Related provisions for PERG 6.4.1

241 - 260 of 280 items.

TC App 6.1.1G25/06/2021

1Introduction
1.	An accredited body is a body appearing in the list of such bodies in the Glossary.1 1
2.	Information on accredited bodies, including guidance on the process for including an applicant body in the list, is set out below and the obligation to pay the application fee is set out in FEES 3.2.
3.	[deleted]1 1
Process for including a body in the list of accredited bodies
4.	In considering the compatibility of a proposed addition with the statutory objectives, the FCA will determine whether the applicant will, if accredited, contribute to securing an appropriate degree of protection for consumers having regard in particular to:
	(1)	the matters set out in paragraphs 10 to 20; and
	(2)	the rules and practices of the applicant.
5.	An application to the FCA to be added to the list of accredited bodies should set out how the applicant will satisfy the criteria in paragraphs 10 to 20. The application should be accompanied by a report from a suitable auditor which sets out its independent assessment of the applicant's ability to meet these criteria. An application form is available from the FCA upon request.
6.	When considering an application for accredited body status the FCA may:
	(1)	carry out any enquiries and request any further information that it considers appropriate, including consulting other regulators;
	(2)	ask the applicant or its specified representative to answer questions and explain any matter the FCA considers relevant to the application;
	(3)	take into account any information which the FCA considers appropriate to the application; and
	(4)	request that any information provided by the applicant or its specified representative is verified in such a manner as the FCA may specify.
7.	The FCA will confirm its decision in writing to the applicant.
8.	The FCA will enter into an agreement with the applicant or accredited body which will require the accredited body to meet, among other obligations, the criteria and expectations set out in this Appendix or other parts of the Handbook, as amended from time to time.5 Approval as an accredited body becomes effective only when the name of the applicant is added to the Glossary definition of accredited body.
9.	Paragraphs 10 to 20 set out the criteria which an applicant should meet to become an accredited body and which an accredited body should meet at all times.
Acting in the public interest and furthering the development of the profession
10.	The FCA will expect an accredited body to act in the public interest, to contribute to raising consumer confidence and professional standards in the retail investment advice market and to promoting the profession.
Carrying out effective verification services
11.	If independent verification of a retail investment adviser's professional standards has been carried out by an accredited body, the FCA will expect the accredited body to provide the retail investment adviser with evidence of that verification in a durable medium and in a form agreed by the FCA. This is referred to in this Appendix and TC 2.15 as a ‘statement of professional standing’.
12.	The FCA will expect an accredited body to have in place effective procedures for carrying out its verification activities. These should include:
	(1)	verifying that each retail investment adviser who is a member of or subscriber to the accredited body's verification service has made an annual declaration in writing that the retail investment adviser has, in the preceding 12 months, complied with APER or4 COCON 2(as applicable)4 and completed the continuing professional development required under TC 2.1.15 R;1
	(2)	verifying annually the continuing professional development records of no less than 10% of the retail investment advisers who have used its service in the previous 12 months to ensure that the records are accurate and the continuing professional development completed by the retail investment advisers is appropriate; and
	(3)	verifying that, if required by TC, the retail investment advisers who use its services have attained an appropriate qualification. This should include, where relevant, checking that appropriate qualification gap-fill records have been completed by the retail investment advisers.
