Related provisions for BIPRU 12.5.20
1 - 20 of 179 items.
(1) A firm must provide the consumer with an ESIS for an MCD regulated mortgage contract before the consumer submits an application for that MCD regulated mortgage contract to an MCD mortgage lender, unless an ESIS for that MCD regulated mortgage contract has already been provided.(2) Except in the circumstances in MCOB 5A.4.2 R, a firm must provide the consumer with an ESIS for an MCD regulated mortgage contract when any of the following occurs, unless an ESIS for that MCD regulated
A firm need not provide an ESIS:(1) in relation to a direct deal; (2) if the consumer refuses to disclose key information (for example, in a telephone conversation, his name or a communication address) or where the consumer is not interested in pursuing the enquiry; or(3) if the firm does not wish to do business with the consumer.
The effect of MCOB 5A.2.1 R and MCOB 5A.4.1R (1) is that, if a consumer's application to enter into an MCD regulated mortgage contract with a MCD mortgage lender, made through an MCD credit intermediary, is subsequently passed by that firm to another MCD mortgage lender, then the firm must ensure that the application is amended and the consumer is provided with an ESIS for the other MCD mortgage lender'sMCD regulated mortgage contract before the application is passed to the other
The effect of MCOB 5A.4.1R (1) and MCOB 5A.4.7 R is that a consumer will be deemed to be committed to an application if, for example, they pay a product-related fee (including a valuation fee) or provides electronic or verbal authority to process an application. It is not necessary for a consumer to provide an MCD mortgage lender with a completed application form to submit an application for an MCD regulated mortgage contract.
Where a firm has already provided an ESIS under MCOB 5A.4.1 R and the terms for the proposed regulated mortgage contract are subsequently materially altered or different, the firm must ensure that the consumer is provided with a revised ESIS, before acting on the amendment, when the change occurs at the point that a consumer submits an application for the MCD regulated mortgage contract.
(1) If, at the point an ESIS must be provided under MCOB 5A.4.1 R, a firm is uncertain whether the contract will be an MCD regulated mortgage contract, the firm must:(a) provide an ESIS; or (b) seek to obtain from the consumer, information that will enable the firm to ascertain whether the contract will be an MCD regulated mortgage contract.(2) Where (1)(b) applies, an ESIS must be provided, unless, on the basis of the information provided by the consumer, the firm has reasonable
Where the consumer requests an ESIS for a particular MCD regulated mortgage contract (see MCOB 5A.4.1R (2)(b)), the purpose of MCOB 5A.4.14 R, MCOB 5A.4.15 R and MCOB 5A.4.16 G is to ensure that the consumer receives an ESIS without unnecessary delay. These requirements do not restrict the information that the firm may obtain from the consumer after it has provided the consumer with an ESIS.
In meeting a request for an ESIS under MCOB 5A.4.1R (2)(b), the firm must not delay the provision of the ESIS by requesting information other than:(1) such information as is necessary to complete the ESIS in accordance with MCOB 5A.5.2 R and MCOB 5A.5.3 R, if the firm does not already know it;(2) where the firm acts in accordance with MCOB 5A.4.12R (2), such information as is necessary to ascertain whether or not the contract will be an MCD regulated mortgage contract;(3) where
Where MCOB 5A.4.14R (3) applies:(1) a firm must ask the consumer relevant questions about their credit history or obtain information on their credit record from a credit reference agency;(2) a credit reference agency must not be used unless:(a) it would be quicker than asking the consumer the relevant questions about their credit history; or(b) the consumer is not able to provide sufficient information on their credit history.
A firm may use information that it already holds on the consumer for the purpose of producing the ESIS (for example, if it already holds the consumer's credit record), providing the use of this information does not delay the consumer receiving the ESIS and the consumer's consent is obtained, where appropriate.
If, on the basis of the information obtained from the consumer or, on the basis of information that the firm already holds on the consumer, the firm would do business with the consumer but not on the terms requested, the firm may provide the consumer with an ESIS for a different MCD regulated mortgage contract, if it chooses to do so.
