Chapter 4: The FCA Conduct of Business Sourcebook/Client Assets Flashcards

1
Q

What is the “General Application” of the Conduct of Business Rules (COBS)?

A

The COBS apply directly to firms conducting designated investment business or conducting insurance business from an establishment maintained by them (or appointed representatives) in the UK

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What are the forms of Designated Investment Business subject to COBS?

There are 4 DBAM

Provided they are in designated investments?

A
  • Dealing
  • Broking
  • Advising
  • Managing
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

With reagrds to Designated Investments, what products are typically tested in this exam?

Full list in Chapter 3

What asset classes

A

MiFID Investments: Shares, Bonds and Derivatives

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What are some Non-MiFID Designated Investments subject to COBS?

What are some examples of the actual products?

A

Packaged products (gives retail clients exposure to the market indirectly)

Pension schemes, CIS etc…

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What is meant by “Insurance Business” subject to COBS?

What is an example

A

Insurance products that track the market e.g. Life assurance policies (endowments)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What are “Appointed representatives” AKA?

A

Tied agents

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Are “Appointed Representatives” exempt from COBS?

If so who is responsible?

A

Yes

The firm

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What is the Clients Best Interest Rule (Fair treatment)?

A

All firms must ensure they act honestly, fairly and professionally

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Which clients are subject to the “Electronic Media” rules?

A

All clients

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

For the COBS rules on Electronic Media, what conditions must be met in order to be able to use a Website?

There are 5

A
  • Evidence its appropriate method of communication
  • The client specifically consented to this method
  • The client is notified of the website address electronically
  • The info is kept up to date
  • The info will be kept for as long as the client requires it
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What situtations would require Recording Voice and Electronic Communications be kept?

What types of activities warrant storing these AND WHERE?

A
  • Receiving client orders
  • Executing client orders
  • Arranging for client order to be executed

In qualifying investments admitted to trading on a prescribed market

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

How long should “Good Quality Recording Voice and Electronic Communications” be kept?

How many years?

A

5 years

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What are the types of “Communications” that can be stored?

There are 4

A

Fax, email, instant messages and mobile phones

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Recording Voice and Electronic Communications, should be used for which types of client?

A

All clients including eligible counterparties

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

When considering Client Classification, what factor determines the amount of protection a client shoulg get?

A

Knowledge and experience

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What is the default status for Client Categorisation?

If they cant be classified

A

A Retail Client

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

What clients are scoped when the term “Customer” is used?

A

Professional Clients and Retail Clients

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

What are examples of Per Se Professional Clients?

There are 6 (write them down)

A
  • Authorised / Regulated firm
  • Central banks
  • Governments
  • Supranationals
  • Large undertaking
  • Other institutional investors
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

What type of business is usually used as “Eligible Counterparty Business”?

A

Dealing on own account and/or executing orders on behalf of clients

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

To be classified as a Professional Client at a company level, what Two of the Three factors must be satisified?

Turnover, Balance Sheet, Cash

A

Balance Sheet: 20m EUR
Net Turnover: 40m EUR
Funds: 2m EUR

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

To be classified as a Professional Client at a company level, what Two of the Three factors must be satisified FOR NON MiFID BUSINESS?

Turnover, Balance Sheet, Employees

A

Balance Sheet: 12.5m EUR
Net Turnover: 25m EUR
Avg. Employees: 250

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

For Elective Professional Clients, what is assessed in the Qualitative Test?

This is for all business?

A

Firms assess expertise, knowledge and experience to provide reasonable assurance about capability and understanding.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

For Elective Professional Clients, what is assessed in the Quantitative Tests?

For MiFID business only

A

Meet 2 of the following 3:
* Average trade frequency 10 per quarter over previous four quarters
* Portfolio > 500k EUR
* Works or worked in FS for more than 1 year in professional capacity

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

What is the Procedures to Opt up to an Elective Professional Client?

3 points

Written what

A
  • Written intent from the client to be classified as professional
  • Written warning to client to highlight loss of protection
  • Written client consent for lost protection
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
Q

Who will be unable to opt up to be a Eligible Counterparty?

A

Institutional investor

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
26
Q

What is the procedure to categorised as an “Eligible Counterparty”?

Only 1

A

Obtain client consent to be categorised as an eligible counterparty

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
27
Q

When Agent A is acting on behalf of Investor B, who should the firm categorise as the client?

