Legalize / United Kingdom / Public General Act

Financial Services and Markets Act 2000

Type Public General Act

Publication 2000-06-14

Last updated 2026-09-05

State In force

Department Statute Law Database

Source legislation.gov.uk

PDF Download

articles Not indexed

An Act to make provision about the regulation of financial services and markets; to provide for the transfer of certain statutory functions relating to building societies, friendly societies, industrial and provident societies and certain other mutual societies; and for connected purposes.

Reform history JSON API

131S

(1) The Treasury may designate a person for the purposes of this Part, in relation to the United Kingdom, Great Britain only, or Northern Ireland only (as the case may be), only if satisfied that doing so is likely to further the purpose mentioned in section 131U (1).

(2) In considering whether to designate a relevant current account provider, the Treasury must have regard to—

(a) the distribution of cash access services operated by the provider in the United Kingdom, Great Britain or Northern Ireland (as the case may be);

(b) the distribution in the United Kingdom, Great Britain or Northern Ireland (as the case may be) of persons holding current accounts provided by the provider;

(c) the provider’s share of the current account market in the United Kingdom, Great Britain or Northern Ireland (as the case may be);

(d) the total value of the deposits held in current accounts provided by the provider in the United Kingdom, Great Britain or Northern Ireland (as the case may be).

(3) If a relevant current account provider is part of a group which includes one or more other relevant current account providers, references in subsection (2) to the provider are to be read as references to—

(a) the provider, and

(b) each of those other relevant current account providers.

(4) For the purposes of subsection (3), section 421 (meaning of “group”) applies with the omission of subsection (1)(g) of that section.

Cancellation or variation of a designation notice

131T

(1) If a designation notice has been given to a person the Treasury may, by further notice, cancel the designation notice.

(2) If a designation notice has been given to a person (including a designation notice as varied by a notice under this subsection), the Treasury may by further notice, vary the earlier notice.

(3) If a further notice under subsection (2) would designate a person in relation to a part of the United Kingdom in relation to which the person was not designated by the earlier notice, sections 131R (3) and (5) and 131S apply in relation to the further notice.

Supervision of designated persons

Purpose for which FCA must exercise functions under this Part

131U

(1) The FCA must exercise its functions under this Part for the purpose of seeking to ensure reasonable provision of cash access services in the United Kingdom, or a part of the United Kingdom.

(2) In this section references to cash access services include references to free cash access services.

(3) “Reasonable provision” of cash access services is provision of such nature and extent as the FCA may determine, having regard to—

(a) the cash access policy statement currently in effect (see section 131P), and

(b) such other matters as it considers appropriate.

(4) In making a determination for the purposes of subsection (3) the FCA must, in particular, have regard to any local deficiencies in provision of cash access services—

(a) which the FCA is aware of, and

(b) the impacts of which the FCA considers to be significant.

(5) A local deficiency in provision of cash access services is a circumstance which limits the ability of persons in any locality in a part of the United Kingdom to—

(a) withdraw cash from a relevant current account, or

(b) place cash on a relevant current account.

(6) In determining whether there are local deficiencies in the provision of cash access services, and the significance of the impacts of such deficiencies, the FCA must have regard to—

(a) the cash access policy statement currently in effect, and

(b) such other matters as it considers appropriate.

(7) Those other matters may include (but are not limited to)—

(a) the number of persons likely to be affected by the deficiency;

(b) the characteristics of the persons likely to be affected by the deficiency;

FCA rules

131V

(1) The FCA may make such rules applying to designated persons as appear to the FCA to be necessary or expedient for the purpose mentioned in section 131U (1).

(2) Rules under this section must not require a designated person to do (or refrain from doing) any thing in relation to a part of the United Kingdom in relation to which the person is not designated.

(3) Section 137T (general supplementary powers for rules made by a regulator) applies in relation to rules made by the FCA under this section as if, in paragraph (a), the reference to descriptions of authorised persons, activity or investment were to descriptions of designated persons and activities carried on by such persons.

(4) Section 138A (modification or waiver of rules) applies in relation to rules made by the FCA under this section as if subsection (4)(b) were omitted.

(5) Section 138I (consultation by FCA before making rules) applies to rules under this section as if, in subsection (2)(d), the reference to the FCA’s duties under section 1B(1) and (5)(a) were to the purpose for which the FCA must exercise its functions under this Part.

Power to direct designated persons

131W

(1) The FCA may give a direction under this section to a designated person if it considers that it is desirable to give the direction for the purpose mentioned in section 131U (1).

(2) A direction under this section must not require a designated person to do (or refrain from doing) any thing in relation to a part of the United Kingdom in relation to which the person is not designated.

(3) A direction under this section may require the person to—

(a) take specified action;

(b) refrain from taking specified action;

(4) A requirement imposed by a direction under this section may be expressed to expire at the end of a specified period, but the imposition of a requirement that expires at the end of a specified period does not affect the power to give a further direction imposing a new requirement.

(5) A direction under this section—

(a) may be revoked by the FCA by written notice to the person to whom it is given, and

(b) ceases to be in force if the person to whom it is given ceases to be a designated person.

Procedure for directions

131X

(1) If the FCA proposes to give a direction under section 131W, or gives such a direction with immediate effect, it must give written notice to the designated person to whom the direction is given (or to be given).

(2) A direction under section 131W takes effect—

(a) immediately, if the notice under subsection (1) states that is the case,

(b) on such other date as may be specified in the notice, or

(3) A direction under section 131W may be expressed to take effect immediately (or on a specified date) only if the FCA reasonably considers that it is necessary for the direction to take effect immediately (or on that date).

(4) The notice under subsection (1) must—

(a) give details of the direction;

(b) state the FCA’s reasons for the direction and for its determination as to when the direction takes effect;

(c) inform the designated person that the person may make representations to the FCA within such period as may be specified in the notice (whether or not the person has referred the matter to the Tribunal);

(d) inform the designated person of the person’s right to refer the matter to the Tribunal.

(5) The FCA may extend the period allowed under the notice for making representations.

(6) The FCA must give the designated person written notice if, having considered any representations made by the person, it decides—

(a) to give the direction proposed;

(b) if the direction has been given, not to revoke the direction.

(7) The FCA must give the designated person written notice if, having considered any representations made by the person, it decides—

(a) not to give the direction proposed;

(b) to give a different direction;

(8) A notice given under subsection (6) must inform the notified person of the person’s right to refer the matter to the Tribunal.

(9) A notice under subsection (7)(b) must comply with subsection (4).

(10) If a notice informs the designated person of the person’s right to refer a matter to the Tribunal, it must give an indication of the procedure on such a reference.

(11) For the purposes of subsection (2)(c), whether a matter is open to review is to be determined in accordance with section 391(8).

Information gathering and investigations

131Y

(1) For the purposes of this Part, Part 11 (information gathering and investigations) applies in accordance with this section.

(2) Sections 165A to 165C, 169 and 169A do not apply.

(3) Any reference to an authorised person includes a person designated for the purposes of this Part (whether or not the person is an authorised person).

(4) In addition—

(a) references to an authorised person in sections 165 and 176(3A)(a) include a person mentioned in subsection (5) (whether or not the person is an authorised person);

(b) sections 175 to 177 apply in relation to section 165 as modified in accordance with paragraph (a).

(5) The persons are—

(a) a relevant current account provider who is not a designated person for the purposes of this Part;

(b) an operator of cash access coordination arrangements who is not a designated person for the purposes of this Part;

(c) the operator of, or an infrastructure provider in relation to, a payment system, who is not a designated person for the purposes of this Part;

(d) a person (other than a person mentioned in paragraph (a), (b) or (c)) who provides cash access services and is not a designated person for the purposes of this Part;

(e) a person who provides a relevant service to a person mentioned in paragraph (a), (b), (c) or (d) and is not a designated person for the purposes of this Part.