A firm must ensure that the information on contractual obligations to be communicated to a consumer during the pre-contractual phase is in conformity with the contractual obligations which would result from the law presumed to be applicable to the distance contract if that contract is concluded.[Note: article 3(4) of the Distance Marketing Directive]
A firm must communicate to the consumer all the contractual terms and conditions and the information referred to in the distance marketing disclosure rules in writing or another durable medium available and accessible to the consumer in good time before conclusion of any distance contract.[Note: article 5(1) of the Distance Marketing Directive]
(1) In the case of a voice telephony communication, and subject to the explicit consent of the consumer, only the abbreviated distance marketing information (ICOBS 3 Annex 3 R) needs to be provided during that communication.(2) However, unless another exemption applies (such as the exemption for means of distance communication not enabling disclosure) a firm must still provide the distance marketing information (ICOBS 3 Annex 2 R) in writing or another durable medium available
A firm may provide the distance marketing information (ICOBS 3 Annex 2 R) and the contractual terms and conditions in writing or another durable medium immediately after the conclusion of a distance contract, if the contract has been concluded at a consumer's request using a means of distance communication that does not enable the provision of that information in that form in good time before conclusion of any distance contract.[Note: article 5(2) of the Distance Marketing Di
At any time during the contractual relationship the consumer is entitled, at his request, to receive the contractual terms and conditions on paper. The consumer is also entitled to change the means of distance communication used unless this is incompatible with the contract concluded or the nature of the service provided.[Note: article 5(3) of the Distance Marketing Directive]
(1) A firm must not enforce, or seek to enforce, any obligations under a distance contract against a consumer, in the event of an unsolicited supply of services, the absence of reply not constituting consent.(2) This rule does not apply to the tacit renewal of a distance contract.[Note: article 9 of the Distance Marketing Directive]
If a firm proposes to enter into a distance contract with a consumer that will be governed by the law of a country outside the United Kingdom3, the firm must ensure that the consumer will not lose the protection created by the rules in this section if the distance contract has a close link with the territory of the United Kingdom3.[Note: articles 12 and 16 of the Distance Marketing Directive]
(1) If a firm offers to enter into an MCD regulated mortgage contract with a consumer, it must provide the consumer with a binding offer set out in an offer document. (2) The firm may also provide an ESIS. (3) The firm's offer in the offer document must be on the basis of the information in the ESIS relevant to that offer.(4) When an MCD mortgage lender provides the consumer with a binding offer, that offer must be accompanied by an ESIS where the characteristics of the offer
(1) If a firm offers to vary an MCD regulated mortgage contract with a consumer, it must provide the consumer with an offer document.(2) The firm may also provide an ESIS. (3) The firm's offer in the offer document must be on the basis of the information in the ESIS relevant to that offer. (4) When an MCD mortgage lender offers to vary an MCD regulated mortgage contract with a consumer, the offer document must be accompanied by an ESIS where:(a) the characteristics of the offer
(1) MCOB 6A.3.1 R does not prevent a binding offer from being subject to lawful conditions, including conditions which make the binding offer subject to one or more of the matters listed below:(a) there being no material change to the facts and circumstances relating to the binding offer which occurs after the date on which the binding offer is made;(b) the fact that the consumer has not knowingly provided incomplete or inaccurate information for the purpose of the assessment
(1) Where an MCD mortgage lender provides the consumer with a binding offer, it must give the consumer a reflection period of at least seven days.(2) The MCD mortgage lender must ensure that, during the reflection period:(a) the offer remains binding on the MCD mortgage lender;(b) the consumer may accept the offer at any time.[Note: article 14(6) of the MCD]
(1) A firm must make an adequate record of each offer document which it issues to a consumer under MCOB 6A.(2) The record required by (1) must be retained for one year from the date that the offer document is issued to the consumer.(3) If, in accordance with MCOB 6A.4 (Information to be provided in the offer document or separately), information is included in a separate document that is sent with the offer document, that information must also be retained as part of the record
A firm must ensure that the offer document contains a prominent statement explaining:(1) the period for which the offer is valid;(2) where the MCD regulated mortgage contract contains features, such as additional unsecured borrowing facilities, which could result in the consumer borrowing more money that, where such features are used, the amount of the consumer's debt will increase;(3) when any interest rate change on the MCD regulated mortgage contract takes effect. This statement
In addition to the information required by MCOB 6A.3.9 R, a firm may include information about how to complain to any other firm about the services that firm provided to the consumer in relation to the MCD regulated mortgage contract. For example, where the consumer received advice from another firm, an MCD mortgage lender may include contact details for the firm that provided the advice.