13.	The FCA will not expect an accredited body to carry out the verification in paragraph 12(3) if a retail investment adviser provides the accredited body with evidence in a durable medium which demonstrates that another accredited body has previously verified the retail investment adviser's appropriate qualification, including, where relevant, appropriate qualification gap-fill.
14.	The FCA will expect an accredited body to make it a contractual condition of membership (where a retail investment adviser is a member of the accredited body) or of using its verification service (where a retail investment adviser is not a member of the accredited body) that, as a minimum, the accredited body will not continue to verify a retail investment adviser's standards and will3 withdraw its statement of professional standing if5: (1) it is provided with false information in relation to a retail investment adviser’s qualifications or continuing professional development;5 (2) it is provided with a false declaration in relation to a retail investment adviser’s compliance with APER or COCON (as applicable); or5 (3) the retail investment adviser becomes subject to a prohibition order.5 In this regard, an accredited body must have in place appropriate decision-making procedures with a suitable degree of independence and transparency. 2 2 2 3 2 3 4 3 3 4
Having appropriate systems and controls in place and providing evidence to the FCA of continuing effectiveness
15.	The FCA will expect an accredited body to ensure that it has adequate resources and systems and controls in place in relation to its role as an accredited body.
16.	The FCA will expect an accredited body to have effective procedures in place for the management of conflicts of interest and have a well-balanced governance structure that engages a broad set of qualities and competences,5 with at least one member who is independent of the sector.
17.	The FCA will expect an accredited body to have a code of ethics and to ensure that its code of ethics and verification service terms and conditions do not contain any provisions that conflict with APER or COCON (as applicable)4. 2
Ongoing cooperation with the FCA
18.	The FCA will expect an accredited body to provide the FCA with such documents and information as the FCA reasonably requires, and to cooperate with the FCA in an open and transparent manner.
19.	The FCA will expect an accredited body to share information as soon as reasonably practicable with the FCA (subject to any legal constraints, including those in data protection legislation)5 in relation to the professional standards of the retail investment advisers who use its service as appropriate. Examples might include conduct issues, complaints, dishonestly obtaining or falsifying qualifications or continuing professional development, a failure to complete appropriate continuing professional development, or the accredited body’s decision to withdraw or not renew a retail financial adviser’s statement of professional standing. 5The FCA will expect an accredited body to notify the firm if issues such as these arise.
20.	The FCA will expect an accredited body to submit to the FCA, every 2 years, a5 report by a suitable independent auditor which sets out that auditor’s assessment of the quality of the body’s satisfaction of the criteria in paragraphs 10 to 19 in the preceding 245 months and whether, in the auditor’s view, the body is capable of satisfying the criteria in the subsequent 245 months. The FCA will expect this report to be submitted to the FCA every 2 years, within 35 months of the anniversary of the date on which the accredited body was added to the Glossary definition of accredited body.
Withdrawal of accreditation
21.	If an accredited body fails or, in the FCA's view, is likely to fail to satisfy the criteria, the FCA will discuss this with the accredited body concerned. If, following a period of discussion, the accredited body has failed to take appropriate corrective action to ensure that it satisfies and will continue to satisfy the criteria, the FCA will withdraw the accredited body’s accreditation. Withdrawal of an accredited body’s accreditation will be reflected in the Handbook by amending the list published under the Glossary definition of accredited body 5. The FCA FCA will expect the body to notify each retail investment adviser holding a current statement of professional standing of the FCA's decision. A statement of professional standing issued by the accredited body before the withdrawal of accreditation will continue to be valid until its expiration.