(6) In subsection (5)(c), “payment system”, and “operator” and “infrastructure provider” in relation to a payment system, have the same meanings as in Part 5 of the Financial Services (Banking Reform) Act 2013 (see section 110 of that Act).

(7) For the purposes of subsection (5)(e), a “relevant service” is a service provided in connection with the provision of cash access services.

(8) In relation to a person who is not an authorised person but is treated as such for the purposes of this Part (by virtue of subsection (3) or (4)), any reference to “either regulator” is to the FCA only.

Disciplinary measures

131Z

For the purposes of enforcing a requirement imposed by or under this Part, Part 14 (disciplinary measures) applies as if—

(a) any reference to an authorised person includes a person designated for the purposes of this Part (whether or not that person is an authorised person), and

(b) section 206A (suspending permission to carry on regulated activities etc) were omitted.

Costs of supervision

131Z1

Rules made under paragraph 23 of Schedule 1ZA, in connection with the carrying out of any of the FCA’s functions under this Part, must not provide for the payment of fees to the FCA by any person other than a designated person who is a relevant current account provider.

Exclusion and modification of other FCA duties

131Z2

(1) Where the FCA is discharging a function under this Part, section 1B (FCA’s general duties) applies as if—

(a) in subsection (1)(b), the reference to one or more of the FCA’s operational objectives were to the purpose mentioned in section 131U (1);

(b) subsections (4) and (4A) (promoting effective competition in the interests of consumers and advancing competitiveness and growth) do not apply.

(2) In discharging its functions under this Part, the regulatory principles in section 3B(1) have effect as if, in paragraph (g), the reference to the FCA’s objectives included the purpose mentioned in section 131U (1).

(3) Section 395 applies in relation to a decision of the FCA made in connection with a function under this Part as if, in subsection (3)(a), the reference to the FCA’s operational objectives included the purpose mentioned in section 131U (1).

Part IX — Hearings and Appeals

The Financial Services and Markets Tribunal.

132

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Proceedings before Tribunal: general provision

133

(1) This section applies in the case of a reference or appeal to the Tribunal (whether made under this or any other Act) in respect of—

(a) a decision of the FCA or the PRA;

(b) a decision of the Bank of England; or

(c) a decision of a person relating to the assessment of any compensation or consideration under the Banking (Special Provisions) Act 2008 , the Banking Act 2009 or the Financial Services and Markets Act 2023.

(1A) For the purposes of this section, in the case of a reference to the Tribunal under section 290(4A) (which relates to an application by a central securities depository under section 288A), the failure by the Bank of England to make a decision is treated as a decision to refuse the application (and accordingly is treated as falling within subsection (1)(b)).

(2) In this section—

“relevant decision” means a decision mentioned in subsection (1)(a), (b) or (c); and

“the decision-maker”, in relation to a relevant decision, means the person who made the relevant decision.

(3) Tribunal Procedure Rules may make provision for the suspension of a relevant decision which has taken effect, pending determination of the reference or appeal.

(4) The Tribunal may consider any evidence relating to the subject-matter of the reference or appeal, whether or not it was available to the decision-maker at the material time.

(5) In the case of a disciplinary reference or a reference under section 393(11), the Tribunal—

(a) must determine what (if any) is the appropriate action for the decision-maker to take in relation to the matter; and

(b) on determining the reference, must remit the matter to the decision-maker with such directions (if any) as the Tribunal considers appropriate for giving effect to its determination.

(5A) In the case of a reference under paragraph 7 of Schedule 6A, the Tribunal—

(a) must determine what (if any) is the appropriate action that must be taken in relation to the matter, and

(b) on determining the reference, must give such directions (if any) to such persons as the Tribunal considers appropriate for giving effect to its determination.

(6) In any other case, the Tribunal must determine the reference or appeal by either—

(a) dismissing it; or

(b) remitting the matter to the decision-maker with a direction to reconsider and reach a decision in accordance with the findings of the Tribunal.

(6A) The findings mentioned in subsection (6)(b) are limited to findings as to—

(a) issues of fact or law;

(b) the matters to be, or not to be, taken into account in making the decision; and

(7) The decision-maker must act in accordance with the determination of, and any direction given by, the Tribunal.

(7A) A reference is a “disciplinary reference” for the purposes of this section if it is in respect of any of the following decisions—

(a) a decision to impose a penalty under section 63A;

(b) a decision to take action under section 66;

(d) a decision to take action under section 88A;

(e) a decision to take action under section 89K;

(f) a decision to take action under section 89Q;

(g) a decision to take action under section 91;

(h) a decision to impose a penalty or publish a statement of censure under section 123, impose a prohibition under section 123A or impose a suspension or restriction under section 123B;

(i) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(ia) a decision to take action under section 142S;

(ib) a decision to take action under section 143W;

(j) a decision to take action under section 192K;

(k) a decision to publish a statement under section 205, impose a penalty under section 206 or suspend a permission or impose a restriction under section 206A;

(ka) a decision to impose a prohibition or restriction under section 206B or to refuse an application under subsection (4) of that section;

(l) a decision to take action under section 249 or 261K;

(la) a decision to impose a penalty under section 309U;

(lb) a decision to take action under section 309Z2;

(m) a decision to publish a statement under section 312E or 312FA or impose a penalty under section 312F or 312FA;

(n) a decision to take action under section 345 or 345A.

(o) a decision to take action under section 83ZR of the Banking Act 2009.

(8) An order of the Tribunal may be enforced—

(a) in England and Wales, as if it were an order of the county court or, in Northern Ireland, as if it were an order of a county court; or

(b) in Scotland, as if it were an order of the Court of Session.

Proceedings before Tribunal: decision and supervisory notices, etc.

133A

(1) In determining in accordance with section 133(5) a reference made (whether under this or any other Act) as a result of a decision notice given by a body, the Tribunal may not direct the body to take action which it would not, as a result of section 388(2), have had power to take when giving the notice.

(2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(4) The action specified in a decision notice must not be taken—

(a) during the period within which the matter to which the notice relates may be referred to the Tribunal (whether under this or any other Act); and

(b) if the matter is so referred, until the reference, and any appeal against the Tribunal's determination, has been finally disposed of.

(5) The Tribunal may, on determining a reference (whether made under this or any other Act) in respect of a decision of the FCA or the PRA, make recommendations as to its regulating provisions or its procedures.

Offences

133B

(1) This section applies in the case of proceedings before the Tribunal in respect of—

(a) a decision of the FCA or the PRA;

(b) a decision of the Bank of England; or

(c) a decision of a person relating to the assessment of any compensation or consideration under the Banking (Special Provisions) Act 2008 , the Banking Act 2009 or the Financial Services and Markets Act 2023.

(2) A person is guilty of an offence if that person, without reasonable excuse—

(a) refuses or fails—

(i) to attend following the issue of a summons by the Tribunal; or

(ii) to give evidence; or

(b) alters, suppresses, conceals or destroys, or refuses to produce a document which he may be required to produce for the purposes of proceedings before the Tribunal.

(3) A person guilty of an offence under subsection (2)(a) is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale.

(4) A person guilty of an offence under subsection (2)(b) is liable—

(a) on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum;

(b) on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or a fine or both.

Legal assistance before the Tribunal

Legal assistance scheme.

134

(1) The Lord Chancellor may by regulations establish a scheme governing the provision of legal assistance in connection with proceedings before the Tribunal.

(2) If the Lord Chancellor establishes a scheme under subsection (1), it must provide that a person is eligible for assistance only if—

(a) he falls within subsection (3); and

(b) he fulfils such other criteria (if any) as may be prescribed as a result of section 135(1)(d).

(3) A person falls within this subsection if he is an individual who has referred a matter to the Tribunal under section 127(4).