A

Agent A

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
28
Q

What are the Exceptions, where the Agent would be classified as a client?

There are 2

A
  • There is a written agreement between the firm and the agent to class the firm as the client
  • The purpose of the agency is to avoid duties owed to B
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
29
Q

Can a Firm rely on information and recommendations provided by other MiFID firms

A

Yes

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
30
Q

If a firm is to rely on information from a non-MiFID firm, what conditions must be met?

There are 3

A
  • The information is in writing
  • The non-MiFID firm independent
  • The non-MiFID firm is competent (the MiFID firm is accountable to this)
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
31
Q

What is S21 of FSMA 2000?

Must not……

A

Must not communicate a financial promotion unless:
* It is an authorised person
* The content has been approved by an authorised person

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
32
Q

If a promotion has been approved by an authorised person, who takes responsibility?

A

The authorised person

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
33
Q

A firm that communicates a financial promotion produced by a Third Party, would never be in breach if?

What three conditions have been met?

A
  • It had established that an authorised person has approved the promotion
  • It communicates the promotion only to those intened for
  • The promotion has not caesed to be fair, clear and not misleading
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
34
Q

For Exceptions when approving a financial promotion, what are the FCA rules on promotions that are not covered?

There are 5…… FPO?

A
  • Exempt under the financial promotions order
  • From outside the UK and cannot have effect in the UK
  • Subject to the takeover code or any similar code
  • Personal quotes or illustrations
  • One of promotions that are not cold calls
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
35
Q

With regards to Adverts, what must be made very clear?

A

That it is not a prespectus and must list where and by what date can one find the prospectus

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
36
Q

Must and Advert be Consitent with Prospectus?

A

Yes, absolutley

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
37
Q

When communicating with Retail Clients, what must a firm ensure is what included?

A
  • Name of the firm is inluded
  • Details are fair and accurate
  • The promotion is comprehensible
  • The promotion does not obscure risks and warnings, especially for “Capital at Risk” products
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
38
Q

What is the time frame required for Past Performance?

How long and what incraments?

A
  • Must cover at least 5 years or life of investment
  • In complete 12 month periods
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
39
Q

What are the 6 rules relating to Past Performance when communicating with clients?

What must this include or exclude?

A
  • Must not be the most prominent feature
  • Cover at least 5 years or life, with 12 month periods
  • Reference period and sources must be shown
  • State this is not an indicator of future performance
  • If relevant currency stated and warning of currency risk provided
  • Disclose of fees and commissions
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
40
Q

What are the 2 rules relating to Simulated Performance when communicating with clients?

Note: This must also comply with the rules regarding past performance

A
  • Must be based on the actual performance of a given index
  • Comply with the rules of past performance
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
41
Q

What are the 4 rules relating to Future Performance when communicating with clients?

A
  • Must not be based on simulated past performance
  • Assumptions must be reasonable
  • Disclose effects of fees and comissions
  • Warn that future prediction are not a reliable indicator
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
42
Q

Who do rules about Direct Offers and Invitations apply to?

Which form of client?

A

Retail clients only

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
43
Q

What is a Direct Offer or Invitation?

What does this mean?

A

A financial promotion that contains a method of response for the client to invest in a product

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
44
Q

What must Direct Offer or Invitation contain, to enable a client to make an informed assessment?

Provide information about what 4 factors?

A
  • The firm and its services
  • Safekeeping of client assets and money
  • Effects of any costs and charges
  • Additional information about the risk associated with types of investments (non-MiFID business)
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
45
Q

What does the Distance Marketing Diretive set out?

Rules about a clients right to? How long are these period?

A

That clients have a right to cancel.
30 days for life and pension produccts
14 days everything else (general)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
46
Q

For an unwritten promotion (solicited and unsolicited), what must be identified at the start of the interaction?

3 simple notes

A
  • The caller
  • Their employer
  • The purpose of the call
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
47
Q

What are the mandatory conditions for Unwritten Promotions?

That give the client time and rights to assess the promotion

A
  • Must be fair, clear and not misleading
  • Ask whether the client wishes to continue, teminate if not
  • Provide client with an appointment a contact if they wish to cancel
  • Communicate at an appropriate time of day
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
48
Q

What is the definition of a Cold Call?

An unwritten promotion which i…..

