Dormant Account Scheme

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1

Application and Definitions

1.1

Unless otherwise stated, this Part applies to:

  1. (1) the FSCS;
  2. (2) a dormant account fund operator;
  3. (3) UK banks;
  4. (4) building societies; and
  5. (5) an overseas firm that:
    1. (a) is not an incoming firm; and
    2. (b) has a Part 4A permission that includes accepting deposits.

1.2

In this Part, the following definitions shall apply:

base costs

means management expenses which are not attributable to any particular class.

base costs levy

means a levy, forming part of the management expenses levy, to meet the base costs in the financial year of the compensation scheme to which the levy relates.

claim

means a valid claim made in respect of a civil liability owed by a dormant account operator to the claimant.

class

means one of the classes to which FSCS allocates levies in accordance with the rules of the compensation scheme.

class J

means the class which includes DAS members.

class J tariff base

means protected dormant accounts multiplied by 0.2 as at 31 December.

compensation date

means the date on which a dormant account operator is determined to be in default.

compensation scheme

means the Financial Services Compensation Scheme established under section 213 of FSMA.

DAS base costs levy

means a base costs levy imposed by the FSCS on DAS members.

DAS compensation costs

means the costs incurred in paying compensation under the dormant account scheme (including the costs of paying interest, principal and other costs of borrowing to pay such costs).

DAS compensation costs levy

means a levy imposed by the FSCS on DAS members to meet DAS compensation costs.

DAS levy

means a DAS compensation costs levy or a DAS management expenses levy.

DAS management expenses levy

a levy imposed by the FSCS on DAS members to meet management expenses and which is made up of one or more of a DAS base costs levy and a DAS specific costs levy.

DAS member

means:

      1. (1) a dormant account fund operator for claims against which the dormant account scheme provides cover;
      2. (2) a UK bank;
      3. (3) a building society; or
      4. (4) an overseas firm that is not an incoming firm and has a part 4A permission that includes accepting deposits.

DAS specific costs

means management expenses attributable to the dormant account scheme other than base costs.

DAS specific costs levy

means a levy, forming part of the DAS management expenses levy, to meet the DAS specific costs in the financial year of the dormant account scheme to which the levy relates.

DGS compensation costs

has the meaning given in the Depositor Protection Part.

dormant account

has the meaning given in section 10 of the Dormant Bank and Building Society Accounts Act 2008.

depositor

has the meaning given in the Depositor Protection Part.

DGS member

has the meaning given in the Depositor Protection Part.

DGS specific costs

has the meaning given in the Depositor Protection Part.

dormant account scheme

means the compensation scheme for compensating persons in respect of protected dormant accounts.

eligible claimant

means a claimant whose dormant account:

      1. (1) was transferred to a dormant account fund operator which accepted the liability to repay it; and
      2. (2) would be an eligible deposit if it were held by a DGS member.

eligible deposit

has the meaning given in the Depositor Protection Part.

in default

describes the status of a dormant account fund operator following a determination made under 3.3.

legacy costs

has the meaning given in the Depositor Protection Part.

management expenses

has the meaning given in the Depositor Protection Part.

micro, small and medium-sized enterprises

has the meaning given in the Depositor Protection Part.

money laundering

has the meaning given in the Depositor Protection Part.

money purchase benefits

has the meaning given in the Depositor Protection Part.

occupational pension scheme

has the meaning given in the Depositor Protection Part.

personal pension scheme

has the meaning given in the Depositor Protection Part.

protected dormant account

means a dormant account which is covered by the dormant account scheme.

protected dormant account claim

means a claim in respect of a protected dormant account.

small self-administered scheme

has the meaning given in the Depositor Protection Part.

stakeholder pension scheme

has the meaning given in the Depositor Protection Part.

tariff statement

means the statement required under 23.2.

2

Eligibility

2.1

This Chapter applies only to the FSCS.

2.2

A dormant account is a protected dormant account only if:

  1. (1) the liability for it has been transferred to a dormant account fund operator;
  2. (2) it is not an eligible deposit; and
  3. (3) it would be an eligible deposit if it were held by a DGS member.

3

Dormant Account Fund Operators in Default

3.1

This Chapter applies only to the FSCS.

3.2

The FSCS shall pay compensation in respect of a protected dormant account if it is satisfied that the protected dormant account is a dormant account of a dormant account fund operator who is in default.

3.4

The FSCS may determine a dormant account fund operator to be in default when it is, in the opinion of the FSCS or the PRA:

  1. (1) unable to satisfy protected dormant account claims against it; or
  2. (2) likely to be unable to satisfy protected dormant account claims against it.

