PERG The Perimeter Guidance Manual

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PERG 1

Introduction to the Perimeter Guidance manual

PERG 1.1

Application and purpose

01/07/2005

Application

PERG 1.1.1

This manual applies to:

(1) a person who is considering carrying on activities in the United Kingdom which may fall within the scope of the Act and is seeking guidance on whether he needs to be an authorised person;

(2) a person who seeks to become an authorised person under the Act and who is, or is considering, applying to the FSAfor Part IV permission to carry on regulated activities in the United Kingdom;

(3) a person who is seeking guidance on whether any communication he may be seeking to make or cause to be made will be a financial promotion and be subject to the restriction in section 21 of the Act; and

(4) persons generally.

01/07/2005

Purpose

PERG 1.1.2

The purpose of this manual is to give guidance about the circumstances in which authorisation is required, or exempt person status is available, including guidance on the activities which are regulated under the Act and the exclusions which are available.

01/07/2005

PERG 1.2

Introduction

01/07/2005

PERG 1.2.1

(1) The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (the Act) is the UK legislation under which bodies corporate, partnerships, individuals and unincorporated associations are permitted by the FSA to carry on various financial activities which are subject to regulation (referred to as regulated activities).

(2) The activities which are regulated activities are specified in the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Regulated Activities) Order 2001 (the Regulated Activities Order): for example, accepting deposits, managing investments, effecting contracts of insurance, dealing in investments as agent. In general terms, a regulated activity is an activity, specified in the Regulated Activities Order, carried on by way of business in relation to one or more of the investments specified in the Regulated Activities Order. PERG 2 gives further general guidance on regulated activities and specified investments.

01/07/2005

PERG 1.2.2

(1) The Act, and the secondary legislation made under the Act, is complex. Although PERG gives guidance about regulated activities and financial promotions, it does not aim to, nor can it, be exhaustive.

(2) References have been made to relevant provisions in the Act or secondary legislation. However, since reproducing an entire statutory provision would sometimes require a lengthy quotation, or considerable further explanation, many provisions of the Act, or secondary legislation made under the Act, are summarised. For the precise details of the legislation, readers of the manual should, therefore, refer to the Act and the secondary legislation itself, as well as the manual.

(3) The Act and the secondary legislation made under it can be obtained from HMSO at http://www.legislation.hmso.gov.uk/legislation/uk.htm or can be accessed through the Treasury's website (www.hm-treasury.gov.uk).

01/07/2005

PERG 1.2.3

PERG uses words and phrases that have specific meanings in the Handbook or in legislation; these may be different from, or more precise than, their usual dictionary meanings. Defined terms used in the text of the Handbook are shown in italics (see Chapter 7 of the Reader's Guide to the Handbook at http://fsahandbook.info/FSA/pdf/rguide.pdf). For the meanings of defined terms used in PERG, see the Glossary. It is essential that readers refer to these definitions. In the case of those parts of PERG which take the form of Q&A, however, to ensure greater accessibility of the text we have only italicised Handbook terms in those places where we think that it would be helpful to the majority of readers.

01/11/2007
Past version of PERG 1.2.3 before 01/11/2007

PERG 1.2.4

PERG 1.4.1 G (General guidance to be found in PERG) summarises the general guidance contained in PERG. Readers should note that in a cross-reference, as explained in paragraph 40 of the Readers' Guide, the code letters of the manual or sourcebook immediately precede the chapter number. For example, PERG 1 is the first chapter of the Perimeter Guidance manual. PERG 1.5 provides details of and links to other general guidance on perimeter issues that is available on the FSA website.

01/07/2005

PERG 1.3

Status of guidance

01/07/2005

PERG 1.3.1

This guidance is issued under section 157 of the Act (Guidance). It represents the FSA's views and does not bind the courts. For example, it would not bind the courts in an action for damages brought by a private person for breach of a rule (see section 150 of the Act (Actions for damages)), or in relation to the enforceability of a contract where there has been a breach of sections 19 (The general prohibition) or 21 (Restrictions on financial promotion) of the Act (see sections 26 to 30 of the Act (Enforceability of agreements)). Although the guidance does not bind the courts, it may be of persuasive effect for a court considering whether it would be just and equitable to allow a contract to be enforced (see sections 28(3) and 30(4) of the Act). Anyone reading this guidance should refer to the Act and to the relevant secondary legislation to find out the precise scope and effect of any particular provision referred to in the guidance and any reader should consider seeking legal advice if doubt remains. If a person acts in line with the guidance in the circumstances mentioned by it, the FSA will proceed on the footing that the person has complied with the aspects of the requirement to which the guidance relates.

01/07/2005

PERG 1.4

General guidance to be found in PERG

01/07/2005

PERG 1.4.1

PERG 1.4.2 G has a table setting out the general guidance to be found in PERG.

01/07/2005

PERG 1.4.2

Table: list of general guidance to be found in PERG.

Chapter:

Applicable to:

About:

PERG 2:

Authorisation and regulated activities

•an unauthorised person wishing to find out whether he needs to be authorised or exempt• an authorised person wishing to know whether he needs to vary his Part IV permission

• the regulatory scope of the Act• the Regulated Activities Order•the Exemption Order•the Business Order

PERG 3A:

Guidance on the scope of the Electronic Money Regulations

a person who needs to know

• whether a particular electronic payment product iselectronic money and whether the person issuing it needs to be authorised or registered under the Electronic Money Regulations

• the scope of the Electronic Money Regulations

PERG 4:

Regulated activities connected with mortgages

any person who needs to know whether the activities he conducts in relation to mortgages are subject to FSA regulation. This is likely to include:

•lenders•administration service providers•mortgage brokers and advisers

the scope of relevant orders (in particular, the Regulated Activities Order) as respects activities concerned with mortgages

PERG 5:

Insurance mediation activities

any person who needs to know whether he carries on insurance mediation activities and is, thereby, subject to FSA regulation. This is likely to include:

•insurance brokers• insurance advisers•insurance undertakings• other persons involved in the sale or administration of contracts of insurance, where these activities are secondary to their main business.

the scope of relevant orders (in particular, the Regulated Activities Order) as respects activities concerned with the sale or administration of insurance

PERG 6:

Identification of contracts of insurance

any person who needs to know whether a contract with which he is involved is a contract of insurance

the general principles and range of specific factors that the FSA regards as relevant in deciding whether any arrangement is a contract of insurance

PERG 7:

Periodical publications, news services and broadcasts: application for certification

any person who needs to know whether he will be regulated for providing advice about investments through the medium of a periodical publication, a broadcast or a news service

• the circumstances in which such persons will be carrying on the regulated activities of advising on investments or advising on regulated mortgage contracts (including where a request for a certificate may be appropriate)•how the FSA will exercise its power to grant certificates

PERG 8:

Financial promotion and related activities

any person who needs to know

•whether his communications are financial promotions or are subject to the restriction in section 21 of the Act or both•whether his activities in making or helping others to make financial promotions are regulated activities.

•the scope of the restriction on financial promotion under section 21 of the Act and the main exemptions provided•the circumstances in which persons who are primarily involved in making or helping others to make financial promotions may themselves be conducting regulated activities requiring authorisation or exemption

PERG 9:

Meaning of open-ended investment company

any person who needs to know whether a body corporate is an open-ended investment company as defined in section 236 of the Act (Open-ended investment companies) and is therefore a collective investment scheme.

the circumstances in which a body corporate will be an open-ended investment company

PERG 10:

Activities related to pension schemes

Any person who needs to know whether his activities in relation to pension schemes will amount to regulated activities or whether the restriction in section 21 of the Act will apply to any financial promotions he may make.

•the regulated activities that arise in connection with the establishment and operation of pension schemes and any exclusions that may be relevant

•the circumstances in which financial promotions about pension schemes may be exempt from the restriction in section 21 of the Act

PERG 11:

Property investment clubs and land investment schemes

Any person who needs to know whether his activities in relation to property investment clubs and land investment schemes will amount to regulated activities or whether the restriction in section 21 of the Act will apply to any financial promotions he may make.

•the regulated activities that may arise in connection with the establishment and operation of property investment clubs and land investment schemes and any exclusions that may be relevant

•the extent to which the financial promotion restriction in section 21 of the Act applies

PERG 12:

Running or advising on personal pension schemes

any person who needs to know whether his activities in relation to establishing, running, advising on or marketing personal pension schemes will amount to regulated activities

the regulated activities that arise in connection with establishing, running, advising on or marketing personal pension schemes and any exclusions that may be relevant

PERG 13:

Guidance on the scope of the Markets in Financial Instruments Directive and the recast Capital Adequacy Directive

Any UK person who needs to know whether MiFID or the recast CADas implemented in the UK apply to him

the scope of MiFID and the recast CAD

PERG 14:

Home reversion, home finance and regulated sale and rent back activities

Any person who needs to know whether his activities in relation to home reversion plans, home purchase plans or regulated sale and rent back agreementswill amount to regulated activities or whether the restriction in section 21 of the Act will apply to any financial promotions he may make.

•the regulated activities that arise in connection with home reversion plans, home purchase plans and regulated sale and rent back agreementsand any exclusions that may be relevant•the circumstances in which financial promotions about home reversion plans, home purchase plans and regulated sale and rent back agreementsmay be made without breaching the restriction in section 21 of the Act

PERG 15: Guidance on the scope of the Payment Services Regulations 2009

Any person with an establishment in the UK who needs to know whether the Payment Services Directive, as transposed in UK legislation by the Payment Services Regulations 2009, applies to him.

Q46 applies specifically to persons providing payment services from an establishment outside the EEA to persons located in the UK.

the scope of the PSD Regulations 2009.

10/02/2011
Past version of PERG 1.4.2 before 10/02/2011

PERG 1.5

What other guidance about the perimeter is available from the FSA?

01/07/2005

PERG 1.5.1

General guidance on the perimeter is also contained in various FSA documents (mainly fact sheets and frequently asked questions) that are available on the FSA website at www.fsa.gov.uk.These documents, and the URL on which they may be accessed, include:

(1) FSA Guidance Note GN9 (2010) on financial regulation for social housing providers which is available at http://www.fsa.gov.uk/pubs/guidance/guidance9.pdf;

(2) [deleted]

(3) [deleted]

(4) [deleted]

(5) [deleted]

(6) [deleted]

(7) guidance about the position under the Insurance Mediation Directive and the Regulated Activities Order of the company appointed to manage a PPP or similar construction and operation project - www.fsa.gov.uk/pubs/other/letter_pppforum.pdf ;

(8) guidance about the position under the Insurance Mediation Directive and the Regulated Activities Order of property managing agents - www.fsa.gov.uk/smallfirms/your_firm_type/gi/library/imd.shtml; and

(9) guidance for employers about how to provide advice and information to their employees on pension matters without contravening the Act - www.fsa.gov.uk/pubs/other/guide4employers.pdf.

06/10/2010
Past version of PERG 1.5.1 before 06/10/2010

PERG 1.5.2

Any person who, having read relevant general guidance and, where appropriate, taken legal advice, remains uncertain about whether his activities amount to regulated activities or his communications will be subject to the restriction in section 21 of the Act, may seek individual guidance from the FSA . Requests for individual guidance should be made in line with SUP 9.

01/07/2005

PERG 1.5.3

In addition, the FSA has established a team to provide general assistance and guidance to persons generally about the scope of the Act. Enquiries of this kind may be made:

(1) by authorised firms, to either the FirmContact Centre (email fcc@fsa.gov.uk, Tel 0845 606 9966) or their normal supervisory contact; or

(2) by individuals or non-authorised firms, to the Consumer Contact Centre (email ccc@fsa.gov.uk, Tel 0845 606 1234) or the Perimeter Enquiries Team (email authorisationenquiries@fsa.gov.uk, Tel 020 7066 0082)

01/07/2005

PERG 1.5.4

The FSA will review its general guidance from time to time and may need to amend or withdraw published or written guidance in the light of changing circumstances, developing business practices, or case law. For the status of guidance issued by the FSA , see PERG 1.3.1 G.

01/07/2005

Export chapter as

Legal Instruments that change this Chapter Introduction to the Perimeter Guidance manual

PERG 2

Authorisation and regulated activities

PERG 2.1

Application and purpose

01/07/2005

Application

PERG 2.1.1

This chapter is relevant to any person who needs to know what activities fall within the scope of the Act.

01/07/2005

Purpose

PERG 2.1.2

The purpose of this chapter is to provide guidance:

(1) to unauthorised persons who wish to find out whether they need to be authorised and, if so, what regulated activities their permission needs to include; and

(2) to authorised persons who may have questions about the scope of their existing permission.

01/07/2005

PERG 2.2

Introduction

01/07/2005

PERG 2.2.1

Under section 23 of the Act (Contravention of the general prohibition), a person commits a criminal offence if he carries on activities in breach of the general prohibition in section 19 of the Act (The general prohibition) .. Although a person who commits the criminal offence is subject to a maximum of two years imprisonment and an unlimited fine, it is a defence for a person to show that he took all reasonable precautions and exercised all due diligence to avoid committing the offence.

06/10/2007
Past version of PERG 2.2.1 before 06/10/2007

PERG 2.2.2

Another consequence of a breach of the general prohibition is that certain agreements could be unenforceable (see sections 26 to 29 of the Act). This applies to agreements entered into by persons who are in breach of the general prohibition. It also applies to any agreement entered into by an authorised person if the agreement is made as a result of the activities of a person who is in breach of the general prohibition.

01/07/2005

PERG 2.2.3

Any person who is concerned that his proposed activities may require authorisation will need to consider the following questions (these questions are a summary of the issues to be considered and have been reproduced, in slightly fuller form in the decision tree in PERG 2 Annex 1 G):

(1) Will I be carrying on my activities by way of business (see PERG 2.3)?

(2) Will I be managing the assets of an occupational pension scheme (see PERG 2.3.2G (3))?

(3) If the answer is 'Yes' to (1) or (2), will my activities involve specified investments in any way (see PERG 2.6)?

(4) If so, will my activities be, or include, regulated activities (see PERG 2.7)?

(5) If so, will I be carrying them on in the United Kingdom (see PERG 2.4)?

(6) If so, will my activities be excluded (see PERG 2.8 and PERG 2.9)?

(7) If not, will I be exempt (see PERG 2.10.5 G to PERG 2.10.8 G)?

(8) If not, am I allowed to carry on regulated activities without authorisation (see PERG 2.10.9 G to PERG 2.10.16 G)?

(9) If not, do I benefit from the few provisions of the Act that authorise me without a permission under Part IV of the Act (see PERG 2.10.10 G (Members of Lloyds))?

(10) If not, what is the scope of the Part IV permission that I need to seek from the FSA(see PERG 2 Annex 2 G)?

06/02/2008
Past version of PERG 2.2.3 before 06/02/2008

PERG 2.2.4

The rest of this chapter provides a high level guide through the questions set out in PERG 2.2.3 G. It aims to give an overall picture but in doing so it necessarily relies on the reader referring to UK statutory provisions and European legislationto fill in the detail (which can be extensive).

01/11/2007
Past version of PERG 2.2.4 before 01/11/2007

PERG 2.2.5

The process of applying for Part IV permission is available on the FSA website How do I get authorised: http://www.fsa.gov.uk/Pages/Doing/how/index.shtml . But a list of the activities for which permission may be given is annexed to this chapter (see PERG 2 Annex 2 G). You may find this helpful in providing an overview of the activities that are regulated. The list is included here because, with some exceptions, the investments and activities for which permission may be given are the same as the investments and activities specified in the Regulated Activities Order. This creates a few additional categories for which permission must be sought.

06/10/2007
Past version of PERG 2.2.5 before 06/10/2007

PERG 2.3

The business element

01/07/2005

PERG 2.3.1

Under section 22 of the Act (Regulated activities), for an activity to be a regulated activity it must be carried on 'by way of business'.

01/07/2005

PERG 2.3.2

There is power in the Act for the Treasury to change the meaning of the business element by including or excluding certain things. They have exercised this power (see the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Carrying on Regulated Activities by Way of Business) Order 2001 (SI 2001/1177), the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Regulated Activities) (Amendment) (No.2) Order 2003 (SI 2003/1476), the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Carrying on Regulated Activities by Way of Business) (Amendment) Order 2005 (SI 2005/922) and the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Carrying on Regulated Activities by Way of Business) (Amendment) Order 2011 (SI 2011/2304). The result is that the business element differs depending on the activity in question. This in part reflects certain differences in the nature of the activities:

(1) The activity of accepting deposits will not be regarded as carried on by way of business by a person if he does not hold himself out as accepting deposits on a day-to-day basis and if the deposits he accepts are accepted only on particular occasions. In determining whether deposits are accepted only on particular occasions, the frequency of the occasions and any distinguishing characteristics must be taken into account.

(2) Except as stated in PERG 2.3.2G (2A) and PERG 2.3.2G (3), the business element is not to be regarded as satisfied for any of the regulated activities carried on in relation to securities or contractually based investments (or for those regulated activities carried on in relation to 'any property') unless a person carries on the business of engaging in one or more of the activities. This also applies to the regulated activities of advising on a home finance transaction and arranging a home finance transaction. This is a narrower test than that of carrying on regulated activities by way of business (as required by section 22 of the Act), as it requires the regulated activities to represent the carrying on of a business in their own right.

(2A) A person who carries on an insurance mediation activity will not be regarded as doing so by way of business unless he takes up or pursues that activity for remuneration. PERG 2.3.3 G gives guidance on the factors that are relevant to the meaning of 'by way of business' in section 22 of the Act. PERG 5.4 (The business test) gives further guidance on the business element as applied to insurance mediation activities.

(3) A person managing assets on a discretionary basis while acting as trustee of an occupational pension scheme may in certain circumstances be regarded as acting by way of business even if he would not, in the ordinary meaning of the phrase, be regarded as doing so. The Financial Services and Markets Act (Carrying on Regulated Activities by Way of Business) Order 2001 (as amended) contains some exceptions from this (see article 4).

(3A) A person who enters into a regulated sale and rent back agreement as SRB agreement provider is to be regarded as carrying on that activity by way of business except where that person is a related party in relation to the SRB agreement seller.

(4) The business element for all other regulated activities is that the activities are carried on by way of business. This applies to the activities of effecting or carrying out contracts of insurance, certain activities relating to the Lloyd's market, entering as provider into a funeral plan contract, entering into a home finance transaction or administering a home finance transaction, and operating a dormant account fund .

09/12/2011
Past version of PERG 2.3.2 before 09/12/2011

PERG 2.3.3

Whether or not an activity is carried on by way of business is ultimately a question of judgement that takes account of several factors (none of which is likely to be conclusive). These include the degree of continuity, the existence of a commercial element, the scale of the activity and the proportion which the activity bears to other activities carried on by the same person but which are not regulated. The nature of the particular regulated activity that is carried on will also be relevant to the factual analysis.

01/07/2005

PERG 2.4

Link between activities and the United Kingdom

01/07/2005

PERG 2.4.1

Section 19 of the Act (The general prohibition) provides that the requirement to be authorised under the Act only applies in relation to activities that are carried on 'in the United Kingdom'. In many cases, it will be quite straightforward to identify where an activity is carried on. But when there is a cross-border element, for example because a client is outside the United Kingdom or because some other element of the activity happens outside the United Kingdom, the question may arise as to where the activity is carried on.

01/07/2005

PERG 2.4.2

Even with a cross-border element a person may still be carrying on an activity 'in the United Kingdom'. For example, a person who is situated in the United Kingdom and who is safeguarding and administering investments will be carrying on activities in the United Kingdom even though his client may be overseas.

01/07/2005

PERG 2.4.3

Section 418 of the Act (Carrying on regulated activities in the United Kingdom) takes this one step further. It extends the meaning that 'in the United Kingdom' would ordinarily have by setting out five additional cases. The Act states that, in these five cases, a person who is carrying on a regulated activity but who would not otherwise be regarded as carrying on the activity in the United Kingdom is, for the purposes of the Act, to be regarded as carrying on the activity in the United Kingdom.

(1) The first case is where a UK-based person carries on a regulated activity in another EEA State in exercise of rights under a Single Market Directive.

(2) The second case consists of the marketing in another EEA State of a UK-based collective investment scheme by the scheme's manager where the scheme in question is one to which the UCITS Directive applies.

(3) The third case is where a regulated activity is carried on by a UK-based person and the day-to-day management of the activity is the responsibility of an establishment in the United Kingdom.

(4) The fourth case is where a regulated activity is carried on by a person who is not based in the United Kingdom but is carried on from an establishment in the United Kingdom. This might occur when each of the stages that make up a regulated activity (such as managing investments) takes place in different countries. For example, a person's management is in country A, the assets are held by a nominee in country B, all transactions take place in country B or country C but all decisions about what to do with the investments are taken from an office in the United Kingdom. Given that the investments are held, and all dealings in them take place, outside the United Kingdom there may otherwise be a question as to where the regulated activity of managing investments is taking place. For the purposes of the Act, it is carried on in the United Kingdom.

(5) The fifth case, inserted by the ECD Regulations is, in effect, where an electronic commerce activity is carried on, from an establishment in the United Kingdom, in another EEA State.

PERG 2.4.4

The application of the third and fourth cases will depend on how the activities carried on from the UK establishment are set up and operated.

01/07/2005

PERG 2.4.5

A person who is based outside the United Kingdom but who sets up an establishment in the United Kingdom must therefore consider the following matters. First, he must not, unless he is authorised, carry on regulated activities in the United Kingdom. Second, unless he is authorised, the day-to-day management of the carrying on of the regulated activity must not be the responsibility of the UK establishment. This may, for example, affect those UK establishments that in the context of deposit-taking activities were, before the commencement of the Act, treated as representative offices of overseas institutions. Such institutions will need to seek authorisation if the responsibility for the day-to-day management of the accepting of deposits by them outside the United Kingdom is nevertheless effectively that of their UK establishment. Third, such a person will need to ensure that he does not contravene other provisions of the Act that apply to persons who are not authorised. These include the controls on financial promotion (section 21 of the Act (Financial promotion)), and on giving the impression that a person is authorised (section 24).