A

An unwritten promotion that is not expressly requested or initiated by the client

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
49
Q

When are Cold Calls permitted?

What are the conditions that need to be met? - What products does this include?

A
  • An existing client that envisages a call
  • All retail clients where the promotion relates to: Generally marketable packaged product (not a high volatility fund) and services relating to readily releasable securities other than warrants
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
50
Q

In relation to information disclosure, what information must be provided to ALL CLIENTS?

6 points, try and write them down

A
  • Name and adress of firm
  • Method and language of communication
  • Name and contact details about the competent authority
  • Nature, frequency and timing of performance reports
  • If a common platform the COI policy
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
51
Q

What must a client agreement set out?

To all customers (not ECs) ? The rights…..

A

Sets out the essential rights and obligations of the firm, and of the customer

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
52
Q

With Regards to the Retail Distribution Review to retail clients (retail products), what must be set out?

They must be either indep…..

A

Firms making personal recommendations to retail clients, must be either independent or restricted

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
53
Q

When making personal reccomendations, where can **independent ** advisers look in relation to financial products?

Which markets?

A

All markets

54
Q

When making personal reccomendations, where can restricted advisers look in relation to financial products?

A

Only the products offered by the firm

55
Q

Under the RDR, what are the options to the client about “Renumeration”?

Is commission permitted?

A
  • No commission is permitted
  • Clients can either choose to pay the adviser charge up front or have it deducted from their investment over time
56
Q

Under the RDR, what are the rules about “Renumeration”?

When must this be provided, and how?

A

Any costs or charges must be agreed in advance with the client as “early as practicable” via a durable medium or via a website.

57
Q

Under the RDR, what are the rules about “Disclosure”?

What needs to be disclosed and when?

A

Must disclose adviser status and the costs of service before:
* Providing a service
* Or the client is bound by any agreement

58
Q

Who are the Product Disclosure Rules offered to?

Which client only?

A

Retail clients

59
Q

What is the purpose of the Product Disclosure Rules?

A

To provide enough information about the nature and risks of a product to enable a retail client to make an informed decision.

60
Q

What do Key Information Documents (KIDs) relate to?

What type of products?

A

Packaged retail and insurance based investment products

61
Q

What do Key Investor Information Documents (KIIDs) relate to?

What type of products?

A
  • UCITS schemes

Extra I means ucIts

62
Q

What do Key Features Documents (KFDs) relate to?

What type of products? give one example

A

Any non-PRIIP packaged products

e.g. Pension annuities

63
Q

What do information documents consider?

What do they contain for the retail client?

A

A serious of rhetorical questions that may help a retail client understand the risk of the products

64
Q

What is meant by a “Cooling Off Period”?

A

A cancellation right period

65
Q

What is set out in the Distance Marketing Directive (DMD)?

A

Offering the client a cancellation “cooling off” period, right to change thier mind

66
Q

What are the cancelllation period for Life Policies, Pension and other products?

How many days?

A
  • Life Policies and Pension Products: 30 days
  • Other Products: 14 days
67
Q

Under the Information Disclosure, which clients do “Inducement” rules apply to?

A

All CUSTOMERS (Retail and Professional)

68
Q

What did MiFID II cause around “Inducements” rules?

To reduce the risk of what?

A
  • MiFID II strengthened inducement rules, to reduce the risk of COI
69
Q

For MiFID business, what must a firm not do to comply with the “Inducement Rules”?

Not pay…

A

Must not pay to, or accept from a person other than the customer, any fee commission or non monetary benefit

70
Q

What are the exceptions for the Inducement Rules?

2 points where the fee….

A
  • The fee is designed to enhance the quality of service provided to the customer
  • The fee does not affect the firms duty to act in the best interest of the customer
71
Q

When must a firm disclose the fees to the client?

A

Before providing any service

72
Q

What does the Prohibition of Inducements not apply to?

What does this include?

A

Non monetary benefits

Food or drink at a business meeting

73
Q

Which clients does the “Provision of Research” rules apply to?

A

All CUSTOMERS (Retail and Professional)

74
Q

The receiving firm of research can only use it if it pays for it using which 2 methods?

A
  • Direct payments by the firm using its own resources
  • Payments from a seperate research payment account controlled by the firm
75
Q

What are the 2 rules about the Research Payment Accounts?

What must it be funded with, what must it disclose? Third parties?