3.5

The FSCS may determine a dormant account fund operator to be in default if it is satisfied that a protected dormant account claim exists, and the dormant account fund operator is the subject of one or more of the following proceedings in the United Kingdom (or of equivalent or similar proceedings in another jurisdiction):

  1. (1) the passing of a resolution for a creditors' voluntary winding up;
  2. (2) a determination by the dormant account fund operator’s home state regulator that the dormant account fund operator appears unable to meet claims against it and has no early prospect of being able to do so;
  3. (3) the appointment of a liquidator or administrator, or provisional liquidator or interim manager;
  4. (3) the making of an order by a court of competent jurisdiction for the winding up of a company, the dissolution of a partnership, the administration of a company or partnership, or the bankruptcy of an individual;
  5. (4) the approval of a company voluntary arrangement, a partnership voluntary arrangement, or of an individual voluntary arrangement.

3.6

For the purposes of sections 219(1A)(b) and (d) of FSMA whether a dormant account fund operator is unable or likely to be unable to satisfy claims shall be determined by reference to whether it is in default.

4

The Qualifying Conditions for Paying Compensation

4.1

This Chapter applies only to the FSCS.

4.2

The FSCS may, subject to Chapter 5, pay compensation to an eligible claimant if it is satisfied that:

  1. (1) an eligible claimant has made an application for compensation;
  2. (2) the claim is a protected dormant account claim against a dormant account fund operator who is in default; and
  3. (3) where the FSCS so requires, the claimant has assigned the whole or any part of his rights against the dormant account fund operator or against any third party to the FSCS, on such terms as the FSCS thinks fit.

5

Limits on Compensation Payable

5.1

This Chapter applies only to the FSCS.

5.2

The maximum compensation sum payable for the aggregate protected dormant accounts of each eligible claimant is:

  1. (1) up to and including 31 December 2015;
    1. (a) £85,000 for an eligible claimant who would be a relevant person if the protected dormant account were an eligible deposit held by a DGS member; and
    2. (b) £75,000 for any other eligible claimant;
  2. (2) on and from 1 January 2016, the same sum as the maximum compensation sum payable for aggregate eligible deposits of each depositor under Depositor Protection 4.2 but without reference to the cases in which additional compensation may be payable under Depositor Protection 4.3.

5.3

In the event of a default of a dormant account fund operator, the FSCS will pay compensation in accordance with 5.2 on the basis of the authorisation of the DGS member who was liable for the eligible deposit immediately prior to the liability being transferred to the dormant account fund operator (and the relevant authorisation of the DGS member is the authorisation that was in place at the time that the liability was transferred).

5.4

In this Chapter, the following definitions shall apply:

deposit guarantee scheme regulations

has the meaning given in the Depositor Protection Part.

relevant person

has the meaning given in regulation 7A(4) of the deposit guarantee scheme regulations.

6

Paying Compensation

6.1

This Chapter applies only to the FSCS.

6.2

The FSCS may treat persons who are or who may be entitled to claim compensation in respect of a protected dormant account as if they had done so.

6.3

The FSCS may also pay compensation (and any recovery or other amount payable by the FSCS to the claimant) to a person who makes a protected dormant account claim on behalf of another person if the FSCS is satisfied that the person on whose behalf the claim is made:

  1. (1) is or would have been an eligible claimant; and
  2. (2) would have been paid compensation by the FSCS had he been able to make the claim himself, or to pursue his application for compensation further.

6.4

The FSCS must pay any compensation to the claimant, with the following exceptions:

  1. (1) where the claimant directs that any compensation be paid to another person, the FSCS may pay compensation as directed by the claimant;
  2. (2) where the claimant is not absolutely entitled to the protected dormant account:
    1. (a) if another person is absolutely entitled to the protected dormant account, that person is the person entitled to compensation in respect of the protected dormant account, and accordingly the FSCS must pay any compensation to the person who is absolutely entitled to the protected dormant account, provided that the person has been identified or is identifiable before the compensation date; and
    2. (a) if no person is absolutely entitled to the protected dormant account, the FSCS must pay any compensation in accordance with such of 6.56.8 as applies.

6.5

If a person is:

  1. (1) a trustee (other than a bare trustee); or
  2. (2) the operator of, or the person carrying on the regulated activity of winding up, a stakeholder pension scheme (which is not an occupational pension scheme) or personal pension scheme,

the FSCS must treat their entitlement to compensation in this capacity as separate from their entitlement to compensation in any other capacity, as if the two entitlements were held by different persons.

6.6

If a protected dormant account is held:

  1. (1) for the trustees of a small self-administered scheme, an occupational pension scheme of micro, small or medium sized enterprise, or the trustee or operator of, or the person carrying on the regulated activity of winding up, a stakeholder pension scheme (which is not an occupational pension scheme) or personal pension scheme, or
  2. (2) for one or more members of a pension scheme (or, where relevant, the beneficiary of any member) whose benefits are money-purchase benefits;

the FSCS must treat the member or members (or, where relevant, the beneficiary of any member) separately as persons entitled to receive compensation.