01/07/2005

PERG 2.4.6

A person based outside the United Kingdom may also be carrying on activities in the United Kingdom even if he does not have a place of business maintained by him in the United Kingdom (for example, by means of the internet or other telecommunications system or by occasional visits). In that case, it will be relevant to consider whether what he is doing satisfies the business test as it applies in relation to the activities in question. In addition, he may be able to rely on the exclusions from certain regulated activities that apply in relation to overseas persons (see PERG 2.9.15 G).

01/07/2005

PERG 2.4.7

Electronic commerce activities, other than insurance business falling within the scope of the Insurance Directives, provided by an incoming ECA provider will not be regulated activities (see PERG 2.9.18G (2)).

01/07/2005

PERG 2.5

Investments and activities: general

01/07/2005

PERG 2.5.1

In addition to the requirements as to the business test and the link to the United Kingdom, two other essential elements must be present before a person needs authorisation under the Act. The first is that the investments must come within the scope of the system of regulation under the Act (see PERG 2.6). The second is that the activities, carried on in relation to those specified investments, are regulated under the Act (see PERG 2.7). Both investments and activities are defined in the Regulated Activities Order made by the Treasury under section 22 of the Act.

01/07/2005

PERG 2.5.2

The Regulated Activities Order contains exclusions. Exclusions may exist in relation to both the element of investment and the element of activity. Each should therefore be checked carefully. The exclusions that relate to specified investments are considered in PERG 2.6, together with the outline of the specified investments. The exclusions that relate to activities are considered separately from the outline of activities (see PERG 2.8 and PERG 2.9).

01/07/2005

Modification of certain exclusions as a result of MiFIDand theInsurance Mediation Directives

PERG 2.5.3

The application of certain of the exclusions considered in PERG 2.8 (Exclusions applicable to certain regulated activities) and PERG 2.9 (Regulated activities: exclusions applicable to certain circumstances) is modified in relation to persons who are subject to MiFID or the Insurance Mediation Directive. The reasons for this and the consequences of it are explained in PERG 2.5.4 Gas respects MiFID , and PERG 5 (Insurance mediation activities), as respects the Insurance Mediation Directive.

01/11/2007
Past version of PERG 2.5.3 before 01/11/2007

Investment services and activities

PERG 2.5.4

It remains the Government's responsibility to ensure the proper implementation of MiFID . Certain persons subject to the requirements of MiFID must be brought within the scope of regulation under the Act. A core element of MiFID is the concept of investment firm.An investment firm is any person whose regular occupation or business is the provision of one or more investment services to third parties or the performance of one or more investment activities on a professional basis. An investment firm is not subject to MiFID requirements if it falls within one or more of the exemptions in article 2 MiFID. Further information about these exemptions is contained in PERG 13.5. To the extent that an investment firm falls within one of these exemptions, it will not be a MiFID investment firm. Where a firm is not a MiFID investment firm because one or more of the exemptions in article 2 apply, it may still be carrying on regulated activities and therefore require authorisation unless it is an exempt person.

01/11/2007
Past version of PERG 2.5.4 before 01/11/2007

PERG 2.5.4A

The UK has exercised the optional exemption in article 3 of MiFID. Further information about this exemption is contained in Q48 to 53 in PERG 13.5. It is a requirement of article 3 MiFID that the activities of firms relying on the exemption are "regulated at national level". The investment services to which article 3 apply (namely reception and transmission of orders and investment advice in relation to either transferable securities or units in collective investment undertakings) correspond to regulated activities (see PERG 13 Annex 2 Tables 1 and 2).

01/11/2007

PERG 2.5.5

For persons who are MiFID investment firms, the activities that must be caught by the Regulated Activities Order are those that are caught by MiFID . To achieve this result, some of the exclusions in the Order (that will apply to persons who are not caught by MiFID ) have been made unavailable to MiFID investment firms when they provide or perform investment services and activities. A "MiFID investment firm", for these purposes, includes credit institutions to which MiFID applies (see PERG 13, Q5 and 9) and UCITS investment firms providing the services of portfolio management and personal recommendations in relation to financial instruments or the ancillary service of safekeeping and administration in relation to unitsof collective investment undertakings. The same exclusions are also unavailable to third country investment firms when they provide investment services and activities. Article 4(4) of the Regulated Activities Order (Specified activities: general) lists a number of exclusions that must be disregarded. These relate to the exclusions concerned with:

(1) the absence of holding out (see PERG 2.8.4G (1));

(2) transactions or arrangements with or through certain persons (see PERG 2.8.4G (2), PERG 2.8.5G (1) and PERG 2.8.6G (4));

(3) risk management (see PERG 2.8.4G (5) and PERG 2.8.5G (2));

(4) persons acting under powers of attorney (see PERG 2.8.7 G);

(4A) professions or businesses not involving regulated activities (see PERG 2.9.5 G);

(5) sale of goods (see PERG 2.9.7 G);

(6) groups and joint enterprises (see PERG 2.9.9 G);

(7) sale of a body corporate (see PERG 2.9.11 G); and

(8) business angel-led enterprise capital funds (see PERG 2.9.20 G to PERG 2.9.22 G).

01/11/2007
Past version of PERG 2.5.5 before 01/11/2007

Insurance mediation or reinsurance mediation

PERG 2.5.6

The Insurance Mediation Directive has in part been implemented through various amendments to the Regulated Activities Order. These include article 4(4A) (Specified activities: general) which precludes a person who, for remuneration, takes up or pursues insurance mediation or reinsurance mediation in relation to a risk or commitment situated in an EEA State from making use of certain exclusions. In other cases, some of the exclusions provided in relation to particular regulated activities are unavailable where the activity involves a contract of insurance. This is explained in more detail in PERG 5 (Insurance mediation activities).

01/07/2005

PERG 2.6

Specified investments: a broad outline

01/07/2005

PERG 2.6.1

The following paragraphs describe the various specified investments, taking due account of any exclusion that applies.

01/07/2005

Deposits

PERG 2.6.2

A deposit is defined in article 5(2) of the Regulated Activities Order. This focuses on a sum of money paid by one person to another on terms that it will be repaid when a specified event occurs (for example, a demand is made).

01/07/2005

PERG 2.6.3

Certain transactions are excluded. The definition of deposit itself excludes money paid in connection with certain transactions such as advance payments for the provision of goods or services and sums paid to secure the performance of a contract. The circumstances in which payments are excluded from the definition itself are exhaustively stated in article 5(3) of the Regulated Activities Order (Accepting deposits). In addition, there is a separate exclusion in article 9 of the Order (Sums received in consideration for the issue of debt securities) and another in article 9A (Sums received in exchange for electronic money). PERG 3A Q4 contains guidance on the exclusion relating to electronic money.

10/02/2011
Past version of PERG 2.6.3 before 10/02/2011

PERG 2.6.4

In addition, several separate exclusions focus on the identity of the person paying the money or the person receiving it (or both).

(1) Payments by certain persons are excluded if they are made by specified persons (such as local authorities or national, or supranational, bodies) or by persons acting in the course of a business consisting wholly or partly of lending money.

(2) Exclusions apply for sums paid between certain persons who are linked in a specified way (such as group companies or close relatives).

(3) Exclusions apply to sums received by persons acting for specified purposes. This covers sums received by a practising solicitor acting in the course of his profession or by authorised or exempt persons carrying on one of a specified range of regulated activities and acting within the scope of their permission or exemption.

01/07/2005

Electronic money

PERG 2.6.4A

Electronic money is specified as an investment in article 74A of the Regulated Activities Order, but only when issued by:

(1) a full credit institution, a credit union or a municipal bank; or

(2) a person deemed to have been granted authorisation under regulation 74 of the Electronic Money Regulations; or a person who falls within regulation 76(1) of the Electronic Money Regulations (see PERG 3A, Q30 and 31).

The authorisation and registration requirements for any other person intending to issue electronic money are governed by the Electronic Money Regulations. Guidance on these regulations is available in PERG 3A.

10/02/2011
Past version of PERG 2.6.4A before 10/02/2011

Rights under a contract of insurance

PERG 2.6.5

Contract of insurance is defined to include certain things that might not be considered a contract of insurance at common law. Examples of such additions include capital redemption contracts or contracts to pay annuities on human life. Detailed guidance on identifying a contract of insurance is in PERG 6 (Guidance on the Identification of Contracts of Insurance).

01/07/2005

PERG 2.6.6

There are two main sorts of contracts of insurance. These are general insurance contracts and long-term insurance contracts. The Regulated Activities Order provides that, in certain specified circumstances, a contract is to be treated as a long-term insurance contract notwithstanding that it contains supplementary provisions that might also be regarded as relating to a general insurance contract (see article 3(3)).

01/07/2005

PERG 2.6.7

The Regulated Activities Order uses two further terms in relation to contracts of insurance to identify those contracts under which rights are treated as contractually based investments.

(1) The first term is 'qualifying contracts of insurance' (referred to as life policies in the Handbook). This identifies those long-term insurance contracts under which rights are treated as contractually based investments. This term does not cover long-term insurance contracts which are contracts of reinsurance or, if specified conditions are met, contracts under which benefits are payable only on death or incapacity.

(2) The second term is 'relevant investments'. This term applies to:

(a) contractually based investments, which includes rights under life policies, and rights to or interests in such investments under article 89 of the Regulated Activities Order (Rights to or interests in investments); and

(b) rights under contracts of insurance other than life policies (but not rights to or interests in such rights).

This term is used in connection with the treatment, under various parts of the Regulated Activities Order, of persons carrying on insurance mediation activities (see PERG 5 (Insurance mediation activities) for further guidance on such activities).

01/07/2005

PERG 2.6.8

Certain arrangements in relation to funeral plans are specifically excluded from being contracts of insurance if they would otherwise be so. The exclusion applies to arrangements that fall within the definition of a funeral plan contract (see PERG 2.6.26 G) as well as arrangements that are excluded from the regulated activity of entering as provider into funeral plan contracts (see PERG 2.8.14 G).

01/07/2005

Shares etc

PERG 2.6.9

Shares are defined in the Regulated Activities Order as shares or stock in a wide range of entities; that is, any body corporate wherever incorporated and unincorporated bodies formed under the law of a country other than the United Kingdom. They include deferred shares issued by building societies as well as transferable shares in industrial and provident societies, credit unions and equivalent EEA bodies. These shares are transferable and negotiable in a way similar to other shares or stock and are treated as such for the purposes of defining regulated activities. They are specifically mentioned as being within the specified investment category of shares because other types of share issued by these mutual bodies are not transferable and are expressly excluded (see PERG 2.6.10 G).

01/07/2005

PERG 2.6.10

The following are excluded from the specified investment category of shares. Shares or stock in all open-ended investment companies are excluded from being treated in this particular category (but see PERG 2.6.17 G). Exclusions from this category also apply to shares or stock in the share capital of certain mutuals or in equivalent EEA bodies. This takes out building society or credit union accounts and non-transferable shares in industrial and provident societies. These may nevertheless be specified investments in another category (such as deposits in the case of building society accounts).

01/07/2005

Debt instruments

PERG 2.6.11

Two categories of specified investments relating to debt instruments are dealt with under this heading. They broadly split into private debt and public sector debt.

(1) The first category of 'instruments creating or acknowledging indebtedness' (defined in article 77 of the Regulated Activities Order and referred to in the Handbook as debentures) expressly refers to a range of instruments such as debentures, bonds and loan stock and contains a catch-all reference to 'any other instrument creating or acknowledging indebtedness.'

(2) The second category (defined in article 78 of the Regulated Activities Order and referred to in the Handbook as government and public securities) refers to loan stock, bonds and other instruments creating or acknowledging indebtedness which are issued by or on behalf of any government, the assemblies for Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland, a local authority or an international organisation.

An instrument cannot fall within both categories of specified investments relating to debt instruments. 'Instrument' is defined to include any record whether or not in the form of a document (see article 3(1) of the Regulated Activities Order).

01/07/2005

Alternative finance investment bonds

PERG 2.6.11A

Alternative finance investment bonds (defined in article 77A of the Regulated Activities Order and referred to in the Handbook as alternative debentures) are a form of Sharia compliant bond (known as sukuk in the plural or sakk in the singular) which are intended to be regulated in an equivalent manner to conventional debt securities, where appropriate. Sukuk arrangements allow assets to be held for the benefit of investors in certificates issued by a company. The benefits may include the payment of a return that is economically equivalent to interest and redemption of the certificates out of the proceeds from the disposal of the assets. Alternative debentures are not limited to those wishing to issue Sharia compliant sukuk.

26/02/2010

PERG 2.6.11B

The arrangements which grant rights under alternative debentures are similar to the tax definition of arrangements relating to alternative finance investment bonds at section 48A of the Finance Act 2005 (see www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts2007/ukpga_20070011_en_5#pt3-pb9-l1g53). However the purposes of the two provisions are not the same. One of the objectives of the FSA under the Act is consumer protection. Accordingly, secondary legislation made under the Act, like article 77A of the Regulated Activities Order, is likely to be interpreted by the FSA with consumer protection in mind. This may mean that whilst the arrangements described at section 48A of the Finance Act 2005 and those described at article 77A of the Regulated Activities Order are similar, they are likely to be construed differently by the courts. PERG 2.6.11FG and PERG 2.6.11GG explain the consumer protection features in the definition of alternative debentures in more detail.

26/02/2010

PERG 2.6.11C

The arrangements which grant rights under an alternative debenture arise where:

(1) the arrangements provide for a person (the bond-holder) to pay a sum of money (the capital) to another (the bond-issuer);

(2) the arrangements identify assets, or a class of assets, which the bond-issuer will acquire for the purpose of generating income or gains directly or indirectly (the bond assets);

(3) the arrangements specify a period at the end of which they cease to have effect (the bond term);

(4) the bond-issuer undertakes under the arrangements:

(a) to make a repayment of the capital (the redemption payment) to the bond-holder during or at the end of the bond term (whether or not in instalments); and

(b) to pay to the bond-holder other payments on one or more occasions during or at the end of the bond term (the additional payments);

(5) the amount of the additional payments does not exceed an amount which would, at the time at which the bond is issued, be a reasonable commercial return on a loan of capital; and

(6) the arrangements are a security admitted to:

(a) an official list; or

(b) trading on a regulated market or on a recognised investment exchange.

26/02/2010
Future version of PERG 2.6.11C after 01/04/2012

PERG 2.6.11D

Different types of alternative debentures are permitted so that, for example:

(1) the assets of the arrangement may be acquired before or after it commences;

(2) the bond-holder may (but need not) be entitled under the arrangements to terminate them, or participate in terminating them before the end of the bond term;

(3) the return may be fixed, floating or determined in some other way;

(4) the amount of the redemption payment may (but need not) be subject to reduction in the event of a fall in the value of the bond assets or in the rate of income generated by them.

26/02/2010

PERG 2.6.11E

As these arrangements might amount to a collective investment scheme (see PERG 9.4.2 GG for a broad description) a consequential amendment to the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Collective Investment Scheme) Order 2001 (SI 2001/1062) has been made so that, like conventional bonds, alternative debentures are excluded from the definition of collective investment scheme.

26/02/2010

PERG 2.6.11F

The range of instruments that are caught by the alternative debenture definition have been tightly circumscribed to ensure that only those arrangements that grant, in substance, debt-like returns are captured. This is because arrangements giving rights under an alternative debenture cannot amount to a collective investment scheme (see PERG 2.6.11EG). If other types of investments were covered by the alternative debenture definition this could have the effect of undermining the regime for regulating collective investment schemes, which is primarily aimed at protecting the consumer from investing in unsuitable products. For example, under section 238 of the Act (Restrictions on promotion) an authorised person cannot communicate an invitation or inducement to participate in an unregulated collective investment scheme.

26/02/2010

PERG 2.6.11G

The condition set out at PERG 2.6.11CG (6) is also intended to protect consumers. This provides that alternative debentures must be listed on an official list or traded on a regulated market or recognised investment exchange. This is because there is a risk that alternative debentures could lead to regulatory arbitrage (i.e. the risk that the exclusion from being classified as a collective investment scheme is exploited by instruments not intended to be excluded). Mandatory listing is aimed at ensuring an enhanced level of transparency, reducing the likelihood of regulatory arbitrage.

26/02/2010

PERG 2.6.11H

(1) The main provision within the definition of alternative debenture arrangements that seeks to ensure that only instruments that display the characteristics of a debt security can be alternative debentures is set out at PERG 2.6.11CG (5). It provides that the amount of additional payments under the arrangements must not exceed an amount which would, at the time the bond is issued, be a reasonable commercial return on a loan of capital. Where the return is not fixed at the outset, it is the maximum possible amount of the additional payments that must be considered in deciding this question. The following example demonstrates how this condition should be approached.

Example

ABC Ltd is a property development company. It wishes to increase its portfolio on a short-term basis. It issues 5-year sukuk to investors and uses the proceeds to buy the head lease of a commercial property. The rental income from the lease is distributed to investors in proportion to their holdings without a cap on the level of return. After 5 years, the head lease is sold on at a profit and the proceeds shared between investors.

In this example, the investors participate directly in the success or failure of the underlying property business. The sakk is not really in the nature of a debt instrument. It is unlikely to be an alternative debenture as:

(a) additional payments under the arrangements would exceed a reasonable commercial return on a loan of the capital.

Further, where the return is not fixed at the outset, it is the maximum possible amount of the additional payments that must be considered. Here, the issue terms of the sukuk impose no upper limit on the amount of the periodic distributions: a sakk holder subscribing 1,000 may, in a year, get back 200 or 2,000 or nothing depending on the rental market. The maximum potential return is clearly in excess of a reasonable commercial return on a loan of 1,000; and

(b) the arrangements have not been admitted to an official list or admitted to trading on a regulated market or recognised investment exchange (see PERG 2.6.11CG (6)).

(2) If, in the above example, investors returns were capped at 500 per sakk per year, then this is the amount that must be considered in deciding whether the return exceeds a reasonable commercial return on a loan, even where the amounts actually received turn out to be far lower.

(3) In applying the reasonable commercial return test, the sakk should be compared to a hypothetical loan to the issuer on similar terms and carrying similar risks. For example, a conventional security convertible into shares will normally carry a lower rate of interest because the conversion right has a value. The return on an exchangeable or convertible sakk should be measured against the return on an equivalent exchangeable or convertible debt security.

(4) The risk to investors in sukuk may vary slightly from that of a conventional bond in some instances. This may be due to the fact that sukuk holders only have recourse to the bond assets or some other structural feature which results in the risk profile being higher. In such instances it may be justifiable for the rate of return to be slightly higher than that of a conventional loan.

(5) As with any financial instrument, the pricing of sukuk will depend on the issuers view of the market at the time of issue and reasonable commercial return may vary depending on the issuer and the economic circumstances prevalent at the time of issue.

26/02/2010

PERG 2.6.12

Certain instruments are excluded from both of the categories of specified investments referred to in PERG 2.6.11 G. These include trade bills, specified banking documents (such as cheques and banknotes though not bills of exchange accepted by a banker) and contracts of insurance. There is a further exclusion from this category of specified investment dealing with public debt for National Savings deposits and products. However, for the purposes of article 78 of the Financial Services and Markets Act (Regulated Activities) Order 2001, this exclusion does not apply to instruments that meet the requirements of PERG 2.6.11CG (1)to (5).

26/02/2010
Past version of PERG 2.6.12 before 26/02/2010

Warrants

PERG 2.6.13

The category of specified investment of instruments giving entitlements to investments (referred to in the Handbook as warrants) covers warrants and other instruments which confer an entitlement to subscribe for shares, alternative debentures, debentures and government and public securities. This is one of several categories of specified investments that are expressed in terms of the rights they confer in relation to other categories of specified investment. The rights conferred must be rights to 'subscribe' for the relevant investments. This means that they are rights to acquire the investments directly from the issuer of the investments and by way of the issue of new investments (rather than by purchasing investments that have already been issued).

26/02/2010
Past version of PERG 2.6.13 before 26/02/2010

PERG 2.6.14

To keep clear distinctions between the different specified investment categories, instruments giving entitlements to investments are not to be regarded as options, futures or contracts for differences.

01/07/2005

Certificates representing securities

PERG 2.6.15

The specified investment category of certificates representing certain securities covers certificates or other instruments which confer rights in relation to shares and debt securities. It includes depositary receipts.

01/07/2005

PERG 2.6.16

There is an exclusion for any instrument that would otherwise fall within the specified investment category of units in a collective investment scheme. But the exclusion does not apply where the underlying investments covered by the certificate are issued by the same (non-public sector) issuer or constitute a single issue of public sector debt (such as a single issue of gilts). Certificates or other instruments conferring rights in respect of investments in these two cases continue to be treated as certificates representing certain securities.

01/07/2005

Units

PERG 2.6.17

The specified investment category of units in a collective investment scheme includes units in a unit trust scheme, shares in open-ended investment companies and rights in respect of most limited partnerships. Shares in or securities of an open-ended investment company are treated differently from shares in other companies. They are excluded from the specified investment category of shares. This does not mean that they are not investments but simply that they are uniformly treated in the same way as units in other forms of collective investment scheme. The effect is that an open-ended investment company will, in issuing its shares, be subject to the restrictions on promotion of collective investment schemes in section 238 of the Act (rather than to restrictions that apply to other forms of body corporate). For exclusions from the restrictions on the provisions of collective investment schemes, see the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Promotion of Collective Investment Schemes) (Exemptions) Order 2001 (SI 2001/1060). Guidance on the meaning of open-ended investment company is in PERG 9 (Meaning of open-ended investment company).

01/10/2005
Past version of PERG 2.6.17 before 01/10/2005

PERG 2.6.18

There are no exclusions in the Regulated Activities Order for this specified investment category. This is because 'collective investment scheme' is defined in section 235 of the Act (Collective investment schemes) for the purposes of the Act generally. But there is a separate power to provide for exemptions from that definition and the Treasury have exercised it (see the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Collective Investment Schemes) Order 2001 (SI 2001/1062). The result is that units in certain arrangements are excluded from being collective investment schemes (for example, closed-ended bodies corporate, franchise arrangements, timeshare schemes).

01/07/2005

Rights under a pension scheme

PERG 2.6.19

Two types of investment are specified here:

(1) rights under a stakeholder pension scheme; and

(2) rights under a personal pension scheme.

06/04/2007
Past version of PERG 2.6.19 before 06/04/2007

PERG 2.6.19A

A stakeholder pension scheme is defined in section 1 of the Welfare Reform and Pensions Act 1999. Regulations made under that section set out detailed rules under which such schemes will operate (see the Stakeholder Pension Scheme Regulations 2000). Schemes must be registered with The Pensions Regulator.