If the firm knows, at the point that the offer is made to the consumer, that its interest in the MCD regulated mortgage contract will be assigned (by sale or transfer) and the firm will no longer be responsible for setting interest rates and charges, the offer document must:(1) state this; and(2) state, where known, who will be responsible for setting interest rates and charges after the sale or transfer.
The purpose of MCOB 5A.3.3 R is not to require a firm to ascertain whether a consumer is eligible for a particular MCD regulated mortgage contract before providing an ESIS. Instead, the purpose is to ensure that the firm takes into account the information it has obtained from the consumer before providing an ESIS to the consumer.
A firm may satisfy MCOB 5A.3.5 R by drawing the consumer's attention orally to the importance of reading and understanding the ESIS. For example, in a face-to-face meeting, or by referring to its importance in a covering letter or electronic communication, or other written information that accompanies the ESIS.
MCOB 5A places no restrictions on the provision of information that is not specific to the amount the consumer wants to borrow. For example, marketing literature, including generic mortgage repayment tables or graphs illustrating the benefits of making a regular overpayment on a flexible mortgage. However, such literature may constitute a financial promotion and be subject to MCOB 3A (Financial promotions and communications with customers).
(1) Whenever a firm provides a consumer with information specific to the amount that the consumer wants to borrow on a particular MCD regulated mortgage contract, following an assessment of the consumer's needs and circumstances to comply with MCOB 4.7A.2 R, it must give, clearly and prominently, the following information:(a) the same information on the firm's product range as is required by MCOB 4.4A.1 R, MCOB 4.4A.2 R and MCOB 4.4A.4R (1) (which require firms to provide information
To demonstrate compliance with MCOB 5A.3.10R (1), a firm may wish to consider, for example, doing one or more of the following actions: (1) giving the messages to the consumer in a durable medium;(2) building the requirements into the firm's training of staff, as evidenced by its training and compliance manuals;(3) insert appropriate prompts into paper-based or automated sales systems;(4) having procedures to monitor compliance by its staff with that rule.What is required in each
(1) Whenever, as part of an execution-only sale (or potential execution-only sale), a consumer provides a firm with the information in MCOB 4.8A.14R (1), MCOB 4.8A.14R (2) or (3), the firm must inform the consumer, clearly and prominently, that the consumer has the right to request an ESIS for any MCD regulated mortgage contract which the firm is able to offer the consumer.(2) A firm need not give the information in (1) if it has previously given that information in compliance
(1) Subject to (2) and (3), this section applies to a firm that carries on any distance marketing activity from an establishment in the UK, with or for a consumer in the UK4.(2) This section does not apply to an authorised professional firm with respect to its non-mainstream regulated activities.(3) This section does not apply to an activity in relation to a consumer hire agreement.
(1) Subject to (2), (3) and (4), a firm must provide a consumer with the distance marketing information (CONC 2 Annex 1R) in good time before the consumer is bound by a distance contract or offer.[Note: regulation 7(1) of SI 2004/2095][Note: articles 3(1) and 4(5) of the Distance Marketing Directive](2) Where a distance contract is also a contract for payment services to which the Payment Services Regulations apply, a firm is required to provide to the consumer only the information
A firm must ensure that information on contractual obligations to be communicated to a consumer during the pre-contractual phase accurately reflects the contractual obligations which would result from the law presumed to be applicable to the distance contract if that contract is concluded.[Note: regulation 7(5) of SI 2004/2095][Note: article 3(4) of the Distance Marketing Directive]
A firm must communicate to the consumer all the contractual terms and conditions and the information referred to in the distance marketing disclosure rules (CONC 2.7.2 R to CONC 2.7.5 R) in a durable medium1. That information must be made available and accessible to the consumer in good time before the consumer is bound by any distance contract or offer.1[Note: regulation 8(1) of SI 2004/2095][Note: articles 4(5) and 5(1) of the Distance Marketing Directive]