6.7

If any group of persons are:

  1. (1) co-trustees (other than bare co-trustees); or
  2. (2) operators of, or persons carrying on the regulated activity of winding up, a stakeholder pension scheme (which is not an occupational pension scheme) or a personal pension scheme,

(or any combination thereof), the FSCS must treat them as a single and continuing person distinct from the persons who may from time to time be the trustees, or the operators or persons winding up the relevant pension scheme.

6.8

Where the same person is:

  1. (1) trustee for different trusts or for different stakeholder pension schemes (which are not occupational pension schemes) or personal pension schemes; or
  2. (2) the operator of, or the person carrying on the regulated activity of winding up, different stakeholder pension schemes (which are not occupational pension schemes) or personal pension schemes,

the FSCS shall treat that person’s entitlement to compensation in respect of each of these trusts or schemes as if they were entitlements of a different person.

6.9

Where any of the provisions of 6.5, 6.7 or 6.8 apply, the FSCS must try to ensure that any amount paid to:

  1. (1) the trustee; or
  2. (2) the operator of, or the person carrying on the regulated activity of winding up, a stakeholder pension scheme (which is not an occupational pension scheme) or personal pension scheme
  3. is, in each case:
  4. (3) for the benefit of members or beneficiaries whose own deposits would be eligible deposits if they were held by a DGS member; and
  5. (4) no more than the amount of the loss suffered by those members or beneficiaries.

6.10

Where a person holds a protected dormant account as the personal representative of another or on behalf of another, the FSCS must treat the personal representative or the person acting on behalf of another in respect of that protected dormant account as if they were standing in the shoes of that other person.

6.11

In applying this Chapter to protected dormant accounts held with a branch outside the United Kingdom of a dormant account fund operator, the FSCS must interpret references to:

  1. (1) persons entitled as personal representatives, trustees, bare trustees, operators of pension schemes or persons carrying on the regulated activity of winding up pension schemes; or
  2. (2) persons having a joint account or joint interest in a deposit or carrying on business in partnership,

as references to persons entitled, under the law of the relevant country or territory, in a capacity appearing to the FSCS to correspond as nearly as may be to that capacity.

7

Form and Method of Compensation

7.1

This Chapter applies only to the FSCS.

7.2

Subject to Chapter 6, the FSCS may pay compensation in any form and by any method (or any combination of them) that it determines is appropriate including, without limitation:

  1. (1) by paying the compensation (on such terms as the FSCS considers appropriate) to a firm with a Part 4A permission to accept deposits or an incoming firm or another dormant account fund operator which agrees to become liable to the claimant in a like sum;
  2. (2) by paying compensation directly into an existing deposit account of (or for the benefit of) the claimant, or as otherwise identified by (or on behalf of) the claimant, with a firm (but before doing so the FSCS must take such steps as it considers appropriate to verify the existence of such an account and to give notice to the claimant of its intention to exercise this power); or
  3. (3) (where two or more persons have a joint claim) by accepting communications from and/or paying compensation to any one of those persons where this is in accordance with the terms and conditions for communications and withdrawals of the relevant eligible deposit immediately prior to the transfer of it to the dormant account fund operator.

7.3

If the FSCS is satisfied that, in principle, compensation is payable in connection with any protected dormant account claim, but considers that immediate payment in full would not be prudent because of uncertainty as to the amount of the claimant's overall claim, it may decide to pay an appropriate lesser sum in final settlement, or to make payment on account.

7.4

The FSCS may also decide to make a payment on account or to pay a lesser sum in final settlement if the claimant has any reasonable prospect for recovery in respect of the claim from any third party or by applying for compensation to any other person.

7.5

The FSCS may pay interest on the compensation sum in such circumstances as it considers appropriate.

7.6

Interest under 7.5 is not to be taken into account when applying the limits on the compensation sum payable in respect of a claim for a protected dormant account under 5.2.

7.7

Where the FSCS considers that the conditions in 7.4 are satisfied but, in relation to a class of claim, in order to provide fair compensation for the generality of such claims it would be appropriate to take the approach in (1) and (2) rather than pay an appropriate lesser sum in final settlement or make a payment on account, it may for that class of claim:

  1. (1) receive whether by assignment, transfer or operation of law the whole or any part of a claimant's rights against the dormant account fund operator, or against any third party, or both on such terms as the FSCS thinks fit; and
  2. (2) disregard the value of the rights so received in determining the claimant's overall claim.

8

Calculating Compensation

8.1

This Chapter applies only to the FSCS.

8.2

Subject to 5.2, the amount of compensation payable to the claimant in respect of a protected dormant account claim is the amount of his overall net claim against the dormant account fund operator at the compensation date.

Any reference in this Part to overall claim means "overall net claim".

8.3

The FSCS must take into account any payments to the claimant (including amounts recovered by the FSCS on behalf of the claimant) made by the dormant account fund operator or the FSCS or any other person, if that payment is connected with the dormant account fund operator’s liability to the claimant in calculating the claimant's overall claim.