06/04/2007

PERG 2.6.19B

A personal pension scheme is, broadly speaking, a pension scheme which is not an occupational pension scheme or a stakeholder pension scheme. That is, a scheme or arrangement that is comprised in one or more instruments or agreements, having or capable of having effect so as to provide benefits to or in respect of people:

(1) on retirement; or

(2) on having reached a particular age; or

(3) on termination of service in an employment.

06/04/2007

PERG 2.6.19C

Rights under stakeholder pension schemes and personal pension schemes are specified investments for the purposes of the Regulated Activities Order. There are no exclusions in the Order.

06/04/2007

Options

PERG 2.6.20

The specified investment category of optionscomprises:

(1) options to acquire or dispose of securities or contractually based investments, currency and certain precious metals and options to acquire or dispose of such options. Options to buy or sell other types of commodity will only fall within this specified investment category if they are options to buy or sell futures, or options to buy or sell contracts for differences, which are based on other commodities. But options to buy or sell other types of commodity may be contracts for differences (see PERG 2.6.23 G);

(2) options to acquire or dispose of other property and falling within paragraphs 5, 6, 7 or 10 of Annex 1 to MiFID (see article 83(2) of the Regulated Activities Order and PERG 13, Q32 to Q34 for guidance about these instruments), but only where they are options in relation to which a MiFID investment firm or a third country investment firm provides or performs investment services and activities on a professional basis; and

(3) options to acquire or dispose of an option to which (2) applies. See article 83(1)(e) of the Regulated Activities Order.

01/11/2007
Past version of PERG 2.6.20 before 01/11/2007

PERG 2.6.20A

It follows therefore that options not falling within PERG 2.6.20G (1), for example physically settled options on non-precious metals, such as copper options, will not be options unless they meet the conditions in PERG 2.6.20G (2). Moreover, where the option in question is one to which PERG 2.6.20G (2) applies, it will be an option only in relation to the investment services and activities, or ancillary services where relevant, provided by that person. The same applies in the case of options falling within PERG 2.6.20G (3), for example an option on a physically settled copper option traded on a regulated market.

01/11/2007

Futures

PERG 2.6.21

Futures is the name given to rights under a contract for the sale of a commodity, or of property of any other description, under which delivery is to be made at a future date and at a price agreed on when the contract is made.

01/07/2005

PERG 2.6.22

The key issue in determining whether something is an investment in this category for the purposes of the Regulated Activities Order is whether the contract is made for investment purposes rather than commercial purposes. Contracts which are made for commercial purposes are excluded from this specified investment category and the Regulated Activities Order contains several tests as to when that is, or is not, the case (some are conclusive, others only indicative).

01/07/2005

PERG 2.6.22A

As with options, there is an additional category of instruments which are futures only when they are the object of investment services or activities provided or performed by certain persons. These are contracts as described in PERG 2.6.21 G:

(1) that would not be regarded as having been entered into for investment purposes because they fail one of the tests mentioned in PERG 2.6.22 G;

(2) that fall within paragraphs 5, 6, 7 or 10 of Annex 1 to MiFID (see PERG 13, Q32 to Q34 for guidance about these derivatives); and

(3) in relation to which a MiFID investment firm or a third country investment firm provides or performs investment services and activities on a professional basis.

01/11/2007

See article 84(1A)-(1D) of the Regulated Activities Order

PERG 2.6.22B

The transposition of MiFID does not have the effect of turning spot or forward foreign exchange contracts into financial instruments where such instruments satisfy the commercial purpose test in article 84(2) of the Regulated Activities Order. In our view, very few instruments are likely to fall within PERG 2.6.22A G in practice, given that this category only applies in the case of instruments not falling within PERG 2.6.22 G. An example of an instrument falling within PERG 2.6.22A G could be rights under a contract for a derivative which provides for physical delivery of a commodity at a future date and which is entered into on a multilateral trading facility.

01/11/2007

Contracts for differences

PERG 2.6.23

The specified investment category of contracts for differences covers:

(1) rights under contracts for differences;

(2) rights under other contracts whose purpose or pretended purpose is to secure a profit or avoid a loss by reference to fluctuations in certain factors; and

(3) other derivative contracts (not within (1) or (2)) falling within paragraph 8 of Annex 1 to MiFID, that is derivative instruments for the transfer of credit risk (see PERG 13, Q30 to Q31 for guidance about these instruments), but only where a MiFID investment firm or a third country investment firm provides or performs investment services and activities on a professional basis.

The factors mentioned in (2) include the value or price of property of any description or an index or any 'other factor designated in the contract'. This catches a wide range of factors.

01/11/2007
Past version of PERG 2.6.23 before 01/11/2007

PERG 2.6.23A

All contracts in this category are cash-settled instruments (as opposed to being settled by way of delivering something other than cash). Many would be unenforceable as gaming contracts were it not for section 412 of the Act (Gaming contracts). Examples of instruments that count as specified investments under this category are spread bets and interest rate swaps.

01/11/2007

PERG 2.6.24

There are a number of exclusions. These include a case where the parties intend that the profit is to be secured or the loss to be avoided by taking delivery of property. This avoids overlap with the specified investment categories of options and futures. Also excluded are index-linked deposits and rights under certain contracts connected with the National Savings Bank or National Savings products. There is also provision to ensure that the specified investment category of contracts for differences does not include rights under life policies.

01/07/2005

Lloyd's investments

PERG 2.6.25

Two types of specified investment are relevant. These are the underwriting capacity of a Lloyd's syndicate and a person's membership of a Lloyd's syndicate. There are no exclusions from these specified investment categories.

01/07/2005

Rights under a funeral plan

PERG 2.6.26

Rights under a funeral plan contract are the rights to a funeral obtained by a person who pays for the funeral before the death of the person whose funeral it will be.

01/07/2005

Rights under a regulated mortgage contract

PERG 2.6.27

In accordance with article 61(3)(a) of the Regulated Activities Order, a regulated mortgage contract is a contract which, at the time it is entered into, satisfies the following conditions:

(1) the contract is one where the lender provides credit to an individual or trustees (the "borrower");

(2) the obligation of the borrower to repay is secured by a first legal charge on land (other than timeshare accommodation) in the United Kingdom; and

(3) at least 40% of that land is used, or is intended to be used, as or in connection with a dwelling by the borrower (or, where trustees are the borrower, by an individual who is a beneficiary of the trust) or by a related person.

Detailed guidance on this is set out in PERG 4.4 (Guidance on regulated activities connected with mortgages).

01/07/2005

Rights under a home reversion plan

PERG 2.6.27A

In accordance with article 63B(3)(a) of the Regulated Activities Order, a home reversion plan is an arrangement under which, at the time it is entered into:

(1) a person (the "reversion purchaser") buys all or part of a qualifying interest in land (other than timeshare accommodation) in the United Kingdom from an individual or trustees (the "reversion occupier");

(2) the reversion occupier (or, where trustees are concerned, an individual who is a beneficiary of the trust), or a related person of either, is entitled, and intends, to use at least 40% of that land as or in connection with a dwelling; and

(3) the entitlement to occupy ends on the occurrence of any one or more of the following events:

(a) the end of a specified period of at least twenty years; or

(b) the death of the individual; or

Detailed guidance on this is set out in PERG 14.3 (Guidance on home reversion and home purchase activities).

06/04/2007

Rights under a home purchase plan

PERG 2.6.27B

In accordance with article 63F(3)(a) of the Regulated Activities Order, a home purchase plan is an arrangement under which, at the time it is entered into:

(1) a person (the "home purchase provider") buys a qualifying interest in land or an undivided share of a qualifying interest in land (other than timeshare accommodation) in the United Kingdom;

(2) where an undivided share of a qualifying interest is bought, the interest is held on trust for the home purchase provider and the individual or trustee as beneficial tenants in common;

(3) an individual or trustees (the "home purchaser") is obliged to buy the interest bought by the home purchase provider over the course of or at the end of a specified period; and

(4) the home purchaser (or, where trustees are concerned, by an individual who is a beneficiary of the trust), or a related person of either, is entitled, and intends, to use at least 40% of that land as or in connection with a dwelling.

Detailed guidance on this is set out in PERG 14.4 (Guidance on home reversion and home purchase activities).

06/04/2007

Rights under a regulated sale and rent back agreement

PERG 2.6.27C

In accordance with Article 63J(3)(a) of the Regulated Activities Order, a regulated sale and rent back agreement is an arrangement under which, at the time it is entered into:

(1) a person (the SRB agreement provider) buys all or part of the qualifying interest in land (other than timeshare accommodation) in the United Kingdom from an individual or trustees (the agreement seller); and

(2) the agreement seller (if he is an individual) or an individual who is the beneficiary of the trust (if the agreement seller is a trustee), or a related person, is entitled under the arrangement to occupy at least 40% of the land in question as or in connection with a dwelling, and intends to do so;

but excluding any arrangement that is a regulated home reversion plan.

Detailed guidance on this is set out in PERG 14.4A (Activities relating to regulated sale and rent back agreements).

30/06/2010

PERG 2.6.28

Rights to, or interests in, all the specified investments in PERG 2.6 (except rights to, or interests in, rights under a home finance transaction ) are themselves treated as specified investments. The effect is that, in most cases, an activity carried on in relation to rights or interests derived from any of those investments is also a regulated activity if the activity would be regulated if carried on in relation to the investment itself. The exception is where the rights or interests relate to a pure protection contract or a general insurance contract.

06/04/2007
Past version of PERG 2.6.28 before 06/04/2007

PERG 2.6.29

There are several things that are not covered by this category (other than rights to, or interests in, rights under a mortgage contract). Anything that is covered by any other specified investment category is excluded, as are interests under the trusts of an occupational pension scheme. Finally, where a contract is excluded from the scope of the regulated activity of entering as provider into a funeral plan contract (see PERG 2.8.14 G), then rights to, or interests in, the contracts of insurance or interests under the trusts, to which the contracts relate are also excluded from this specified investment category.

01/07/2005

PERG 2.7

Activities: a broad outline

01/07/2005

PERG 2.7.1

The following paragraphs describe the various specified activities. The exclusions relating to activities are dealt with in PERG 2.8 and PERG 2.9.

01/07/2005

Accepting deposits

PERG 2.7.2

Whether or not accepting deposits is a regulated activity depends on the use to which the money is put. The activity is caught if money received by way of deposit is lent to others or if any other activity of the person accepting the deposit is financed wholly (or to a material extent) out of the capital of, or interest on, money received by way of deposit.

01/07/2005

Issuing electronic money

PERG 2.7.2A

See PERG 2.6.4A G for a description of those persons to whom this specified activity applies.

10/02/2011
Past version of PERG 2.7.2A before 10/02/2011

Effecting or carrying out contracts of insurance as principal

PERG 2.7.3

The activities of effecting a contract of insurance or carrying out a contract of insurance are separate regulated activities, each requiring authorisation. But this only applies where they are carried on by a person who is acting as principal. This means that the activities of agents, such as loss adjusters, will not constitute this regulated activity. The activities of some agents may, however, be regulated as insurance mediation activities (see PERG 5 (Guidance on insurance mediation activities)).

01/07/2005

PERG 2.7.4

In addition, certain other activities carried on in relation to rights under contracts of insurance are regulated activities. These are where the activity is carried on in relation to:

(1) life policies, where the regulated activities concerned are:

(a) dealing in investments as principal (see PERG 2.7.5 G);

(b) managing investments (see PERG 2.7.8 G);

(d) agreeing to carry on any of those activities (see PERG 2.7.21 G); and

(2) rights under any contract of insurance, where the regulated activities concerned are:

(a) dealing in investments as agent (see PERG 2.7.5 G);

(b) arranging (bringing about) deals in investments and making arrangements with a view to transactions in investments (see PERG 2.7.7A G);

(d) advising on investments (see PERG 2.7.15 G); and

(e) agreeing to carry on any of those activities (see PERG 2.7.21 G).

PERG 5 (Insurance mediation activities) has more guidance on these regulated activities where they are insurance mediation activities.

01/07/2005

Dealing in investments (as principal or agent)

PERG 2.7.5

In relation to securities or life policies (or rights or interests in either), dealing as principal is only a regulated activity if certain conditions are satisfied (see PERG 2.8.4G (1)).

01/07/2005

PERG 2.7.6

Both the activities of dealing in investments as principal and dealing in investments as agent are defined in terms of 'buying, selling, subscribing for or underwriting' certain investments. These investments are:

(1) for dealing in investments as principal, securities or contractually based investments (except rights under a funeral plan contract); and

(2) for dealing in investments as agent, securities and relevant investments (except rights under a funeral plan contract).

01/07/2005

PERG 2.7.6A

Because of the different nature of the specified investments in relation to which these activities are carried on, 'buying' and 'selling' are defined terms that have an extended meaning. For example, some of the specified investments listed in PERG 2.6 are particular things that can be bought and sold in the ordinary meaning of the words. Others fall outside the ordinary meaning of 'buy' and 'sell' because their transfer involves an assumption of a potential liability under a bilateral contract (contracts for differences are an example of this). To deal with the possible range of circumstances, 'buying' is defined in the Regulated Activities Order to include acquiring for valuable consideration. 'Selling' is defined to include disposing for valuable consideration and 'disposing' is itself given a specified meaning that covers a range of possible transactions according to the nature of the investment being transferred (including, for example, surrendering a life insurance contract).

01/07/2005

Arranging deals in investments and arranging a home finance transaction

PERG 2.7.7

[not used]

01/07/2005

PERG 2.7.7A

There are ten arranging activities that are regulated activities under the Regulated Activities Order. These are:

(1) arranging (bringing about) deals in investments which are securities, relevant investments or the underwriting capacity of a Lloyd's syndicate or membership of a Lloyd's syndicate (article 25(1));

(2) making arrangements with a view to transactions in investments which are securities, relevant investments or the underwriting capacity of a Lloyd's syndicate or membership of a Lloyd's syndicate (article 25(2));

(3) arranging (bringing about) regulated mortgage contracts, which includes arranging for another person to vary the terms of a regulated mortgage contract entered into by him as borrower after 31 October 2004 (article 25A(1));

(4) making arrangements with a view to regulated mortgage contracts (article 25A(2));

(5) arranging (bringing about) a home reversion plan, which includes arranging for another person to vary the terms of a home reversion plan entered into by him as the original reversion provider (and not merely as a person to whom the rights or obligations or the interest in land may be transferred) or as reversion occupier on or after 6 April 2007 (article 25B(1));

(6) making arrangements with a view to a home reversion plan (article 25B(2));

(7) arranging (bringing about) a home purchase plan, which includes arranging for another person to vary the terms of a home purchase plan entered into by him as home purchaser on or after 6 April 2007 (article 25C(1));

(8) making arrangements with a view to a home purchase plan (article 25C(2));

(9) arranging (bringing about) a regulated sale and rent back agreement, which includes arranging for another person (A) to vary the terms of a regulated sale and rent back agreement entered into on or after 1 July 2009 by A as agreement seller or agreement provider, in such a way as to vary As obligations under that agreement (article 25E(1)); and

(10) making arrangements with a view to a regulated sale and rent back agreement (article 25E(2)).

30/06/2010
Past version of PERG 2.7.7A before 30/06/2010

PERG 2.7.7B

The activity of arranging (bringing about) deals in investments is aimed at arrangements that would have the direct effect that a particular transaction is concluded (that is, arrangements that bring it about). The activity of making arrangements with a view to transactions in investments is concerned with arrangements of an ongoing nature whose purpose is to facilitate the entering into of transactions by other parties. This activity has a potentially broad scope and typically applies in one of two scenarios. These are where a person provides arrangements of some kind:

(1) to enable or assist investors to deal with or through a particular firm (such as the arrangements made by introducers); or

(2) to facilitate the entering into of transactions directly by the parties (such as multilateral trading facilities of any kind other than those excluded under article 25(3) of the Regulated Activities Order, exchanges, clearing houses and service companies (for example, persons who provide communication facilities for the routing of orders or the negotiation of transactions)).

30/06/2010
Past version of PERG 2.7.7B before 30/06/2010

PERG 2.7.7BA

It is of note, however, that the regulated activity of making arrangements with a view to transactions in investments is not limited to arrangements that are participated in by investors. It is also not necessary that both the buyer and the seller under the transaction that is being arranged should participate in the arrangements. So, arrangements may come within the activity if they are participated in only by product companies with a view to their issuing investments. A person may be carrying on this regulated activity even if he is only providing part of the facilities for bringing about a transaction.

06/08/2009

PERG 2.7.7BB

It is also the FSA's view that certain arrangements may come within the activity even though the parties may have already committed to the transaction using other arrangements. This would typically apply to a clearing house whose clearing and settlement facilities may be seen to be made with a view to the members of the clearing house, as participants in its arrangements, entering into transactions (usually through an investment exchange) which must be cleared through the clearing house to be completed. The clearing house is providing an essential part of the market infrastructure that is necessary to support trading activities. The same principle applies outside the markets context. So for example if a company that wishes to raise capital from private investors tells the potential investors, in order to increase their confidence, that all aspects of paying for and issuing shares will be handled by a particular firm, that firm may come within article 25(2) when it provides those services.

06/08/2009

PERG 2.7.7BC

In the FSA's view, it is generally the case that providers of back office administration services do not carry out the regulated activity of making arrangements with a view to transactions in investments. This is based essentially on the fact that providers of back office administration services aim to assist a broker firm to deal with the aftermath of transactions it has entered into on behalf of its clients. The broker firm has assumed full responsibility to its clients for completing their transactions, thus enabling the view to be taken that the firm to whom it outsources functions is making arrangements to assist the broker to complete transactions rather than with a view to the broker entering into trades as agent for its clients. The provider of back office services does not carry out the regulated activity of making arrangements with a view to transactions in investments because the transaction has already been entered into by the time of its involvement.

06/08/2009

PERG 2.7.7BD

(1) The scope of article 25(2) of the Regulated Activities Order (the subject of PERG 2.7.7B G) was considered by the High Court in the case of Watersheds Limited v. David Da Costa and Paul Gentlemen. The judgement suggests that the activity of introducing does not itself constitute a regulated activity for the purposes of article 25(2) of the Regulated Activities Order. The FSA has considered whether the judgement necessitates any change to the views expressed in PERG 2.7.7B G and elsewhere in PERG. It appears to the FSA that the judgement should be considered in the light of the case to which it relates.

(2) Also, the court does not seem to have had the benefit of a relevant argument. The Regulated Activities Order provides an exclusion which has the effect of removing certain arrangements for making introductions from the scope of article 25(2) of the Regulated Activities Order. This exclusions can be found in article 33 of the Regulated Activities Order (guidance on this can be found in PERG 8.33 and PERG 5.6.17 G to PERG 5.6.21 G). This exclusions would not be necessary if all introductions were outside the scope of article 25(2) of the Regulated Activities Order. Support for this can also be found in the fact that article 25A(2) is very similar to article 25(2) and there is an exclusion from it for certain introductions. The exclusion is in article 33A of the Regulated Activities Order and guidance on it can be found in PERG 4.5.10 G and the following paragraphs. For these reasons, the FSA remains of the view that article 25(2) of the Regulated Activities Order includes certain types of arrangements for making introductions whilst recognising that the judgement in the Watersheds case introduces an element of doubt.

06/08/2009

PERG 2.7.7BE

In determining whether particular arrangements fall within the scope of Article 25(2) of the Regulated Activities Order, it may be necessary to consider the purpose of the arrangements. Further guidance on this can be found in PERG 8.32.3G. Although this guidance is in relation to the activities of publishers, broadcasters, website operators and telephone marketing services, the principle is not limited to those activities.

06/08/2009

PERG 2.7.7BF

In the FSA's view, a mere passive display of literature advertising investments would not amount to the article 25(2) activity. Further guidance on this point can be found in PERG 5.6.4 G. Although this guidance is in relation to contracts of insurance, the principle is not limited to them.

06/08/2009

PERG 2.7.7C

Further guidance on the arranging activities as they relate to home finance transactions and contracts of insurance is in PERG 4.5 (Arranging regulated mortgage contracts), PERG 14.3 and PERG 14.4 (Guidance on home reversion and home purchase activities) and PERG 5.6 (The regulated activities: arranging deals in, and making arrangements with a view to transactions in, contracts of insurance) respectively.

06/04/2007
Past version of PERG 2.7.7C before 06/04/2007

Operating a multilateral trading facility

PERG 2.7.7D

Guidance on the MiFID investment service of operating a multilateral trading facility is given in PERG 13, Q24. So far as the regulated activity of operating a multilateral trading facility is concerned, this does not comprise the activities of dealing in investments as agent, dealing in investments as principal, or arranging deals in investments. Where a firm carries on one or more of these activities in addition to operating a multilateral trading facility, these are separate regulated activities for which it requires permission.

01/11/2007

Managing investments

PERG 2.7.8

The regulated activity of managing investments includes several elements.

(1) First, a person must exercise discretion. Non-discretionary portfolio management (where the manager buys and sells, as principal or agent, on the instructions of some other person) is not caught by this activity, although it may be caught by a different regulated activity such as the activity of dealing in investments as principal or dealing in investments as agent. The discretion must be exercised in relation to the composition of the portfolio under management and not in relation to some other function (such as proxy voting) carried on by the manager.

(2) Second, the property that is managed must belong beneficially to another person. This excludes from the regulated activity the management by a person of his own property. But discretionary management of assets by a person acting in his capacity as trustee will be caught even though he is the legal owner of the assets.

(3) Third, the property that is managed must consist of (or include) securities or contractually based investments. Alternatively, discretionary management will generally be caught if it is possible that the property could consist of or include such securities or investments. This is the case even if there never has been any investment in securities or contractually based investments, as long as there have been representations that there would be.

01/07/2005

Assisting in the administration and performance of a contract of insurance

PERG 2.7.8A

The activity of assisting in the administration and performance of a contract of insurance is a regulated activity that is identified in the Insurance Mediation Directive. Further guidance on this activity is in PERG 5.7 (The regulated activities: assisting in the administration and performance of a contract of insurance).

