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SUP 15.3 General notification requirements

Matters having a serious regulatory impact

SUP 15.3.1RRP

A firm must notify the FSA immediately it becomes aware, or has information which reasonably suggests, that any of the following has occurred, may have occurred or may occur in the foreseeable future:

  1. (1)

    the firm failing to satisfy one or more of the threshold conditions; or

  2. (2)

    any matter which could have a significant adverse impact on the firm's reputation; or

  3. (3)

    any matter which could affect the firm's ability to continue to provide adequate services to its customers and which could result in serious detriment to a customer of the firm; or

  4. (4)

    any matter in respect of the firm which could result in serious financial consequences to the financial system or to other firms.

SUP 15.3.2GRP

The circumstances which may give rise to any of the events in SUP 15.3.1 R are wide-ranging and the probability of any matter resulting in such an outcome, and the severity of the outcome, may be difficult to determine. However, the FSA expects firms to consider properly all potential consequences of events.

SUP 15.3.3GRP

In determining whether an event that may occur in the foreseeable future should be notified to the FSA, a firm should consider both the probability of the event happening and the severity of the outcome should it happen.

SUP 15.3.4GRP

Guidance on satisfaction of the threshold conditions is given in COND.

SUP 15.3.5GRP

A firm making a notification in accordance with SUP 15.3.1 R should consider the guidance in SUP 15.7.2 G and notify the FSA by telephone if appropriate.

SUP 15.3.6G

An insurer or friendly society making a notification under SUP 15.3.1 R (1) relating to satisfaction of threshold condition 4 (Adequate resources) should be aware of the requirements in SUP App 2 (Scheme of operations).

Communication with the FSA in accordance with Principle 11

SUP 15.3.7GRP

Principle 11 requires a firm to deal with its regulators in an open and cooperative way and to disclose to the FSAappropriately anything relating to the firm of which the FSA would reasonably expect notice. Principle 11 applies to unregulated activities as well as regulated activities and takes into account the activities of other members of a group

SUP 15.3.8GRP

Compliance with Principle 11 includes, but is not limited to, giving the FSA notice of:

  1. (1)

    any proposed restructuring, reorganisation or business expansion which could have a significant impact on the firm's risk profile or resources, including, but not limited to:

    1. (a)

      setting up a new undertaking within a firm's group, or a new branch (whether in the United Kingdom or overseas); or

    2. (b)

      commencing the provision of cross border services into a new territory; or

    3. (c)

      commencing the provision of a new type of product or service (whether in the United Kingdom or overseas); or

    4. (d)

      ceasing to undertake a regulated activity or ancillary activity, or significantly reducing the scope of such activities; or

    5. (e)

      entering into, or significantly changing, a material outsourcing arrangement (a bank should also see IPRU(BANK) OS 4.2,1 a building society should also see IPRU(BSOC) 111 OS 4.2, and an insurer should also see SYSC 3A.91 for further details); orSYSC 13.9 for further details); or

      11
    6. (f)

      a substantial change or a series of changes in the governing body of an overseas firm (other than an incoming firm); or

    7. (g)

      any change to the firm's prudential category or sub-category, as used in the Interim Prudential sourcebooks and SUP and on which guidance is given in SUP App 1;

  2. (2)

    any significant failure in the firm's systems or controls, including

    those reported to the firm by the firm's auditor;

  3. (3)

    any action which a firm proposes to take which would result in a material change in its capital adequacy or solvency, including, but not limited to:

    1. (a)

      any action which would result in a material change in the firm's financial resources or financial resources requirement; or

    2. (b)

      a material change resulting from the payment of a special or unusual dividend or the repayment of share capital or a subordinated loan; or

    3. (c)

      for firms which are subject to the rules on consolidated financial supervision, any proposal under which another group company may be considering such an action; or

    4. (d)

      significant trading or non-trading losses (whether recognised or unrecognised).

SUP 15.3.9GRP

The period of notice given to the FSA will depend on the event, although the FSA expects a firm to discuss relevant matters with it at an early stage, before making any internal or external commitments.

SUP 15.3.10GRP

A notification under Principle 11 may be given orally or in writing (as set out in SUP 15.7.1 R and SUP 15.7.2 G), although the FSA may request written confirmation of a matter. However, it is the responsibility of a firm to ensure that matters are properly and clearly communicated to the FSA. A firm should provide a written notification if a matter either is complex or may be such as to make it necessary for the FSA to take action. A firm should also have regard to Principle 11 and the guidance in SUP 15.7.2 G in respect of providing important information promptly.

Breaches of rules and other requirements in or under the Act

SUP 15.3.11RRP
  1. (1)

    A firm must notify the FSA of:

    1. (a)

      a significant breach of a rule (which includes a Principle, or a Statement of Principle ; or

    2. (b)

      a breach of any requirement imposed by the Act or by regulations or an order made under the Act by the Treasury (except if the breach is an offence, in which case (c) applies); or

    3. (c)

      the bringing of a prosecution for, or a conviction of, any offence under the Act;

    by (or as regards (c) against) the firm or any of its directors, officers, employees, approved persons, or appointed representativesor, where applicable, tied agents.