8.4

The FSCS must calculate the amount of compensation due to the claimant as soon as reasonably possible after it is satisfied that the conditions in 4.2 have been met.

8.5

The share of each claimant of a joint protected dormant account shall be considered separately in calculating the limits provided for in 5.2. In the absence of contrary provision, the joint protected dormant account shall be divided equally among the claimants to the nearest penny.

8.6

Protected dormant accounts to which two or more persons are entitled as a members of a business partnership, association or grouping of a similar nature, without legal personality, must be aggregated and treated as if made by a single claimant for the purposes of calculating the limit in 5.2.

8.7

Where several persons are absolutely entitled to a beneficial interest in a protected dormant account, the share of each, under the arrangements subject to which the protected dormant account is managed, shall be considered separately in calculating the amount payable to each of them.

8.8

Where several persons are absolutely entitled to a beneficial interest in a protected dormant account and some of them are persons whose own dormant account would not be a protected dormant accounts, the FSCS must adjust the amount of the overall protected dormant account to eliminate the part of it which, in the FSCS’s view, relates to those beneficiaries’ interest in the overall dormant account.

9

Duties of the FSCS

9.1

This Chapter applies only to the FSCS.

9.2

The FSCS must administer the dormant account scheme:

  1. (1) in accordance with the rules in this Part and any other rules prescribed by law;
  2. (2) in a manner that is procedurally fair; and
  3. (3) in accordance with the European Convention on Human Rights.

9.3

The FSCS must publish for claimants on its website all necessary information:

  1. (1) on the operation of the dormant account scheme; and
  2. (2) on the process, eligibility and conditions for payment of compensation.

9.4

The FSCS may agree to pay the reasonable costs of an eligible claimant bringing or continuing insolvency proceedings against a dormant account fund operator in respect of protected dormant accounts (whenever instituted), if the FSCS is satisfied that those proceedings would help it to discharge its functions under this Part.

9.5

The FSCS must have regard to the need to use its resources in the most efficient and economic way in carrying out its functions under this Part.

9.6

The FSCS must take appropriate steps to ensure that claimants are informed of how they can make a claim for compensation under the dormant account scheme as soon as a possible after the compensation date.

10

Claims Against the FSCS and Challenging FSCS Decisions

10.1

This Chapter applies only to the FSCS.

10.2

The FSCS must ensure that a person who would be, or considers that they would be, affected by an FSCS decision in relation to compensation, has an opportunity to make representations in respect of that potential decision before it is finalised.

10.3

The FSCS must, if requested by a claimant and subject to other applicable laws, give reasons to the claimant for any decision not to pay compensation in relation to some or all of their protected dormant accounts.

10.4

The procedure established by the FSCS under this Chapter must satisfy the minimum requirements of procedural fairness and comply with the European Convention on Human Rights for the handling of any complaints of maladministration relating to any aspect of the operation of the dormant account scheme.

11

Assignment of Rights

11.1

This Chapter applies only to the FSCS.

11.2

The FSCS may make any payment of compensation to a claimant in respect of a protected dormant account conditional on the claimant assigning the whole or any part of his rights against the dormant account fund operator.

11.3

If a claimant assigns the whole or any part of his rights against any person to the FSCS as a condition of payment, the effect of this is the sum payable in relation to the rights so assigned will be payable to the FSCS and not the claimant.

11.4

Before taking the assignment of rights from the claimant under 11.2, the FSCS must inform the claimant that if, after taking assignment of rights, the FSCS decides not to pursue recoveries using those rights, it will, if the claimant so requests in writing, reassign the assigned rights to the claimant. The FSCS must comply with such a request in such circumstances.

12

Subrogation

12.1

This Chapter applies only to the FSCS.

12.2

The FSCS’s powers in this Chapter may be used:

  1. (1) separately or in any combination as an alternative and in substitution for the powers and processes elsewhere in this Part;
  2. (2) in relation to all or any part of a claim in respect of a protected dormant account or class of claims in respect of protected dormant accounts.

12.3

The FSCS may determine that the payment of compensation by the FSCS in respect of protected dormant accounts shall have all or any of the following effects:

  1. (1) the FSCS shall immediately and automatically be subrogated, subject to such conditions as the FSCS determines are appropriate, to all or any part (as determined by the FSCS) of the rights and claims in the United Kingdom and elsewhere of the claimant against the dormant account fund operator and/or any third party (whether such rights are legal, equitable or of any other nature whatsoever and in whatever capacity the dormant account fund operator or third party is acting) in respect of or arising out of the claim in respect of which the payment of or on account of compensation was made;
  2. (2) the FSCS may claim and take legal or any other proceedings or steps in the United Kingdom or elsewhere to enforce such rights in its own name or in the name of, and on behalf of, the claimant or in both names against the dormant account fund operator and/or any third party;
  3. (3) the subrogated rights and claims conferred on the FSCS shall be rights of recovery and claims against the dormant account fund operator and/or any third party which are equivalent (including as to amount and priority and whether or not the relevant dormant account fund operator is insolvent) to the payment of compensation made by the FSCS and do not exceed the rights and claims that the claimant would have had; and/or
  4. (4) such rights or obligations (as determined by the FSCS) as between the dormant account fund operator and the claimant arising out of the protected dormant account claim in respect of which the payment was made shall be transferred to, and subsist between, another dormant account fund operator with an appropriate permission and the claimant provided that the other dormant account fund operator has consented (but the transferred rights and/or obligations shall be treated as existing between the dormant account fund operator and the FSCS to the extent of any subrogation, transfer or assignment for the purposes of (1) to (3) and 12.4.