01/07/2005

Safeguarding and administering investments

PERG 2.7.9

The activity of safeguarding and administering investments belonging to another is regulated, as is providing a service under which a person undertakes to arrange on a continuing basis for others actually to carry out the safeguarding and administering. In each case, both the elements of safeguarding and administering must be present before a person will be said to carry on the activity.

(1) Safeguarding is acting as custodian of the property, for example, holding any documents evidencing the investments such as the share certificate (although it is worth noting that there is express provision that an uncertificated investment may be safeguarded and administered).

(2) Administration covers services provided to the owner or manager of the property, such as settlement of sale transactions relating to an investment, dealing with income arising from the investment and carrying out corporate actions such as voting. The nature of administration services must be such that the custodian has no discretion (otherwise he is likely to be caught by the regulated activity of managing investments (see PERG 2.7.8 G)).

01/07/2005

PERG 2.7.10

The property that is safeguarded and administered must belong beneficially to another person. It must consist of (or include) securities or contractually based investments. Alternatively, safeguarding and administration will generally be caught if it is possible that the property could consist of (or include) such securities or investments. This is the case even if the property in question has never consisted of (or included) such securities or investments, as long as there have been representations that it would do.

01/07/2005

Sending dematerialised instructions

PERG 2.7.11

The regulated activities relating to sending dematerialised instructions relate to the operation of the system for electronic transfer of title to securities or contractually based investments. This is the system maintained under the Uncertificated Securities Regulations 2001 (SI 2001/3755) (and currently operated byCREST). Sending instructions on behalf of another is a regulated activity, as is causing such instructions to be sent if the person causing the sending is a system-participant, as defined in those Regulations. A system-participant is the person who has the computer and network connection to CREST.

01/07/2005

Establishing etc collective investment schemes

PERG 2.7.12

The regulated activities carried on in relation to a collective investment scheme generally are the establishing, operating or winding up a collective investment scheme. Acting as the depositary and acting as sole director of an open-ended investment company are also separate regulated activities. In all these cases, the activities are regulated where the schemes themselves are authorised schemes for the purposes of the UK product regulation regime under Part XVII of the Act (Collective investment schemes) as well as where the schemes are unregulated schemes. The process for applying for authorisation of a collective investment scheme is described in COLLG 2 (Authorised fund applications). Guidance on whether certain types of scheme (property and land investment schemes) may amount to collective investment schemes is set out in PERG 11 (Property investment clubs and land investment schemes).

01/04/2009
Past version of PERG 2.7.12 before 01/04/2009

PERG 2.7.13

In addition, express provision is included in the Regulated Activities Order to make acting as trustee of an authorised unit trust scheme a regulated activity. The full picture for authorised schemes (that is, schemes that can be promoted to the public) is as follows:

(1) Acting as trustee of an authorised unit trust scheme is expressly included as a regulated activity.
(2) Acting as depositary of an open-ended investment company that is authorised under regulations made under section 262 of the Act (Open-ended investment companies), is a regulated activity.
(3) Acting as a sole director of such a company is a regulated activity.
(4) Managing an authorised unit trust scheme will amount to operating the scheme and so will be a regulated activity. A person acting as manager is also likely to be carrying on other regulated activities (such as dealing (see PERG 2.7.5 G) or managing investments (see PERG 2.7.8 G)).
(5) An open-ended investment company will, once it is authorised under regulations made under section 262 of the Act, become an authorised person in its own right under Schedule 5 to the Act (Persons concerned in Collective Investment Schemes). Under ordinary principles, a company operates itself and an authorised open-ended investment company will be operating the collective investment scheme constituted by the company. It is not required to go through a separate process of authorisation as a person because it has already undergone the process of product authorisation.
(6) Operators, trustees or depositaries of UCITS schemes constituted in other EEA States are also authorised persons under Schedule 5 of the Act if those schemes qualify as recognised collective investment schemes for the purposes of section 264 of the Act.

01/07/2005

PERG 2.7.13C

A person will carry on the activity of acting as trustee or depositary of a UCITS if they act as:

(1) trustee of an authorised unit trust scheme; or

(2) depositary of an investment company with variable capital or an authorised contractual scheme;

where, in either case, the scheme or company is a UCITS.

01/07/2005

Establishing etc pension schemes

PERG 2.7.14

The regulated activities carried on in relation to pension schemes are establishing, operating or winding up a stakeholder pension scheme and establishing, operating or winding up a personal pension scheme. The identity of the operator of such a pension scheme depends on the facts. However, the scheme administrator will usually be the operator of the scheme either on its own or jointly with the scheme trustees. More detailed guidance on the scope of this activity is in PERG 12(Q4).

06/04/2007
Past version of PERG 2.7.14 before 06/04/2007

Providing basic advice on stakeholder products

PERG 2.7.14A

This activity covers advice in the form of a recommendation given to a retail consumer. The recommendation must relate to a stakeholder product and certain conditions must be met. These conditions are based on the need for the adviser to make an assessment of the consumer's needs based on the answers that the consumer provides to a series of pre-scripted questions. A fuller description of the activity is given in PERG 2.7.14B G and explains what is meant by "retail customer". This activity is separate to the regulated activity of advising on investments (see PERG 2.7.15 G (Advising on investments)). The existence of this separate advising activity does not prevent a person from giving advice on stakeholder products in circumstances that do not satisfy the conditions set out in PERG 2.7.14B G. But such advice is likely to amount to advising on investments unless the stakeholder product is a deposit. Neither does the existence of the activity prevent a person from selling stakeholder products in any other manner provided the person has the appropriate permission.

01/07/2005

PERG 2.7.14B

A person ('P') carries on the regulated activity of providing basic advice on a stakeholder product when:

(1) P gives the advice:

(a) to a person ('C') who does not receive the advice in the course of a business that he carries on; and

(b) in the course of a business that P carries on;

(2) the advice is on the merits of C opening or buying a stakeholder product;

(3) the following conditions are met:

(a) P asks C questions to enable P to assess whether a stakeholder product is appropriate for C;

(b) if P, relying solely on the information provided by C in response to the questions referred to in (a), assesses that a stakeholder product is appropriate for C, P:

(i) describes that product to C; and

(ii) gives a recommendation of that product to C; and

(4) C has indicated to P that he has understood the description and recommendation referred to in (3)(b).

01/07/2005

Advising on investments

PERG 2.7.15

The regulated activity of advising on investments under article 53 of the Regulated Activities Order applies to advice on securities or relevant investments. It does not, for example, include giving advice about deposits, or about things that are not specified investments for the purposes of the Regulated Activities Order (such as interests under the trusts of an occupational pension scheme). Giving advice on certain other specified investments is, however, regulated under other parts of the Regulated Activities Order (see PERG 2.7.16A G and PERG 2.7.17G (2). Giving a person generic advice about specified investments (for example, invest in Japan rather than Europe) is not a regulated activity nor is giving information as opposed to advice (for example, listings or company news). However, the context in which something is communicated may affect its character; for example, if a person gives information on share price against the background that, when he does so, that will be a good time to sell, then this will constitute advising on investments.

01/07/2005

PERG 2.7.16

The advice must also be given to someone who holds specified investments or is a prospective investor (including trustees, nominees or discretionary fund managers). This requirement excludes advice given to a person who receives it in another capacity. An example of this might be a tax professional to whom advice is given to inform the practice of his profession or advice given to an employer for the purposes of setting up a group personal pension scheme. Further guidance on the meaning of advising on investments is in PERG 8.24 (Advising on investments).

01/07/2005

PERG 2.7.16A

In certain circumstances, the activity of advising on investments can also amount to providing basic advice on a stakeholder product (see PERG 2.7.14A G (Providing basic advice on stakeholder products)).

01/07/2005

Advising on regulated mortgage contracts

PERG 2.7.16B

Under article 53A of the Regulated Activities Order, giving advice to a person in his capacity as borrower or potential borrower is a regulated activity if it is advice on the merits of the person:

(1) entering into a particular regulated mortgage contract; or

(2) varying the terms of a regulated mortgage contract.

Advice on varying terms as referred to in (2) comes within article 53A only where the borrower entered into the regulated mortgage contract on or after 31 October 2004 and the variation varies the borrower's obligations under the contract. Further guidance on the scope of the regulated activity under article 53A is in PERG 4.6 (Advising on regulated mortgage contracts).

01/07/2005

Advising on home reversion plans

PERG 2.7.16C

Under article 53B of the Regulated Activities Order, giving advice to a person in his capacity as reversion occupier or reversion provider is a regulated activity if it is advice on the merits of the person:

(1) entering into a particular home reversion plan; or

(2) varying the terms of a home reversion plan.

Advice on varying terms as referred to in (2) only comes within article 53B where the plan was entered into by the person on or after 6 April 2007 and the variation varies his obligations under the plan. Where a person is entering into the plan as reversion provider purely as a result of rights or obligations, or the interest in land, being transferred to him, advice given to him on the merits of the transaction is only regulated where the plan was originally entered into on or after 6 April 2007. Further guidance on the scope of the regulated activity under article 53B is in PERG 14.3 (Guidance on home reversion and home purchase activities).

06/04/2007

Advising on a home purchase plan

PERG 2.7.16D

Under article 53C of the Regulated Activities Order, giving advice to a person in his capacity as home purchaser is a regulated activity if it is advice on the merits of the person:

(1) entering into a particular home purchase plan; or

(2) varying the terms of a home purchase plan.

Advice on varying terms as referred to in (2) only comes within article 53C where the plan is entered into by the person on or after 6 April 2007 and the variation varies the person's obligations under the plan. Further guidance on the scope of the regulated activity under article 53C is in PERG 14.4 (Guidance on home reversion and home purchase activities).

06/04/2007

Advising on regulated sale and rent back agreements

PERG 2.7.16E

Under article 53D of the Regulated Activities Order giving advice to a person in his capacity as an SRB agreement seller or an SRB agreement provider is a regulated activity if it is advice on the merits of the person:

(1) entering into a particular regulated sale and rent back agreement; or

(2) varying the terms of a regulated sale and rent back agreement.

Advice on varying terms as referred to in (2) only comes within article 53D where the agreement is entered into by the person on or after 1 July 2009 and the variation varies the person's obligations under the agreement. Further guidance on the scope of the regulated activity under article 53D is in PERG 14.4A (Activities relating to regulated sale and rent back agreements).

30/06/2010

Lloyd's activities

PERG 2.7.17

Certain activities carried on in connection with business at Lloyds will be regulated. In addition to those already mentioned (arranging deals in the underwriting capacity of a Lloyd's syndicate or membership of a Lloyd's syndicate), there are three other regulated activities as follows.

(1) Managing the underwriting capacity of a Lloyd's syndicate as a managing agent at Lloyd's is a regulated activity. 'Managing agent' is defined in article 3(1) of the Regulated Activities Order.

(2) Advising on syndicate participation at Lloyd's, that is advising a person to become, or continue or cease to be, a member of a particular syndicate is also caught. Giving advice about syndicate participation (such as how members should use their capital within the market and arrange their syndicate participation) is a separate regulated activity to that of providing advice in relation to securities and contractually based investments (see PERG 2.7.15 G). Appropriate permission will be needed.

(3) Arranging deals in contracts of insurance written at Lloyd's is also a regulated activity for the Society of Lloyd's itself.

01/07/2005

Entering funeral plan contracts

PERG 2.7.18

Entering as provider into a funeral plan contract is a regulated activity. The 'provider' is the person to whom the pre-payments are made and who undertakes to provide, or secure the provision of, the funeral at some future point. He may be the funeral director or a third party who arranges for another person to provide the funeral. Certain types of funeral plan contract are excluded (see PERG 2.8.14 G).

01/07/2005

PERG 2.7.19

In addition, other activities carried on in relation to rights under certain funeral plan contracts are regulated (see PERG 2.7.5 G to PERG 2.7.11 G and PERG 2.7.15 G and PERG 2.7.16 G). This is because such rights are classified as contractually based investments.

01/07/2005

Entering into and administering a regulated mortgage contract

PERG 2.7.20

Entering into as lender, and administering, a regulated mortgage contract are regulated activities under article 61 of the Regulated Activities Order (Regulated mortgage contracts). Guidance on these regulated activities is in PERG 4.7 (Entering into a regulated mortgage contract) and PERG 4.8 (Administering a regulated mortgage contract).

01/07/2005

Entering into and administering a home reversion plan

PERG 2.7.20A

Entering into a home reversion plan and administering a home reversion plan are regulated activities under article 63B of the Regulated Activities Order (Regulated home reversion plans). Guidance on these regulated activities is in PERG 14.3 (Guidance on home reversion and home purchase activities).

06/04/2007

Entering into and administering a home purchase plan

PERG 2.7.20B

Entering into a home purchase plan and administering a home purchase plan are regulated activities under article 63F of the Regulated Activities Order (Regulated home purchase plans). Guidance on these regulated activities is in PERG 14.4 (Guidance on home reversion and home purchase activities).

06/04/2007

Entering into and administering a regulated sale and rent back agreement

PERG 2.7.20BA

Entering into a regulated sale and rent back agreement as an agreement provider and administering a regulated sale and rent back agreement are regulated activities under Article 63J of the Regulated Activities Order (Regulated sale and rent back agreements). Guidance on these regulated activities is in PERG 14.4A (Activities relating to regulated sale and rent back agreements).

30/06/2010

Dormant account funds

PERG 2.7.20C

There are two regulated activities associated with the activities of a dormant account fund operator under the Dormant Bank and Building Society Accounts Act 2008:

(1) the meeting of repayment claims; and

(2) managing dormant account funds (including the investment of such funds).

06/08/2009

Agreeing

PERG 2.7.21

Agreeing to carry on most regulated activities is itself a regulated activity. But this is not the case if the underlying activities to which the agreement relates are those of accepting deposits, issuing electronic money, effecting or carrying out contracts of insurance, operating a multilateral trading facility, managing dormant account funds, the meeting of repayment claims or carrying on any of the activities that are regulated in relation to collective investment schemes, stakeholder pension schemes or personal pension schemes. A person will need to make sure that he has appropriate authorisation at the stage of agreement and before he actually carries on the underlying activity (such as the dealing or arranging).

10/02/2011
Past version of PERG 2.7.21 before 10/02/2011

PERG 2.8

Exclusions applicable to particular regulated activities

01/07/2005

PERG 2.8.1

Most regulated activities are subject to exclusions that are set out in the Regulated Activities Order directly following each activity.

01/07/2005

Accepting deposits

PERG 2.8.2

Only one exclusion applies to the regulated activity of accepting deposits. Adeposit taker providing its services as an electronic commerce activity from another EEA State into the United Kingdom (see PERG 2.9.18 G) does not carry on a regulated activity. In addition to the situations that are excluded from being 'deposits' (see PERG 2.6.2 G to PERG 2.6.4 G), several persons are exempt persons in relation to the regulated activity of accepting deposits (see PERG 2.10.8G (2)).

01/07/2005

Effecting and carrying out contracts of insurance

PERG 2.8.3

The following activities are excluded from both the regulated activities of effecting and carrying out contracts of insurance.

(1) In specified circumstances, the activities of an EEA firm when participating in a Community co-insurance operation are excluded. A Community co-insurance operation is defined in the Community Co-insurance Directive.

(2) In specified circumstances, activities that are carried out in connection with the provision of on-the-spot accident or breakdown assistance for cars and other vehicles (such as repairs, vehicle retrieval, delivery of parts or fuel) are excluded.

(3) Electronic commerce activities provided by an incoming ECA provider where those activities are outside the scope of the Insurance Directives (see PERG 2.9.18 G).

01/07/2005

Dealing in investments as principal

PERG 2.8.4

The regulated activity of dealing in investments as principal applies to specified transactions relating to any security or to any contractually based investment (apart from rights under funeral plan contracts or rights to or interests in such contracts). The activity is cut back by exclusions as follows.

(1) Of particular significance is the exclusion in article 15 of the Regulated Activities Order (Absence of holding out etc). This applies where dealing in investments as principal involves entering into transactions relating to any security or assigning rights under a life policy (or rights or interests in such a contract). In effect, it superimposes an additional condition that must be met before a person's activities become regulated activities. The additional condition is that a person must hold himself out as making a market in the relevant specified investments or as being in the business of dealing in them, or he must regularly solicit members of the public with the purpose of inducing them to deal. This exclusion does not apply to dealing activities that relate to any contractually based investment except the assigning of rights under a life policy.
(2) Entering into a transaction relating to a contractually based investment is not regulated if the transaction is entered into by an unauthorised person and it takes place in either of the following circumstances (a transaction entered into by an authorised person would be caught). The first set of circumstances is where the person with whom the unauthorised person deals is either an authorised person or an exempt person who is acting in the course of a business comprising a regulated activity in relation to which he is exempt. The second set of circumstances is where the unauthorised person enters into a transaction through a non-UK office (which could be his own) and he deals with or through a person who is based outside the United Kingdom. This non-UK person must be someone who, as his ordinary business, carries on any of the activities relating to securities or contractually based investments that are generally treated as regulated activities.
(3) A person (for example, a bank) who provides another person with finance for any purpose can accept an instrument acknowledging the debt (and as security for it) without risk of dealing as principal as a result.
(4) A company does not deal as principal by issuing its own shares or share warrants and a person does not deal as principal by issuing his own debentures, alternative debentures or debenture warrants or alternative debenture warrants.
(4A) A company does not carry on the activity of dealing in investments as principal by purchasing its own shares where section 162A of the Companies Act 1985 (Treasury shares) applies to the shares purchased or by dealing in its own shares held as Treasury shares, in accordance with section 162D of that Act (Treasury shares: disposal and cancellation).
(5) Risk-management activities involving options, futures and contracts for differences will not require authorisation if specified conditions are met. The conditions include the company's business consisting mainly of unregulated activities and the sole or main purpose of the risk management activities being to limit the impact on that business of certain kinds of identifiable risk.
(6) A person will not be treated as carrying on the activity of dealing in investments as principal if, in specified circumstances (outlined in PERG 2.9), he enters as principal into a transaction:

(a) while acting as bare trustee (or, in Scotland, as nominee);
(b) in connection with the sale of goods or supply of services;
(c) that takes place between members of a group or joint enterprise;
(d) in connection with the sale of a body corporate;
(e) in connection with an employee share scheme;
(f) as an overseas person;
(g) as an incoming ECA provider (see PERG 2.9.18 G).

PERG 2.8.4A

Persons who enter as principal into transactions involving rights under a contract of insurance of any kind will need to consider whether they may, as a result, be carrying on the regulated activity of:

(1) arranging (bringing about) deals in investments; or

(2) making arrangements with a view to transactions in investments; or

(3) agreeing to do (1) or (2).

01/07/2005

PERG 2.8.4B

The possibility referred to in PERG 2.8.4 G will only arise where it is not the case that the person who enters into the transaction as principal either:

(1) is the only policyholder; or

(2) as a result of the transaction, would become the only policyholder.

01/07/2005

PERG 2.8.4C

The exclusions referred to in PERG 2.8.4G (1), (2), (5) and (6)(b), (c) and (d) will not be available to persons who, when carrying on the activity of dealing in investments as principal, are MiFID investment firms or third country investment firms (see PERG 2.5.4 G to PERG 2.5.5 G (Investment services and activities)).

01/11/2007
Past version of PERG 2.8.4C before 01/11/2007

Dealing in investments as agent

PERG 2.8.5

The regulated activity of dealing in investments as agent applies to specified transactions relating to any security or to any relevant investment (apart from rights under funeral plan contracts or rights to or interests in such rights). In addition, the activity is cut back by exclusions as follows.

(1) An exclusion applies to certain transactions entered into by an agent who is not an authorised person which depend on him dealing with (or through) an authorised person. It does not apply if the transaction relates to a contract of insurance. There are certain conditions which must be satisfied for the exclusion to apply. These are that the agent must not give any relevant advice on the transaction and that he must not receive any remuneration from the transaction unless account is made to his client.

(2) There is an exclusion for risk-management transactions where the agent is dealing on behalf of a group company or a co-participant in a joint enterprise.

(3) In addition, exclusions apply in specified circumstances (outlined in PERG 2.9 (Regulated activities: exclusions available in certain circumstances)) where a person enters as agent into a transaction:

(a) in connection with the carrying on of a profession or of a business not otherwise consisting of regulated activities (see PERG 2.9.5 G );

(b) in connection with the sale of goods or supply of services (see PERG 2.9.7 G);

(d) in connection with the sale of a body corporate (see PERG 2.9.11 G );

(e) in connection with an employee share scheme (see PERG 2.9.13 G);

(f) as an overseas person (see PERG 2.9.15 G);

(g) as an incoming ECA provider (see PERG 2.9.18 G);

(h) as a provider of non-motor goods or travel services where the transaction involves a general insurance contract that satisfies certain conditions (see PERG 2.9.19 G);

(i) that involves a contract of insurance covering large risks situated outside the EEA (see PERG 2.9.19 G);

(j) on behalf of the participants of a business angel-led enterprise capital fund and that person is a body corporate as specified in article 72E(7) of the Regulated Activities Order.

(m) while acting as an insolvency practitioner (see PERG 2.9.25 G).

More detailed guidance on the exclusions that relate to contracts of insurance is in PERG 5 (Insurance mediation activities).

PERG 2.8.5A

The exclusions referred to in PERG 2.8.5G (1), (2) and (3)(a),(b), (c), (d) and (j) will not be available to persons who, whencarrying on the activity of dealing in investments as agent, are MiFID investment firms or third country investment firms(see PERG 2.5.4 G to PERG 2.5.5 G (Investment services and activities)).

01/11/2007
Past version of PERG 2.8.5A before 01/11/2007

Arranging deals in investments and arranging a home finance transaction

PERG 2.8.6

The various activities that involve arranging fall into two general types. These are:

(1) those relating to arranging a particular transaction or a contract, agreement or plan variation (articles 25(1), 25A(1), 25B(1), 25C(1) , and 25E(1) of the Regulated Activities Order); and

(2) those relating to making arrangements with a view to persons entering into certain transactions (articles 25(2), 25A(2), 25B(2), 25C(2) , and 25E(2) of the Regulated Activities Order).

The exclusions in relation to the regulated activities of arranging under articles 25(1) and (2) are of particular relevance in the context of raising corporate finance. Some of the exclusions outlined in PERG 2.8.6A G relate to all of the arranging activities but most relate only to certain of those activities as indicated.

