Chapter 1 Flashcards
In the regulatory framework, who sits directly below parliament?
The Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Treasury
What two entities sits below the FPC in the UK regulatory system?
PRA and the FCA
What is the primary function of the BoE? (there are 4)
- Maintain monetary stability
- Oversee financial stability of the UK financial system
- Lender of last resort
- Custodian of the official hold reserves in the UK
Where does the Monetary Policy Committee sit? (MPC)
They sit within the Bank of England
Who is responsible for setting the legislative framework for the financial sector in the UK?
Parliament
Who can be seen as the macro regulator of the UK?
The FPC (FInancial policy committee)
Who oversees the FCA, PRA, and FPC?
Bank of England
What is the purpose of the MPC?
To maintain price stability in the UK which supports price stability and employment
Where does the MPC sit in the regulatory framework?
Within the BoE
What is the inflation target?
2%
How is the inflation target measured?
Measured by the 12 month increase in CPI
Who are the members of the MPC?
The Governor, Three deputy governors, BoE CHief Economics, and four external members appointed directly by the chancellor
How often does the MPC meet?
8 times a year
What is the focus of the FInancial policy Committee (FPC)?
Their focus is on macroeconomic and financial issues that may threatenthe stability of the financial system and economic objectives.
How often does the FPC meet?
At least 4 times during the year
Who is the PRA?
The PRa is the “Prudential Regulation Authority” and they aim to promote the safety and soundness of PRA authorised firms
What is the difference between a FCA regulated firm and a FCA/PRA regulated firm?
A FCA/PRA regulated firm have significant assets on their balance sheet that could pose a systemic risk. Hence they get extra oversight
What are the four main focus areas of the PRA?
- Avoid instability
- Minimise adverse effect the failure of a PRA authorised firm would have upon the stability of the UK financial system.
- Ensuring firms carry on their business in a way that avoids adverse effects on the system.
- Ensures firms maintain sufficient capital and have adequate controls in place.
What are the three pillars of the FCA
Pillar 1 - Proactive supervision for the biggest firms
Pillar 2 - Event driven, reactive supervision of actual or emerging risks
Pillar 3 - Thematic work focusing on risks/issues affecting multiple firms/sectors
What are FCA fixed portfolio firms?
This is a small population of firms regulated by the FCA which require the highest level of supervisory attention. These are companies that either are large, have a large market presence, or have a large customer footprint.
What are FCA flexible portfolio firms?
Comprise the balance (and majority) of FCA regulated firms.
Which pillars are the FCA fixed portfolio firms affected by?
All three
Which pillars are the FCA flexible portfolio firms affected by
Pillar 2 and 3
Is the FCA private or public?
The FCA is a private company limited by guarantee
How is the FCA financed?
The FCA is financed by the financial servies industry via a fee structure
Who is the fCA accountable to?
The FCA is accountable to the treasury
Who has the power to appoint or dismiss the FCA’s board and chairman?
The Treasury
What are the objectives of the FCA? (There are 4)
Strategic objective:
- Ensuring that financial markets work well so customers get a fair deal from financial firms
Operational objectives:
- Secure an appropriate degree of protection for consumers
- Protect and enhance the integrity of the UK financial system
- Promote effective competition in the interests of consumers
What is the strotegic objective of the FCA?
Strategic objective:
- Ensuring that financial markets work well so customers get a fair deal from financial firms
What are the three operational objectives of the FCA?
Operational objectives:
- Secure an appropriate degree of protection for consumers
- Protect and enhance the integrity of the UK financial system
- Promote effective competition in the interests of consumers
What are the FCA broad outcomes?
- Consumers get financial services and products that meet their needs from firms that they can trust
- Firms compete effectively with the interests of their customers and the integrity of the market at the heart of how they run their business
- Markets and financial systems are sound, stable, and resilient with transparent pricing information
What does the FCA objective “Protecting consumers objective” try to achieve?
This objective tries to make sure that the specific consumer group gets the right amount of protection for them. For professionals the FCA has set more firm guidance and rules, but for retail clients who needs enhanced protection, the rules are broad and will leave it to the firms to make sure that they make a best possible effort to protect the consumers based on consumer experience, expertice and capabilities. The firm should also consider what degree of risk is involved in the different kinds of investments/transactions
The FCA also uses consumer spotlight which assists them to understand what characteristics the consumer groups have and how they might benefit from added protection
What does the FCA objective “Market integrity objective” try to achieve?