A
  • The fund must spefically be funded by a research charge agreed with by clients
  • The firm must close the budget as well as the charges before providing its service
    * Annual information of the costs a client has incured due to third party research
76
Q

Does the firm need to regularly assess the quality and effectiveness of the research paid for?

A

Yes

77
Q

Which clients does the Suitability Rules apply to?

A

All CUSTOMERS (Retail and Professional)

78
Q

What is the Purpose of the Suitability Rules?

For retail clients and professional clients

A

This rule requires firms to obtain sufficient information to give suitable advice to retail clients and professional clients

79
Q

What services do the Suitability Rules apply to?

There are 2

A
  • Investment management services (discretionary management)
  • Personal recommendations (investment advisory)
80
Q

What is obtained in a “Fact Find”?

The relevant what 2 types of info

A

The relevant personal and financial information

81
Q

When giving suitable advice with rergard to the information disclosed, and other facts that the firm ought resonably to be aware of, what must these do / include?

For which client PC or RC, which one for RC only?

A
  • To meet the clients investment objectives (PC and RC)
  • That the client is able to bear financial risks (elective PC and RC)
  • That the client has the neccessary knowledge and experience to understand those risks
82
Q

What must a firm do if a client refuses to provide info?

But can act in what?

A

Refuse discretionary or advisory services, but can provide execution only

83
Q

Who do Suitability Reports apply to?

A

Retail clients

84
Q

What is the Purpose of a Suitability Report?

What must it show, the last one is very important (disadva……..)

A

To show why the firm believes the recommendation is suitable and should be provided for both MiFID and non-MiFID business.

  • Specify the clients demands and needs
  • Explain why the firm believes they have met those needs
  • Any disadvantages to the client
85
Q

Who is protected by the Appropriatness Rule?

Which type of client?

A

All CUSTOMERS (Retail and Professional)

86
Q

What is the Purpose of the Appropriatness Rules and what is the scope of activities?

A

The purpose is to ensure the firm obtains sufficient evidence to asses if the product is appropriate for a customer
* Applies to MiFID business (RC and PC) and direct offers (RC)

87
Q

When are Approprianteness rules in scope for Direct Offers?

For which client?

A

Retail Client

88
Q

Can we assume professional client have sufficient knowledge to be able to bear risks in line with their objectives?

A

Yes

89
Q

When is assessing Appropriateness unnecessary?

In relation to which products?

A

For execution only products in non complex financial instruments

90
Q

In regards to Appropriateness, when are warnings provided?

2 occasions

A
  • The firm believes to investment is inappropriate
  • The client has not produced sufficient evidence for the firm to come to a conclusion
91
Q

Before acting what must a firm do in relation to appropriatness, what must they assess?

What one of the 2 cover RC only?

A
  • Whether the client is able to bear risks in relation to the products or service
  • Has the knowledge and experience to understand those risks (retail clients)
92
Q

A direct offer in a complex product is directed to a retal client, does appropriatness apply?

A

Yes

93
Q

What clients are concerned with a firms Conflicts of Interest?

A

All clients and ECPs

94
Q

What Principle relates to Conflicts of Interest?

A

Principle 8

95
Q

What should Conflicts of Interest Disclosure be seen as?

A last

A

A last resort

96
Q

Should a firm have systems and controls in place in relation to COI?

Under what?

A

Yes under SYSC

97
Q

How should a firm prepare, maintain and implement a conflicts policy?

There are 4 points, write them down

A
  • In writing
  • Identifies relevant conflicts relevant to the firms operations
  • Specifies procedures to manage conflicts
  • Provides retail clients and potential retail clients with a description of the policy
98
Q

What are Chinese Walls?

Who are the implemented for? are they mandatory?

A

Internal arrangement to restrict the flow of confidential information

For all clients and they are not mandatory

99
Q

An FCA firm must not knowingly must not deal on its own accounts, until the client for whom the info publication for has had a reasonable time to react, UNLESS

2 points

A
  • Market maker acting in the normal course of business
  • Unsolicited client orders
100
Q

What is the Purpose of the Personal Account Dealing Rules, and who does it apply to?

A

Arrangements to prevent inappropriate dealings which are:
* Prohibited under MAR
* Involve misuse or disclosure of client confidential information
* Conflicts with the firms obligations to the clients

All clients

101
Q

What is front running?