(1) Activities in relation to a consumer hire agreement are not financial services within the meaning of the Distance Marketing Directive and do not fall within CONC 2.7. Instead such agreements fall within the Consumer Protection (Distance Selling) Regulations 2000 (SI 2000/2334) if they were made before 13 June 2014, or the Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013 (SI 2013/3134) if they were made on or after that date2.(2) A firm
In the case of voice telephony communication, and subject to the explicit consent of the consumer, only the abbreviated distance marketing information (CONC 2 Annex 2R) needs to be provided during that communication. However, unless another exception applies (such as the exemption for means of distance communication not enabling disclosure), a firm must still provide the distance marketing information (CONC 2 Annex 1R) in a durable medium that is available and accessible to the
A firm may provide the distance marketing information (CONC 2 Annex 1R) and the contractual terms and conditions in a durable medium immediately after the conclusion of a distance contract, if the contract has been concluded at a consumer's request using a means of distance communication that does not enable the provision of that information in that form in good time before the consumer is bound by any distance contract or offer.[Note: article 5(2) of the Distance Marketing
At any time during the contractual relationship, the consumer is entitled, at request, to receive the contractual terms and conditions on paper. The consumer is also entitled to change the means of distance communication used unless this is incompatible with the contract concluded or the nature of the service provided.[Note: regulation 8(2) and (4) of SI 2004/2095][Note: article 5(3) of the Distance Marketing Directive]
(1) A firm must not enforce, or seek to enforce, any obligations under a distance contract against a consumer in the event of an unsolicited supply of services. The absence of a reply does not constitute consent.(2) This rule does not apply to the tacit renewal of a distance contract.[Note: regulation 15 of SI 2004/2095][Note: article 9 of the Distance Marketing Directive]
If a firm proposes to enter into a distance contract with a consumer that will be governed by the law of a country outside the UK4, the firm must ensure that the consumer will not lose the protection created by the rules in this section if the distance contract has a close link with the territory of the UK4.4[Note: regulation 16(3) of SI 2004/2095][Note: articles 12 and 16 of the Distance Marketing Directive]
3(1) This section applies to a firm that carries on any distance marketing activity from an establishment in the United Kingdom, with or for a consumer in the United Kingdom9. 3(2) If a firm is an intermediary rather than the supplier under the distance contract, references to 'firm' in COBS 5 Annex 1 R and COBS 5 Annex 2 R are to be interpreted as referring to the supplier except for references to 'firm' in COBS 5 Annex 1 R (2), (4) and (18).3
A firm must communicate to the consumer all the contractual terms and conditions and the information referred to in the distance marketing disclosure rules (COBS 5.1.1 R to COBS 5.1.4 R) on a durable medium available and accessible to the consumer in good time before the consumer is bound by any distance contract or offer. [Note: article 5(1) of the Distance Marketing Directive]
If, at any time during the contractual relationship, a consumer that is a party to a distance contract asks a firm:(1) for a paper copy of the terms and conditions of that contract; or(2) to change the means of distance communication used;the firm must provide that paper copy or change the means of distance communication used, unless (in the latter case) that would be incompatible with the contract or the nature of the service provided. [Note: article 5(3) of the Distance Marketing
(1) A firm must not enforce, or seek to enforce, any obligations under a distance contract against a consumer, in the event of an unsolicited supply of services, the absence of reply not constituting consent.(2) This rule does not apply to the tacit renewal of a distance contract. [Note: article 9 of the Distance Marketing Directive]
If a firm proposes to enter into a distance contract with a consumer that will be governed by the law of a country outside the United Kingdom9, the firm must ensure that the consumer will not lose the protection created by the rules in this section if the distance contract has a close link with the territory of the United Kingdom9. [Note: articles 12 and 16 of the Distance Marketing Directive]
A consumer2 has no right to cancel a home finance transaction1 concluded with a firm but may have a right to cancel a distance contract concluded with a mortgage intermediary,3 a home purchase intermediary or a SRB intermediary31for the provision of his services. Whether a mortgage intermediary,3 a home purchase intermediary or a SRB intermediary31 concludes a distance mortgage mediation contract,3 a distance home purchase mediation contract or a distance regulated sale and rent