SYSC 1.1A.2G01/01/2021

21The provisions in SYSC should be read in conjunction with GEN 2.2.23 R to GEN 2.2.25 G. In particular:(1) [deleted]9(2) Provisions made by the FCA, and by the9PRA in the PRA Rulebook,9 may be applied by both regulators to PRA-authorised persons. Such provisions are applied by each regulator to the extent of its powers and regulatory responsibilities.95(3) 5For Solvency II firms, the FCA considers that the requirements and guidance14 in Chapters 2, 3, 12 to 18,11 19F.2,14 21,

PERG 1.4.2G01/01/2022

Table: list of general guidance to be found in PERG.

Chapter:	Applicable to:	About:
PERG 2: Authorisation and regulated activities	an unauthorised person wishing to find out whether he needs to be authorised or exempt an authorised person wishing to know whether he needs to vary hisPart 4A permission	the regulatory scope of the Act the Regulated Activities Order the Exemption Order the Business Order
PERG 3A:8 Guidance on the scope of the Electronic Money Regulations 8 8 8	a person who needs to know whether a particular electronic payment product is8electronic money 8 and whether the person issuing it needs to be8 authorised or registered under the Electronic Money Regulations 8	the scope of the8Electronic Money Regulations 8
PERG 4: Regulated activities connected with mortgages	any person who needs to know whether the activities he conducts in relation to mortgages are subject to FCA regulation. This is likely to include: lenders administration service providers mortgage brokers and advisers	the scope of relevant orders (in particular, the Regulated Activities Order) as respects activities concerned with mortgages
PERG 5: Insurance distribution13 activities	any person who needs to know whether they carry on insurance distribution activities and are13,thereby, subject to FCA regulation. This is likely to include: insurance brokers insurance advisers insurance undertakings other persons involved in the sale or administration of contracts of insurance, where these activities are secondary to their main business.	the scope of relevant orders (in particular, the Regulated Activities Order) as respects activities concerned with the sale or administration of insurance
PERG 6: Identification of contracts of insurance	any person who needs to know whether a contract with which he is involved is a contract of insurance	the general principles and range of specific factors that the FCA regards as relevant in deciding whether any arrangement is a contract of insurance
PERG 7: Periodical publications, news services and broadcasts: application for certification	any person who needs to know whether he will be regulated for providing advice about investments through the medium of a periodical publication, a broadcast or a news service	the circumstances in which such persons will be carrying on the regulated activities of advising on investments or advising on regulated mortgage contracts (including where a request for a certificate may be appropriate) how theFCA will exercise its power to grant certificates
PERG 8: Financial promotion and related activities	any person who needs to know whether his communications are financial promotions or are subject to the restriction in section 21 of the Act or both whether his activities in making or helping others to make financial promotions are regulated activities. whether he is marketing an AIF.11	the scope of the restriction on financial promotion under section 21 of the Act and the main exemptions provided the circumstances in which persons who are primarily involved in making or helping others to make financial promotions may themselves be conducting regulated activities requiring authorisation or exemption the marketing of an AIF.11
PERG 9: Meaning of open-ended investment company	any person who needs to know whether a body corporate is an open-ended investment company as defined in section 236 of the Act (Open-ended investment companies) and is therefore a collective investment scheme.	the circumstances in which a body corporate will be an open-ended investment company
PERG 10: Activities related to pension schemes	Any person who needs to know whether his activities in relation to pension schemes will amount to regulated activities or whether the restriction in section 21 of the Act will apply to any financial promotions he may make.1 1	the regulated activities that arise in connection with the establishment and operation of pension schemes and any exclusions that may be relevant the circumstances in which financial promotions about pension schemes may be exempt from the restriction in section 21 of the Act 1
4PERG 11: Property investment clubs and land investment schemes	Any person who needs to know whether his activities in relation to property investment clubs and land investment schemes will amount to regulated activities or whether the restriction in section 21 of the Act will apply to any financial promotions he may make.	the regulated activities that may arise in connection with the establishment and operation of property investment clubs and land investment schemes and any exclusions that may be relevant the extent to which the financial promotion restriction in section 21 of the Act applies
2PERG 12: Running or advising on personal pension schemes	any person who needs to know whether his activities in relation to establishing, running, advising on or marketing personal pension schemes will amount to regulated activities	the regulated activities that arise in connection with establishing, running, advising on or marketing personal pension schemes and any exclusions that may be relevant
3PERG 13: Guidance on the scope of the UK provisions which implemented14 MiFID 15 9 12 12 5	Any UK person who needs to know whether MiFID applies to them15 9 14 14 9 14 5	the scope of the UK provisions which implemented14 MiFID 15 9 14 5
3PERG 14: Home reversion,7 home finance and regulated sale and rent back 7activities 7	Any person who needs to know whether his activities in relation to home reversion plans,7 home purchase plans or regulated sale and rent back agreements 7will amount to regulated activities or whether the restriction in section 21 of the Act will apply to any financial promotions he may make. 7	the regulated activities that arise in connection with home reversion plans,7 home purchase plansand regulated sale and rent back agreements 7and any exclusions that may be relevant the circumstances in which financial promotions about home reversion plans,7home purchase plansand regulated sale and rent back agreements 7may be made without breaching the restriction in section 21 of the Act
6PERG 15: Guidance on the scope of the Payment Services Regulations 2009	Any person with an establishment in the UK who needs to know whether the Payment Services Directive, as transposed in UK legislation by the Payment Services Regulations 2009, applies to him. Q46 applies specifically to persons providing payment services from an establishment outside the EEA to persons located in the UK.	the scope of the PSD Regulations 2009.11
11PERG 16: Scope of the Alternative Investment Fund Managers Directive	any person who needs to know whether a collective investment undertaking is an AIF.	the scope of the regulated activities of managing an AIF and acting as trustee or depositary of an AIF.10
10PERG 17: Consumer credit debt counselling	Any person who needs to know whether his activities in relation to debts will amount to debt counselling.	The scope of the regulated activities relating to consumer credit debt counselling.