(4) In this Part of this Act “the legal assistance scheme” means any scheme in force under subsection (1).

Provisions of the legal assistance scheme.

135

(1) The legal assistance scheme may, in particular, make provision as to—

(a) the kinds of legal assistance that may be provided;

(b) the persons by whom legal assistance may be provided;

(d) the criteria on which eligibility for legal assistance is to be determined;

(e) the persons or bodies by whom applications are to be determined;

(f) appeals against refusals of applications;

(g) the revocation or variation of decisions;

(h) its administration and the enforcement of its provisions.

(2) Legal assistance under the legal assistance scheme may be provided subject to conditions or restrictions, including conditions as to the making of contributions by the person to whom it is provided.

Funding of the legal assistance scheme.

136

(1) The FCA must pay to the Lord Chancellor such sums at such times as he may, from time to time, determine in respect of the anticipated or actual cost of legal assistance provided in connection with proceedings before the Tribunal under the legal assistance scheme.

(2) In order to enable it to pay any sum which it is obliged to pay under subsection (1), the FCA must make rules requiring the payment to it by authorised persons or any class of authorised person of specified amounts or amounts calculated in a specified way.

(3) Sums received by the Lord Chancellor under subsection (1) must be paid into the Consolidated Fund.

(4) The Lord Chancellor must, out of money provided by Parliament fund the cost of legal assistance provided in connection with proceedings before the Tribunal under the legal assistance scheme.

(5) Subsection (6) applies if, as respects a period determined by the Lord Chancellor, the amount paid to him under subsection (1) as respects that period exceeds the amount he has expended in that period under subsection (4).

(6) The Lord Chancellor must—

(a) repay, out of money provided by Parliament, the excess to the FCA; or

(b) take the excess into account on the next occasion on which he makes a determination under subsection (1).

(7) The FCA must make provision for any sum repaid to it under subsection (6)(a)—

(a) to be distributed among—

(i) the authorised persons on whom a levy was imposed in the period in question as a result of rules made under subsection (2); or

(ii) such of those persons as it may determine;

(b) to be applied in order to reduce any amounts which those persons, or such of them as it may determine, are or will be liable to pay to the FCA, whether under rules made under subsection (2) or otherwise; or

(8) If the FCA considers that it is not practicable to deal with any part of a sum repaid to it under subsection (6)(a) in accordance with provision made by it as a result of subsection (7), it may, with the consent the Lord Chancellor, apply or dispose of that part of that sum in such manner as it considers appropriate.

(9) “Specified” means specified in the rules.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Appeal on a point of law.

137

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

PART 9A — Rules and Guidance

CHAPTER 1 — Rule-making powers

General rule-making powers of the FCA and the PRA

The FCA's general rules

137A

(1) The FCA may make such rules applying to authorised persons—

(a) with respect to the carrying on by them of regulated activities, or

(b) with respect to the carrying on by them of activities which are not regulated activities,

as appear to the FCA to be necessary or expedient for the purpose of advancing one or more of its operational objectives.

(2) Rules made under this section are referred to in this Act as the FCA's general rules.

(3) The FCA's general rules may make provision applying to authorised persons even though there is no relationship between the authorised persons to whom the rules will apply and the persons whose interests will be protected by the rules.

(4) The FCA's general rules may contain requirements which take into account, in the case of an authorised person who is a member of a group, any activity of another member of the group.

(5) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(6) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(7) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

The FCA's general rules: Gibraltar

137AA

(1) The FCA's general rules may not make provision prohibiting a Gibraltar-based person from carrying on, or holding itself out as carrying on, an activity which it has a Schedule 2A permission to carry on in the United Kingdom.

(2) Subsection (1) does not apply to rules described in section 137C, 137D or 137FD.

(3) The Treasury may by regulations impose other limitations on what provision applying to Gibraltar-based persons with a Schedule 2A permission to carry on a regulated activity may be made in the FCA's general rules, but may not impose limitations relating to rules described in section 137C, 137D or 137FD.

(4) Before making regulations under subsection (3), the Treasury must consult the FCA.

FCA general rules: clients' money, right to rescind etc.

137B

(1) Rules relating to the handling of money held by an authorised person in specified circumstances (“clients' money”) may—

(a) make provision which results in that clients' money being held on trust in accordance with the rules,

(b) treat 2 or more accounts as a single account for specified purposes (which may include the distribution of money held in the accounts),

(d) make provision as to the distribution of such interest which is not to be retained by the authorised person.

(2) An institution with which an account is kept in pursuance of rules relating to the handling of clients' money does not incur any liability as constructive trustee if the money is wrongfully paid from the account, unless the institution permits the payment—

(a) with knowledge that it is wrongful, or

(b) having deliberately failed to make enquiries in circumstances in which a reasonable and honest person would have done so.

(3) Rules may—

(a) confer rights on persons to rescind agreements with, or withdraw offers to, authorised persons within a specified period, and

(b) make provision, in respect of authorised persons and persons exercising those rights, for the restitution of property and the making or recovery of payments where those rights are exercised.

(4) “Rules” means general rules of the FCA.

(5) “Specified” means specified in the rules.

FCA general rules: cost of credit and duration of credit agreements

137C

(1) The power of the FCA to make general rules includes power to make rules prohibiting authorised persons from—

(a) entering into a regulated credit agreement that provides for—

(i) the payment by the borrower of charges of a specified description, or

(ii) the payment by the borrower over the duration of the agreement of charges that, taken with the charges paid under one or more other agreements which are treated by the rules as being connected with it, exceed, or are capable of exceeding, a specified amount;

(b) imposing charges of a specified description or exceeding a specified amount on a person who is the borrower under a regulated credit agreement;

(i) is capable of remaining in force after the end of a specified period,

(ii) when taken with one or more other regulated credit agreements which are treated by the rules as being connected with it, would be capable of remaining in force after the end of a specified period, or

(iii) is treated by the rules as being connected with a number of previous regulated credit agreements that exceeds a specified maximum;

(d) exercising the rights of the lender under a regulated credit agreement (as a person for the time being entitled to exercise them) in a way that enables the agreement to remain in force after the end of a specified period or enables the imposition on the borrower of charges within paragraph (a)(i) or (ii).

(1A) The FCA must make rules by virtue of subsection (1)(a)(ii) and (b) in relation to one or more specified descriptions of regulated credit agreement appearing to the FCA to involve the provision of high-cost short-term credit, with a view to securing an appropriate degree of protection for borrowers against excessive charges.

(1B) Before the FCA publishes a draft of any rules to be made by virtue of subsection (1)(a)(ii) or (b), it must consult the Treasury.

(2) “Charges” means charges payable, by way of interest or otherwise, in connection with the provision of credit under the regulated credit agreement, whether or not the agreement itself makes provision for them and whether or not the person to whom they are payable is a party to the regulated credit agreement or an authorised person.

(3) “The borrower” includes—

(a) any person providing a guarantee or indemnity under the regulated credit agreement, and

(b) a person to whom the rights and duties of the borrower under the regulated credit agreement or a person falling within paragraph (a) have passed by assignment or operation of law.

(4) In relation to an agreement entered into or obligation imposed in contravention of the rules, the rules may—

(a) provide for the agreement or obligation to be unenforceable against any person or specified person;

(b) provide for the recovery of any money or other property paid or transferred under the agreement or other obligation by any person or specified person;

(c) provide for the payment of compensation for any loss sustained by any person or specified person as a result of paying or transferring any money or other property under the agreement or obligation.

(5) The provision that may be made as a result of subsection (4) includes provision corresponding to that made by section 30 (enforceability of agreements resulting from unlawful communications).

(6) A credit agreement is a contract of the kind mentioned in paragraph 23 of Schedule 2, other than one under which the obligation of the borrower to repay is secured on land: and a credit agreement is a “regulated credit agreement” if any of the following is a regulated activity—

(a) entering into or administering the agreement;

(b) exercising or being able to exercise the rights of the lender under the agreement.

