The FCA is urging firms not already registered on Connect to do so. They are emailing, calling and writing to firms that are not currently Connect users to encourage them to sign up before the new requirement comes into force in January 2020.
From January 2020, firms will be required to submit their mandatory annual update via Connect. This will include updating and confirming the accuracy of the firm’s details annually (even if there is no change), in line with the firm’s Accounting Reference Date (ARD).
The mandatory update form is within Applications and is available through a new menu choice, ‘Update or Attest your firm’s details’. The form is in the same format as all other applications in Connect.
Firms that are not already registered will find this link helpful.
More information about this new requirement is available here.
The firm’s ARD will determine when the information is required.
Abridged advice – how is it going so far?
Alistair MacDougall Compliance 2015, 2018, 2020, 2021, abridged, Drawdown, FCA, Pension, Pension Transfer, PI, transfer
Based on data and live visits to firms during the period from April 2015 to rule changes in 2018 and 2020, the FCA believed that far too high a proportion of clients were being recommended to transfer safeguarded benefits. This was predicated on the longstanding rule which stated: “… a firm should start by assuming […]