30/06/2010
Past version of PERG 2.8.6 before 30/06/2010

PERG 2.8.6A

The exclusions in the Regulated Activities Order that relate to the various arranging activities are as follows.

(1) Under article 26, arrangements that do not or would not bring about the transaction to which they relate are excluded from the arranging activities that relate to a particular transaction (see PERG 2.8.6G (1)) only. A person will bring about a transaction or a contract or plan variation only if his involvement in the chain of events leading to a transaction or contract or plan variation is of sufficient importance that, without that involvement, it would not take place. This will require something more than the mere giving of advice (although giving such advice may be the regulated activity of advising on investments or advising on home finance transactions).

(2) Under article 27, simply providing the means by which parties to a transaction (or possible transaction) are able to communicate with each other is excluded from arrangements made with a view to persons entering into certain transactions (see PERG 2.8.6G (2)) only. This will ensure that persons such as Internet service providers or telecommunications networks are excluded if all they do is provide communication facilities (and these would otherwise be considered to be arrangements made with a view to the participants entering into transactions). If a person makes arrangements that go beyond providing the means of communication, and add value to what is provided, he will lose the benefit of this exclusion.

(3) Under article 28, arranging investment transactions to which the arranger is to be a party is excluded from both article 25(1) and (2). The main purpose is to ensure that a person is not regarded as arranging deals for another when the transaction in question is one to which he intends to be a party. As a result, a person cannot both be engaging in a dealing activity (as principal or agent) and arranging deals for another as regards any particular transaction. But where the transaction involves a contract of insurance, article 28 will not apply if the person making the arrangements:

(a) is the only policyholder; or

(b) as a result of the transaction, would become the only policyholder.

Under article 28A, a person is excluded from any of the arranging activities that relate to home finance transactions if he is to enter into the contract or plan to which the arrangements relate or if he is or is to become a party to a contract or plan that is varied or to be varied.

(4) Under article 29, an unauthorised person who, on behalf of a client, arranges transactions or contract or plan variations, with or through an authorised person, is excluded from each of the arranging activities if specified conditions as to advice and remuneration are satisfied. For example, the exclusion is dependent on the client not receiving any advice on the transactions or variations from the unauthorised person making the arrangements. The exclusion does not apply where the investment is a contract of insurance.

(5) Under article 29A, an unauthorised person is excluded from the regulated activity of arranging for another person to vary the terms of a regulated mortgage contract entered into on or after 31 October 2004 (article 25A(1)(b)) or a home reversion plan or home purchase plan entered into on or after 6 April 2007 (articles 25B(1)(b) and 25C(1)(b)) or a regulated sale and rent back agreement entered into on or after 1 July 2009 (article 25E(1)(b)). This is if the arranging is the result of:

(a) anything done in the course of the administration, by an authorised person:

(i) of a regulated mortgage contract in the way set out in article 62(a);

(ii) of a home reversion plan in the way set out in article 63C(a);

(iii) of a home purchase plan in the way set out in article 63G(a);

(iv) of a regulated sale and rent back agreement in the way set out in article 63K(a); or

(b) anything done by the unauthorised person in connection with the administration:

(i) of a regulated mortgage contract in the way set out in article 62(b);

(ii) of a home reversion plan in the way set out in article 63C(b);

(iii) of a home purchase plan in the way set out in article 63G(b);

(iv) of a regulated sale and rent back agreement in the way set out in article 63K(b).

(6) Under article 30, arranging investment transactions in connection with lending on the security of contracts of insurance is excluded, from article 25(1) and (2) but only where a person is not carrying on insurance mediation or reinsurance mediation.

(7) Under article 31, making arrangements for finance (in whatever form) to be supplied to a person by a third party is excluded from article 25(1) and (2) if the finance is given in exchange for an instrument acknowledging the debt. This mirrors the exclusion from dealing in investments as principal in similar circumstances (see PERG 2.8.4G (3)).

(8) Under article 32, arrangements the only purpose of which is to provide finance to enable persons to enter into investment transactions are excluded from article 25(2) only. There is no equivalent exemption from article 25(1). But arrangements for the provision of finance will only be caught by that provision if the arrangements actually bring about the transaction.

(9) Under article 33, making arrangements under which persons will be introduced to third parties who will provide independent services (consisting of advice or the exercise of discretion in relation to certain investments) is excluded from articles 25(2), 25A(2), 25B(2), 25C(2) and 25E(2) only. The party to whom the introduction is made must be of a specified standing (including that of an authorised person). The exclusion does not apply where the arrangements relate to a contract of insurance.

(10) Under article 33A, making arrangements for introducing persons to:

(a) an authorised person who has permission to carry on certain regulated activities concerned with home finance transactions; or

(b) an appointed representative who is able to carry on any of those activities without breaching the general prohibition; or

is excluded from articles 25A(2), 25B(2), 25C(2), and 25E(2) subject to certain conditions related to the receipt of client money and the disclosure of certain information.

(11) Under article 34, a company is not carrying on a regulated activity under article 25(1) or (2) of the Regulated Activities Order(Arranging deals in investments) by arranging for the issue of its own shares or share warrants and a person is not doing so by arranging for the issue of his own debenturesor alternative debenturesor debenture warrants or alternative debenture warrants.

(12) Under article 35, a body carrying out international securities business of a specified type can apply to the Treasury for approval as an international securities self-regulating organisation (ISSRO). Arrangements made in order to carry out the functions of an ISSRO are excluded from article 25(1) and (2). The exclusion applies whether the arrangements are made by the ISSRO or by a person acting on its behalf.

(13) The following exclusions from both article 25(1) and (2) (outlined in PERG 2.9) apply in specified circumstances where a person makes arrangements:

(a) while acting as trustee or personal representative (see PERG 2.9.3 G);

(b) in connection with the carrying on of a profession or of a business not otherwise consisting of regulated activities (see PERG 2.9.5 G);

(d) in connection with certain transactions by a group member or by a participator in a joint enterprise (see PERG 2.9.9 G);

(e) in connection with the sale of a body corporate (see PERG 2.9.11 G);

(f) in connection with an employee share scheme (see PERG 2.9.13 G);

(g) as an overseas person (see PERG 2.9.15 G);

(h) as an incoming ECA provider (see PERG 2.9.18 G);

(i) as a provider of non-motor goods or services related to travel (see PERG 2.9.19 G);

(j) involving the provision, on an incidental basis, of information to policyholders or potential policyholders about contracts of insurance (see PERG 2.9.19 G);

(k) that involve a contract of insurance covering large risks situated outside the EEA (see PERG 2.9.19 G);

(l) for or with a view to transactions to be entered into by or on behalf of the participants of a business angel-led enterprise capital fund and that person is a body corporate as specified in article 72E(7) of the Regulated Activities Order.

(o) while acting as an insolvency practitioner (see PERG 2.9.25 G).

The exclusions referred to in (a), (b), (g) and (h) also apply to arranging activities related to home finance transactions. More detailed guidance on the exclusions that relate to contracts of insurance is in PERG 5 (Insurance mediation activities).

PERG 2.8.6B

The exclusions referred to in PERG 2.8.6AG (4) and PERG 2.8.6AG (13)(b), (c), (d), (e) and (l) will not be available to persons who, whencarrying on an arranging activity, are MiFID investment firms or third country investment firms (see PERG 2.5.4 G to PERG 2.5.5 G (Investment services and activities)).

01/11/2007
Past version of PERG 2.8.6B before 01/11/2007

Managing investments

PERG 2.8.7

The activities of persons appointed under a power of attorney are excluded under article 38 of the Regulated Activities Order, from the regulated activity of managing investments, if specified conditions are satisfied. The exclusion only applies where a person is not carrying on insurance mediation or reinsurance mediation and is subject to further limitations discussed below. In addition, the following exclusions (outlined in PERG 2.9) apply in specified circumstances where a person manages assets:

(1) While acting as trustee or personal representative; or

(2) in connection with the sale of goods or supply of services; or

(3) that belong to a group member or participator in a joint enterprise; or

(4) as an incoming ECA provider (see PERG 2.9.18 G); or

(5) belonging to the participants of a business angel-led enterprise capital fund and that person is a body corporate as specified in article 72E(7) of the Regulated Activities Order.

The exclusion in article 38 of the Regulated Activities Order and the exclusions referred to in PERG 2.8.7G (2), PERG 2.8.7G (3) and PERG 2.8.7G (5) will not be available to persons who, when carrying on the activity of managing investments, are MiFID investment firms or third country investment firms(see PERG 2.5.4 G to PERG 2.5.5 G (Investment services and activities)).

01/11/2007
Past version of PERG 2.8.7 before 01/11/2007

Assisting in the administration and performance of a contract of insurance

PERG 2.8.7A

Assisting in the administration and performance of a contract of insurance is excluded under article 39B where it is carried on by a person acting in the capacity of:

(1) an expert appraiser; or

(2) a loss adjuster acting for a relevant insurer; or

(3) a claims manager acting for a relevant insurer.

The term 'relevant insurer' is defined in article 39B(2).

01/07/2005

PERG 2.8.7B

The following exclusions from assisting in the administration and performance of a contract of insurance also apply to a person in specified circumstances:

(1) while acting as trustee or personal representative (see PERG 2.9.3 G); or

(2) in connection with the carrying on of a profession or of a business not otherwise consisting of regulated activities (see PERG 2.9.5 G); or

(3) as an incoming ECA provider (see PERG 2.9.18 G); or

(4) as a provider of non-motor goods or services related to travel (see PERG 2.9.19 G); or

(5) that involve the provision, on an incidental basis, of information to policyholders or potential policyholders about contracts of insurance (see PERG 2.9.19G (2)); or

(6) that involve a contract of insurance covering large risks situated outside the EEA (see PERG 2.9.19 G).

(9) while acting as an insolvency practitioner (see PERG 2.9.25 G).

01/07/2005

Safeguarding and administering investments

PERG 2.8.8

The exclusions from the regulated activity of safeguarding and administering investments are as follows.

(1) Safeguarding and administration activities carried on by one person are excluded if a specified third party undertakes a responsibility for the assets which is no less onerous than it would have been if he were doing the safeguarding and administration himself. The effect of this is that an authorised person with permission to carry on this regulated activity (or in certain circumstances an exempt person) can delegate all or part of the activities without the delegate needing to be authorised and without loss of protection to the owner of the assets.

(2) Introductions to an authorised person, or to an exempt person acting within the scope of his exemption and in the course of a business, are excluded from that aspect of this regulated activity which consists of arranging safeguarding and administration of assets by another person (see PERG 2.7.9 G).

(2A) Trustees are excluded from arranging for another person to safeguard and administer assets where that other person is either:

(a) an authorised person who has permission to safeguard and administer investments; or

(b) an exempt person whose exemption permits him to safeguard and administer investments; or

(3) Certain specified activities (such as currency conversion and document handling) are excluded from being the administration of investments. A person who safeguards and administers assets will not be carrying on regulated activities if these are the only administration activities in which he engages. This is because a person must be carrying on both the activity of safeguarding and that of administration, or be arranging for both to be carried on by another, before he requires authorisation (see PERG 2.7.9 G).

(4) The following exclusions apply in specified circumstances where a person safeguards and administers assets (or arranges for another to do so):

(a) while acting as trustee or personal representative (see PERG 2.9.3 G);

(b) in connection with the carrying on of a profession or of a business not otherwise consisting of regulated activities (see PERG 2.9.5 G);

(d) which belong to a group member or participator in a joint enterprise (see PERG 2.9.9 G);

(e) in connection with an employee share scheme (see PERG 2.9.13 G);

(f) as an incoming ECA provider (see PERG 2.9.18 G);

(g) that are contracts of insurance and, in so doing, provides information to policyholders or potential policyholders on an incidental basis in the course of his carrying on a business or profession not otherwise consisting of regulated activities (see PERG 2.9.19G (2)); and

(h) belonging to the participants in a business angel-led enterprise capital fund, but only where such safeguarding and administration is carried on by a body corporate as specified in article 72E(7) of the Regulated Activities Order.

(j)

06/10/2006
Past version of PERG 2.8.8 before 06/10/2006

Sending dematerialised instructions

PERG 2.8.9

Exclusions from the regulated activity of sending dematerialised instructions apply in relation to certain types of instructions sent in the operation of the system maintained under the Uncertificated Securities Regulations 2001 (SI 2001/3755). The various exclusions relate to the roles played by participating issuers, settlement banks and network providers (such as Internet service providers) and to instructions sent in connection with takeover offers (as long as specified conditions are met). In addition, the following exclusions (outlined in PERG 2.9) apply in specified circumstances where a person sends dematerialised instructions:

(1) while acting as trustee or personal representative (see PERG 2.9.3 G);

(2) on behalf of a group member (see PERG 2.9.3 G);

(3) as an incoming ECA provider (see PERG 2.9.18 G).

01/07/2005

Establishing etc collective investment schemes

PERG 2.8.10

There are two exclusions from the range of activities specified as being regulated in relation to collective investment schemes. These exclusions relate to incoming ECA providers (see PERG 2.9.18 G) and to business angel-led enterprise capital funds (see PERG 2.9.20 G). In other cases, the key issue is whether or not what is being done relates to something that is a collective investment scheme. Exclusions exist in relation to that issue (see PERG 2.6.18 G).

01/10/2005
Past version of PERG 2.8.10 before 01/10/2005

Establishing etc pension schemes

PERG 2.8.11

The only exclusion from the range of activities specified as being regulated in relation to stakeholder pension schemesand personal pension schemes relates to incoming ECA providers (see PERG 2.9.18 G).

06/04/2007
Past version of PERG 2.8.11 before 06/04/2007

Advising on investments

PERG 2.8.12

In certain circumstances, advice that takes the form of a regularly updated news or information service and advice which is given in one of a range of different media (for example, newspaper or television) is excluded from the regulated activities of:

(1) advising on investments;

(2) advising on regulated mortgage contracts;

(3) advising on a home reversion plan;

(4) advising on a home purchase plan ; and

(5) advising on a regulated sale and rent back agreement .

See PERG 7 (Periodical publications: news services and broadcasts: applications for certification) for further guidance on this exclusion.

30/06/2010
Past version of PERG 2.8.12 before 30/06/2010

PERG 2.8.12A

Advice given by an unauthorised person in relation to a home finance transaction in the circumstances referred to in PERG 2.8.6AG (5)(a) or (b) (Arranging deals in investments and arranging a home finance transaction) is also excluded. In addition:

(1) the following exclusions apply in specified circumstances where a person is advising on investments or advising on a home finance transaction:

(a) while acting as trustee or personal representative (see PERG 2.9.3 G);

(b) in connection with the carrying on of a profession or of a business not otherwise consisting of regulated activities (see PERG 2.9.5 G); and

(2) the following exclusions apply in specified circumstances where a person is advising on investments:

(a) in connection with the sale of goods or supply of services (see PERG 2.9.7 G);

(b) to a group member or participator in a joint enterprise (see PERG 2.9.9 G);

(d) as an overseas person (see PERG 2.9.15 G);

(e) that are limited to certain covering risks to non-motor goods or related to travel (see );

(f) that are covering large risks situated outside the (see )

(g) to be made by or on behalf of the participants of a business angel-led enterprise capital fund, when the advice is given to the participants in that fund and that person is a as specified in article 72E(7) of the .

More detailed guidance on certain of these exclusions is in PERG 4 (Regulated activities connected with mortgages), PERG 5 (Insurance mediation activities), PERG 14.3 , PERG 14.4 and PERG 14.4A (Guidance on home reversion, home purchase and regulated sale and rent back agreement activities).

30/06/2010
Past version of PERG 2.8.12A before 30/06/2010

PERG 2.8.12B

The exclusions referred to in PERG 2.8.12AG (1)(b) and (2)(a), (b), (c) and (g) will not be available to persons who, when carrying on the activity of advising on investments are MiFID investment firms or third country investment firms (see PERG 2.5.4 G to PERG 2.5.5 G (Investment services and activities)).

01/11/2007

Lloyd's activities

PERG 2.8.13

Electronic commerce activities provided by an incoming ECA provider are excluded from the regulated activities that relate expressly to business carried on at Lloyds (see PERG 2.9.18 G). Otherwise the only exclusions that apply concern the regulated activity of arranging deals in its application to business carried on at Lloyd's.

01/07/2005

Entering funeral plan contracts

PERG 2.8.14

Entering as provider into a funeral plan contract is not treated as a regulated activity where:

(1) the contract is one under which the sums received from the customer will be applied towards a contract of insurance on the life of the person whose funeral is to be provided or be held on trust for the purpose of providing a funeral; in each case certain specified conditions must be met for the exclusion to apply; or

(2) the customer and the provider intend or expect that the funeral will be provided within one month of the contract being entered into; or

(3) it is provided as an electronic commerce activity by an incoming ECA provider (see PERG 2.9.18 G).

01/07/2005

Administering regulated mortgage contracts

PERG 2.8.14A

Exclusions from the regulated activities that involve administering a home finance transaction are provided where an unauthorised person:

(1) arranges for administration by an authorised person who has permission for carrying on that regulated activity;

(2) carries out the administration for up to one month after an arrangement of the kind mentioned in (1) comes to an end; or

(3) carries out the administration under an agreement with an authorised person who has permission for carrying on that regulated activity.

These exclusions are subject to certain conditions and are explained in greater detail in PERG 4.8 (Administering a regulated mortgage contract), PERG 14.3 , PERG 14.4 and PERG 14.4A (Guidance on home reversion, home purchase and regulated sale and rent back agreement activities).

30/06/2010
Past version of PERG 2.8.14A before 30/06/2010

PERG 2.8.14B

The following exclusions apply in specified circumstances where a person is administering a home finance transaction:

(1) while acting as trustee or personal representative (see PERG 2.9.3 G);

(2) in connection with the carrying on of a profession or of a business not otherwise consisting of regulated activities (see PERG 2.9.5 G); and

(3) as an incoming ECA provider (see PERG 2.9.18 G).

(4)

30/06/2010
Past version of PERG 2.8.14B before 30/06/2010

Agreeing

PERG 2.8.15

A person who agrees to carry on certain other regulated activities (which is itself a regulated activity see PERG 2.7.21 G) does not require authorisation where the person concerned is an overseas person and the agreement is reached as a result of a legitimate approach (see PERG 2.9.12 G). For this exclusion to apply, the agreement must be one to arrange deals, manage investments, assist in the administration and performance of a contract of insurance, safeguard and administer investments or send dematerialised instructions. The provision of electronic commerce activities by an incoming ECA provider is also excluded from the regulated activity of agreeing to carry on certain other regulated activities (see PERG 2.7.21 G). But this is not the case where the agreement relates to the regulated activity of effecting or carrying out contracts of insurance falling under the Insurance Directives (see PERG 2.8.3 G). This is still a regulated activity when provided as an electronic commerce activity.

01/07/2005

PERG 2.8.16

To the extent that an exclusion applies in relation to a regulated activity, then 'agreeing' to carry on an activity falling within the exclusion will not be a regulated activity. This is the effect of article 4(3) of the Regulated Activities Order.

01/07/2005

PERG 2.9

Regulated activities: exclusions applicable in certain circumstances

01/07/2005

PERG 2.9.1

The various exclusions outlined below deal with a range of different circumstances.

(1) Each set of circumstances described in PERG 2.9.3 G to PERG 2.9.17 G has some application to several regulated activities relating to securities, relevant investments or home finance transactions. They have no effect in relation to the separate regulated activities of accepting deposits, issuing electronic money, effecting or carrying out contracts of insurance, advising on syndicate participation at Lloyd's, managing the underwriting capacity of a Lloyd's syndicate as a managing agent at Lloyd's or entering as provider into a funeral plan contract. Within each set of circumstances, the Regulated Activities Order, in Chapter XVII of Part II of the Order, makes separate provision for each regulated activity affected. This is necessary because each exclusion has to be tailored to reflect the different nature of the regulated activity involved and the different language required (for example, some activities involve entering directly into transactions while others relate to the provision of services).

(2) The exclusion described in PERG 2.9.18 G relates to electronic commerce activities provided by an incoming ECA provider. This exclusion applies to all regulated activities except effecting or carrying out contracts of insurance.

PERG 2.9.2

The exclusions grouped together in the Regulated Activities Order are described below in this chapter in general terms. The exact terms of each exclusion will need to be considered by any person who is considering whether they need authorisation. Each description is accompanied by an indication of which regulated activities are affected.

01/07/2005

Trustees, nominees or personal representatives

PERG 2.9.3

This group of exclusions applies, in specified circumstances, to the regulated activities of:

(1) dealing in investments as principal;

(2) arranging (bringing about) deals in investments and making arrangements with a view to transactions in investments ;

(2A) arranging a home finance transaction;

(3) managing investments;

(4) assisting in the administration and performance of a contract of insurance;

(5) safeguarding and administering investments;

(6) sending dematerialised instructions;

(7) advising on investments or advising on a home finance transaction;

(8) entering into a home finance transaction; and

(9) administering a home finance transaction.

06/04/2007
Past version of PERG 2.9.3 before 06/04/2007

PERG 2.9.4

A person carrying on certain regulated activities does not require authorisation in specified circumstances if he is acting in a representative capacity. The representative capacities covered by the exclusions depend on the regulated activity concerned but, in most cases, the focus is on persons who are acting as trustee or personal representative. In broad terms, the exclusions apply to specified transactions, or activities, that are part of the discharge of his general obligations by the trustee or representative when he is acting as such. Many of the exclusions require that the trustee or representative must not hold himself out as providing services consisting of the regulated activity in question. In addition, he must not receive remuneration that is additional to any he receives for acting in the representative capacity (although a person is not to be regarded as receiving additional remuneration merely because his remuneration as trustee or representative is calculated by reference to time spent). The exclusions for entering into a home finance transaction and for administering a home finance transaction, however, work on a different basis. They apply where the activity relates to a home finance transaction under which the borrower, reversion occupier, home purchaser or SRB agreement selleras the case may be is a beneficiary.

30/06/2010
Past version of PERG 2.9.4 before 30/06/2010

Professions or business not involving regulated activities

PERG 2.9.5

This group of exclusions applies, in specified circumstances, to the regulated activities of:

(1) dealing in investments as agent;

(2) arranging (bringing about) deals in investments, and making arrangements with a view to transactions in investments ;

(2A) arranging a home finance transaction;

(3) assisting in the administration and performance of a contract of insurance;

(4) safeguarding and administering investments; and

(5) advising on investments or advising on a home finance transaction.