12.4

  1. (1) The FSCS may determine that, if it is necessary or desirable in conjunction with the exercise of the FSCS's powers under 12.3, that the claimant shall be treated as having irrevocably and unconditionally appointed the chairman of the FSCS for the time being to be their attorney and agent and on their behalf and in their name or otherwise to do such things and execute such deeds and documents as may be required under such laws of the UK, another EEA State or any other state or law-country to create or give effect to such assignment or transfer or otherwise give full effect to those powers.
  2. (2) The execution of any deed or document under (1) shall be as effective as if made in writing by the compensation recipient or by his agent lawfully authorised in writing or by will.

12.5

  1. (1) The powers conferred on the FSCS in 12.3 and 12.4 to make a determination must be exercised in writing.
  2. (2) An instrument by which the FSCS makes the determination must specify the provision under which it is made, the date and time from which it takes effect and the dormant account fund operator and protected dormant account claims, parts of protected dormant account claims and/or classes of protected dormant account claims in respect of which it applies.
  3. (3) The FSCS must take appropriate steps to publish the determination as soon as possible after it is made. Such publication must be accompanied by a statement explaining the effect of 12.3 and the FSCS’s determination.
  4. (4) Failure to comply with any requirement in this rule does not affect the validity of the determination.
  5. (5) A determination by the FSCS under 12.3 may be amended, remade or revoked at any time and subject to the same conditions.

12.6

  1. (1) The production of a copy of a determination purporting to be made by the FSCS under this Chapter:
    1. (a) on which is endorsed a certificate, signed by a member of the FSCS's staff authorised by it for that purpose; and
    2. (b) which contains the required statements; is evidence (or in Scotland sufficient evidence) of the facts stated in the certificate.
  2. (2) The required statements are:
    1. (a) that the determination was made by the FSCS; and
    2. (b) that the copy is a true copy of the determination.
  3. (3) A certificate purporting to be signed as mentioned in (1) is to be taken to have been properly signed unless the contrary is shown.
  4. (4) A person who wishes in any legal proceedings to rely on a determination may require the FSCS to endorse a copy of the determination with a certificate of the kind mentioned in (1).

13

Recoveries

13.1

This Chapter applies only to the FSCS.

13.2

If the FSCS takes assignment or transfer of rights from the claimant or is otherwise subrogated to the rights of the claimant, it must pursue all and only such recoveries as it considers are likely to be both reasonably possible and cost effective to pursue.

13.3

If the FSCS decides not to pursue such recoveries and a claimant wishes to pursue those recoveries and so requests in writing, the FSCS must comply with that request and assign the rights back to the claimant.

13.4

If the FSCS makes recoveries in relation to a protected dormant account claim it may deduct from any recoveries paid over to the claimant under 13.5 part or all of its reasonable costs of recovery and distribution (if any).

13.5

If a claimant assigns or transfers his rights to the FSCS or a claimant's rights and claims are otherwise subrogated to the FSCS and the FSCS subsequently makes recoveries through those rights or claims, those recoveries must be paid to the claimant:

  1. (1) to the extent that the amount recovered exceeds the amount of compensation (excluding interest paid under 7.5) received by the claimant in relation to the protected dormant account claim; or
  2. (2) in circumstances where the amount recovered does not exceed the amount of compensation paid, to the extent that failure to pay any sums recovered to the claimant would leave a claimant who had promptly accepted an offer of compensation or whose rights and claims had been subrogated to the FSCS at a disadvantage relative to a claimant who had delayed accepting an offer of compensation or whose claims had not been subrogated.

13.6

The FSCS must endeavour to ensure that a claimant will not suffer disadvantage arising solely from his prompt acceptance of the FSCS’s offer of compensation or from the subrogation of his rights and claims to the FSCS compared with what might have been the position had he delayed his acceptance or had his claims not been subrogated.

14

Rejection of Application and Withdrawal of Offer

14.1

This Chapter applies only to the FSCS.

14.2

If an application for compensation contains any material inaccuracy or omission, the FSCS may reject the application unless this is considered by the FSCS to be unintentional.

