
(2) |
where a sustainability label is not used in relation to a scheme, but that scheme uses the terms in ESG 4.3.2R(2) under ESG 4.3.2R(1) the information required under ESG 5.3.2R(2). 24 |
|||
19 |
Additional information |
|||
Any other material information which is within the knowledge of the directors11 of an ICVC or the authorised fund manager11 of an AUT or ACS11, or which the directors or authorised fund manager11 would have obtained by the making of reasonable enquiries which investors and their professional advisers would reasonably require, and reasonably expect to find in the prospectus, for the purpose of making an informed judgement about the merits of investing in the authorised fund and the extent and characteristics of the risks accepted by so participating. 111111 |