The exclusion is, however, disapplied where a person is carrying on insurance mediation or reinsurance mediation. This is due to article 4(4A) of the Regulated Activities Order. Guidance on exclusions relevant to insurance mediation activities is in PERG 5 (Insurance mediation activities). The exclusion is also disapplied for persons who, when carrying on the relevant regulated activity, are MiFID investment firms or third country investment firms (see PERG 2.5.4 G to PERG 2.5.5 G (Investment services and activities)).

01/11/2007
Past version of PERG 2.9.5 before 01/11/2007

PERG 2.9.6

The exclusions apply where the regulated activity is carried out in the course of a profession or business which does not otherwise consist of the carrying on of regulated activities in the United Kingdom. However, activities are only excluded to the extent that they may reasonably be regarded as a necessary part of the other services provided in the course of the profession or business. The exclusion does not apply if separate remuneration is received in respect of any regulated activity that is carried on. (See separate guidance for authorised professional firms in PROF.)

01/07/2005

Sale of goods and supply of services

PERG 2.9.7

This group of exclusions applies, in specified circumstances, to the regulated activities of:

(1) dealing in investments as principal;

(2) dealing in investments as agent;

(3) arranging (bringing about) deals in investments and making arrangements with a view to transactions in investments;

(4) managing investments;

(5) safeguarding and administering investments; and

(6) advising on investments.

01/07/2005

PERG 2.9.8

Broadly speaking, the exclusions focus on cases where the main business of a person is to sell goods or supply services but where certain activities may have to be carried on for the purposes of that business which would otherwise be regulated activities. The exclusions are not available where the customer to whom goods are sold or services are supplied is an individual. They are also not available where what is at issue is a transaction entered into, or service provided, in relation to rights under a contract of insurance or units in a collective investment scheme (or rights to, or interests in, either). The exclusions are also disapplied for persons who, when carrying on the relevant regulated activity, are MiFID investment firms or third country investment firms(see PERG 2.5.4 G to PERG 2.5.5 G (Investment services and activities)).

01/11/2007
Past version of PERG 2.9.8 before 01/11/2007

Group and joint enterprises

PERG 2.9.9

This group of exclusions applies, in specified circumstances, to the regulated activities of:

(1) dealing in investments as principal;

(2) dealing in investments as agent;

(3) arranging (bringing about) deals in investments and making arrangements with a view to transactions in investments;

(4) managing investments;

(5) safeguarding and administering investments;

(6) sending dematerialised instructions; and

(7) advising on investments.

01/07/2005

PERG 2.9.10

These exclusions apply to intra-group dealings and activities and to dealings or activities involving participators in a joint enterprise which take place for the purposes of, or in connection with, the enterprise. The general principle here is that, as long as activities that would otherwise be regulated activities take place wholly within a group of companies, then there is no need for authorisation. The same principle applies to dealings or activities that take place wholly within a joint enterprise entered into for commercial purposes related to the participators' unregulated business. The exclusions in PERG 2.9.9G (2), (3), (4) and (7) are disapplied where they concern a contract of insurance. Guidance on exclusions relevant to insurance mediation activities is in PERG 5 (Insurance mediation activities). The exclusions are also disapplied for persons who, when carrying on the relevant regulated activity, are MiFID investment firms or third country investment firms (see PERG 2.5.4 G to PERG 2.5.5 G (Investment services and activities)).

01/11/2007
Past version of PERG 2.9.10 before 01/11/2007

Sale of body corporate

PERG 2.9.11

This group of exclusions applies, in specified circumstances, to the regulated activities of:

(1) dealing in investments as principal;

(2) dealing in investments as agent;

(3) arranging (bringing about) deals in investments and making arrangements with a view to transactions in investments; and

(4) advising on investments.

01/07/2005

PERG 2.9.12

The exclusions apply in relation to transactions to buy or sell shares in a body corporate where, in broad terms:

(1) the transaction involves the acquisition or disposal of a least 50 per cent of the voting shares in the body corporate and is, or is to be, between certain specified kinds of person; or

(2) the object of the transaction may otherwise reasonably be regarded as being the acquisition of day-to-day control of the affairs of the body corporate.

These exclusions also apply to transactions that are entered into for the purposes of the above transactions (such as transactions involving the offer of securities in the offeror as consideration or part consideration for the sale of the shares in the body corporate). These exclusions do not have effect in relation to shares in an open-ended investment company. The exclusions in PERG 2.9.11G (2), (3) and (4) are disapplied where they concern a contract of insurance. Guidance on exclusions relevant to insurance mediation activities is in PERG 5 (Guidance on insurance mediation activities). The exclusions are also disapplied for persons who, when carrying on the relevant regulated activity, are MiFID investment firms or third country investment firms (see PERG 2.5.4 G to PERG 2.5.5 G (Investment services and activities)).

01/11/2007
Past version of PERG 2.9.12 before 01/11/2007

PERG 2.9.12A

The Treasury, in its consultative document Financial Services and Markets Act two year review: Changes to secondary legislation - Proposals for change, February 2004 proposed changes to these exclusions aimed primarily at limiting their scope in relation to the objective test referred to in PERG 2.9.12G (2). In its response to the comments received during the consultation, the Treasury announced, in its document Financial Services and Markets Act two year review: Changes to secondary legislation Government response, November 2004, that it intends to make certain changes to the exclusions in due course.

01/10/2005

Employee share schemes

PERG 2.9.13

This group of exclusions applies, in specified circumstance, to the regulated activities of:

(1) dealing in investments as principal;

(2) dealing in investments as agent;

(3) arranging (bringing about) deals in investments and making arrangements with a view to transactions in investments;

(4) safeguarding and administering investments.

01/07/2005

PERG 2.9.14

In broad terms, the exclusions apply to activities which further an employee share scheme, or are carried on in operation of such a scheme. They apply to activities carried on by the company whose securities or debentures (which are given an extended meaning for this exclusion) are the subject of the scheme. They also apply to activities of any company in the same group or of any trustee who holds certain types of securities or debentures under the scheme. They do not apply to the activities of a person who is neither such a company nor such a trustee (for example, a third party administration service provider).

01/11/2007
Past version of PERG 2.9.14 before 01/11/2007

Overseas persons

PERG 2.9.15

This group of exclusions applies, in specified circumstances, to the regulated activities of:

(1) dealing in investments as principal;

(2) dealing in investments as agent;

(3) arranging (bringing about) deals in investments and making arrangements with a view to transactions in investments ;

(3A) arranging a home finance transaction;

(3B) operating a multilateral trading facility;

(4) advising on investments;

(5) entering into a home finance transaction;

(6) administering a home finance transaction; and

(7) agreeing to carry on the regulated activities of managing investments, arranging (bringing about) deals in investments, making arrangements with a view to transactions in investments, assisting in the performance and administration of a contract of insurance, safeguarding and administering investments or sending dematerialised instructions.

01/11/2007
Past version of PERG 2.9.15 before 01/11/2007

PERG 2.9.16

An overseas person is defined as a person who carries on what would be regulated activities (including any activity that would otherwise be excluded from being a regulated activity by virtue of the exclusions for overseas persons referred to in PERG 2.9.15 G) but who does not do so, or offer to do so, from a permanent place of business maintained by him in the United Kingdom. Where a person does not have a permanent place of business in the United Kingdom, he will not, in any event, need to rely on these exclusions unless what he does is regarded as carried on in the United Kingdom (see PERG 2.4). Nor will a person be able to rely on the exclusions in PERG 2.9.15G (1) to (4) if when carrying on the relevant regulated activity it is a MiFID investment firm and its Home State is the United Kingdom.

01/11/2007
Past version of PERG 2.9.16 before 01/11/2007

PERG 2.9.17

The exclusions are available, for regulated activities other than those that relate to home finance transactions in the two broad cases set out below. For some of these regulated activities, the exclusions apply in each case. In others, they apply in only one.

(1) The first case is where the nature of the regulated activity requires the direct involvement of another person and that person is authorised or exempt (and acting within the scope of his exemption). For example, this might occur where the person with whom an overseas person deals is an authorised person or where the arrangements he makes are for transactions to be entered into by such a person.

(2) The second case is where a particular regulated activity is carried on as a result of what is termed a 'legitimate approach'. An approach to an overseas person that has not been solicited by him in any way, or has been solicited in a way that does not contravene the restrictions on financial promotion in section 21 of the Act, is a legitimate approach. An approach that is made by him in a way that does not contravene section 21 of the Act is also a legitimate approach. In such circumstances, the overseas person can, without requiring authorisation, enter into deals with (or on behalf of) a person in the United Kingdom, give advice in the United Kingdom or enter into agreements in the United Kingdom to carry on certain regulated activities. The exemptions to the financial promotion restrictions made by the Treasury under section 21 of the Act (Restrictions on financial promotion) will be relevant to the question of whether those restrictions have been contravened (see separate guidance on financial promotion in PERG 8 (Financial promotion and related activities)).

06/04/2007
Past version of PERG 2.9.17 before 06/04/2007

PERG 2.9.17A

The exclusions for overseas persons who carry on certain regulated activities related to home finance transactions work in a different way. They depend on the residency of the borrower or borrowers, the reversion occupier or reversion occupiers, the home purchaser or home purchasersor the SRB agreement seller or SRB agreement sellersas the case may be. In addition, some of the exclusions also depend on the residency of the reversion provider or SRB agreement provider. Guidance on these exclusions is in PERG 4.11 (Link between activities and the United Kingdom) and PERG 14.6 (Guidance on home reversion, home purchase and regulated sale and rent back agreement activities).

30/06/2010
Past version of PERG 2.9.17A before 30/06/2010

Incoming ECA providers

PERG 2.9.18

(1) In accordance with article 3(2) of the E-Commerce Directive, all requirements on persons providing electronic commerce activities into the United Kingdom from the EEA are lifted, where these fall within the co-ordinated field and would restrict the freedom of such a firm to provide services. The coordinated field includes any requirement of a general or specific nature concerning the taking up or pursuit of electronic commerce activities. Authorisation requirements fall within the coordinated field. The services affected are generally those provided electronically, for example through the Internet or solicited e-mail.

(2) The Regulated Activities Order was amended by the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Regulated Activities) (Amendment) (Electronic Commerce Directive) Order 2002 (SI 2002/2157). This Order creates a general exclusion from regulated activities (except for the regulated activities of effecting or carrying out contracts of insurance). Where activities consist of electronic commerce activities, an incoming ECA provider will not require authorisation for such activities in the United Kingdom. This does not extend to the regulated activity of effecting or carrying out contracts of insurance falling under the Insurance Directives (see PERG 2.8.3 G). However, services provided off-line in the United Kingdom (that is, other than as an electronic commerce activity) by such a firm which amount to regulated activities still require authorisation.

(3) Incoming ECA providers should note that notification requirements under the Single Market Directives still apply (see SUP 13A).

01/11/2007
Past version of PERG 2.9.18 before 01/11/2007

Insurance mediation activities

PERG 2.9.19

The exclusions in this group apply to certain regulated activities involving certain contracts of insurance. The exclusions and the regulated activities to which they apply are as follows.

(1) The first exclusion of this kind relates to certain activities carried on by a provider of non-motor goods or services related to travel in connection with general insurance contracts only. The contracts must be for five years duration or less and have an annual premium of no more than 500. The contract must cover breakdown or loss of or damage to non-motor goods supplied by the provider or loss of or damage to baggage and other risks linked to certain travel services booked with the provider. The travel services must be the hire of an aircraft, vehicle or vessel which does not provide sleeping accommodation, or must relate to attendance at an event organised or managed by the provider. Where the travel services relate to an event, the exclusion does not apply if the party seeking insurance is an individual (acting in his private capacity) or a small business. A small business is a sole trader, body corporate, partnership or unincorporated association which had a turnover in the last financial year of less than 1,000,000 (but where it is a member of a group, the combined turnover of the group is used). Turnover means the amounts derived from the provision of goods and services falling within the businesss ordinary activities, after deduction of trade discounts, value added tax and any other taxes based on those amounts. There must not be any liability risk cover other than where this is ancillary to the main risk covered in a travel policy. The insurance must be complementary to the goods or services being supplied by the provider in the course of his carrying on a business or profession not otherwise consisting of regulated activities, and the policy must be in standard form. This exclusion applies where the regulated activities concerned are:

(a) dealing in investments as agent;

(b) arranging (bringing about) deals in investments and making arrangements with a view to transactions in investments;

(d) advising on investments.

(2) The second exclusion applies where information is provided to a policyholder by a person on an incidental basis in the course of that person's profession or business that does not otherwise consist of regulated activities. This exclusion applies where the regulated activities are:

(a) arranging (bringing about) deals in investments and making arrangements with a view to transactions in investments;

(b) managing investments;

(d) safeguarding and administering investments;

(3) The third exclusion applies to certain general insurance contracts covering large risks where the risk is situated outside the EEA. This exclusion applies where the regulated activities concerned are:

(a) dealing in investments as agent;

(b) arranging (bringing about) deals in investments and making arrangements with a view to transactions in investments;

(d) advising on investments.

Guidance on these and other exclusions relevant to insurance mediation activities is in PERG 5 (Insurance mediation activities).

01/01/2009
Past version of PERG 2.9.19 before 01/01/2009

Business angel-led enterprise capital funds

PERG 2.9.20

This group of exclusions applies, in specified circumstances, to the regulated activities of:

(1) dealing in investments as agent;

(2) arranging (bringing about) deals in investments and making arrangements with a view to transactions in investments;

(3) managing investments;

(4) safeguarding and administering investments;

(5) establishing, operating or winding up a collective investment scheme; and

(6) advising on investments.

01/10/2005

PERG 2.9.21

The exclusions apply, in general terms:

(1) to a body corporate with limited liability:

(a) that is formed in accordance with the law of, and having its registered office, central administration or principal place of business in, an EEA State;

(b) that operates a business angel-led enterprise capital fund, being a fund that invests only in securities of unlisted companies and whose participants are made up solely of persons of a specified kind; and

01/10/2005

PERG 2.9.21A

The exclusions for business angel-led enterprise capital funds are also disapplied for persons who, when carrying on the relevant regulated activity, are MiFID investment firms or third country investment firms (see PERG 2.5.4 G (Investment services and activities)).

01/11/2007

PERG 2.10

Persons carrying on regulated activities who do not need authorisation

01/07/2005

PERG 2.10.1

There are various provisions that disapply the general prohibition from specific persons in relation to the carrying on by them of particular regulated activities. There is, however, no general provision for persons to apply for an exemption.

01/07/2005

PERG 2.10.2

Persons may be exempted from the general prohibition in relation to one or more particular regulated activities. The extent of any exemption may also be limited to specified circumstances (such as where another person who is authorised and has relevant permission has accepted responsibility for the regulated activities in question) or subject to specified conditions (such as a requirement that the activity is not carried on for pecuniary gain).

01/07/2005

PERG 2.10.3

The Act provides that appointed representatives (see PERG 2.10.5 G), recognised investment exchanges and recognised clearing houses (see PERG 2.10.6 G) and certain other persons exempt under miscellaneous provisions (see PERG 2.10.7 G) are exempt persons. Members of Lloyds and members of the professions are not 'exempt persons' as such, but the general prohibition in section 19 of the Act only applies to them in certain circumstances. The distinction is significant in relation to various provisions (such as those in the Regulated Activities Order) that apply only to transactions and other activities that involve exempt persons.

01/07/2005

PERG 2.10.4

Appointed representatives and the persons exempt under miscellaneous provisions cannot be exempt in relation to some regulated activities and authorised in relation to others. If a person is already authorised, and proposes to carry on additional regulated activities in respect of which he would otherwise be exempt as an appointed representative or under miscellaneous provisions, he must seek an extension to his existing permission to cover those additional activities. A person in either of these categories who would otherwise be exempt in relation to particular activities will, if he becomes authorised, no longer be able to rely on the exemption.

01/07/2005

Appointed representatives

PERG 2.10.5

A person is exempt if he is an appointed representative of an authorised person. See SUP 12 (Appointed representatives). But where an appointed representative carries on insurance mediation or reinsurance mediation he will not be exempt unless he is included on the register kept by the FSA under article 93 of the Regulated Activities Order (Duty to maintain a record of unauthorised persons carrying on insurance mediation activities) (see PERG 5.13 (Appointed representatives)).

01/07/2005

Recognised Investment Exchanges, Recognised Clearing Houses and Recognised Auction Platforms

PERG 2.10.6

Investment exchanges and clearing houses can apply for recognition under Part XVIII of the Act (Recognised investment exchanges and clearing houses). Auction platforms can apply for recognition under the RAP Regulations. See REC.

22/12/2011
Past version of PERG 2.10.6 before 22/12/2011

Particular exempt persons

PERG 2.10.7

Various named persons are exempted by Order made by the Treasury under section 38 of the Act from the need to obtain authorisation (the Exemption Order). Some of the exemptions are subject to restrictions as to the circumstances in which they apply. For example, a person is only exempt when acting in a particular capacity or for particular purposes.

01/07/2005

PERG 2.10.8

The exemptions apply so as to confer exemption on persons from the general prohibition in respect of four distinct categories of regulated activities.

(1) The first category is carrying on any regulated activity, apart from effecting or carrying out contracts of insurance (or agreeing to do so). Exempt persons here are generally supranational bodies of which the United Kingdom or another EEA State is a member.

(2) The second category is the regulated activity of accepting deposits. Exempt persons here include municipal banks, local authorities, charities and industrial and provident societies.

(3) The third category is carrying on any of those regulated activities relating to securities or relevant investments or to 'any property' (or agreeing to do so). Exempt persons here include persons whose activities are subject to a certain degree of control or oversight by the Government.

(4) The fourth category is carrying on one or more specified regulated activities (or agreeing to do so). Exempt persons here cover a range of different persons.

01/07/2005

Members of Lloyd's

PERG 2.10.9

Several activities carried on in connection with business at Lloyds are regulated activities in respect of which authorisation must be obtained. These include the regulated activities of advising on syndicate participation at Lloyd's or managing the underwriting capacity of Lloyd's syndicate as a managing agent at Lloyd's or arranging (bringing about) deals in investments or making arrangements with a view to transactions in investments for another in relation to such participation or underwriting capacity.

01/07/2005

PERG 2.10.10

But under section 316 of the Act (Direction by the FSA) the general prohibition does not apply to a person who is a member of the Society of Lloyds unless the FSA has made a direction that it should apply. The general prohibition is disapplied in relation to any regulated activity carried on by a member relating to contracts of insurance written at Lloyds. Directions can be made by the FSA in relation to individual members or the members of the Society of Lloyds taken together. Alternatively, instead of being required to obtain authorisation, a member of the Society of Lloyd's may, as a result of a direction under section 316 of the Act, become subject to specific provisions of the Act even though he is not an authorised person.

01/07/2005

PERG 2.10.11

A person who ceased to be an underwriting member at any time on or after 24 December 1996 may, without authorisation, carry out contracts of insurance he has underwritten at Lloyds. But this is subject to any requirements or rules that the FSA may impose under sections 320 to 322 of the Act (Former underwriting members).

01/07/2005

Members of the professions

PERG 2.10.12

The general prohibition does not in certain circumstances apply to a person providing professional services that are supervised and regulated by a professional body designated by the Treasury under section 326 of the Act (Designation of professional bodies) (see PROF). Certain of the exclusions from regulated activities outlined in PERG 2.8 and PERG 2.9 will be relevant to members of designated professional bodies. The regime outlined below applies only where no exclusion applies and a person will be carrying on a regulated activity.

01/07/2005

PERG 2.10.13

Such a person may carry on regulated activities if the conditions outlined below are met, that is the person:

(1) is not affected by an order or direction made by the FSA under section 328 or 329 of the Act (Directions and orders in relation to the general prohibition) which has the effect of re-imposing the general prohibition in any particular case;

(2) is, or is controlled by, a member of a profession;

(3) does not receive any pecuniary reward or other advantage from the regulated activities which is given to him by any person other than his client (or if he does, he must account to his client for it);

(4) provides any service in the course of carrying on the regulated activities in a manner which is incidental to the provision of professional services;

(5) carries on only those regulated activities which are permitted by the rules of the professional body or in respect of which they are an exempt person; and

(6) Is not an authorised person.

01/07/2005

PERG 2.10.14

The regulated activities that may be carried on in this way are restricted by an Order made by the Treasury under section 327(6) of the Act (Exemption from the general prohibition) (the Non-Exempt Activities Order). Accordingly, under that section, a person may not by way of business carry on any of the following activities without authorisation:

(1) accepting deposits;

(2) effecting or carrying out contracts of insurance;

(3) dealing in investments as principal;

(4) establishing, operating or winding up a collective investment scheme;

(5) establishing, operating or winding up a stakeholder pension scheme or a personal pension scheme;

(6) managing the underwriting capacity of a Lloyd's syndicate as a managing agent at Lloyd's;

(7) entering as provider into funeral plan contracts;

(8) agreeing to do certain of the above activities.

PERG 2.10.15

In addition, there are restrictions on carrying on (or agreeing to carry on) certain other regulated activities. These relate to managing investments, advising on investments, advising on a home finance transaction, advising on syndicate participation at Lloyd's , entering into a home finance transaction or administering a home finance transaction.

06/04/2007
Past version of PERG 2.10.15 before 06/04/2007

PERG 2.10.16

A person carrying on regulated activities under the regime for members of the professions will be subject to rules made by the professional body designated by the Treasury. Such bodies are obliged to make rules governing the carrying on by their members of those regulated activities that they are able to carry on without authorisation under the Act. Where such a person is carrying on insurance mediation or reinsurance mediation, he must also be included on the register kept by the FSA under article 93 of the Regulated Activities Order (Duty to maintain a record of unauthorised persons carrying on insurance mediation activities) (see PERG 5.10 (Exemptions)).

01/07/2005

PERG 2.11

What to do now ?

01/07/2005

PERG 2.11.1

Any person who concludes or is advised that he will need to make an application for Part IV permission should look at PERG 2 Annex 2 G to determine the categories of specified investment and regulated activities that are relevant to the next step and should then refer to the FSA website How do I get authorised: http://www.fsa.gov.uk/Pages/Doing/how/index.shtmlfor details of the application process.