  2. (2)

    A firm must make the notification in (1) immediately it becomes aware, or has information which reasonably suggests, that any of the matters in (1) has occurred, may have occurred or may occur in the foreseeable future.

SUP 15.3.12GRP

In SUP 15.3.11 R(1)(a), significance should be determined having regard to potential financial losses to customers or to the firm, frequency of the breach, implications for the firm's systems and controls and if there were delays in identifying or rectifying the breach.

SUP 15.3.13GRP

In assessing whether an event that may occur in the foreseeable future should be notified to the FSA, a firm should consider the guidance in SUP 15.3.3 G.

SUP 15.3.14GRP

A notification under SUP 15.3.11 R should include:

  1. (1)

    information about any circumstances relevant to the breach or offence;

  2. (2)

    identification of the rule or requirement or offence; and

  3. (3)

    information about any steps which a firm or other person has taken or intends to take to rectify or remedy the breach or prevent any future potential occurrence.

Civil, criminal or disciplinary proceedings against a firm

SUP 15.3.15RRP

A firm must notify the FSA immediately if:

  1. (1)

    civil proceedings are brought against the firm and the amount of the claim is significant in relation to the firm's financial resources or its reputation; or

  2. (2)

    any action is brought against the firm under section 71 of the Act (Actions for damages) or section 150 (Actions for damages); or

  3. (3)

    disciplinary measures or sanctions have been imposed on the firm by any statutory or regulatory authority, professional organisation or trade body (other than the FSA) or the firm becomes aware that one of those bodies has started an investigation into its affairs; or

  4. (4)

    the firm is prosecuted for, or convicted of, any offence involving fraud or dishonesty, or any penalties are imposed on it for tax evasion; or

  5. (5)

    it is an OPS firm, which is a trustee, and is removed as trustee by a court order.

SUP 15.3.16GRP

A notification under SUP 15.3.15 R should include details of the matter and an estimate of the likely financial consequences, if any.

Fraud, errors and other irregularities

SUP 15.3.17RRP

A firm must notify the FSA immediately if one of the following events arises and the event is significant:

  1. (1)

    it becomes aware that an employee may have committed a fraud against one of its customers; or

  2. (2)

    it becomes aware that a person, whether or not employed by it, may have committed a fraud against it; or

  3. (3)

    it considers that any person, whether or not employed by it, is acting with intent to commit a fraud against it; or

  4. (4)

    it identifies irregularities in its accounting or other records, whether or not there is evidence of fraud; or

  5. (5)

    it suspects that one of its employees may be guilty of serious misconduct concerning his honesty or integrity and which is connected with the firm's regulated activities or ancillary activities.

SUP 15.3.18GRP

In determining whether a matter is significant, a firm should have regard to:

  1. (1)

    the size of any monetary loss or potential monetary loss to itself or its customers (either in terms of a single incident or group of similar or related incidents);

  2. (2)

    the risk of reputational loss to the firm; and

  3. (3)

    whether the incident or a pattern of incidents reflects weaknesses in the firm's internal controls.

SUP 15.3.19GRP

The notifications under SUP 15.3.17 R are required as the FSA needs to be aware of the types of fraudulent and irregular activity which are being attempted or undertaken, and to act, if necessary, to prevent effects on consumers or other firms. A notification under SUP 15.7.3 G should provide all relevant and significant details of the incident or suspected incident of which the firm is aware.

SUP 15.3.20GRP

In addition, the firm may have suffered significant financial losses as a result of the incident, or may suffer reputational loss, and the FSA will wish to consider this and whether the incident suggests weaknesses in the firm's internal controls.

Insolvency, bankruptcy and winding up

SUP 15.3.21RRP

A firm must notify the FSA immediately of any of the following events:

  1. (1)

    the calling of a meeting to consider a resolution for winding up the firm; or

  2. (2)

    an application to dissolve the firm or to strike it off the Register of Companies; or

  3. (3)

    the presentation of a petition for the winding up of the firm; or

  4. (4)

    the making of, or any proposals for the making of, a composition or arrangement with any one or more of its creditors; or

  5. (5)

    an application for the appointment of an administrator or trustee in bankruptcy to the firm; or

  6. (6)

    the appointment of a receiver to the firm (whether an administrative receiver or a receiver appointed over particular property); or

  7. (7)

    an application for an interim order against the firm under section 252 of the Insolvency Act 1986 (or, in Northern Ireland, section 227 of the Insolvency (Northern Ireland) Order 1989); or

  8. (8)

    if the firm is a sole trader:

    1. (a)

      an application for a sequestration order on the firm; or

    2. (b)

      the presentation of a petition for bankruptcy; or

  9. (9)

    anything equivalent to (1) to (8) above occurring in respect of the firm in a jurisdiction outside the United Kingdom.