A

Buying up the shares in a company they are just about to publish information on

102
Q

Where do the rules on PAD not apply?

Which personal transactions?

A
  • Trades in funds that are independently managed
  • Shares in certain funds e.g. CIS
  • Life policies
103
Q

Who does Transaction Confirmation Apply to?

Which type of client?

A

All clients

104
Q

What are the Requirements to confirm a Transaction?

It must be on what and when?

A

In a durable medium and no later than the next business day

105
Q

Who does Periodic Statements Apply to?

Which type of client?

A

All clients

106
Q

What is the General Frequency for Periodic Statements?

What can a client request?

A

Prepared every 3 months

(Clients can request annually)

107
Q

What is the Frequency for Periodic Statments regarding derivatives?

A

Monthly

108
Q

What does a Periodic Statement Include?

What info about a client portfolio? In and out?

A
  • Value and composition
  • Total fees and charges
  • Total dividends and interest
109
Q

When would a client be issued a “Depreciation Notice”?

A

10% fall in value

110
Q

What are the “Execution Factors” considered when establishing an execution policy?

4 main ones

A

Price, cost, speed, liklehood of execution and any other considerations

111
Q

Which clients are subject to “Best execution”

What type of client?

A

All customers, professional and retail

112
Q

What are Criteria that can impact best execution?

A
  • Client categorisation
  • Type of order
  • Type of instrument being traded
  • Characteristics of execution venue
113
Q

Which clients are subject to an “Order execution policy”?

What type of client?

A

All customers, professional and retail

114
Q

When should an order execution policy be provided to a client?

Before or after?

A

Before providing services

115
Q

What “perscribed information” would be provided for retail clients in relation to an order execution policy?

There are 2

A
  • A list of execution venues
  • Factors that will affect the firms choice of venue
116
Q

How often is an order execution policy reviewed?

A

Annually

117
Q

What is meant when acting upon “specific client instructions”?

What is said to be acheived?

A

The best possible result

118
Q

For client order handling, in general orders should be…..

Promptly……. and carried…….

A
  • Promptly recorded and allocated
  • Carried out sequentially
119
Q

What are exceptions for order handling that require one to notify a RETAIL CLIENT?

What reasons would cause and order to not be promprly recorded and allocated?

A
  • Interests of the client
  • Material difficulty
120
Q

When is aggregation of client orders permitted?……..

2 points, both include the word disadavantage AND THERE IS A?

A
  • If its unlikley to operate at the disadvantage to the clients
  • Disclose (oral or written) that it may operate on some ocassions to the disadvantage of the client

An order allocation policy in place

121
Q

What are reasons why a client limit order that has not been filled, should not be made public immediatley?

2 reasons

A
  • The client has specified it doesnt want this approach
  • The client order is greater than normal market size
122
Q

What is CASS 6 and what type of business does it apply to?

A

CASS 6 - Custody rules

Applies to both MiFID and non-MiFID business

123
Q

What is CASS 7 and what type of business does it apply to?

A

CASS 7 - Client Money Rules

Applies to MiFID business but are opt in rules for non MiFID business

124
Q

When client assets are held by a firm, where can client money be held?

A

in an approved bank

125
Q

How often should reconcilliation of client assets be carried out?

A

As often as necessary

126
Q

For client money held by the firm, what is the latest shortfalls be corrected?

By the end of which day?

A

By the end of that business day

127
Q

How quickly should shortfalls be adressed and fixed in relation to CASS?

A

As quickly as possible

128
Q

What should a firm do if they are unable to reconcile client assets?

Contact who?

A

The FCA

129
Q

What are exemptions Client Assets?

3 for Who (type of firm) and 3 for What (type of asset)

A

Who
* ICVCs and UCITS
* Incoming EEA firms (other than insurers)
* BCD credit institution

What
* Coins held for the value of the metal
* Money held in DvP
* Money due and payble to the firm

130
Q

Under the “Enhancing CASS regime” what are the Key Points around the CASS audit?

Required who often?, Who for?, Who sets the standards?, What if something is wrong?

A
  • Required annually and submitted to the FCA within 4 months of the audit
  • Client asset assurance standpoint
  • Firm to explain any breach identified
131
Q

What is a CASS resolution pack?

Who must the be availible to and when?

A

Specific docuement and information relating to client money and assets

Must be availible to the regulator on request

132
Q
A