On 9th August 2022 we wrote regarding the changes coming to the Appointed Representative Regime specifically outlining the new rules for Principal firms, the two main areas of change and the outcome the FCA are looking for. The new rules will take effect on 8 December 2022.
One of the two mains areas of change as detailed in the policy statement PS22/11 is the collecting of additional information on ARs and strengthening requirements for Principal firms. A summary of the final rules and notification requirements can be found in section 2.81 of the policy statement.
As part of improved reporting requirements, the FCA will be sending Principal firms a Section 165 data request in December.
Firms will have 60 days to respond and provide the following information about its ARs:
- reasons for any appointments
- nature of regulated business
- whether they conduct any unregulated business
- anticipated revenue
- nature of financial arrangements between principal and AR
- complaints information and whether the AR is part of a group.
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 […]