(7) In this section—

(a) “specified amount” means an amount specified in or determined in accordance with the rules;

(b) “specified period” means a period of a duration specified in or determined in accordance with the rules;

(d) subject to that, “specified” means specified in the rules.

FCA general rules: product intervention

137D

(1) The power of the FCA to make general rules includes power to make such rules (“product intervention rules”) prohibiting authorised persons from doing anything mentioned in subsection (2) as appear to it to be necessary or expedient for the purpose of advancing—

(a) the consumer protection objective or the competition objective, or

(b) if the Treasury by order provide for this paragraph to apply, the integrity objective.

(2) Those prohibited things are—

(a) entering into specified agreements with any person or specified person;

(b) entering into specified agreements with any person or specified person unless requirements specified in the rules have been satisfied;

(c) doing anything that would or might result in the entering into of specified agreements by persons or specified persons, or the holding by them of a beneficial or other kind of economic interest in specified agreements;

(d) doing anything within paragraph (c) unless requirements specified in the rules have been satisfied.

(3) “Specified agreements” means agreements of a description specified in general rules made by the FCA.

(4) “Specified persons” means persons of a description specified in general rules made by the FCA.

(5) It is of no relevance—

(a) whether the entering into of a specified agreement itself constitutes the carrying on of a regulated activity, or

(b) whether, in a case within subsection (2)(c) or (d), the specified agreements are with the authorised persons concerned or anyone else.

(6) The requirements that may be specified under subsection (2)(b) or (d) include in particular—

(a) requirements as to the terms and conditions that are to be, or are not to be, included in specified or other agreements, and

(b) requirements limiting invitations or inducements to enter into specified or other agreements to those made to specified persons.

(7) In relation to contraventions of product intervention rules, the rules may—

(a) provide for a relevant agreement or obligation to be unenforceable against any person or specified person;

(b) provide for the recovery of any money or other property paid or transferred under a relevant agreement or obligation by any person or specified person;

(c) provide for the payment of compensation for any loss sustained by any person or specified person as a result of paying or transferring any money or other property under a relevant agreement or obligation.

(8) “A relevant agreement or obligation” means—

(a) a specified agreement;

(b) an agreement entered into in contravention of any rule made as a result of subsection (2)(c) or (d);

(c) an obligation to which a person is subject as a result of exercising a right conferred by an agreement within paragraph (a) or (b) of this subsection.

(9) The provision that may be made as a result of subsection (7) includes provision corresponding to that made by section 30 (enforceability of agreements resulting from unlawful communications).

(10) In this section—

(a) any reference to entering into an agreement includes inviting or inducing persons to enter into an agreement, and

(b) any reference to an agreement includes an arrangement.

Orders under s.137D(1)(b)

137E

(1) No order may be made under section 137D(1)(b) unless—

(a) a draft of the order has been laid before Parliament and approved by a resolution of each House, or

(b) subsection (3) applies.

(2) Subsection (3) applies if an order under section 137D(1)(b) contains a statement that the Treasury are of the opinion that, by reason of urgency, it is necessary to make the order without a draft being so laid and approved.

(3) Where this subsection applies the order—

(a) must be laid before Parliament after being made, and

(b) ceases to have effect at the end of the relevant period unless before the end of that period the order is approved by a resolution of each House of Parliament (but without that affecting anything done under the order or the power to make a new order).

(4) The “relevant period” is a period of 28 days beginning with the day on which the order is made.

(5) In calculating the relevant period no account is to be taken of any time during which Parliament is dissolved or prorogued or during which both Houses are adjourned for more than 4 days.

Rules requiring participation in benchmark

137F

(1) The power of the FCA to make general rules includes power to make rules requiring authorised persons to take specified steps in connection with the setting by a specified person of a specified benchmark.

(2) The rules may in particular—

(a) require authorised persons to whom the rules apply to provide information of a specified kind, or expressions of opinion as to specified matters, to persons determined in accordance with the rules;

(b) make provision about the form in which and the time by which any information or expression of opinion is to be provided;

(c) make provision by reference to any code or other document published by the person responsible for the setting of the benchmark or by any other person determined in accordance with the rules, as the code or other document has effect from time to time.

(3) Rules making provision of the kind mentioned in subsection (2)(c) may provide that the code or other document is to be capable of affecting obligations imposed by the rules only if specified requirements are met in relation to it.

(4) In this section—

“benchmark” means a benchmark within the meaning of section 22... (6A);

“specified” means specified in or determined in accordance with the rules.

FCA general rules: disclosure of information about pension scheme transaction costs etc

137FA

(1) The FCA must make general rules requiring information about some or all of the transaction costs of a relevant scheme to be given to some or all of the persons mentioned in subsection (2).

(2) Those persons are—

(a) members of the scheme,

(b) spouses or civil partners of members, and

(3) The FCA must make general rules requiring the publication of information about—

(a) some or all of the transaction costs of a relevant scheme, and

(b) some or all of the other administration charges imposed on members of a relevant scheme.

(4) Rules made by virtue of subsection (3) may require other relevant information to be published along with information about transaction costs or other administration charges in relation to a scheme.

(5) “Other relevant information” means other information which would or may assist in making comparisons between those costs or charges and costs or charges in relation to other schemes.

(6) Before the FCA publishes a draft of any rules to be made by virtue of this section, it must consult—

(a) the Secretary of State, and

(b) the Treasury.

(7) In determining what provision to include in the rules, the FCA must have regard to any regulations about the disclosure or publication of transaction costs or other administration charges that are for the time being in force under section 113 of the Pension Schemes Act 1993.

(8) In this section—

“administration charge” has the meaning given by paragraph 1(5) of Schedule 18 to the Pensions Act 2014;

“money purchase scheme” has the meaning given by section 181(1) of the Pension Schemes Act 1993;

“personal pension scheme” has the meaning given by section 1 of the Pension Schemes Act 1993;

“relevant scheme” means a money purchase scheme that is—a personal pension scheme where direct payment arrangements (within the meaning of section 111A of the Pension Schemes Act 1993) exist in respect of one or more members of the scheme who are workers, ora personal pension scheme which is or has been registered under section 2 of the Welfare Reform and Pensions Act 1999 (stakeholder pension schemes);

“worker” means a person—who is a worker for the purposes of Part 1 of the Pensions Act 2008, orto whom a provision of Part 1 of that Act applies as if the person were a worker because of a provision of Chapter 8 of that Part;but for the purposes of paragraph (b), ignore section 92 of that Act.

FCA general rules: pensions dashboards

137FAA

(1) The FCA must make general rules imposing requirements on specified authorised persons with respect to—

(a) providing pensions information by means of—

(i) a qualifying pensions dashboard service;

(ii) the pensions dashboard service provided by the Money and Pensions Service;

(b) facilitating the provision of pensions information by means of—

(i) a qualifying pensions dashboard service;

(ii) the pensions dashboard service provided by the Money and Pensions Service.

(2) In this section “pensions information” means, in relation to a personal or stakeholder pension scheme, information of a description specified in rules made by virtue of subsection (1), which may include in particular—

(a) information relating to—

(i) the constitution of the scheme,

(ii) the administration and finances of the scheme,

(iii) the rights and obligations that arise or may arise under the scheme,

(iv) the pensions and other benefits an entitlement to which would be likely to accrue to a member, or be capable of being secured by a member, in respect of the rights that may arise under the scheme, and

(v) other matters relevant to personal or stakeholder pension schemes in general or to personal or stakeholder pension schemes of a description to which the scheme belongs;

(b) information as regards the position of an individual in relation to the scheme.