Chapter:

Applicable to:

About:

PERG 2:

Authorisation and regulated activities

an unauthorised person wishing to find out whether he needs to be authorised or exempt
an authorised person wishing to know whether he needs to vary hisPart 4A permission

the regulatory scope of the Act
the Regulated Activities Order
the Exemption Order
the Business Order

PERG 3A:8

Guidance on the scope of the Electronic Money Regulations 8

8 8

a person who needs to know

whether a particular electronic payment product is8electronic money 8 and whether the person issuing it needs to be8 authorised or registered under the Electronic Money Regulations 8

the scope of the8Electronic Money Regulations 8

PERG 4:

Regulated activities connected with mortgages

any person who needs to know whether the activities he conducts in relation to mortgages are subject to FCA regulation. This is likely to include:

lenders
administration service providers
mortgage brokers and advisers

the scope of relevant orders (in particular, the Regulated Activities Order) as respects activities concerned with mortgages

PERG 5:

Insurance distribution13

activities

any person who needs to know whether they carry on insurance distribution activities and are13,thereby, subject to FCA regulation. This is likely to include:

insurance brokers
insurance advisers
insurance undertakings
other persons involved in the sale or administration of contracts of insurance, where these activities are secondary to their main business.

the scope of relevant orders (in particular, the Regulated Activities Order) as respects activities concerned with the sale or administration of insurance

PERG 6:

Identification of contracts of insurance

any person who needs to know whether a contract with which he is involved is a contract of insurance

the general principles and range of specific factors that the FCA regards as relevant in deciding whether any arrangement is a contract of insurance

PERG 7:

Periodical publications, news services and broadcasts: application for certification

any person who needs to know whether he will be regulated for providing advice about investments through the medium of a periodical publication, a broadcast or a news service

the circumstances in which such persons will be carrying on the regulated activities of advising on investments or advising on regulated mortgage contracts (including where a request for a certificate may be appropriate)
how theFCA will exercise its power to grant certificates

PERG 8:

Financial promotion and related activities

any person who needs to know

whether his communications are financial promotions or are subject to the restriction in section 21 of the Act or both
whether his activities in making or helping others to make financial promotions are regulated activities.
whether he is marketing an AIF.11

the scope of the restriction on financial promotion under section 21 of the Act and the main exemptions provided
the circumstances in which persons who are primarily involved in making or helping others to make financial promotions may themselves be conducting regulated activities requiring authorisation or exemption
the marketing of an AIF.11

PERG 9:

Meaning of open-ended investment company

any person who needs to know whether a body corporate is an open-ended investment company as defined in section 236 of the Act (Open-ended investment companies) and is therefore a collective investment scheme.

the circumstances in which a body corporate will be an open-ended investment company

PERG 10:

Activities related to pension schemes

Any person who needs to know whether his activities in relation to pension schemes will amount to regulated activities or whether the restriction in section 21 of the Act will apply to any financial promotions he may make.1

the regulated activities that arise in connection with the establishment and operation of pension schemes and any exclusions that may be relevant
the circumstances in which financial promotions about pension schemes may be exempt from the restriction in section 21 of the Act 1

4PERG 11:

Property investment clubs and land investment schemes

Any person who needs to know whether his activities in relation to property investment clubs and land investment schemes will amount to regulated activities or whether the restriction in section 21 of the Act will apply to any financial promotions he may make.

the regulated activities that may arise in connection with the establishment and operation of property investment clubs and land investment schemes and any exclusions that may be relevant
the extent to which the financial promotion restriction in section 21 of the Act applies

2PERG 12:

Running or advising on personal pension schemes

any person who needs to know whether his activities in relation to establishing, running, advising on or marketing personal pension schemes will amount to regulated activities

the regulated activities that arise in connection with establishing, running, advising on or marketing personal pension schemes and any exclusions that may be relevant

3PERG 13:

Guidance on the scope of the UK provisions which implemented14 MiFID 15

9 12 12 5

Any UK person who needs to know whether MiFID applies to them15

9 14 14 9 14 5

the scope of the UK provisions which implemented14 MiFID 15

9 14 5

3PERG 14:

Home reversion,7 home finance and regulated sale and rent back 7activities

Any person who needs to know whether his activities in relation to home reversion plans,7 home purchase plans or regulated sale and rent back agreements 7will amount to regulated activities or whether the restriction in section 21 of the Act will apply to any financial promotions he may make.

the regulated activities that arise in connection with home reversion plans,7 home purchase plansand regulated sale and rent back agreements 7and any exclusions that may be relevant
the circumstances in which financial promotions about home reversion plans,7home purchase plansand regulated sale and rent back agreements 7may be made without breaching the restriction in section 21 of the Act

6PERG 15: Guidance on the scope of the Payment Services Regulations 2009

Any person with an establishment in the UK who needs to know whether the Payment Services Directive, as transposed in UK legislation by the Payment Services Regulations 2009, applies to him.