14.3

The FSCS must reject an application for compensation if:

  1. (1) the FSCS considers that a civil claim in respect of the liability would have been defeated by a defence of limitation at the earlier of:
    1. (a) the date on which the dormant account fund operator is determined to be in default; and
    2. (b) the date on which the claimant first indicates in writing that he may have a claim against the dormant account fund operator;
  2. unless 14.4 applies.

14.4

The FSCS may withdraw any offer of compensation made to a claimant if the offer is not accepted or if it is not disputed within 90 days of the date on which the offer is made.

14.5

Where the amount of compensation offered is disputed, the FSCS may withdraw the offer but must consider exercising its powers to make a reduced or interim payment under 7.3 or 7.4 before doing so.

14.6

The FSCS may repeat any offer withdrawn under 14.4 or 14.5.

14.7

The FSCS must withdraw any offer of compensation if it appears to the FSCS that no such offer should have been made.

14.8

The FSCS must seek to recover any compensation paid to a claimant if it appears to the FSCS that no such payment should have been made, unless the FSCS believes on reasonable grounds that it would be unreasonable to do so, or that the costs of doing so would exceed any amount that could be recovered.

15

Time Limits and Postponing Payment

15.1

This Chapter applies only to the FSCS.

15.2

The FSCS must pay a protected dormant account claim as soon as reasonably possible after:

  1. (1) it is satisfied that the conditions in 4.2 have been met; and
  2. (2) it has calculated the amount of compensation due to the claimant

and in any event within three months of that date, unless the PRA has granted the FSCS an extension, in which case payment must be made no later than six months from that date.

15.3

The FSCS may postpone paying compensation if the claimant has been charged with an offence arising out of or in relation to money laundering and those proceedings have not yet been concluded.

15.4

The FSCS may pay compensation in respect of a protected dormant account to a claimant in respect of assets held by a dormant account fund operator if an insolvency practitioner has been appointed to the dormant account fund operator and:

  1. (1) the FSCS considers it likely that the insolvency practitioner would, in due course, return the assets to the claimant;
  2. (2) the claimant has agreed to be compensated for the assets on the basis of the valuation provided by the FSCS; and
  3. (3) the claimant has agreed, to the satisfaction of the FSCS, that his rights to the assets in respect of which compensation is payable should pass to it.

16

Funding - FSCS’s Power to Levy and Limits on Levies

16.1

This Chapter applies only to the FSCS.

16.2

The FSCS may at any time impose a:

  1. (1) DAS compensation costs levy on a DAS member;
  2. (2) DAS specific costs levy on a DAS member; or
  3. (3) base costs levy on a dormant account fund operator
  4. provided that the FSCS has reasonable grounds for believing that the funds available to it to meet relevant expenses are, or will be, insufficient, taking into account expenditure already incurred, actual and expected recoveries and:
    1. (a) in the case of a DAS management expenses levy, the level of the FSCS's expected expenditure in respect of those expenses in the financial year of the DAS compensation scheme in relation to which the levy is imposed;
    2. (b) in the case of a DAS compensation costs levy
      1. (i) the FSCS's expenditure in respect of DAS compensation costs expected in the 12 months following the levy; or, if greater
      2. (ii) one third of the FSCS's expenditure in respect of DAS compensation costs expected in the 36 months following the levy.

16.3

The calculation of DAS levies must also take into account previous levies, where funds raised in anticipation of meeting liabilities prove either more or less than the amount actually required.

16.4

The maximum aggregate amount of DAS compensation costs and DAS specific costs for which the FSCS can levy class J in any one financial year of the dormant account scheme is limited to £1,500,000,000 less whatever DGS compensation costs, legacy costs and DGS specific costs the FSCS has imposed on class A in that same financial year.

17

Funding - Management of Funds Levied

17.1

This Chapter applies only to the FSCS.

17.2

The FSCS must hold any amount collected from a DAS specific costs levy or DAS compensation costs levy to the credit of class J.

17.3

Any funds received by the FSCS by way of levy or otherwise for the purposes of the dormant account scheme are to be managed as the FSCS considers appropriate, and in doing this the FSCS must act prudently.

17.4

Interest earned by the FSCS in the management of funds held to the credit of class J must be credited to that class, and must be set off against the DAS management expenses or DAS compensation costs allocated to that class.

17.5

The FSCS must keep accounts which include:

  1. (1) the funds held to the credit of class J; and
  2. (2) the liabilities of class J.

17.6

If the FSCS has more funds (whether from levies, recoveries or otherwise) to the credit of class J than the FSCS believes will be required to meet levies on class J for the next 12 months, it may refund the surplus to members or former members of class J on any reasonable basis.

18

Funding - Adjustments to Levy Shares

18.1

This Chapter applies only to the FSCS.