(1) A consumer2 has a right to cancel a distance mortgage mediation contract,3 a distance home purchase mediation contract or a distance regulated sale and rent back mediation contract31 in accordance with this section.23(2) The right to cancel must be exercised within 14 days beginning on the later of:(a) the day of the conclusion of the contract; or(b) the day on which the consumer2 receives the contractual terms and conditions and other information required by MCOB 4.4 and
A consumer2 who has a right to cancel a distance mortgage mediation contract, a distance home purchase mediation contract or a distance regulated sale and rent back mediation contract31 may, without giving any reason, cancel the contract by serving notice on the firm, before the expiry of the cancellation period in MCOB 4.6.4 R either:23(1) by serving on, or otherwise sending by post, notice to the firm's last known address, addressed to the firm, its appointed representative
When a consumer2 exercises a right to cancel under MCOB 4.6.4 R:2(1) the firm must:(a) pay to the consumer2 without delay, and no later than 30 days after the date on which the firm received notice of cancellation from him, any sums which he has paid to or for the benefit of the firm in connection with the contract (including sums paid by the consumer2 to agents of the firm) except for the amount referred to in (b);22(b) subject to (c), the firm is permitted to require the consumer2
Where an MCD regulated mortgage contract relates to a foreign currency loan, at the time the MCD regulated mortgage contract is entered into the MCD mortgage lender must ensure:(1) the consumer has a right to convert the MCD regulated mortgage contract into an alternative currency under specified conditions; or(2) there are other arrangements in place to limit the exchange rate risk to which the consumer is exposed under the MCD regulated mortgage contract.[Note: article 23(1)
Where:(1) an MCD regulated mortgage contract is denominated in pound sterling1 ("currency A"); and(2) the consumer receives income or holds assets in currency A but also receives income or holds assets in another currency ("currency B");the MCD regulated mortgage contract will not be a foreign currency loan unless the credit is to be repaid wholly or in part from the income received or assets held in currency B.
The alternative currency referred to in MCOB 2A.3.1R (1) must be either:(1) the currency in which the consumer primarily receives income or holds assets from which the credit is to be repaid, as indicated at the time that the most recent affordability assessment in relation to the regulated mortgage contract was made; or(2) pound sterling1. [Note: article 23(2) of the MCD]
Where a consumer has a right to convert the MCD regulated mortgage contract into an alternative currency in accordance with MCOB 2A.3.1R (1), the exchange rate at which the conversion is carried out must be the market exchange rate applicable on the day of application for conversion, unless otherwise specified in the MCD regulated mortgage contract. [Note: article 23(3) of the MCD]
(1) When a consumer exercises the right to cancel he may only be required to pay, without any undue delay, for the service actually provided by the firm in accordance with the contract.(2) The amount payable must not:(a) exceed an amount which is in proportion to the extent of the service already provided in comparison with the full coverage of the contract; and(b) in any case be such that it could be construed as a penalty.(3) A firm must not require a consumer to pay any amount:(a)
(1) A firm must, without any undue delay and no later than within 30 days, return to a consumer any sums it has received from him in accordance with the contract, except as specified in this section.(2) This period shall begin from the day on which the firm receives the notification of cancellation.[Note: article 7(4) of the Distance Marketing Directive]
(1) A firm is entitled to receive from a consumer any sums and/or property he has received from the firm without any undue delay and no later than within 30 days.(2) 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]
A consumer's notice to cancel a distance contract may also operate to cancel any attached contract which is also a distance financial services contract. This is unless the consumer gives notice that cancellation of the contract is not to operate to cancel the attached contract. (See the Distance Marketing Regulations.) Where relevant, this should be disclosed to the consumer along with other information on cancellation.