It is considering the following factors to ensure that the financial makrets in the UK are sound:
- The soundness, stability and resilience of the financial markets are good
- That there is transparency of price information process in those markets
- Make sure that conflicts of interests are identified and managed
- Combat market abuse
- The orderly operation of the financial markets
- Reducing financial crims in the UK financial system
- Ensuring the responsibility and accountability of senior management
What does the FCA objective “Promoting effective competition objective” try to achieve?
The FCA promotes effective competition by:
- Setting a competition objective to promote effective competition in the interests of consumers in the markets they regulate
- Competition duty to promote effective competition when addressing the consumer protection or market integrity objectives
- The main aim is for consumers to have a choice to shop around for the best deal
- Fear Treatment of Customers (FTOC) is central to ensuring customers receive a fair deal
- The FCA has concurrent powers with the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA)
What are the enforcement powers (notices) of the FCA?
Warning Notice: Alerts the recipient that the action and proposed and why, and the recipient has the right to make representations as to why FCA should not take action
Decision notice: Gives details of what the FCA will do but includes the right of appeal
Further decision notice: Agreement has taken place after original decision notice, byt may only be issues with the recipients consent.
Final notice: This is puvlished on the FCA website and these set out the final action the FCA will take
Notices of discontinuance: Issues at any point during the investigation process and confirms that the FCA will not proceed further with the investigation
Supervisory notices: Gives details of what action has taken place and must be preceded by a warning or decision notice
What is the regulatory decision committee?
The RDC is the FCAs decision maker for contested enforcement decisions.
Who is the chairman of the RDC?
An FCA employee
What are the disciplinary measures of the FCA?
- Withdrawal or variation of authorisation or approval
- Prohibition
- Restitution order
- Public censure, statements of misconduct and financial penalties
- Prosecution
- Private Warning
What gives the FCA disciplinary power?
Financial Services and Markets Act 2000
What does the section19 of FSMA 2000 outline?
This is the general prohibition. This says that “no person may carry on a regulated activity in the UK unless he is an authorised person or an exempt person.
What is punishment for breaking the FSMA S19?
It is a criminal offence which carries a maximum jail term of two years and/or unlimited fine.
Investment agreements cannot be enforced
And they get to make good any losses to clients and/or pay profit from contracts entered into
What is an exempt person under FSMA?
An extempt person under FSMA is someone who is still bound by the FCA but does not have to go under the authorisation process.
Who are exepmt persons under FSMA? (There are 7)
- Exepmt by exemption order (eg BoE/IMF)
- Appointed representatives (due to them being connected to a firm that is authorised)
- Local authorities/charities (for deposits only)
- Lloyds syndicate members
- Members of designated professional bodies (members of institute of chartered accounting, etc)
- Recognised investment exchanges (RIEs) (eg LSE)
- Recognised clearing houses (RCHs)
What is the Capital Requirements Directive?
It is a directive that directs businesses as to how much resources they should have and what systems should be in place to make sure that a customer is just as safe putting their monies in a EU members state as their home state
What are the three pillars of the capital requirements directive?
- Quantification of risks for firms trading and credit businesses
- Series of robust requirements on public disclosure by firms
- Stronger Constructive Dialogue Between Regulators and Firms
Who does the Capital Requirements Directive apply to?
Banks, building societies, and most investment firms
What are the principles for business? (there are 11)
- Integrity
- Skill, care and diligence
- Management and control
- Financial prudence
- Market conduct
- Customers interests
- Communications with clients
- Conflicst of interests
- Customers relationship of trust
- Clients assets
- Relations with regulators
What is the fit and proper test?
The fit and proper test comes from when the FCA gives an individual the status as approved person. Only approved persons that are fit and proper can get the status
What are the most important considerations for the fit and proper test?
- Honestly, integrity, and reputation (employment history, criminal convictions, etc)
- Competence and capability
- Financial soundness
Who does the Senior Manager and Certification Regime apply to?
Both dual and single regulated firms
What is the Senior Managers Regime?
The senior managers regime is in place to ensure that senior managers have specified responsibilities that they are personally accountable for.
What is the certification regime?
The certification regime applies to material risk takers and ensures that individuals who are material risk takers are property certified and suited for the role
Who approves individuals for the Senior Managers Regime?
The regulators approve SMR individuals
Who approves individuals under the certification regime?
These individuals would be approved by the firms own fitness tests.
Who does the conduct rules apply to?
All staff
What are the two tiers of conduct rules and what is the difference?
Tier 1 are for all individuals (except ancillary staff) and tier 2 are for senior manager conduct rules
What is the abbreviation for the Systems and Control Source Book?
SYSC
What does SYSC stand for?
Systems and Control Source Book