Senior Insurance Managers Regime - Applications and Notifications

1.1

Unless otherwise stated, this Part applies to:

1. (1) a UK Solvency II firm;
2. (2) in accordance with Insurance General Application 3, the Society, as modified by 8;
3. (3) in accordance with Insurance General Application 3, a managing agent, as modified by 8;
4. (4) a third country branch undertaking (other than a Swiss general insurer); and
5. (5) a UK ISPV.

1.2

In this Part, the following definitions shall apply:

commencement date

has the meaning given in Senior Insurance Managers Regime – Transitional Provisions.

current approved person approval

means

1. (1) an approval granted to a person under section 59 of FSMA (Approval for particular arrangements):
1. (a) by the PRA for the performance of a senior insurance management function; or
2. (b) by the FCA for the performance of a significant influence function;
2. (2) a deemed approval given by either the PRA following the submission of a grandfathering notification under Senior Insurance Managers Regime – Transitional Provisions or by the FCA under any equivalent rules in the FCA Handbook; or
3. (3) for the purposes of 2.5(2) and 2.6(1), an approval granted to that person under section 59 of FSMA by either the PRA or the FCA to perform a controlled function prior to the commencement date but which ceased (i) on or before the commencement date; and (ii) during the six-month period specified in 2.5(2) and 2.6(1), as the case may be.

grandfathering notification

has the meaning given in Senior Insurance Managers Regime – Transitional Provisions.

regulatory body

means any authority, body or person having, or who has had, responsibility for the supervision or regulation of any regulated activities or other financial services, whether within the United Kingdom or overseas.

senior insurance management approval application

means an application for approval to perform a senior insurance management function under section 59 of FSMA.

scope of responsibilities form

means the form to be completed by a firm containing the information referred to in Insurance – Allocation of Responsibilities 5.1(3).

significant influence function

has the meaning given in the FCA Handbook.

2.1

The PRA directs that a firm must make a senior insurance management approval application in accordance with 2.2, before the activities requiring approval commence.

2.2

The PRA directs that a firm must use Form A (long form) for a senior insurance management approval application unless:

1. (1) the firm must use Form E under 2.3; or
2. (2) the firm must use Form A (shortened form) under 2.6.

2.3

The PRA directs that, subject to 2.4 and 2.5, a firm must use Form E for a senior insurance management approval application if it is being made in respect of a person who has a current approved person approval and is either:

1. (1) ceasing to perform a senior insurance management function and taking up a new senior insurance management function for the same firm or another member of its group; or
2. (2) ceasing to perform a significant influence function and taking up a senior insurance management function for the firm or another member of its group.

2.4

The PRA directs that a firm must not use Form E for a senior insurance management approval application if:

1. (1) a notification has been made or should be made to the PRA under any of the rules in Notifications 11 or to the FCA under any equivalent provisions of the FCA Handbook;
2. (2) any of the circumstances in 4.2(2)(a)-(d) apply in relation to:
1. (a) any controlled function that that person is ceasing to perform; or
2. (b) any controlled function that that person is continuing to perform in relation to that firm or a firm in the same group.

2.5

The PRA directs that a firm must not use Form E if the person to whom the senior insurance management approval application relates:

1. (1) has never before been approved:
1. (a) by the PRA to perform a controlled function; or
2. (b) by the FCA to perform a significant influence function
2. for any firm;
3. or
4. (2) has not been the subject of a current approved person approval in relation to any firm for more than six months prior to the date of application.

2.6

1. (1) The PRA directs that a firm must use Form A (shortened form) for a senior insurance management approval application if:
1. (a) the person to whom the application relates:
1. (i) has at the time of application a current approved person approval; or
2. (ii) has had a current approved person approval within the previous six months; and
2. (b) there have been no matters arising in relation to the fitness and propriety of the person to whom the senior insurance management approval application relates which mean that the information provided to the FCA or PRA regarding fitness and propriety in connection with a current approved person approval may have changed since the application for the current approved person approval was made.
2. (2) A firm must not use Form A (shortened form) if the circumstances set out in 2.3 apply.

2.7

The PRA directs that the form submitted for a senior insurance management approval application must be accompanied by a scope of responsibilities form or, where such form has already been provided under Key Function Holder – Notifications 2.2, an updated version of it.

3.1

The PRA directs that a firm withdrawing an outstanding senior insurance management approval application must do so using Form B.

4.1

A firm must notify the PRA no later than seven business days after a person ceases to perform a senior insurance management function, using:

1. (1) Form E if a person ceases to perform a senior insurance management function and the firm is also making an application for the same person to perform a new senior insurance management function; and
2. (2) in all other cases, Form C.

4.2

1. (1) A firm must notify the PRA as soon as practicable after it becomes aware, or has information which reasonably suggests, that it will submit a qualified Form C in respect of a senior insurance management function holder.
2. (2) Form C is qualified if the information it contains:
1. (a) relates to the fact that the firm has dismissed or suspended the senior insurance management function holder from its employment;
2. (b) relates to the resignation by the senior insurance management function holder while under investigation by the firm, the PRA or any other regulatory body;
3. (c) includes a notification under any of the provisions set out in 2.4(1); or
4. (d) otherwise reasonably suggests that it may affect the PRA’s assessment of the senior insurance management function holder’s fitness and propriety.

5.1

If a senior insurance management function holder's title, name or national insurance number changes, the firm for which the person performs a senior insurance management function must notify the PRA of that change within seven business days of the firm becoming aware of the matter, using Form D.

5.2

If, in relation to a firm which has submitted an application on either Form A (long or shortened form) or Form E, as required by 2.2, any of the details relating to senior insurance management functions are to change, the firm must notify the PRA using Form D as soon as reasonably practicable after the firm becomes aware of the proposed change.

6.1

The PRA directs that, save as required by 6.2, a firm must make any applications, notifications or submissions required by this Part by submitting the form specified using the ONA system.

6.2

If, under any direction or rule in this Part:

1. (1) a firm is required to make an application, notification or submission online; and
2. (2) the information technology systems used by the PRA fail and online submission is unavailable for 24 hours or more,

until such time as facilities for online submission are restored, a firm must submit the specified form in the way set out in Notifications 7.

7.1

1. (1) Form A (long form) may be found here.
2. (2) Form A (shortened form) may be found here.
3. (3) Form B may be found here.
4. (4) Form C may be found here.
5. (5) Form D may be found here.
6. (6) Form E may be found here.
7. (7) The scope of responsibilities form may be found here.

8.1

This Part applies to the Society and managing agents separately.