1A consumer has a right to cancel, without penalty and without giving any reason, within:(1) 30 days for a contract of insurance which is, or has elements of, a pure protection contract or payment protection contract; or(2) 14 days for any other contract of insurance or distance contract.[Note: article 6(1) of the Distance Marketing Directive in relation to a distance contract and article 186 of the Solvency II Directive2 in relation to a pure protection contract] 2
The right to cancel does not apply to:(1) a travel and baggage policy or similar short-term policy of less than one month's duration; (2) a policy the performance of which has been fully completed by both parties at the consumer's express request before the consumer exercises his right to cancel;(3) a pure protection contract of six months’ duration or less which is not a distance contract;(4) a pure protection contract effected by the trustees of an occupational pension scheme,
The cancellation period begins either:(1) from the day of the conclusion of the contract, except in respect of a pure protection contract where the time limit begins when the customer is informed that the contract has been concluded; or(2) from the day on which the consumer receives the contractual terms and conditions and any other pre-contractual information required under this sourcebook, if that is later than the date referred to above.[Note: article 186(1) of the Solvency
If a consumer exercises the right to cancel he must, before the expiry of the relevant deadline, notify this following the practical instructions given to him. The deadline shall be deemed to have been observed if the notification, if on paper or another durable medium, is dispatched before the deadline expires.[Note: article 6(1) and (6) of the Distance Marketing Directive]
An MCD mortgage arranger (unless it is also acting as3 an MCD mortgage lender and3 carrying out a3 direct sale of the proposed regulated mortgage contract3) must, in good time before carrying out any MCD mortgage credit intermediation activity, provide the consumer with at least the following information in a durable medium: (1) the identity and the geographical address of the MCD mortgage arranger2;(2) the Financial Services Register or other registers in which the MCD mortgage
In general, where other requirements for disclosure in a durable medium also apply, the MCD mortgage arranger may, if it would also satisfy those requirements, combine those other disclosures with the information required by MCOB 4A.1.1 R, so long as the combined disclosure is provided to the consumer in good time before the MCD mortgage arranger carries out any MCD mortgage credit intermediation activity.
An MCD mortgage credit intermediary who is not a tied MCD mortgage credit intermediary (unless it is also acting as3 an MCD mortgage lender and3 carrying out a3 direct sale of the proposed regulated mortgage contract3), but who receives commission from one or more MCD mortgage lenders must, at the consumer's request, provide information on the variation in levels of commission payable by the MCD mortgage lenders providing the MCD regulated mortgage contract being offered to the
An MCD mortgage credit intermediary (unless it is also acting as an MCD mortgage lender3 and carrying out a3 direct sale of the proposed regulated mortgage contract3) must inform the MCD mortgage lender of any fee payable by the consumer to the MCD mortgage credit intermediary for its services, for the purpose of calculating the APRC.[Note: article 15(4) of the MCD]
An MCD mortgage credit intermediary (unless it is also acting as3 an MCD mortgage lender and carrying out a3 direct sale of the proposed regulated mortgage contract3) must require their appointed representatives to disclose to the consumer the capacity in which the appointed representative is acting and the MCD mortgage credit intermediary that the appointed representative is representing when contacting or before dealing with any consumer. [Note: article 15(5) of the MCD]
(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]
1The rules in this section:(1) address the risk that a consumer believes that a firm's remuneration for its pure protection service is included in its adviser charge, where this is not the case; and(2) enable the consumer to evaluate a firm'sadviser charge in the light of any additional remuneration received by the firm for the pure protection service it provides.
A firm which agrees an adviser charge with a consumer and provides an associated pure protection service to that consumer must:(1) in good time before the provision of its services, take reasonable steps to ensure that the consumer understands:(a) how the firm is remunerated for its pure protection service; and(b) if applicable, that the firm will receive commission in relation to its pure protection service in addition to the firm'sadviser charge;(2) as close as practicable
A pure protection service is not associated with an adviser charge for the purposes of ICOBS 4.6.2 R if the adviser charge is agreed with the consumer by a firm or an appointed representative and the pure protection service is provided to that consumer by another firm or appointed representative. However, if a firm or an appointed representative refers a consumer with whom it is agreeing an adviser charge to another firm or appointed representative for the provision of a pure
1Different provisions in this sourcebook may apply depending on the type of person with whom a firm is dealing:(1) A policyholder includes anyone who, upon the occurrence of the contingency insured against, is entitled to make a claim directly to the insurance undertaking.(2) Only a policyholder or a prospective policyholder who makes the arrangements preparatory to him concluding a contract of insurance (directly or through an agent) is a customer. In this sourcebook, customers
2(1) Except where paragraph (2) applies, if a customer is acting in the capacity of both a consumer and a commercial customer in relation to a particular contract of insurance, the customer is a commercial customer.2(2) For the purposes of ICOBS 5.1.4 G and ICOBS 8.1.2 R, if, in relation to a particular contract of insurance, the customer entered into it mainly for purposes unrelated to his trade or profession, the customer is a consumer.2
In practice, private individuals may act in a number of capacities. The following table sets out a number of examples of how an individual acting in certain capacities should, in the FCA's view, be categorised.