(3) Rules made by virtue of subsection (1) may, in particular, impose requirements about—

(a) the persons to whom pensions information must be provided;

(b) the circumstances in which pensions information must be provided;

(d) the manner and form in which pensions information must be provided;

(e) the time within which pensions information must be provided;

(f) the way in which pensions information must be held.

(4) Rules made by virtue of subsection (1) may require specified authorised persons to comply with standards, specifications or technical requirements published from time to time by—

(a) the Secretary of State,

(b) the Money and Pensions Service, or

(5) Rules made by virtue of subsection (1) may include provision under which a determination may fall to be made by—

(a) the Secretary of State,

(b) the Money and Pensions Service, or

(6) Rules made by virtue of subsection (1) may require specified authorised persons to provide information specified in the rules about their carrying out of requirements specified in the rules to—

(a) the FCA,

(b) the Money and Pensions Service, or

(7) Rules made by virtue of subsection (1) may require specified authorised persons to have regard, in complying with requirements specified in the rules, to guidance issued from time to time by a person specified or of a description specified in the rules.

(8) In determining what provision to include in the rules, the FCA must have regard to any regulations that are for the time being in force under—

(a) section 238D of the Pensions Act 2004, or

(b) Article 215D of the Pensions (Northern Ireland) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/255 (N.I. 1)).

Pensions dashboards: further provision

137FAB

(1) General rules made by virtue of section 137FAA(1) may make provision about—

(a) how pensions information is to be provided, including provision about the use of intermediaries;

(b) the involvement of specified authorised persons in the arrangements for dealing with requests for information about pensions.

(2) The provision made by virtue of subsection (1) may, in particular, require—

(a) the use of electronic communications;

(b) the use of facilities or services specified or of a description specified in the rules;

(c) the provision of assistance in connection with the establishment, maintenance or management of such facilities or services;

(d) participation in, or compliance with, arrangements for establishing, maintaining or managing such facilities or services.

(3) The facilities and services for which provision may be made by virtue of subsection (2)(b) may include facilities or services with functions relating to—

(a) the transmission of information,

(b) verifying the identity of a person,

(c) identifying the occupational or personal pension scheme or schemes (as defined in section 1 of the Pension Schemes Act 1993 or the Pension Schemes (Northern Ireland) Act 1993) under which pensions are payable to or in respect of a particular individual,

(d) authenticating information transmitted by means of electronic communications, or

(e) ensuring the security of information transmitted by means of electronic communications.

(4) Rules made by virtue of subsection (2)(b) may impose requirements as regards a facility or service, including requirements about—

(a) compliance with standards, specifications or technical requirements published from time to time by—

(i) the Secretary of State,

(ii) the Money and Pensions Service, or

(iii) a person specified or of a description specified in the rules;

(b) the provider of the facility or service being a person approved from time to time by—

(i) the Secretary of State,

(ii) the Money and Pensions Service, or

(iii) a person specified or of a description specified in the rules.

(5) Rules made by virtue of subsection (2)(d) may, in particular, require specified authorised persons—

(a) to cooperate with the Money and Pensions Service or a person specified or of a description specified in the rules;

(b) to coordinate activities with the Money and Pensions Service or a person specified or of a description specified in the rules.

(6) Except as provided by subsection (7), general rules made by virtue of section 137FAA(1) may provide for the processing of personal data in accordance with the rules not to be in breach of—

(a) any obligation of confidence owed by the person processing the personal data, or

(b) any other restriction on the processing of personal data (however imposed).

(7) General rules made by virtue of section 137FAA(1) are not to be read as authorising or requiring such processing of personal data as would contravene the data protection legislation (but in determining whether particular processing of data would do so, take into account the power conferred or duty imposed by the provision of the rules in question).

Sections 137FAA and 137FAB: supplementary

137FAC

(1) Before the FCA publishes a draft of any general rules to be made by virtue of section 137FAA, it must consult—

(a) the Secretary of State, and

(b) the Treasury.

(2) Section 137FAA is not to be treated as requiring the FCA to make general rules by virtue of section 137FAA that come into force before regulations made under section 238D of the Pensions Act 2004 come into force.

(3) Section 137FAA is not to be treated as requiring the FCA to exercise the power to make general rules by virtue of section 137FAA in relation to every case to which the power extends.

(4) A reference in sections 137FAA and 137FAB to the Money and Pensions Service includes a reference to a person with whom arrangements are made under section 5(1), (2) or (3) of the Financial Guidance and Claims Act 2018.

(5) In sections 137FAA and 137FAB—

“the data protection legislation” has the same meaning as in the Data Protection Act 2018 (see section 3 of that Act);

“pensions dashboard service” means—a pensions dashboard service within the meaning of section 238A of the Pensions Act 2004, ora pensions dashboard service within the meaning of Article 215A of the Pensions (Northern Ireland) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/255 (N.I. 1));

“personal data” has the same meaning as in the Data Protection Act 2018 (see section 3 of that Act);

“personal pension scheme” means a personal pension scheme within the meaning of an order under section 22 (except in section 137FAB(3)(c));

“qualifying pensions dashboard service” means a pensions dashboard service that satisfies—such requirements as may be prescribed by regulations under section 238A of the Pensions Act 2004, orsuch requirements as may be prescribed by regulations under Article 215A of the ;

“specified authorised person” means an authorised person of a description specified in general rules made by virtue of section 137FAA;

“stakeholder pension scheme” has the meaning given by—section 1 of the Welfare Reform and Pensions Act 1999, in relation to England and Wales and Scotland;Article 3 of the Welfare Reform and Pensions (Northern Ireland) Order 1999 (S.I. 1999/3147 (N.I. 11)), in relation to Northern Ireland.

FCA general rules: disclosure of information about the availability of pensions guidance

137FB

(1) The FCA must make general rules requiring information about the availability of pensions guidance to be given by the trustees or managers of a relevant pension scheme to members of the scheme, and survivors of members of the scheme, with subsisting rights in respect of any flexible benefits.

(1A) The FCA must also make general rules requiring the trustees or managers of a relevant pension scheme to take the steps mentioned in subsections (1B) and (1C) in relation to an application from a member or survivor—

(a) to transfer any rights accrued under the scheme, or

(b) to start receiving benefits provided by the scheme.

(1B) As part of the application process, the trustees or managers must ensure that—

(a) the member or survivor is referred to appropriate pensions guidance, and

(b) the member or survivor is provided with an explanation of the nature and purpose of such guidance.

(1C) Before proceeding with the application, the trustees or managers must ensure that the member or survivor has either received appropriate pensions guidance or has opted out of receiving such guidance.

(1D) The rules may—

(a) specify what constitutes appropriate pensions guidance;

(b) make further provision about how the trustees or managers must comply with the duties in subsections (1B) and (1C) (such as provision about methods of communication and time limits);

(c) make further provision about how, and to whom, a member or survivor may indicate that they have received or opted out of receiving appropriate pensions guidance for the purposes of subsection (1C);

(d) specify what the duties of the trustees or managers are in the situation where a member or survivor does not respond to a communication that is made for the purposes of complying with the duty in subsection (1C);

(e) provide for exceptions to the duties in subsections (1B) and (1C) in specified cases.

(2) Before the FCA publishes a draft of any rules to be made by virtue of subsection (1), it must consult—

(a) the Secretary of State, and

(b) the Treasury.

(2A) Before the FCA publishes a draft of any rules to be made by virtue of subsection (1A), it must consult—

(a) the Secretary of State, and

(b) the Money and Pensions Service.

(3) In determining what provision to include in rules to be made by virtue of subsection (1), the FCA must have regard to any regulations that are for the time being in force under section 113 of the Pension Schemes Act 1993 concerning the giving of information about the availability of pensions guidance to members of pension schemes, and survivors of members of pension schemes, with subsisting rights in respect of any flexible benefits.

