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Please be aware that this is only an interpretation of the said guidance and any responsibility must lay with you, the reader, to confirm any rules to your own satisfaction. CEI Compliance accept no liability for any action or inactions you may take due to reading this document.
Contents
How do we know?................................................................................................................................... 6 So what if they are not authorised, recognised or terminated? ............................................................ 7 So if they are not subject to the FSA rules, what powers does the FSA have? ...................................... 8 What do the FSA mean by promoting UCIS? .......................................................................................... 8 So how does a client invest in such a vehicle if they are not promoted?............................................... 8 The Fallacy of Assigning an Exemption ................................................................................................... 9 Article 3 MiFID exemption and the promotion and selling of UCIS ...................................................... 10 The recast Capital Adequacy Directive ................................................................................................ 11 In particular, PERG 13.5 Exemptions from MiFID Q49 and Q50........................................................ 11 I currently promote and advise on UCIS. What should I do now? ........................................................ 12 Establishing, operating and/or managing your own UCIS .................................................................... 13 Appendix ............................................................................................................................................... 15 COBS 4.12 .......................................................................................................................................... 15 PCIS ................................................................................................................................................... 15 Exemptions under PCIS: ................................................................................................................ 15 Recommending UCIS: ten top tips ................................................................................................ 16 Personal protection for Investors ................................................................................................. 17
How do we know?
Anyone can check whether a scheme is authorised or recognised by the FSA by using the search facility on the FSA online Register page at http://www.fsa.gov.uk/register/home.do. This register will provide you with the relevant information to find out whether a CIS is, or has been, Authorised, Recognised or Terminated by the FSA. A CIS that is not authorised by the FSA or recognised generally can not be marketed to retail investors or members of the general public. If you are a member of the public, or an investment adviser who may be considering recommending a CIS to a member of the general public, it would stand you in good stead to check the register before taking any further action regarding investment into the CIS. From the register home page, select the CIS Search Tab
Key for Fig 2 1 4: Further information for consumers hyperlinked to other pages 5: Method 1 Combination by Fund Name /Manager/ ACD 6: Method 2 by Scheme Reference Number On this page you will see a number of elements When looking at the record we have for a CIS you will see the product type. These are generally authorised investment funds (AIF), which include authorised unit trusts (AUT) and open-ended investment companies (OEIC), or unauthorised unit trusts (UUTs).
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The main distinction for unit trusts is whether or not they are authorised by the FSA. If an Open Ended Investment Contract (OEIC) is set up in the UK it can only as an authorised CIS. While the FSA Register can be searched using any number of criteria, you can filter the results if you know the product is authorised, recognised or terminated. Product Type could be; Feeder Fund Fund of Funds, Futures and Options Geared Futures and Options Money Market Non-UCITS Retail Not Supplied Other CIS Property Qualified Investor Securities UCITS (CIS) UCITS (COLL) Umbrella Warrant And, if you do not know the full details, you can choose; Best fit Starts with or Partial If a scheme does not appear on the FSA Register, it is likely to be a UCIS, but the consumer helpline (above) will confirm or explain further if you are not sure.
As the FSA do not regulate UCIS, in most cases you will be unable to complain about the scheme to the Financial Ombudsman Service or the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) if things go wrong, but you may be able to complain about a regulated firm if it promoted the scheme to you or advised you to invest in it.
So if they are not subject to the FSA rules, what powers does the FSA have?
UCIS are described as unregulated because they are not subject to the same restrictions as a regulated CIS. A main feature of a regulated CIS is in terms of their investment powers and how they are run, and other areas overseen by the FSA. However, although the schemes themselves are not authorised or recognised, persons carrying on regulated activities in the UK in relation to UCIS providing personal recommendations to retail clients, arranging deals and establishing, promoting, operating and managing the schemes will be subject to FSA regulation, including Handbook requirements (e.g. the Conduct Of Business Sourcebook (COBS)).