06/10/2007
Past version of PERG 2.11.1 before 06/10/2007

PERG 2.11.2

As part of its application for Part IV permission, an applicant may wish to apply for certain limitations (details of which are given in the application pack).

01/11/2007

PERG 2.11.3

An example of limitations which may be applied for or imposed include a limit on the types of client that a firm may deal with including:

(1) retail (investment);

(2) professional;

(3) eligible counterparty;

These limitations correspond to the Glossary terms retail client, professional client and eligible counterparty.

01/11/2007

PERG 2 Annex 1

Authorisation and regulated activities

01/07/2005

PERG 2 Annex 1

Do you need authorisation?

01/07/2005

PERG 2 Annex 2

Regulated activities and the permission regime

01/07/2005

1 Table

1.1 G

Table 1 is designed to relate the permission regime to regulated activities. Section 42(6)of the Act gives the FSA the power to describe the regulated activity or regulated activities for which it gives permission in such manner as the FSA considers appropriate. Table 1 details how the FSA has chosen to describe the regulated activities and specified investments for the purposes of the permission regime.

1.2 G

In an application for Part IV permission , an applicant will need to state the regulated activities it requires permission to carry on. This will involve an applicant identifying the regulated activities and the specified investments associated with those activities for which it requires Part IV permission.

1.3 G

Part II of the Regulated Activities Order (Specified activities) specifies the activities for the purposes of section 22 of the Act. This section states that an activity is a regulated activity if it is an activity of a specified kind which is carried on by way of business and:

(1)

relates to an investment of a specified kind; or

(2)

in the case of an activity specified for the purposes of section 22(1)(b) of the Act, is carried on in relation to property of any kind.

Part III of the Regulated Activities Order (Specified investments) specifies the investments referred to in (1).

1.4 G

Column 1 of Table 1 lists the regulated activities and column 2 lists the associated specified investments. Descriptions of some categories of specified investments are expanded in Tables 2 and 3. There are notes to all three tables which provide further explanation where appropriate.

1.5 G

A reference to an article in the tables in PERG 2 Annex 2 G is to the relevant article in the Regulated Activities Order.

2 Table

Table 1: Regulated Activities [See note 1 to Table 1]

Regulated activity

Specified investment in relation to which the regulated activity (in the corresponding section of column one) may be carried on

Accepting deposits

(a) accepting deposits (article 5)

deposit (article 74)

Issuing electronic money

(aa) issuing electronic money (article 9B)

electronic money (article 74A)

Activities of a dormant account fund operator

(ab) the meeting of repayment claims and managing dormant account funds (including the investment of such funds) (article 63N)

See Note 8 to Table 1

Insurance business

(b) effecting contracts of insurance (article 10(1))

(c) carrying out contracts of insurance (article 10(2))

contract of insurance (article 75) [expanded in Table 2]

Designated investment business [see notes 1A and 1B to Table 1]

(d) dealing in investments as principal (article 14) [see note 2 to Table 1]

(e) dealing in investments as agent (article 21) [see notes 1B and 2 to Table 1]

(f) arranging (bringing about) deals in investments (article 25(1)) [see note 1B to Table 1] [also see Sections of Table 1 headed 'The Lloyd's market' and 'Regulated mortgage activity']

(g) making arrangements with a view to transactions in investments (article 25(2)) [ see note 1B to Table 1] [also see Sections of Table 1 headed 'The Lloyd's market' and 'Regulated mortgage activity']

(in relation to (d) to (g) and (h) to(l)) security [expanded in Table 3]; or

contractually based investment [expanded in Table 3].

(in relation to (e) to (g) and (j) only) a long-term care insurance contract which is a pure protection contract.

(ga) operating a multilateral trading facility (article 25D) [see note 2A]

securities or contractually based investments which are financial instruments (see PERG 13 Annex 2 G Table 2 and note 2A to Table 1]).

(h) managing investments (article 37) [see note 3 to Table 1]

(i) safeguarding and administering investments (article 40) [see note 3 Table 1]

For the purposes of the permission regime, this regulated activity is subdivided into:

(i)safeguarding and administration of assets (without arranging); and(ii)arranging safeguarding and administration of assets.

(j) advising on investments (article 53) [see note 1B to Table 1] [also see Section of Table 1 headed 'Regulated mortgage activity']

For the purposes of the permission regime, this regulated activity:

(i)does not apply to advice given in the course of carrying on the regulated activity of providing basic advice on a stakeholder product; and(ii)is subdivided into:(A)advising on investments (except pension transfers and pension opt- outs); and(B)advising on pension transfers and pension opt-outs [see note 4 to Table 1]

(k) sending dematerialised instructions (article 45(1))

(l) causing dematerialised instructions to be sent (article 45(2))

(m) establishing, operating or winding up a collective investment scheme (article 51)

For the purposes of the permission regime, this regulated activity is subdivided into:

(i)establishing, operating or winding up a regulated collective investment scheme; and(ii)establishing, operating or winding up an unregulated collective investment scheme.

(n) acting as trustee of an authorised unit trust scheme (article 51)

(o) acting as the depositary or sole director of an open-ended investment company (article 51)

(p) establishing, operating or winding up a stakeholder pension scheme (article 52(a))

[see note 5 to Table 1]

(pa) providing basic advice on a stakeholder product (article 52B)

(p-a) establishing, operating or winding up a personal pension scheme (article 52(b))

those specified investments that are also a stakeholder product [see note 7]

Insurance mediation activity [see note 5A to Table 1]

(pb) dealing in investments as agent (article 21)

(pc) arranging (bringing about) deals in investments (article 25(1))

(pd) making arrangements with a view to transactions in investments (article 25(2))

(pe) assisting in the administration and performance of a contract of insurance (article 39A)

(pf) advising on investments (article 53)

For the purpose of the permission regime, this regulated activity is sub-divided into:

(i)advising on investments (except pension transfers or pension opt-outs);(ii)advising on pension transfers or pension opt-outs [See note 5D to Table 1].

life policy [see note 5B to Table 1]

non-investment insurance contract [see note 5C to Table 1]

rights to or interests in investments (article 89) in so far as they relate to a life policy

The Lloyd's market [see note 6 to Table 1]

(q) advising on syndicate participation at Lloyd's (article 56)

membership of a Lloyd's syndicate (article 86(2))

(r) managing the underwriting capacity of a Lloyd's syndicate as a managing agent at Lloyd's (article 57)

underwriting capacity of a Lloyd's syndicate (article 86(1))

(s) arranging (bringing about) deals in investments (article 25(1))

(t) making arrangements with a view to transactions in investments (article 25(2))

underwriting capacity of a Lloyd's syndicate (article 86(1))

membership of a Lloyd's syndicate (article 86(2))

rights to or interests in investments (article 89) in so far as they relate to underwriting capacity of a Lloyd's syndicate or membership of a Lloyd's syndicate

Funeral plan providers

(u) entering as provider into a funeral plan contract (article 59) [see note 1A to Table 1]

funeral plan contract (article 87)

Regulated home finance activity

(v) arranging (bringing about) regulated mortgage contracts (article 25A(1))

(w) making arrangements with a view to regulated mortgage contracts (article 25A(2))

(x) advising on regulated mortgage contracts (article 53A)

(y) entering into a regulated mortgage contract (article 61(1))

(z) administering a regulated mortgage contract (article 61(2))

regulated mortgage contract (article 88)

(za) arranging (bringing about) a home reversion plan (article 25B(1))

(zb) making arrangements with a view to a home reversion plan (article 25B(2))

(zc) advising on a home reversion plan (article 53B)

(zd) entering into a home reversion plan (article 63B(1))

(ze) administering a home reversion plan (article 63B(2))

rights under a home reversion plan (article 88A)

(zf) arranging (bringing about) a home purchase plan (article 25C(1))

(zg) making arrangements with a view to a home purchase plan (article 25C(2))

(zh) advising on a home purchase plan (article 53C)

(zi) entering into a home purchase plan (article 63F(1))

(zj) administering a home purchase plan (article 63F(2))

rights under a home purchase plan (article 88B)

(zk) arranging (bringing about) a regulated sale and rent back agreement (article 25E(1))

(zl) making arrangements with a view to a regulated sale and rent back agreement (article 25E(2))

(zm) advising on a regulated sale and rent back agreement (article 53D))

(zn) entering into a regulated sale and rent back agreement (article 63J(1))

(zo) administering a regulated sale and rent back agreement (Article 63(J)(2))

rights under a regulated sale and rent back agreement (Article 88C)

3 Table

Notes to Table 1

Note 1:

In addition to the regulated activities listed in Table 1, article 64 of the Regulated Activities Order specifies that agreeing to carry on a regulated activity is itself a regulated activity in certain cases. This applies in relation to all the regulated activities listed in Table 1 apart from:

•accepting deposits (article 5);•issuing electronic money (article 9B);•effecting and carrying out contracts of insurance (article 10);•operating a multilateral trading facility (article 25D)•establishing, operating or winding up a collective investment scheme (article 51(1)(a));•acting as trustee of an authorised unit trust scheme (article 51(1)(b));•acting as the sole depositary or sole director of an open-ended investment company (article 51(1)(c));•establishing, operating or winding up a stakeholder pension schemeor establishing operating or winding up a personal pension scheme(article 52): and

•the meeting of repayment claims and/or managing dormant account funds (including the investment of such funds) (article 63N).

Permission to carry on the activity of agreeing to carry on a regulated activity will be given automatically by the FSA in relation to those other regulated activities for which an applicant is given permission (other than those activities in articles 5,9B, 10,51 and 52 detailed above).

Note 1A:

Funeral plan contracts are contractually based investments. Accordingly, the following are regulated activities when carried on in relation to a funeral plan contract: (a) arranging (bringing about) deals in investments, (b) making arrangements with a view to transactions in investments, (c) managing investments, (d) safeguarding and administering investments, (e) advising on investments, (f) sending dematerialised instructions and (g) causing dematerialised instructions to be sent (as well as agreeing to carry on each of the activities listed in (a) to (g)). However, they are not designated investment business.

Note 1B:

Life policies are contractually based investments. Where the regulated activities listed as designated investment business in (e) to (g) and (j) are carried on in relation to a life policy, these activities also count as 'insurance mediation activities'. The full list of insurance mediation activities is set out in (pb) to (pf). The regulated activities of agreeing to carry on each of these activities will, if carried on in relation to a life policy, also come within both designated investment business and insurance mediation activities.

Note 2:

For the purposes of the regulated activities of dealing in investments as principal (article 14) and dealing in investments as agent (article 21), the definition ofcontractually based investments [expanded in Table 3] excludes a funeral plan contract (article 87) and rights to or interests in funeral plan contracts.

Note 2A:

PERG 13 Ann 2 Table 2 contains a map indicating which securities and contractually based investments correspond to financial instruments. A firm's permission should comprise each of the categories of security and contractually based investment in relation to which it carries on the activity of operating a multilateral trading facility.

Note 3:

The regulated activities of managing investments (article 37) and safeguarding and administering investments (article 40) may apply in relation to any assets, in particular circumstances, if the assets being managed or safeguarded and administered include, (or may include), any security or contractually based investment.

Note 4:

For the purposes of the permission regime, the activity in (j)(ii) of advising on pension transfers and pension opt-outs is carried on in respect of the following specified investments:

unit (article 81);stakeholder pension scheme (article 82(1));personal pension scheme (article 82(2));life policy (explained in note 5); andrights to or interests in investments in so far as they relate to a unit, a stakeholder pension scheme, a personal pension scheme or a life policy.

Note 5:

Article 4(2) of the Regulated Activities Order specifies the activities (m)to (p) for the purposes of section 22(1)(b) of the Act. That is, these activities will be regulated activities if carried on in relation to any property and are not expressed as relating to a specified investment.

Note 5A:

Where they are carried on in relation to a life policy, the activities listed as insurance mediation activities in (pb) to (pf) (as well as the regulated activity of agreeing to carry on those activities) are also designated investment business.

Note 5B:

In PERG, life policy is the term used in the Handbook to mean 'qualifying contract of insurance' (as defined in article 3(1) of the Regulated Activities Order). For the purpose of the permission regime, the term also includes a long-term care insurance contract which is a pure protection contract and a pension term assurance policy.

Note 5C:

Non-investment insurance contract is the term used in firms permissions to mean pure protection contract or general insurance contract. Pure protection contract is the term used in the Handbook to mean a long-term insurance contract which is not a life policy. General insurance contract is the term used in the Handbook to mean contract of insurance within column 1 of Table 2.

Note 5D:

[deleted]

Note 5E:

For the purposes of the permission regime, the activity in (pf)(ii) of advising on pension transfers and pension opt-outs is carried on in respect of the following specified investments:

life policy (explained in note 5A); andrights to or interests in investments in so far as they relate to a life policy.

Note 6:

Section 315 of the Act (The Society: authorisation and permission) states that the Society of Lloyd's has permission to carry on the regulated activities referred to in that section, one of which is specified in article 58 of the Regulated Activities Order. This permission is unique to the Society of Lloyd's.

Note 7:

A stakeholder product is defined in the Glossary as:

an investment of a kind specified in the Stakeholder Regulations:a stakeholder pension scheme; anda stakeholder CTF.

Note 8:

Article 4(2) of the Regulated Activities Order specifies the activity at (ab) for the purposes of section 22(1)(b) of the Act, that is, these activities will be regulated activities if carried on in relation to any property and are not expressed as related to a specified investment.

4 Table

Table 2: Contracts of insurance

Contract of insurance (article 75 of the RAO)

(a) general insurance contract (Part I of Schedule 1 to the Regulated Activities Order)

(b) long-term insurance contract (Part II of Schedule 1 to the Regulated Activities Order )

Number

Accident (paragraph 1)

life and annuity (paragraph I)

Sickness (paragraph 2)

marriage or the formation of a civil partnership and birth (paragraph II)

Land vehicles (paragraph 3)

linked long-term (paragraph III)

Railway rolling stock (paragraph 4)

permanent health (paragraph IV)

Aircraft (paragraph 5)

tontines (paragraph V)

Ships (paragraph 6)

capital redemption (paragraph VI)

Goods in transit (paragraph 7)

pension fund management (paragraph VII)

fire and natural forces (paragraph 8)

collective insurance (paragraph VIII)

damage to property (paragraph 9)

social insurance (paragraph IX)

motor vehicle liability (paragraph 10)

aircraft liability (paragraph 11)

liability of ships (paragraph 12)

general liability (paragraph 13)

credit (paragraph 14)

suretyship (paragraph 15)

miscellaneous financial loss (paragraph 16)

legal expenses (paragraph 17)

assistance (paragraph 18)

Notes to Table 2

Note 1:

See IPRU(INS) Ann 10.2 Part II for the groups of classes of general insurance business from the Annex to the First non-Life Directive.

Note 2:

See IPRU(INS) 11.8 and the definition of ancillary risks in IPRU(INS) for guidance on the treatment of supplementary and ancillary provisions in relation to contracts of insurance.

5 Table

Table 3: Securities, contractually based investments and relevant investments [see notes 1 and 2 to Table 3]

Security (article 3(1))

Contractually based investment (article 3(1))

Relevant investments (article 3(1))

share (article 76)

debenture (article 77)

alternative debenture (article 77A)

government and public security (article 78)

warrant (article 79)

certificate representing certain security (article 80)

unit (article 81)

stakeholder pension scheme (article 82(1))

personal pension scheme (article 82(2));

rights to or interests in investments (article 89) in so far as they relate to any of the above categories of security

option (article 83)

For the purposes of the permission regime, option is subdivided into:

(i)option (excluding a commodity option and an option on a commodity future);(ii)commodity option and option on a commodity future.

future (article 84)

For the purposes of the permission regime, future is subdivided into:

(i)future (excluding a commodity future and a rolling spot forex contract);(ii)commodity future;(iii)rolling spot forex contract.

contract for differences (article 85)

For the purposes of the permission regime, contract for differences is subdivided into:

(i)contract for differences (excluding a spread bet and a rolling spot forex contract);(ii)spread bet;(iii)rolling spot forex contract.

life policy (but excluding a long-term care insurance contract which is a pure protection contract) [see note 5B to Table 1]

funeral plan contract (article 87) [see note 1A to Table 1]

rights to or interests in investments (article 89) in so far as they relate to any of the above categories of contractually based investment.

contractually based investments (article 3(1))

non-investment insurance contract [see note 5C to Table 1]

Notes to Table 3

Note 1:

Security, contractually based investment and relevant investment are not, in themselves, specified investments they are defined as including a number of specified investments as set out in Table 3. Relevant investments is the term that is used to cover contractually based investments together with rights under a general insurance contract and a pure protection contract.

Note 2:

For the purposes of the regulated activities of dealing in investments as principal (article 14) and dealing in investments as agent (article 21), the definition of contractually based investments excludes a funeral plan contract (article 87) and rights to or interests in funeral plan contracts.

Export chapter as

Legal Instruments that change this Chapter Authorisation and regulated activities

PERG 3A

Guidance on the scope of the Electronic
Money Regulations 2011

PERG 3A.1

Introduction

10/02/2011

Q1. What is the purpose of these questions and answers ('Q&As') and who should be reading them?

The purpose of these Q&As is to help persons to consider whether they fall within the scope of the Electronic Money Directive which repealed and replaced an earlier Electronic Money Directive (2000/46/EC). The Electronic Money Directive is given effect in the United Kingdom by the Electronic Money Regulations. The Q&As are intended to help these persons consider whether they need to be authorised or registered for the purposes of electronic money issuance in the United Kingdom.

The Electronic Money Regulations create a separate authorisation and registration regime for issuers of electronic money that are not full credit institutions, credit unions or municipal banks:

•the conditions for authorisation as an authorised electronic money institution are set out at regulation 6 of the Electronic Money Regulations;•small electronic money institutions have less stringent capital requirements than authorised electronic money institutions; however, they need to be registered in accordance with regulation 13 of the Electronic Money Regulations;

•full credit institutions, credit unions and municipal banks are exempt from requiring authorisation and registration under the Electronic Money Regulations but must have aPart IV permission for issuing electronic money and are subject to some of the conduct of business requirements in the Electronic Money Regulations.

A reference in this chapter to:

•individual regulations is a reference to the Electronic Money Regulations unless otherwise stated; and •'municipal bank' means a company which, immediately before 1st December 2001, fell within the definition in section 103 of the Banking Act 1987.

The Q&As that follow are set out in the following sections:

•General issues (PERG 3A.2)•The definition of electronic money (PERG 3A.3)•Small electronic money institutions, mixed businesses, distributors, agents and exempt bodies (PERG 3A.4)•Exclusions (PERG 3A.5)•Territorial scope (PERG 3A.6)•Transitional arrangements (PERG 3A.7)

10/02/2011

PERG 3A.2

General issues

10/02/2011

Q2. Why does it matter whether or not we fall within the scope of the Electronic Money Regulations?

It matters because if you issue electronic money in the United Kingdom and do not fall within an exclusion or exemption you must be:

(a)an authorised electronic money institution; or

(b)a small electronic money institution; or (c)an EEA authorised electronic money institution; or

(d)a full credit institution; or(e)the Post Office Limited; or(f)the Bank of England or a central bank when not acting in its capacity as a monetary authority or other public authority; or(g)a government department or local authority when acting in its capacity as a public authority; or(h)a credit union, municipal bank or the National Savings Bank.

Otherwise you risk committing a criminal offence under regulation 63.

Q3. How much can we rely on these Q&As?

The answers given in these Q&As represent the FSA's views but the interpretation of financial services legislation is ultimately a matter for the courts. How the scope of Electronic Money Regulations affects the regulatory position of any particular person will depend on their individual circumstances. If you have doubts about your position after reading these Q&As, you may wish to seek legal advice. The Q&As do not purport to be exhaustive and are not a substitute for reading the relevant legislation. In addition to FSA guidance, some of the Electronic Money Directive provisions may be the subject of guidance or communications by the European Commission.

Q4. As an electronic money issuer am I carrying on the regulated activity of accepting deposits when I receive a sum in exchange for electronic money?

No, provided the sum paid over is exchanged immediately for electronic money; see article 9A of the Regulated Activities Order.

Some electronic money products may be charged up by means of scratch cards that can be purchased from shops. The price paid for the card is the monetary value of the electronic money. The card contains a number. The purchaser then enters the number on a web site to activate the electronic money account. There is thus a delay between the payment for the electronic money and its use by the holder. In our view, this delay does not make the payment for the electronic money a deposit. This is because the means of spending the electronic money is put into the hands of the purchaser when they purchase the card.

Q5. I intend to issue electronic money in the United Kingdom. How does the authorisation and registration process apply to me?

It depends on a number of factors:

i)Unless you are a person falling within ii) to iv) below you must apply under the Electronic Money Regulations for either:•authorisation to be an authorised electronic money institution (see regulation 6 for the relevant conditions); or

•registration to be a small electronic money institution (see regulation 13).

ii)If you are a credit union, municipal bank or a UK or non-EEA full credit institution:•authorisation and variation of permission remains that imposed by Part IVof the Act. This means you will need to have a separatePart IV permission in order to issue electronic money;•where you issue electronic money you will be subject to the provisions on issuance and redeemability of electronic money in the Electronic Money Regulations;•note that you may also be subject to the conduct of business requirements in the Payment Services Regulations.

iii)If your head office is located in an EEA state other than the United Kingdom you cannot apply for authorisation or registration under the Electronic Money Regulations. However, you may be entitled to issue electronic money in the United Kingdom as an EEA authorised electronic money institution, in which case the Competent Authority in your Home State will be responsible for your authorisation.iv)Government departments, local authorities, the Post Office Limited and the National Savings Bank cannot apply for authorisation or registration under the Electronic Money Regulations but they must give notice to theFSA if they issue or propose to issue electronic money.

Transitional arrangements may also be relevant, see PERG 3A.7.

Q6. We are a payment institution. How will the Electronic Money Regulations apply to us?

If you are a payment institution that does not intend to issue electronic money or act as agent for an electronic money institution the Electronic Money Regulations are unlikely to apply to you.

If you are a payment institution that wishes to also issue electronic money then, in our view, you should cancel your authorisation or registration as a payment institution and apply to be an electronic money institution. An electronic money institution does not need to be authorised or registered under the Payment Services Regulations to provide payment services.