(3A) In determining what provision to include in rules to be made by virtue of subsection (1A), the FCA must have regard to any regulations that are for the time being in force under section 113B of the Pension Schemes Act 1993 (occupational pension schemes: requirements to refer members to guidance etc).

(4) In this section—

“flexible benefit” has the meaning given by section 74 of the Pension Schemes Act 2015;

“pensions guidance” means information or guidance provided by any person in pursuance of the requirements mentioned in section 4 of the Financial Guidance and Claims Act 2018 (information etc about flexible benefits under pension schemes);

“relevant pension scheme” means a pension scheme set up by a person with permission under this Act to establish—a personal pension scheme within the meaning of an order under section 22, ora stakeholder pension scheme within the meaning of such an order;

“subsisting right” has the meaning given by section 76 of the Pension Schemes Act 2015;

“survivor” has the meaning given by section 76 of the Pension Schemes Act 2015.

FCA general rules: advice about transferring or otherwise dealing with annuity payments

137FBA

(1) The FCA must make general rules requiring specified authorised persons to check that an individual—

(a) who has a right to payments under a relevant annuity, and

(b) if the Treasury make regulations under subsection (3), who is not an exempt person by virtue of those regulations,

has received appropriate advice before transferring or otherwise dealing with the right to those payments.

(2) The reference in subsection (1) to a right to payments under a relevant annuity does not include a contingent right to such payments.

(3) The Treasury may by regulations provide that an individual whose financial circumstances meet criteria specified in the regulations is an exempt person for the purposes of subsection (1)(b).

(4) Regulations made under subsection (3) may (amongst other things) specify criteria based on the proportion of the individual's financial resources that is represented by the payments under the relevant annuity or the value of that annuity.

(5) The rules made by virtue of subsection (1) may include provision—

(a) about what specified authorised persons must do to check that an individual has received appropriate advice for the purposes of those rules;

(b) about when the check must be carried out.

(6) For the purposes of this section—

(a) “relevant annuity” means an annuity specified (by type, value or otherwise) as a relevant annuity in regulations made by the Treasury;

(b) “appropriate advice” means advice specified (by reference to the person giving the advice or otherwise) as appropriate advice in regulations made by the Treasury;

(c) “specified authorised person” means an authorised person of a description specified in rules made by virtue of subsection (1).

(7) If regulations under subsection (3) or (6)(a) make provision about the value of an annuity, the regulations may also make provision about the basis on which the value of an annuity is to be calculated.

FCA general rules: early exit pension charges

137FBB

(1) The FCA must make general rules prohibiting authorised persons from—

(a) imposing specified early exit charges on members of relevant pension schemes, and

(b) including in relevant pension schemes provision for the imposition of specified early exit charges on members of such schemes.

(2) The rules must be made with a view to securing, so far as is reasonably possible, an appropriate degree of protection for members of relevant pension schemes against early exit charges being a deterrent on taking, converting or transferring benefits under the schemes.

(3) The rules may specify early exit charges by reference to charges of a specified class or description, or by reference to charges which exceed a specified amount.

(4) The rules made by virtue of subsection (1)(a) must prohibit the imposition of the charges after those rules come into force, whether the relevant pension scheme was established before or after those rules (or this section) came into force.

(5) In relation to a charge which is imposed, or provision for the imposition of a charge which is included in a pension scheme, in contravention of the rules, the rules may (amongst other things)—

(a) provide for the obligation to pay the charge to be unenforceable or unenforceable to a specified extent;

(b) provide for the recovery of amounts paid in respect of the charge;

(c) provide for the payment of compensation for any losses incurred as a result of paying amounts in respect of the charge.

(6) Subject to subsection (8) an early exit charge, in relation to a member of a pension scheme, is a charge which—

(a) is imposed under the scheme when a member who has reached normal minimum pension age takes the action mentioned in subsection (7), but

(b) is only imposed, or only imposed to that extent, if the member takes that action before the member's expected retirement date.

(7) The action is the member taking benefits under the scheme, converting benefits under the scheme into different benefits or transferring benefits under the scheme to another pension scheme.

(8) The Treasury may by regulations specify matters that are not to be treated as early exit charges for the purposes of this section.

(9) For the purposes of this section—

“charge”, in relation to a member of a pension scheme, includes a reduction in the value of the member's benefits under the scheme;

“expected retirement date”, in relation to a member of a pension scheme, means the date determined by, or in accordance with, the scheme as the date on which the member's benefits under the scheme are expected to be taken;

“normal minimum pension age” has the same meaning as in section 279(1) of the Finance Act 2004;

“relevant pension scheme” has the same meaning as in section 137FB;

and a reference to benefits includes all or any part of those benefits.

FCA general rules: regulation of consolidator pension schemes

137FBC

(1) The FCA may make general rules under which the provider of an FCA-regulated pension scheme is required to notify the FCA where it intends that the scheme should be a consolidator scheme, or an arrangement under the scheme should be a consolidator arrangement, for the purposes of Chapter 2 of Part 2 of the Pension Schemes Act 2026.

(2) If the FCA makes rules under subsection (1) it must—

(a) make general rules regulating pension schemes that have given (and not withdrawn) a notice of the kind mentioned in subsection (1), and

(b) publish and maintain a list of FCA-regulated pension schemes, and arrangements under such schemes, in accordance with subsections (3) and (4).

(3) The list must, subject to subsection (4), include each FCA-regulated pension scheme, and each arrangement under an FCA-regulated scheme, in relation to which the FCA has received a notice by virtue of subsection (1).

(4) The list must not include a scheme or arrangement if—

(a) the notice in relation to it has been withdrawn by the provider of the scheme, or

(b) the FCA has determined that it is unlikely that rules made under subsection (1) or (2)(a) will be complied with in relation to the scheme or arrangement within such period as the FCA considers reasonable.

(5) In determining what provision to include in rules under subsection (2)(a), the FCA must have regard to any provision contained in small pots regulations by virtue of section 29 of the Pension Schemes Act 2026 (authorisation of consolidator schemes etc by the Pensions Regulator).

(6) In this section—

“FCA-regulated”, in relation to a pension scheme, has the meaning given by subsection (7);

“pension scheme” has the meaning given by section 1(5) of the Pension Schemes Act 1993;

“provider”, in relation to an FCA-regulated pension scheme, means the person referred to in subsection (7)(b).

(7) A pension scheme is “FCA-regulated” if the operation of the scheme—

(a) is a regulated activity, and

(b) is carried on in the United Kingdom by an authorised person.

FCA rules: disclosure of information about the availability of financial guidance

137FC

(1) The FCA must make general rules requiring specified authorised persons to provide information about the availability of financial guidance to the descriptions of persons specified in the rules.

(2) The rules may specify the circumstances in which the duty to provide the information applies.

(3) Before the FCA publishes a draft of any rules to be made by virtue of this section, it must consult—

(a) the Secretary of State,

(b) the Treasury, and

(4) In this section—

“financial guidance” means information, guidance or advice provided in pursuance of the Money and Pensions Service’s pensions guidance, debt advice or money guidance function (see section 3 of the Financial Guidance and Claims Act 2018);

“specified authorised person” means an authorised person of a description specified in rules made by virtue of this section.

FCA general rules: charges for claims management services

137FD

(1) The power of the FCA to make general rules includes power to make rules prohibiting authorised persons from—

(a) entering into a specified regulated claims management agreement that provides for the payment by a person of charges which, taken with charges payable under an agreement treated by the rules as being connected with the regulated claims management agreement (if any), are specified charges, and

(b) imposing specified charges on a person in connection with the provision of a service which is, or which is provided in connection with, a specified regulated claims management activity.

(2) The FCA must make rules by virtue of subsection (1) in relation to all regulated claims management agreements, and all regulated claims management activities, which concern claims in relation to financial products or services.