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Although a broad concept, promoting does not only mean communicating through a written financial promotion or advertisement like marketing literature. It also includes face to face discussion, phone calls, emails, advertisements, websites, presentations etc. Whenever a communication is made with a client or a potential client about investment opportunities that relate to or include a particular UCIS, this should be carefully considered whether it is promoting this investment to the client. Any firm that has a good grip on the definition of promotion, knows when it is appropriate to promote UCIS and when it is prohibited.
So how does a client invest in such a vehicle if they are not promoted?
UCIS can be promoted, but not to the general public. Section 21 of Financial Services & Markets Act 2000 (FSMA) prevents promoting UCIS by unauthorised persons, unless the financial promotion is approved by an authorised (by the FSA) person or benefits from an exemption in the Financial Promotion Order.
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Section 238 of FSMA then precludes promoting UCIS by authorised persons except where: there is a statutory exemption in an order made by the Treasury (see the FSMA (Promotion of Collective Investment Schemes (Exemptions) Order 2001 (SI 2001/1060) (as amended)) (in the Compliance world we refer to this order as the PCIS Order); or the financial promotion is permitted under FSA rules exempting the promotion of UCIS under certain circumstances (COBS 4.12). You will need to ensure, before you promote a UCIS, that a relevant exemption is available. For example, the exemptions permit promotions to the following (this list is not exhaustive): certified high net worth individuals (see article 21 of the PCIS Order); certified sophisticated investors (see article 23 of the PCIS Order); self-certified sophisticated investors (see article 23A of the PCIS Order); individuals that fall in one of eight categories detailed in COBS 4.12. We have reproduced COBS 4.12R in the Appendix for you but for a full list of exemptions please refer to PCIS Order and COBS 4.12R. For a comprehensive commentary on the restrictions and exemptions please refer to The Perimeter Guidance Manual (PERG), Chapter 8.20 (Additional restriction on the promotion of collective investment schemes).
All too often, as soon as somebody finds a wording within an exemption that fits their specific need, they assign the exemption and the case is closed. When relying on exemptions, you should check carefully that you comply with all the conditions of the relevant exemption. As a case in point, there are several conditions regarding the individual wording of statements concerning certified high net worth investors, certified sophisticated investors and selfcertified sophisticated investors and related warnings to investors. There may be other conditions to consider: for example, in the case of the statutory exemptions for high net worth investors and selfcertified sophisticated investors, this is restricted to promotions relating to UCIS that are limited in the types of investments they can make (broadly, UCIS that invest wholly or predominantly in shares and debentures of unlisted companies).
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To demonstrate that your firm has adequate procedures in place, you will need to ensure that you document the exemption/s on which you are relying when promoting a UCIS, and the reasons why the exemption/s apply. For example, if you use exemptions in articles 2123 of the PCIS Order, you must show you have complied with the certification requirements. Alternatively, if you use exemptions under COBS 4.12R you must show you have taken reasonable steps to establish that the recipients fall within a relevant category of person. Before an investor agrees to invest in a UCIS the adviser should be clear that they are permitted to promote the scheme to the investor and explain why the scheme is suitable for their particular circumstances. If the investor is not clear whether they fall into any of the groups that can have a UCIS promoted to them they should ask the adviser which category specifically applies to them. If they have already been sold a UCIS they can still ask the firm that sold them the plan which eligible investor group they fall into. So as an adviser, you should be fully aware of the exemptions and how they are applied, in case you are asked. It is also good practice to make note of the discussion in your fact find or client file. A copy of the certification should also be placed in the file, if not already provided. The investor may also confirm with the adviser what charges there are, what the rate of return is and whether this is actual or targeted. So the bottom line is that you have to conduct your KYC exercise with extreme diligence and ascertain the investors exact position, as required by COBS 9.2, and that they are accurately identified under the exemption in COBS 4.12R and that UCIS can be promoted to them as a potential part of the portfolio.