18.2

The FSCS may adjust the calculation of a DAS member’s share of a DAS levy to take proper account of:

  1. (1) any excess, not already taken into account, between previous levies of that type imposed in relation to previous periods and the relevant costs actually incurred in that period; or
  2. (2) amounts that the FSCS has not been able to recover from DAS members as a result of 16.4; or
  3. (3) amounts that the FSCS has not been able to recover from DAS members after having taken reasonable steps; or
  4. (4) payments deferred under 25.2 , the calculation of levies after an acquisition of business under 19 or 20, calculations under 21.7, remission of additional administrative fee under 23.4; or
  5. (5) anything else that the FSCS believes on reasonable grounds should be taken into account.

18.3

The FSCS may not adjust the calculation of a DAS member’s share of any DAS levy under 18.2 on the grounds that it would be inequitable for that firm to pay that share or part of it or on the grounds that it would be inequitable for the FSCS to retain that share or part of it. Any such claim should be dealt with under 25.

18.4

If a DAS member’s share of a DAS levy or an additional administrative fee under this Part would be so small that, in the opinion of the FSCS, the costs of collection would be disproportionate to the amount payable, the FSCS may treat the DAS member as if its share of the levy or additional administrative fee amounted to zero.

19

Funding - Business Acquisitions from DAS Members

19.1

This Chapter applies only to the FSCS.

19.2

If:

  1. (1) a DAS member (A) assumes the liability to repay the dormant accounts of another DAS member (B);
  2. (2) B is no longer liable to pay a DAS levy to the FSCS; and
  3. (3) the assumption of liability takes place after the date to which, or as of which, A's most recent tariff statement is drawn up,

the FSCS must require A pay an additional amount equal to the levy that would have been payable by B in relation to the relevant business and class J if the acquisition had not taken place and B had remained liable to pay DAS levies. The amount is based on B’s most recent tariff statement.

19.3

This Chapter only applies with respect to those financial years of the FSCS for which A's levies are calculated on the basis of a tariff statement drawn up to a date, or as of a date, before the assumption of liability took place.

20

Funding - Business Acquisitions from Non-DAS Members

20.1

This Chapter applies only to the FSCS.

20.2

If a DAS member (A) assumes a liability to repay protected dormant accounts held by a non-DAS member (B) and the assumption of liability takes place after the date to which, or as of which, A's most recent tariff statement is drawn up, the FSCS must not require A to pay an additional amount as a result of that acquisition.

20.3

This Chapter only applies with respect to those financial years of the FSCS for which A's levies are calculated on the basis of a tariff statement drawn up to a date, or as of a date, before the assumption of liability took place.

21

Funding - Management Expenses

21.1

This Chapter applies only to the FSCS.

21.3

The FSCS must ensure that each DAS member’s share of a DAS management expenses levy separately identifies the firm’s share of the DAS base costs levy and DAS specific costs levy as applicable.

21.4

The FSCS must allocate any DAS specific costs levy to class J up to the levy limit for class J under 16.4.

21.5

The FSCS must calculate a DAS member’s share of a DAS specific costs levy by:

  1. (1) identifying the DAS specific costs which the FSCS has incurred, or expects to incur, in the relevant financial year of the compensation schemes allocated to class J, but not yet levied;
  2. (2) calculating the DAS member’s class J tariff base as a proportion of the total class J tariff base, using the tariff statement most recently supplied; and
  3. (3) applying the proportion calculated in (2) to the figure in (1).

21.6

The FSCS must not require a firm (A) which becomes a DAS member part way through a financial year of the dormant account scheme to pay a share of a DAS specific costs levy until the financial year of the FSCS following the FSCS financial year in which A became a DAS member, at which time A’s share of a DAS specific costs levy must be calculated under 21.7.

21.7

  1. (1) Unless otherwise provided in (2) A’s class J tariff base is calculated, where necessary, using the projected valuation of the business to which the tariff relates.
  2. (2) (a) If A’s class J tariff base is calculated using data from a period that begins on or after it became a DAS member, that data must be used to calculate A’s class J tariff base.
    1. (b) If a A‘s class J tariff base satisfies the following conditions, it must be calculated under (c):
      1. (i) A became a DAS member between 1 April and 31 December inclusive; and
      2. (ii) A’s class J tariff base, but for this rule, is calculated by reference to the financial year ended in the calendar year ending 31 December or the twelve months ending 31 December before the FSCS financial year.
    2. (c) If A satisfies the conditions in (b) it must calculate its class J tariff base as follows:
      1. (i) it must use actual data in relation to the business to which the tariff relates rather than projected valuations;
      2. (ii) the tariff is calculated by reference to the period beginning on the date it became a DAS member and ending on the 31 December before the start of the FSCS financial year; and
      3. (iii) the figures are annualised by increasing them by the same proportion as the period of 12 months bears to the period starting from when A became a DAS member to the 31 December, as the case may be.
    3. (d) Where A is required to use the method in (c) it must notify the FSCS of its intention to do so by the date specified in 23.2.
    4. (e) Where A is required to use actual data under this rule, 23.2 is disapplied, to the extent it is incompatible, in relation to the calculation of A’s valuation date in its second financial year.