Customer classification examples |
|
Capacity |
Classification |
Personal representatives, including executors, unless they are acting in a professional capacity, for example, a solicitor acting as executor. |
|
Private individuals acting in personal or other family circumstances, for example, as trustee of a family trust. |
|
Trustee of a trust such as a housing or NHS trust. |
|
Member of the governing body of a club or other unincorporated association such as a trade body and a student union. |
|
Pension trustee. |
|
Person taking out a policy covering property bought under a buy-to-let mortgage. |
|
Partner in a partnership when taking out insurance for purposes related to his profession. |
|
1The FCA, together with several other UK authorities, has powers under Part 8 of the Enterprise Act to enforce breaches of consumer protection law. Where a breach has been committed, the FCA will liaise with other authorities, particularly the Competition and Markets Authority (the CMA), to determine which authority is best placed to take enforcement action. The FCA would generally expect to be the most appropriate authority to deal with breaches by authorised firms in relation
1The FCA has powers under Part 8 of the Enterprise Act both as a “designated enforcer” in relation to domestic and Schedule 132 infringements and as a “Schedule 132 enforcer” which gives the FCA and other Schedule 132 enforcers additional powers in relation to Schedule 132 infringements under the CRA2.
1As a designated enforcer, the FCA has the power to apply to the courts for an enforcement order which requires a person who has committed a domestic or Schedule 132 infringement or, as to the latter, is likely to commit such an infringement: (1) not to engage, including through a company and, as to a domestic infringement, whether or not in the course of business, in the conduct which constituted, or is likely to constitute, the infringement; (2) to publish the order and/or a
1The periods for notification and consultation is (both of which can be waived by the CMA) are: (1) 14 days before an application for an enforcement order is made unless, just as to consultation, the person to be consulted is a member of or represented by a body operating an approved consumer code, in which case the period is 28 days; or (2) 7 days in the case of an application for an interim enforcement order, unless the application relates to breach of an undertaking given to
1The Enterprise Act also makes provision for enforcers and courts to accept undertakings from persons who have committed breaches or, in respect of Schedule 132 infringements, are considered likely to do so. The undertaking confirms that the person will not, amongst other things, commence, continue or repeat the conduct which constituted or, as to a Schedule 132 infringement, would constitute the breach, although, as above, such a pre-emptive prohibition will only apply to conduct
1For a consumer contract term, if the FCA decides, after notifying the Competition and Markets Authority (the CMA), to the extent required by Schedule 3 to the CRA, to address issues using its powers under Schedule 3, if the contract term is within the CRA's scope, it will, unless the case is urgent, generally first write to a person using or proposing or recommending the use of that term.
1In relation to a notice to consumers within the CRA's scope, the FCA will generally, after notifying the CMA, request such an undertaking from the relevant person, if the notice causes the FCA relevant concerns, without first seeking comments. Although the FCA will, unless the case is an urgent one and time does not permit, then have regard to any representations responsive to that request.
1In determining whether to seek an injunction under Schedule 3 to the CRA against a person, after or, in an urgent case, instead of requesting such an undertaking, the FCA will consider the full circumstances of each case. A number of factors may be relevant for this purpose. The following list is not exhaustive; not all of the factors may be relevant in a particular case, and there may be other factors that are relevant such as: (1) whether the FCA is satisfied that the contract
1In deciding whether to grant an a final injunction under Schedule 3 to the CRA, the court will decide whether the term or notice in question is unfair, purportedly restrictive or exclusionary or non-transparent within the meaning of the CRA. The court may grant an injunction on such terms as it sees fit. For example, it may require the person to stop including a term in contracts with consumers or issuing, publishing, communicating or announcing a notice to consumers from the
1The CRA provides that a term or notice that is unfair or a term that excludes or restricts liability in any of the ways specified in the CRA is not binding on the consumer. This is the case irrespective of whether there has been a decision of a court to that effect. To The CRA also provides that, to the extent that it is practicable, the rest of the contract continues in effect.