When making a personal recommendation or providing discretionary portfolio management services on a UCIS, you must meet all suitability obligations. This includes obtaining the necessary information regarding your clients knowledge and experience in relation to UCIS, his financial situation and investment objectives, so you can make a suitable recommendation. As with most other investments, a client investing in a UCIS could lose some or all of their money. However this risk is likely to be particularly relevant to UCIS. UCIS frequently invest in assets that are not available to regulated CIS (for example, because they are riskier or less liquid), or are structured in a way that is different from regulated CIS. Unlike regulated CIS, UCIS are not subject to investment and borrowing restrictions aimed at ensuring a prudent spread of risk. As a result they are generally considered to be a high risk investment and you should always ensure that clients understand the risks before investing. Can you demonstrate that you can and have discussed with the client and that they have knowledge, understanding and experience of; Equities? (Inc Short-selling) Futures and options? Derivatives (CDS/Baskets/Exotics/IROs Monte-Carlo simulation, Asian options etc)? Leveraging (borrowing to support investment)? Arbitrage (ultra high speed transaction through to regular market inconsistencies)? Unconventional assets such as; o Long-short bond funds. o Managed futures. o Long-short funds. o Structured notes. o Non-public REITs.
This above list is not exhaustive and covers a number of generic investment categories, but UCIS are not solely restricted to these and may well invest in more obscure and illiquid investments. Just because they say their aim, or the target of the fund is to invest in x, y & z doesnt prohibit them from investing in a to v as well.
The recast Capital Adequacy Directive In particular, PERG 13.5 Exemptions from MiFID Q49 and Q50
Should you breach any of the qualifying conditions (PERG 13.5, Q51), you are required to notify the FSA of the breach (SUP 15.3.11 R Breaches of rules and other requirements in or under the Act). The FSA will then consider whether you should continue to benefit from the exemption and what, if any, supervisory or enforcement action will be taken.
For more details you will need to refer to Promoting unregulated CIS Communicating with clients, including financial promotions. There are other COBS provisions that apply when you provide investment services in relation to UCIS, whether these services are advisory or otherwise. In the case of MiFID, firms providing MiFID investment services other than investment advice or discretionary portfolio management in relation to UCIS, this can include appropriateness requirements (COBS 10). Warnings Disclosure: Your clients may not be covered by the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS), should they have a complaint about the fund or the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS), should they need to seek compensation. You should make this very clear to your clients. The documents from the UCIS should help confirm whether your clients have access to FOS or FSCS.
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Understanding individual UCIS and what they invest in is essential to ensuring compliance with your regulatory obligations. The regulator will expect to see that you have carried out adequate due diligence on any UCIS you recommend and that this is sufficiently documented.
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The FSA have been made aware through their themed visits that some firms are recommending UCIS without having any regard to the statutory restrictions on the promotion of UCIS to the general public. If you recommend UCIS to your clients and you are not aware of the restrictions on promotion, you may be acting in breach of the scheme promotion restriction and putting your clients at a significant risk of receiving unsuitable advice. If this is the case, as such, you risk not only robust and tough disciplinary action but also potentially FSMA s150 actions for damages.
If you need further information please download UCIS Good and Poor Practice July 2010. You may also benefit from reviewing the PS07/11 The Responsibilities of Providers and Distributors for the Fair Treatment of Customers
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Is your Compliance Department as compliant as it should be? Are your Compliance Risk Assessments accurate? Is your Annual Monitoring Plan as comprehensive as it should be?