Q7. As an electronic money institution how will the Payment Services Regulations apply to us?

The issuance of electronic money is not itself a payment service but it is likely to entail the provision of payment services. For example, issuing a payment instrument is a payment service and electronic money is likely to be issued on a payment instrument in order to make a payment transaction. See Q20 at PERG 15 for more detail on what amounts to issuing payment instruments.

As an electronic money institution you are permitted to engage in the provision of payment services as well as other activities, see regulation 32 and Q19 below, without needing to be separately authorised or registered under the Payment Services Regulations.

The conduct of business requirements in Parts 5 and 6 of the Payment Services Regulations apply to all payment service providers, including electronic money issuers.

10/02/2011

PERG 3A.3

The definition of electronic money

10/02/2011

Q8. How is electronic money defined in the Electronic Money Regulations?

The definition in the Electronic Money Regulations mirrors that in the Electronic Money Directive. Electronic money means monetary value as represented by a claim on the issuer which is:

(1)stored electronically, including magnetically;(2)issued on receipt of funds; (3)used for the purposes of making payment transactions (as defined in regulation 2 of the Payment Services Regulations);(4)accepted as a means of payment by persons other than the issuer;

and is not otherwise excluded by the Electronic Money Regulations, see PERG 3A.5.

Electronic money is an electronic payment product. The value is held electronically or magnetically on the payment instrument itself (either locally or remotely) and payments using the value are made electronically. So, for example, monetary value stored on a:

•prepaid payment card;

•personal computer; or•a plastic card that uses magnetic stripe technology;

may all fall within the definition if the value is intended to be used for the purposes of making payment transactions.

Q9. Does the electronic money definition only apply to card-based schemes?

No. Any electronic payment scheme that involves prepaid monetary value that can be used to purchase goods and services directly from third party merchants is capable of being electronic money. This would include account-based schemes.

Recital (7) of the Electronic Money Directive states that the intention is to introduce a definition of electronic money in order to make it technically neutral so as to cover all situations where the payment service provider issues pre-paid stored value in exchange for funds. Hence the definition expressly captures both electronically and magnetically stored value and there is no longer a reference to there needing to be an 'electronic device' on which the electronic money is stored. These changes make it clear that electronic money stored on computers hard drives or account-based schemes are caught.

Q10. Can you explain why pre-payment is a necessary ingredient of electronic money?

The definition of electronic money says that for a product to be electronic money, it must be issued on receipt of funds. This part of the definition means that electronic money is a prepaid product. That is, unlike credit provided through a credit card, the customer pays for the spending power in advance. This is why credit cards are excluded from the definition of electronic money. This does not mean that electronic money paid for with a credit card falls outside the definition. The purchase of the electronic money represents the purchase of monetary value. The fact that the purchaser is lent the funds to buy the electronic money does not affect this. There are two contracts, one for the sale of electronic money and one for credit.

Value on a debit card may be electronic money or a deposit. Guidance on this is given in Q15.

Q11. Does it matter that the device on which electronic value is held may be used for other purposes?

No. The fact that the device on which monetary value is stored is made available, for example, on a plastic card that also functions as a debit or credit card or is a mobile phone does not stop that monetary value from being electronic money.

Q12. Does it matter that the monetary value can be spent with the issuer and third parties?

No. If monetary value can be spent with third parties, it does not stop being electronic money just because the electronic money can also be spent with the issuer. This is so even if in practice most of the electronic money is spent with the issuer and only a small portion spent with third parties.

Q13. Are electronic travellers cheques electronic money?

An electronic travellers cheque is a product, based on a plastic card, designed to replace paper travellers cheques. There are two types of electronic travellers cheques:

(1)ones that can also be used to buy goods and services from third parties; and(2)ones whose only function is to allow the holder to withdraw cash in a foreign currency from ATMs when abroad.

The plastic card is loaded with value, the holder pays for the value on issue and uses the value to purchase goods and services. It is likely then to meet the first three conditions in the definition of electronic money listed at Q8. The remaining condition is whether the value is accepted as a means of payment by persons other than the issuer.

An electronic travellers cheque falling into (1) above is likely to be electronic money as it can be used to purchase goods from third parties.

An electronic travellers cheque falling into (2) is unlikely to be electronic money provided that:

•it can only be used to withdraw foreign currency from ATMs owned by the issuer of the value; or•the withdrawal of foreign currency by a cardholder will never involve the purchase of the currency from the owner of the ATM but instead the repayment of prepaid value by the issuer of the prepaid value.

Q14. If I use a trust account to store monetary value in respect of funds I have accepted payment for, will I be issuing electronic money?

Putting monetary value into a trust account does not, of itself, prevent the person who accepts the payment for electronic value from issuing electronic money.

Q15. How does electronic money differ from deposits?

Recital (13) of the Electronic Money Directive provides that electronic money does not constitute a deposit-taking activity under the BCD "in view of its specific character as an electronic surrogate for coins and banknotes, which is used for making payments, usually of limited amount and not as a means of saving."

In distinguishing electronic money and deposits, relevant factors include the following:

•If the monetary value is kept on an account that can be used by non-electronic means, that points towards it being a deposit. For example, an account on which cheques can be drawn is unlikely to be electronic money.•If a product is designed in such a way that it is only likely to be used for making payments of limited amounts and not as a means of saving, that feature points towards it being electronic money. Relevant features might include how long value is allowed to remain on the account, disincentives to keeping value on the account and the payment of interest on it.•One should have regard to whether the product is sold as electronic money or as a deposit.

In other words, a deposit involves the creation of a debtor-creditor relationship under which the person who accepts the deposit stores value for eventual return. Electronic money, in contrast, involves the purchase of a means of payment.

Q16. What sort of factors will the FSA take into account in deciding whether a particular scheme might be electronic money?

In considering this question relevant factors include:

•the risks incurred by the holder of the value;•the nature of the rights and obligations of the holder of the prepaid value, the issuer of the value and third parties involved in the scheme; and•what the scheme allows the holder of the value to do.

Therefore artificial features of a scheme that disguise, or try to disguise, the payment function as the supply of another sort of service are not likely to prevent the scheme from involving the issuance of electronic money.

10/02/2011

PERG 3A.4

Small electronic money institutions, mixed businesses, distributors, agents and exempt bodies

10/02/2011

Q17. What criteria must we meet to be a small electronic money institution?

The relevant conditions are set out at regulation 13 and include the following:

•your total business activities immediately before the time of registration generates an average outstanding electronic money that does not exceed 5 million euros;•the monthly average, over the period of 12 months preceding the application, of the total amount of payment transactions which are not related to the issuance of electronic money and are executed by you or your agents in the United Kingdom, must not exceed 3 million euros;•immediately before the time of registration you must hold such initial capital, if any, which is required in accordance with Part 1 of Schedule 2 to the regulations;•you must have taken adequate measures for the purposes of safeguarding electronic money holders' fund as set out at regulation 20; •you must satisfy theFSA that the persons responsible for the management of your electronic money and payment services are of good repute and possess appropriate knowledge and experience to issue electronic money and provide those payment services that you intend to undertake;•none of the individuals responsible for the management or operation of your business has been convicted of offences relating to money laundering, or terrorist financing or financial crime;•you must be a body corporate whose head office is in the United Kingdom;•you must comply with the registration requirements of the Money Laundering Regulations 2007, where they apply to you.

Q18. We satisfy the conditions for registration as a small electronic money institution - does that mean we have to register as one?

Not necessarily, there are other options available to you.

If you register as a small electronic money institution, you cannot acquire passport rights under the Electronic Money Directive. So you may wish to become an authorised electronic money institution if you wish to take advantage of a passport.

If your business does not currently exceed the thresholds referred to in the first two bullets at Q17, but you expect that it will, you may also wish to apply for authorisation rather than registration.

Q19. We are a firm providing non-financial products and services to the general public. Would it be possible for us to obtain authorisation as an electronic money institution?

Yes. One of the changes made by the Electronic Money Regulations is to allow electronic money institutions to undertake mixed business. So, electronic money institutions may, in addition to issuing electronic money, engage in the following activities:

•the provision of payment services; and•the provision of operational and closely related ancillary services, including ensuring the execution of payment transactions, foreign exchange services, safe-keeping activities and the storage and processing of data; and•the operation of payment systems, as defined at regulation 2(1); and•business activities other than the issuance of electronic money.

Q20. We are a branch of a firm which has its head office outside the EEA. If we became an electronic money institution can we also engage in mixed business?

Yes, but you can only provide payment services that are linked to the issuance of electronic money. You cannot undertake any of the other payment services.

Q21. We act as agent for an electronic money institution. What is the scope of our activities under the regulations?

As such an agent you may provide payment services on behalf of your principal, but only if you are registered by them on the FSA Register . You may also distribute or redeem electronic money for your principal. You cannot however issue electronic money on their behalf.

Q22. We distribute and redeem electronic money. What is the scope of our activities under the regulations?

In some electronic money schemes an originator creates electronic money and then sells it to banks and other distributors. The latter then sell the electronic money to the public. In our view reference to the issuer of electronic money in the Electronic Money Regulations is a reference to the originator and not the distributor.

So, provided you are not:

•issuing electronic money yourself; or •acting as an agent for an electronic money institution, see Q21;

you do not need to be authorised or registered under the Electronic Money Regulations. However, the electronic money institution that is acting as your principal should notify the FSA that you are acting as a distributor, see regulations 26 and 37 and Schedule 1.

You should also bear in mind that if, in distributing and redeeming electronic money, your activities amount to payment services you will need to consider whether you are required to be authorised or registered under the Payment Services Directive, see PERG 15 for further guidance.

Q23. We have been registered by one of our principals as an agent under the Payment Services Regulations. If we wish to act as agent for an electronic money institution as well will we need to be registered again?

Yes. If your principal is an electronic money institution, it is its responsibility to apply for registration on your behalf even if you have been registered as agent under the Payment Services Regulations. Assuming your principal is not an EEA firm, you are required to be registered on the FSA Register before you provide payment services for your principal, subject to any relevant transitional provisions which may delay or avoid the need for registration. If your principal is an EEA firm, your principal will need to comply with the relevant Home State legislation relating to your appointment, and your Home State competent authority will need to notify the FSA .

Q24. We are a credit union. Are we exempt from the regulations?

Yes, in part. You are exempt from the authorisation and registration requirements in the regulations. However, if you wish to issue electronic money you must ensure you have the relevant Part IV permission . You will also be subject to the safeguarding requirements in Part 3 and the redeemability provision in Part 5 of the Electronic Money Regulations.

Q25. We are a municipal bank. Are we exempt from the regulations?

Save that you are not subject to the safeguarding requirements in Part 3 of the regulations, your position is identical to that of credit unions, see Q24.

10/02/2011

PERG 3A.5

Exclusions

10/02/2011

Q26. Are there any exclusions from the definition of electronic money that we should be aware of?

Yes. The Electronic Money Regulations have two express exclusions:

•the first covers monetary value stored on instruments that may be used to purchase goods and services only in the issuer's premises or within a limited network of service providers or for a limited range of goods or services (regulation 3(a)). See PERG 15 Q40 & Q41 which deal with the same term for the purposes of the Payment Services Regulations; and •the second covers monetary value used to make payment transactions executed by means of any telecommunication, digital or IT device where the goods or services are delivered to and used through such a device but only where the operator of the device does not act only as an intermediary between the user and the supplier (regulation 3(b)). See PERG 15 Q23 for guidance on what 'acting only as an intermediary' might include.

Q27. We offer branded prepaid cards which consumers can use to purchase goods in a particular shopping mall. Are we issuing electronic money?

Yes, it is likely that you will be issuing electronic money unless you are able to fall within an exclusion. The most likely exclusion is if the card is only used to purchase goods and services in your premises or within a limited network of service providers. In our view you will only be able to take advantage of this exclusion here if:

•it is made clear in the relevant terms and conditions of the card that the purchaser of the value is only permitted to use the card to buy from merchants located within that particular shopping mall; and•the facility to use the card to purchase goods and services outside this shopping mall has been disabled.

Q28. For the purposes of the second exclusion referred to at Q26, can you explain when goods or services are "used through" a telecommunication, digital or IT device ("a relevant device")?

It is important to realise that it is the good or service purchased on a relevant device that must be used through that device for the purposes of this exclusion.

So, for example, where a person purchases travel or cinema tickets using prepaid credit on a mobile phone and the ticket is sent to this phone and then used to gain entry onto a transport system or into a cinema, what is being purchased are rights to travel or to watch a film. The ticket itself is a form of receipt confirming the purchase of such rights. Accordingly, as the travel rights or the visit to the cinema cannot be experienced on a relevant device, such a purchase is likely to fail the "used through" part of the regulation 3(b) exclusion.

Examples of the sorts of goods and services that could meet the "used through" part of the regulation 3(b) exclusion are music, online newspaper or video content, electronic books and mobile phone applications. This is because these products are all capable of being enjoyed through the relevant device they have been delivered to.

For more guidance on this exclusion see PERG 15, Q23 and 24.

10/02/2011

PERG 3A.6

Territorial scope

10/02/2011

Q29. We are a non-EEA firm with a branch in the United Kingdom and we wish to issue electronic money. Can we apply for authorisation or registration?

Yes. You may apply to be an authorised electronic money institution if you are a body corporate (regulation 6(4)(b)). However, you cannot apply to be a small electronic money institution unless your head office is in the United Kingdom (regulation 13(9)).

10/02/2011

PERG 3A.7

Transitional arrangements

10/02/2011

Q30. We are a firm with a Part IV permission to issue electronic money. Do we need to have applied for authorisation under the regulations prior to 30 April 2011?

No. Provided that you:

•have been lawfully issuing electronic money in the United Kingdom prior to 30 April 2011; and•are not a person mentioned in paragraphs (c) to (j) in the Glossary definition of electronic money issuer;

regulation 74 will apply to grant you deemed authorisation under regulation 9.

If you are granted such a deemed authorisation you must, before 1 July 2011:

•tell us what type of electronic money institution you wish to become; and•provide us with such information as we may reasonably require.

We will then consider whether to include you on the FSA Register as an authorised electronic money institution or a small electronic money institution. If we do then your deemed authorisation will cease at that time. If we do not then your deemed authorisation will cease when the period for a reference to the Tribunal has elapsed without a reference being made or, if the matter is referred, at such time as the Tribunal may direct.

If, by 1 July 2011, you do not tell us what type of electronic money institution you wish to be, or you notify us that you do not wish to be an electronic money institution, your deemed authorisation will cease on 30 October 2011 or, if your Part IV permission is cancelled before that date, on the cancellation of that permission.

Q31. We are currently a small e-money issuer. Do we need to have applied for authorisation under the regulations prior to 30 April 2011?

No, under regulation 76, provided:

•you are a small e-money issuer; and•before the 30 April 2011 you carried on the activity of issuing electronic money in accordance with your certificate;

you may continue until 30 April 2012 to carry on that activity without requiring authorisation or registration under the regulations.

However, Part 5 and 6 of the regulations will apply to you as will Articles 9C to 9I and 9K of the Regulated Activities Order.

Export chapter as

Legal Instruments that change this Chapter Guidance on the scope of the Electronic Money Regulations 2011

PERG 4

Guidance on regulated activities connected with mortgages

PERG 4.1

Application and purpose

01/07/2005

Application

PERG 4.1.1

This chapter applies to any person who needs to know whether the activities he conducts in relation to mortgages are subject to FSA regulation.

01/07/2005

Purpose of guidance

PERG 4.1.2

With effect from 31 October 2004 certain activities relating to mortgages have been regulated by the FSA. The purpose of this guidance is to help persons decide whether they need authorisation and, if they do, to determine the scope of the Part IV permission for which they will need to apply.

01/07/2005

Effect of guidance

PERG 4.1.3

This guidance is issued under section 157 of Act (Guidance). It is designed to throw light on particular aspects of regulatory requirements, not to be an exhaustive description of a person's obligations. If a person acts in line with the guidance in the circumstances contemplated by it, then the FSA will proceed on the footing that the person has complied with aspects of the requirement to which the guidance relates.

01/07/2005

PERG 4.1.4

Rights conferred on third parties cannot be affected by guidance given by the FSA . This guidance represents the FSA's view, and does not bind the courts, for example, in relation to an action for damages brought by a private person for breach of a rule (see section 150 of the Act (Action for damages)), or in relation to the enforceability of a contract where there has been a breach of the general prohibition on carrying on a regulated activity in the United Kingdom without authorisation (see sections 26 to 29 of the Act (Enforceability of agreements)). A person may need to seek his own legal advice.

01/07/2005

PERG 4.1.5

Anyone reading this guidance should refer to the Act and to the various Orders that are referred to in this guidance. These should be used to find out the precise scope and effect of any particular provision referred to in this guidance.

01/07/2005

Guidance on other activities

PERG 4.1.6

A person may be intending to carry on activities related to other forms of investment in connection with mortgages, such as advising on and arranging an endowment policy or ISA to repay an interest-only mortgage. Such a person should also consult the guidance in PERG 2 (Authorisation and regulated activities), PERG 5 (Guidance on insurance mediation activities) and PERG 8 (Financial promotion and related activities). In addition, PERG 14 (Guidance on home reversion, home purchase and regulated sale and rent back agreement activities) has guidance on regulated activities relating to home reversion plans, home purchase plans and regulated sale and rent back agreements.

30/06/2010
Past version of PERG 4.1.6 before 30/06/2010

PERG 4.2

Introduction

01/07/2005

Requirement for authorisation or exemption

PERG 4.2.1

In most cases, any person who carries on a regulated activity in the United Kingdom by way of business must either be an authorised person or an exempt person. Otherwise, the person commits a criminal offence and certain agreements may be unenforceable. PERG 2.2 (Introduction) contains further guidance on these consequences.

06/10/2007
Past version of PERG 4.2.1 before 06/10/2007

Professional firms

PERG 4.2.2

Certain professional firms are allowed to carry on some regulated activities without authorisation so long as they comply with specified conditions (see PERG 4.14 (Mortgage activities carried on by professional firms)).

01/07/2005

Questions to be considered to decide if authorisation is required

PERG 4.2.3

A person who is concerned to know whether his proposed activities may require authorisation will need to consider the following questions (these questions are a summary of the issues to be considered and have been reproduced, in slightly fuller form, in the flowchart in PERG 4.18):

(1) will I be carrying on my activities by way of business (see PERG 4.3.3 G (The business test))?

(2) if so, will my activities relate to regulated mortgage contracts (see PERG 4.4 (What is a regulated mortgage contract?))?

(3) if so, will I be carrying on any of the regulated mortgage activities (see PERG 4.5 (Arranging regulated mortgage contracts) to PERG 4.9 (Agreeing to carry on a regulated activity))?

(4) if so, there is the necessary link with the United Kingdom (see PERG 4.11 (Link between activities and the United Kingdom))?

(5) if so, will any or all of my activities be excluded (see PERG 4.5 (Arranging regulated mortgage contracts) to PERG 4.10 (Exclusions applying to more than one regulated activity))?

(6) if it is not the case that all of my activities are excluded, am I a professional firm whose activities are exempted under Part XX of the Act (see PERG 4.14 (Mortgage activities carried on by professional firms))?

(7) if not, am I exempt as an appointed representative (see PERG 4.12 (Appointed representatives))?

(8) if not, am I otherwise an exempt person (see PERG 4.13 (Other exemptions))?

If a person gets as far as question (8) and the answer to that question is 'no', that person requires authorisation and should refer to the FSA website "How do I get authorised": http://www.fsa.gov.uk/Pages/Doing/how/index.shtml for details of the application process.

06/10/2007
Past version of PERG 4.2.3 before 06/10/2007

PERG 4.2.4

Even if the person does not require authorisation, he may still require a licence under the Consumer Credit Act 1974 to carry on the activity (see PERG 4.17 (Interaction with the Consumer Credit Act 1974)).

01/07/2005

Financial promotion

PERG 4.2.5

An unauthorised person who intends to carry on activities connected with mortgages will also need to comply with section 21 of the Act (Restrictions on financial pr

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PERG The Perimeter Guidance Manual

Used in

Export part as

Introduction to the Perimeter Guidance manual

Application and purpose

Application

Purpose

Introduction

Status of guidance

General guidance to be found in PERG

What other guidance about the perimeter is available from the FSA?

Authorisation and regulated activities

Application and purpose

Application

Purpose

Introduction

The business element

Link between activities and the United Kingdom

Investments and activities: general

Modification of certain exclusions as a result of MiFIDand theInsurance Mediation Directives

Investment services and activities

Insurance mediation or reinsurance mediation

Specified investments: a broad outline

Deposits

Electronic money

Rights under a contract of insurance

Shares etc

Debt instruments

Alternative finance investment bonds

Warrants

Certificates representing securities

Units

Rights under a pension scheme

Options

Futures

See article 84(1A)-(1D) of the Regulated Activities Order

Contracts for differences

Lloyd's investments

Rights under a funeral plan

Rights under a regulated mortgage contract

Rights under a home reversion plan

Rights under a home purchase plan

Rights under a regulated sale and rent back agreement

Activities: a broad outline

Accepting deposits

Issuing electronic money

Effecting or carrying out contracts of insurance as principal

Dealing in investments (as principal or agent)

Arranging deals in investments and arranging a home finance transaction

Operating a multilateral trading facility

Managing investments

Assisting in the administration and performance of a contract of insurance

Safeguarding and administering investments

Sending dematerialised instructions

Establishing etc collective investment schemes

Establishing etc pension schemes

Providing basic advice on stakeholder products

Advising on investments

Advising on regulated mortgage contracts

Advising on home reversion plans

Advising on a home purchase plan

Advising on regulated sale and rent back agreements

Lloyd's activities

Entering funeral plan contracts

Entering into and administering a regulated mortgage contract

Entering into and administering a home reversion plan

Entering into and administering a home purchase plan

Entering into and administering a regulated sale and rent back agreement

Dormant account funds

Agreeing

Exclusions applicable to particular regulated activities

Accepting deposits

Effecting and carrying out contracts of insurance

Dealing in investments as principal

Dealing in investments as agent

Arranging deals in investments and arranging a home finance transaction

Managing investments

Assisting in the administration and performance of a contract of insurance

Safeguarding and administering investments

Guidance on the scope of the Electronic
Money Regulations 2011