(1) Where a firm issues an ESIS in relation to an MCD lifetime mortgage, the firm must simultaneously issue the consumer with a document in a durable medium containing the statements and warnings set out in the following rules, as modified by (2) below, as if the mortgage was an MCD exempt lifetime mortgage: MCOB 9.4.33 R, MCOB 9.4.35 R, MCOB 9.4.62 R, and MCOB 9.4.63 R only.(2) The document issued under (1) must contain the prescribed section headings but need not contain section
For contracts entered into or variations agreed before 1 August 2017, a3 rejection of a consumerpolicyholder's claim is unreasonable, except where there is evidence of fraud, if it is :22(1) in relation to contracts entered into or variations agreed on or before 5 April 2013, for:2(a) non-disclosure of a fact material to the risk which the policyholder could not reasonably be expected to have disclosed; or2(b) non-negligent misrepresentation of a fact material to the risk; or2(2)
(1) 3Cases in which rejection of a consumer’s claim would be unreasonable (in the FCA’s view) include, but are not limited to rejection:(a) for misrepresentation, unless it is a qualifying misrepresentation (see ICOBS 8.1.3R);(b) where the claim is subject to the Insurance Act 2015, for breach of warranty or term, or for fraud, unless the insurer is able to rely on the relevant provisions of the Insurance Act 2015; and(c) where the policy is drafted or operated in a way that does
3For contracts entered into or variations agreed on or after 1 August 2017, a rejection of a consumerpolicyholder's claim for breach of a condition or warranty (that is not subject to and within section 10 or 11 of the Insurance Act 2015) is unreasonable unless the circumstances of the claim are connected to the breach.
In this section,3 a “qualifying misrepresentation” is one made by a consumer before a consumer insurance contract was entered into or varied if:2(1) the consumer made the misrepresentation in breach of the duty set out in section 2(2) of the Consumer Insurance (Disclosure and Representations) Act 2012 to take reasonable care not to make a misrepresentation to the insurer; and(2) the insurer shows that without the misrepresentation, that insurer would not have entered into the
Where an insurance transaction
involves more than one firm acting
in a chain such that for example money is
transferred from a "producing" broker who has received client money from a consumer5 to an intermediate broker and thereafter to an insurance
undertaking, each broker firm will
owe obligations to its immediate client to
segregate client money which
it receives (in this example the producing broker in relation to the consumer5and the intermediate broker in relation to the
(1) A firm which handles client
money in accordance with the rules for
a non-statutory trust in CASS
5.4 may, to the extent it considers appropriate, but
subject to (2), satisfy the requirement to segregate client
money by segregating or arranging for the segregation of designated investments with a value at least
equivalent to such money as
would otherwise have been segregated into a client
bank account.(2) A firm may not segregate designated
investments unless it:(a) takes
reasonable
(1) In
relation to consumers5, a firm must, subject
to (2), take reasonable steps to ensure that its terms
of business or other client agreements4 adequately explain, and where
necessary obtain a client's informed
consent to, the treatment of interest and, if applicable, investment returns,
derived from its holding of client money and
any segregated designated investments.54(2) In
respect of interest earned on client bank accounts,
(1) does not apply if a firm has
reasonable ground
A firm may
allow another person, such as
another broker to hold or control client money,
but only if:(1) the firm transfers the client
money for the purpose of a transaction for a client through
or with that person; and(2) in
the case of a consumer,5 that customer has been notified (whether through
a client agreement,4terms of business, or otherwise in writing)
that the client money may be
transferred to another person.54
A firm may
hold client money with a bank
that is not an approved bank if
all the following conditions are met:(1) the client money relates to one or more insurance
transactions which are subject to the law or market practice of a jurisdiction
outside the United Kingdom;(2) because
of the applicable law or market practice of that overseas jurisdiction, it
is not possible to hold the client money in
a client bank account with an approved bank;(3) the firm holds the money with
such
A firm must
not hold, for a consumer5, client money in
a client bank account outside
the United Kingdom, unless
the firm has previously disclosed
to the consumer5 (whether in its terms of business, client
agreement11 or otherwise in writing):5511(1) that
his money may be deposited in
a client bank account outside
the United Kingdom but that
the client may notify the firm that he does not wish his money to be held in a particular jurisdiction;(2) that
in such circumstances, the
A firm must
not undertake any transaction for a consumer5 that involves client money being
passed to another broker or settlement agent located
in a jurisdiction outside the United Kingdom,
unless the firm has previously
disclosed to the consumer5 (whether in its terms of business, client agreement 4or otherwise in writing):554(1) that
his client money may be passed
to a person outside the United Kingdom but the client may
notify the firm that he does
not wish his money to be