(3) The rules must be made with a view to securing an appropriate degree of protection against excessive charges for the provision of a service which is, or which is provided in connection with, a regulated claims management activity.

(4) The rules may specify charges by reference to charges of a specified class or description, or by reference to charges which exceed, or are capable of exceeding, a specified amount.

(5) In relation to an agreement entered into, or charge imposed, in contravention of the rules, the rules may (amongst other things)—

(a) provide for the agreement, or obligation to pay the charge, to be unenforceable or unenforceable to a specified extent;

(b) provide for the recovery of amounts paid under the agreement or obligation;

(c) provide for the payment of compensation for any losses incurred as a result of paying amounts under the agreement or obligation.

(6) The provision that may be made under subsection (5) includes provision corresponding to that made by section 30 (enforceability of agreements resulting from unlawful communications).

(7) In this section—

(a) “regulated claims management agreement” means an agreement, the entering into or performing of which by either party is a regulated claims management activity, and

(b) “specified” means specified in the rules, but “specified amount” means an amount specified in or determined in accordance with the rules.

The PRA's general rules

137G

(1) The PRA may make such rules applying to PRA-authorised persons—

(a) with respect to the carrying on by them of regulated activities, or

(b) with respect to the carrying on by them of activities which are not regulated activities,

as appear to the PRA to be necessary or expedient for the purpose of advancing any of its objectives.

(2) Rules made under this section are referred to in this Act as the PRA's general rules.

(3) The PRA's general rules may make provision applying to PRA-authorised persons even though there is no relationship between the PRA-authorised persons to whom the rules will apply and the persons whose interests will be protected by the rules.

(4) The PRA's general rules may contain requirements which take into account, in the case of a PRA-authorised person who is a member of a group, any activity of another member of the group.

(5) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(6) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(7) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

The PRA's general rules: Gibraltar

137GA

(1) The PRA's general rules may not make provision prohibiting a Gibraltar-based person from carrying on, or holding itself out as carrying on, an activity which it has a Schedule 2A permission to carry on in the United Kingdom.

(2) The Treasury may by regulations impose other limitations on what provision applying to Gibraltar-based persons with a Schedule 2A permission to carry on a regulated activity may be made in the PRA's general rules.

(3) Before making regulations under subsection (2), the Treasury must consult the PRA.

General rules about remuneration

137H

(1) This section applies where either regulator exercises its power to make general rules so as to make rules prohibiting persons, or persons of a specified description, from being remunerated in a specified way.

(2) The rules may—

(a) provide that any provision of an agreement that contravenes such a prohibition is void, and

(b) provide for the recovery of any payment made, or other property transferred, in pursuance of a provision that is void by virtue of paragraph (a).

(3) A provision that, at the time the rules are made, is contained in an agreement made before that time may not be rendered void under subsection (2)(a) unless it is subsequently amended so as to contravene a prohibition referred to in that subsection.

Remuneration policies: Treasury direction to consider compliance

137I

(1) This section applies where either regulator exercises its power to make general rules so as to make rules requiring authorised persons, or authorised persons of a description specified in the rules, to act in accordance with a remuneration policy.

(2) A “remuneration policy” is a policy about the remuneration by an authorised person of—

(a) officers,

(b) employees, or

of a description specified in the rules.

(3) The Treasury may direct the regulator to consider whether the remuneration policies of authorised persons specified in the direction (or of authorised persons of a description so specified) comply with requirements imposed by rules made by that regulator as to the contents of the policies.

(4) Before giving a direction under subsection (3), the Treasury must consult the regulator concerned.

(5) If the regulator considers that a remuneration policy of an authorised person fails to make provision which complies with the requirements mentioned in subsection (3), the regulator must take such steps as it considers appropriate to deal with the failure.

(6) The steps that the regulator may take include requiring the remuneration policy to be revised.

(7) “Authorised person”, in relation to the PRA, means PRA-authorised person.

Rules about recovery plans: duty to consult

137J

(1) Before either regulator prepares a draft of any general rules that require a relevant person (or a relevant person of a specified description) to prepare a recovery plan, the regulator must consult the Treasury.

(1A) The FCA must also consult the Bank of England.

(2) “Relevant person” means—

(a) an institution authorised in the UK; or

(b) a qualifying parent undertaking within the meaning given by section 192B.

(3) A “recovery plan” is a document which provides for measures to be taken—

(a) by an institution authorised in the UK which is not part of a group, following a significant deterioration of the financial position of the institution, in order to restore its financial position; or

(b) in relation to a group, to achieve the stabilisation of the group as a whole, or of any institution within the group, where the group or institution is in a situation of financial stress, in order to address or remove the causes of the financial stress and restore the financial position of the group or institution.

(4) For the purposes of subsection (3)(a) the definition of “group” in section 421 applies with the omission of subsection (1)(e) and (f) of that section.

(6) In this section—

“authorised person”, in relation to the PRA, means PRA-authorised person;

“institution” means— a credit institution, other than an entity mentioned in Article 2.5 of the capital requirements directive; or a designated investment firm as defined in Article 4(1)(2AA) of the capital requirements regulation;

“institution authorised in the UK” means an authorised person who is—a bank within the meaning given by section 2 of the Banking Act 2009;a building society within the meaning given in section 119 of the Building Societies Act 1986; oran investment firm within the meaning given by section 258A of the Banking Act 2009;

“specified” means specified in the rules.

Rules about resolution packs: duty to consult

137K

(1) Before either regulator prepares a draft of any general rules that require a relevant person (or a relevant person of a specified description) to prepare a resolution pack, the regulator must consult the Treasury.

(1A) The FCA must also consult the Bank of England.

(2) “Relevant person” has the same meaning as in section 137J(2).

(3) A “resolution pack” is a document containing information within subsection (4) or (5).

(4) Information is within this subsection if it relates to action to be taken in the event of—

(a) circumstances arising in which it is likely that the business (or any part of the business) of an authorised person will fail, or

(b) the failure of the business (or any part of the business) of an authorised person.

(5) Information is within this subsection if it would facilitate anything falling to be done by any person in consequence of that failure.

(6) An example of information within subsection (5) is information that, in the event of that failure, would facilitate—

(a) planning by the Treasury in relation to the possible exercise of any of its powers under Part 1 of the Banking Act 2009, or

(b) planning by the Bank of England in relation to the possible exercise of any of its powers under Part 1, 2 or 3 of that Act.

(7) In this section “authorised person”, in relation to the PRA, means PRA-authorised person.

Interpretation of sections 137J and 137K

137L

(1) This section has effect for the interpretation of sections 137J and 137K.

(2) References to the taking of action include the taking of action by—

(a) the authorised person,

(b) any other person in the same group as the authorised person, or

(3) In subsection (2)(b) the definition of “group” in section 421 applies with the omission of subsection (1)(e) and (f) of that section.

(4) References to the business of an authorised person include the business of—

(a) any person in the same group as the authorised person, and

(b) a partnership of which the authorised person is a member.

(5) For the purposes of section 137K the cases in which the business (or any part of the business) of the authorised person (“A”) is to be regarded as having failed include those where—

(a) A enters insolvency,

(b) any of the stabilisation options in Part 1 of the Banking Act 2009 is achieved in relation to A, or

(c) A falls to be taken for the purposes of the compensation scheme to be unable, or likely to be unable, to satisfy claims against A.

(6) In subsection (5)(a) “insolvency” includes—

(a) bankruptcy,

(b) liquidation,

(d) administration,

(e) bank administration,

(f) receivership,

(g) a composition between A and A's creditors, and

(h) a scheme of arrangement of A's affairs.