Q46 applies specifically to persons providing payment services from an establishment outside the EEA to persons located in the UK.

the scope of the PSD Regulations 2009.11

11PERG 16: Scope of the Alternative Investment Fund Managers Directive

any person who needs to know whether a collective investment undertaking is an AIF.

the scope of the regulated activities of managing an AIF and acting as trustee or depositary of an AIF.10

10PERG 17: Consumer credit debt counselling

Any person who needs to know whether his activities in relation to debts will amount to debt counselling.

The scope of the regulated activities relating to consumer credit debt counselling.

CREDS 10.1.3G02/04/2024

Module	Relevance to Credit Unions
The Principles for Businesses (PRIN)	The Principles for Businesses (PRIN) set out 3high-level requirements 3imposed by the FCA 3. They provide a general statement of regulatory requirements. The Principles apply to all12 credit unions. In applying the Principles to credit unions, the FCA 3 will be mindful of proportionality. In practice, the implications are likely to vary according to the size and complexity 3of the credit union. 12 12 12 12 12
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 22 (Regulatory references),11SYSC 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 (Whistleblowing)11 apply to all credit unions in respect of both their regulated activities and their unregulated activities. SYSC 19F.2 (IDD remuneration incentives) and SYSC 28 (Insurance distribution: specific knowledge, ability and good repute requirements) also apply to credit unions when carrying out insurance distribution activities.11 3 3
3Code of Conduct (COCON)	This contains rules and guidance that are directly applicable to a credit union’s SMF 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 FCA 3 of its powers. 12 12 12
3	3 12 3 12
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 employee 3. 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 12 3 12
General Provisions (GEN)	GEN contains rules and guidance on general matters, including interpreting the Handbook, statutory status disclosure, the FCA's 3 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 activity 5 or home finance mediation activity, or using these services. In particular, it sets out requirements for allocation of responsibility for the credit union’s insurance distribution activity 5 (MIPRU 2), for the use of home finance intermediaries or persons doing insurance distribution activity 11 (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 11A credit union carrying on insurance distribution activities in relation to life policies will also need to be aware of the relevant requirements in COBS. A firm may also elect to comply with COBS in relation to pure protection contracts that otherwise fall under ICOBS (see ICOBS 1 Annex 1 3.1R(1)). 11 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.
3Insurance: Conduct of Business sourcebook (ICOBS)	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 or where those members gain rights under such a contract (for example, in relation to a group policy)11. ICOBS does not apply to a credit union taking out an insurance policy 5 for its own purposes11, such as a policy 5 against default by members on their loans where the credit union is the beneficiary of the policy 5, 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 customers 3and financial promotions (BCOBS 2), distance communications (BCOBS 3), information to be communicated to banking customers 3(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 Directive 3 9where 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.
11Client Assets (CASS)	CASS 5 (Client money: insurance distribution activity) applies to credit unions carrying on insurance distribution activities where the credit union receives or holds money in the course of or in connection with those activities (i.e. where the application rules set out in CASS 5.1.1R are met). This may vary on a case-by-case basis depending on the firm’s business model.
11Product Intervention and Product Governance sourcebook (PROD)	PROD 1.4 (Product Intervention and Product Governance Sourcebook (PROD)) and PROD 4 (Product governance: IDD and pathway investments) apply to credit unions involved in the manufacture or distribution of insurance products.
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 (Reports by skilled11 persons), SUP 6 (Applications to vary and11 cancel Part 4A12permission and to impose, vary or cancel requirements11), 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 FCA11) and SUP 16 (Reporting Requirements). Where credit unions carry on insurance distribution activities and fall within the category provided at SUP 3.1.2R(10), SUP 3.10 and SUP 3.11 (Auditors) will also be relevant.11 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 FCA 3 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 3 credit union 3 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 3 close links. 12 12 12 12 12 13 3 12 3 12 12 12
11
Decision, Procedure and Penalties manual (DEPP)	DEPP is relevant to credit unions because it sets out: (1) the FCA's 12 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's 12 policy with respect to the imposition and amount of penalties under the Act (see DEPP 6). 12 12
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
11Consumer Credit sourcebook (CONC)	CONC contains rules that apply to firms carrying on credit-related regulated activities. PERG 2.7.19IG provides guidance on relevant exemptions. Where an exemption applies, the credit union lending will be 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, including entering into conditional sale agreements and/or hire-purchase agreements, 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.
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's 12 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 provide8 guidance on steps that a firm can take to reduce the risk that it might be used to further financial crime.

Related provisions for PERG 6.4.1

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