22

Funding - DAS Compensation Costs

22.1

This Chapter applies only to the FSCS.

22.2

The FSCS must allocate any DAS compensation costs levy to DAS members in accordance with the amount of DAS compensation costs arising from, or expected to arise from claims in respect of protected dormant accounts up to the levy limit of class J under 16.4.

22.3

The FSCS must calculate each DAS member’s share of a DAS compensation costs levy by:

  1. (1) identifying the DAS compensation costs allocated to class J;
  2. (2) calculating, in relation to class J , the DAS member’s tariff base as a proportion of the total tariff base of all DAS members in class J, using the tariff statement most recently supplied;
  3. (3) applying the proportion calculated in (2) to the figure in (1).

22.5

A firm which becomes a DAS member part way through a financial year of the dormant account scheme will not be liable to pay a share of a DAS compensation costs levy made in that year.

22.6

21.6 applies to the calculation of a DAS member’s DAS compensation costs levy and its tariff base as it applies to the calculation of its DAS specific costs levy.

23

Funding - Reporting Requirements

23.1

This Chapter applies only to DAS members.

23.2

A DAS member must provide the FSCS by end of February each year (or, if it has become a DAS member part way through the financial year, by the date requested by the PRA) with a statement of its class J tariff base calculation (measured in accordance with the class J tariff base) which it conducted, in respect of the most recent valuation period ending before the relevant year in relation to class J.

The relevant year means the year in which the month of February (referred to above) falls.

The valuation period will be 31 December.

23.3

A new DAS member must calculate its class J tariff base in accordance with 21.7.

23.4

If a DAS member does not submit a complete tariff statement by the date on which it is due in accordance with 23.2 and any prescribed submission procedures:

  1. (1) The DAS member must pay an administrative fee of £250 (but not if it is already subject to an administrative fee by the PRA for the same financial year); and
  2. (2) The DAS compensation costs levy and any DAS specific costs levy will be calculated using (where relevant) the valuation or valuations of business applicable to the previous period, multiplied by a factor of 1.10 (or if it has become a DAS member part way through a financial year, on the basis of the information provided to the PRA for the purposes of Fees 3.6 (1) or on any other reasonable basis, making such adjustments as seem appropriate in subsequent levies once the true figures are known).

24

Funding - Obligation to Pay

24.1

This Chapter applies only to DAS members.

24.2

A firm must pay to the FSCS its share of each:

  1. (1) DAS management expenses levy; and
  2. (2) DAS compensation costs levy allocated to class J.

24.3

If a firm does not pay the total amount of its share of a DAS levy, before the end of the date on which it is due, it must pay an additional amount as follows:

  1. (1) if the DAS levy was not paid in full before the end of the due date, an administrative fee of £250; plus
  2. (2) interest on any unpaid part of the DAS levy or administrative fee at the rate of 5% per annum above the Official Bank Rate from time to time in force, accruing on a daily basis from the date on which the amount concerned became due.

25

Funding – Overpayments and Deferral

25.1

The FSCS may reduce, remit or refund any overpaid amounts paid by a DAS member in respect of a particular period, due to a mistake of law or fact by the DAS member provided that the claim is made by the DAS member not more than 2 years after the beginning of the period to which the overpayment relates.

25.2

The PRA may defer, in whole or in part, a firm’s obligation to pay a DAS levy if the PRA considers that such contributions would jeopardise the liquidity or solvency of the firm. Such deferral shall not be granted for a longer period than six months but may be renewed upon request of the firm.

25.3

Any contributions deferred pursuant to 25.2 shall be paid when the payment no longer jeopardises the liquidity and solvency of the firm.

26

Funding - Payment of Levies

26.1

This Chapter applies only to DAS members.

26.2

A firm must pay its share of any levy made by the FSCS in one payment.

26.3

A firm‘s share of a DAS levy is due on, and payable within, 30 days of the date when the invoice is issued.

26.4

A firm must pay its share of a DAS levy by direct debit, credit transfer (e.g. BACS or CHAPS), cheque, Maestro, Visa Debit or by credit card (Visa/MasterCard/American Express only).

26.5

If a firm ceases to be a DAS member part way through a financial year of the dormant account scheme:

  1. (1) it will remain liable for any unpaid levies which the FSCS has already made on the firm; and
  2. (2) the FSCS may make one or more levies upon it (which may be before or after the firm has ceased to be a DAS member but must be before it ceases to be a firm for the costs which it would have been liable to pay had the FSCS made a levy on all DAS members in the financial year it ceased to be a DAS member.

27

Information Requirements

27.1

This Chapter does not apply to the FSCS.

27.2

A firm must provide the FSCS, on request by the FSCS or the PRA, with all information relating to dormant accounts it has transferred to a dormant account fund operator which is necessary to enable the FSCS to prepare for the payment of compensation in accordance with this Part.