Special provision relating to adequacy of resolution plans

137M

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Recovery plans and resolution packs: restriction on duty of confidence

137N

(1) A contractual or other requirement imposed on a person (“P”) to keep information in confidence does not apply if—

(a) the information is or may be relevant to anything required to be done as a result of a requirement imposed by general rules made by either regulator to prepare a recovery plan or a resolution pack,

(b) an authorised person or a skilled person requests or requires P to provide the information for the purpose of securing that those things are done, and

(c) the regulator in question has approved the making of the request or the imposition of the requirement before it is made or imposed.

(2) An authorised person or a qualifying parent undertaking may provide information (whether received under subsection (1) or otherwise) that would otherwise be subject to a contractual or other requirement to keep it in confidence if it is provided for the purposes of anything required to be done as a result of a requirement imposed by general rules to prepare a recovery plan or a resolution pack.

(3) In this section, references to preparing a recovery plan or a resolution pack include—

(a) keeping that plan or pack up to date, and

(b) collecting specified information for the purposes of that plan or pack.

(4) In this section, references to a skilled person are to a person appointed in accordance with section 166A.

(5) In this section—

“authorised person”, in relation to rules of the PRA, means a PRA-authorised person;

“qualifying parent undertaking” means—a qualifying parent undertaking within the meaning given by section 192B; ......

“specified” means specified in the rules.

Specific rule-making powers

Threshold condition code

137O

(1) Either regulator may make rules supplementing any of the conditions for the time being set out in or specified under Schedule 6 that is expressed to be relevant to the discharge of that regulator's functions.

(2) Rules made under this section by a regulator are referred to as that regulator's “threshold condition code”.

(3) A threshold condition code may in particular—

(a) specify requirements which a person must satisfy in order to be regarded as satisfying a particular condition in relation to any regulated activities;

(b) specify matters which are, or may be, or are not, relevant in determining whether a person satisfies a particular condition in relation to any regulated activities.

(4) Except where a regulator's threshold condition code so provides, it is not to be regarded as limiting the matters that are, or may be, relevant in determining whether a person satisfies a particular condition in relation to any regulated activities.

(5) A threshold condition code cannot impose obligations that are enforceable against authorised persons otherwise than through the threshold conditions.

Control of information rules

137P

(1) Either regulator may make rules (“control of information rules”) about the disclosure and use of information held by an authorised person (“A”).

(2) Control of information rules may—

(a) require the withholding of information which A would otherwise be required to disclose to a person (“B”) for or with whom A does business in the course of carrying on any regulated or other activity;

(b) specify circumstances in which A may withhold information which A would otherwise be required to disclose to B;

(i) which is held by A, and

(ii) which A would otherwise be required to use for the benefit of B;

(d) specify circumstances in which A may decide not to use for the benefit of B information within paragraph (c).

Price stabilising rules

137Q

(1) The FCA may make rules (“price stabilising rules”) as to—

(a) the circumstances and manner in which,

(b) the conditions subject to which, and

action may be taken for the purpose of stabilising the price of investments of specified kinds.

(2) Price stabilising rules—

(a) are to be made so as to apply only to authorised persons;

(aa) must not apply to transactions, orders, behaviour, actions or omissions to which the market abuse regulation applies;

(b) may make different provision in relation to different kinds of investment.

(3) The FCA may make rules which, for the purposes of the relevant exemption provisions, treat a person who acts or engages in conduct in conformity with specified provisions as acting, or engaging in that conduct, in conformity with the relevant provisions of Article 5 (exemption for buy-back programmes and stabilisation) of the market abuse regulation.

(3A) “Specified provisions” means such provisions—

(a) corresponding to the relevant provisions of Article 5 of the market abuse regulation, and

(b) made by a body or authority outside the United Kingdom as may be specified in rules made by the FCA,

as may be specified in rules made by the FCA.

(4) “The relevant exemption provisions” are the following provisions of the Financial Services Act 2012—

(a) section 90(9)(d);

(b) section 91(4)(c).

(5) In this section references to Article 5 of the market abuse regulation include—

(a) any technical standards originally adopted or made under that Article which are assimilated direct legislation, and

(b) any technical standards made under that Article by the FCA.

Financial promotion rules

137R

(1) The FCA may make rules applying to authorised persons about the communication by them, or their approval of the communication by others, of invitations or inducements—

(a) to engage in investment activity, or

(aa) to engage in claims management activity, or

(b) to participate in a collective investment scheme.

(2) Rules under this section may, in particular, make provision about the form and content of communications.

(3) Subsection (1) applies only to communications which—

(a) if made by a person other than an authorised person, without the approval of an authorised person, would contravene section 21(1), and

(b) may be made by an authorised person without contravening section 238(1).

(4) But subsection (3) does not prevent the FCA from making rules under subsection (1) in relation to a communication that would not contravene section 21(1) if made by a person other than an authorised person, without the approval of an authorised person, if the conditions set out in subsection (5) are satisfied.

(5) Those conditions are—

(a) that the communication would not contravene subsection (1) of section 21 because it is a communication to which that subsection does not apply as a result of an order under subsection (5) of that section,

(b) that the FCA considers that any of the listed requirements, apply to the communication, and

(c) that the FCA considers that the rules are necessary to secure that the communication satisfies such of the listed requirements as the FCA considers apply to the communication.

(5A) In subsection (5) “the listed requirements” means—

(a) requirements under the law of any part of the United Kingdom that appear to the FCA to correspond to requirements of—

(i) Articles 24 (general principles and information to clients) and 25 (assessment of suitability and appropriateness and reporting to clients) of the markets in financial instruments directive,

(ii) Commission Delegated Directive (EU) 2017/593 of 7 April 2016, so far as adopted under those Articles,

(iii) Article 77 of the UCITS directive,

(iv) Articles 10 and 11 of the mortgages directive,

(v) Article 17 of the insurance distribution directive, or

(vi) Article 44a of the recovery and resolution directive (as defined in paragraph (c)), and

(b) requirements of any assimilated direct legislation originally made under Article 24(13) or 25(8) of the markets in financial instruments directive.

(c) In paragraph (a)(vi), “recovery and resolution directive” means Directive 2014/59/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 May 2014 establishing a framework for the recovery and resolution of credit institutions and investment firms, as it had effect immediately before IP completion day.

(6) “Engage in investment activity” has and “engage in claims management activity” have the same meaning as in section 21.

(7) The Treasury may by order impose limitations on the power to make rules under this section.

Financial promotion rules: directions given by FCA

137S

(1) The FCA may give a direction under this section if—

(a) an authorised person has made, or proposes to make, a communication or has approved, or proposes to approve, another person's communication, and

(b) the FCA considers that there has been, or is likely to be, a contravention of financial promotion rules in respect of the communication or approval.

(2) A direction under this section may require the authorised person—

(a) to withdraw the communication or approval;

(b) to refrain from making the communication or giving the approval (whether or not it has previously been made or given);

(d) to do anything else specified in the direction in relation to the communication or approval.

(3) A requirement in a direction under this section to refrain from making or approving a communication includes a requirement to refrain from making or approving another communication where—

(a) the other communication is in all material respects the same as, or substantially the same as, the communication to which the direction relates, and

(b) in all the circumstances a reasonable person would think that another direction would be given under this section in relation to the other communication.

(4) The requirements contained in a direction under this section have effect as follows—

(a) a requirement to publish details of the direction has effect at such time (if any) as the FCA gives a notice under subsection (8)(a);

(b) any other requirement takes effect immediately.

(5) If the FCA gives a direction under this section to an authorised person—

(a) it must give written notice to the authorised person, and

Reading this document does not replace reading the official text published on legislation.gov.uk. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. We assume no responsibility for any inaccuracies arising from the conversion of the original CLML XML to this format.

This text is published under legislation.gov.uk's own terms of reuse, not a Legalize or public-domain licence. legislation.gov.uk
Open Government Licence v3.0 (attribution required)
© Crown and database right. Derived from content available under the Open Government Licence v3.0 from legislation.gov.uk.