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We cover 11 main areas other than competence and qualifications to help you decide your strategy and assist with your planning to get you ready for 1st January 2013. Our workbook covers; Business Vision and Mission Statement Business Plan Operational Plan Financial Crime Remuneration Investment Process Creating a Portfolio Growing Compliance (including our compliance risk assessment methodology) Governance Exit Strategy End Game Planning
Appendix
COBS 4.12 Exemptions under COBS (4.12): This defines eight categories of persons to whom an authorised person may promote UCIS: Category 1 - Someone who is currently, or has been in the last 30 months, a UCIS participant. Category 2 - Someone for whom the firm has taken reasonable steps to ensure that investment in the UCIS is suitable and who is an 'established' or 'newly accepted' client of the firm. Category 3 - Someone who is eligible to participate in a scheme constituted by the Church Funds Investment Measure (1958), section 24 of the Charities Act (1993) or section 25 of the Charities Act (Northern Ireland) (1964). Category 4 - Someone who is a current or former officer or employee of the firm (or a member of their immediate family). Category 5 - Someone who is admitted to membership of the Society of Lloyd's. Category 6 - An 'exempt person'. Category 7 - Someone who qualifies as an eligible counterparty' (click HERE) or a professional client' (click HERE). Category 8 - A person to whom the firm has undertaken an adequate assessment of expertise, experience and knowledge and to whom the firm has provided certain written warnings. The full COBS exemptions rules on UCIS
PCIS
Exemptions under PCIS: UCIS may be promoted to persons defined as: Certified high net worth This person must hold a 'certificate of high net worth', which will be in writing and signed and dated within the last 12 months by both themselves and their accountant or employer. It must declare that, in the opinion of the signatory, he or she either had an annual income of not less than 100k or net assets to the value of not less than 250k during the financial year immediately preceding the date on which the certificate is signed. Certified sophisticated investor This person must hold a certificate in writing (signed and dated by an authorised person within the last three years) declaring he or she is sufficiently knowledgeable to understand the risks of investing in UCIS.
They must also have signed, within the last 12 months, a statement confirming they are a certified sophisticated investor. Once these requirements have been met, any communication promoting UCIS must, among other things, declare that buying units in a UCIS may expose them to a significant risk of losing all of their investment.
Recommending UCIS: ten top tips Support services provider Threesixty put together a list of tips and hints for advisers considering recommending UCIS 1. PI cover Always ensure you have relevant PI cover prior to making any recommendation. This may need to be checked on a case by case basis. 2. Read All relevant staff and management should read and be familiar with the output of the FSA review. They should receive training and their CPD should be documented in detail. 3. Process The firm must have a robust process for promoting or advising on UCIS which must be known and followed, by all relevant staff. 4. Pre-approval The process should include arrangements for pre-approval. 5. Exemptions Maintain management information showing full details of exemptions used and the results of pre-approval requests. 6. Evidence Supporting evidence for exemptions claimed should be retained. 7. Due diligence Full due diligence should be undertaken on any UCIS which the firm is considering using. 8. Promotions Consider advice on UCIS to be a promotion' and follow the financial promotion rules at all times. 9. Transparency The risks, both general and investment-specific, of a UCIS should be made clear to clients.
10 MiFID If you are an Article 3 MiFID Exempt firm or an Exempt CAD firm, ensure that orders are transmitted only to entities allowed by MiFID unless the firm is prepared to opt into MiFID itself.
An Idea for submitting to clients in a suitability report or other recommendation Personal protection for Investors Where a scheme is not authorised or recognised, persons carrying on regulated activities in the UK in relation to UCIS including providing personal recommendations, arranging deals and establishing, operating and managing schemes are still subject to our regulation. Before you agree to invest in a UCIS your adviser should be clear that they are permitted to promote the scheme to you and explain why the scheme is suitable for your particular circumstances. If you are not sure whether you fall into any of the groups that can have a UCIS promoted to them you should ask your adviser which category applies to you. If you have already been sold a UCIS you can still ask the firm which eligible investor group you fall into. If you are considering investing in a UCIS be sure to read all available information, ensuring you understand and accept the risk that you may lose some or all of your investments. If your adviser is not able to clearly explain the nature of the underlying investment and risk to you then consider whether you fully understand what you are investing in. You should also confirm with your adviser what charges there are, what the rate of return is and whether this is actual or targeted. Perhaps most importantly, you should ask whether you may have access to the FOS and FSCS if things go wrong, and seek independent professional advice if you are in any doubt about the potential risk and returns involved. If you believe that a firm has promoted or sold you a UCIS that is not suitable for you, sold it to you unlawfully or that the risks were not fully explained you should make a complaint to the firm involved.