972.This section sets out the way in which an application for accreditation as a CDFI is to be made and the basis on which it is to be admitted. It is based on paragraph 4 of Schedule 16 to FA 2002.
973.Subsection (2)(b) contains powers for the Treasury to make regulations. Under the powers in paragraphs 4 and 5 of Schedule 16 to FA 2002, the Treasury have made the Community Investment Tax Relief (Accreditation of Community Development Finance Institutions) Regulations 2003 (SI 2003/96).
974.Regulations may make different provision for bodies whose principal objective in providing finance is to invest in enterprises whose business does not consist of financing other enterprises or does so only to the extent permitted by the regulations. If such a body is accredited, it is designated as a retail community development finance institution (a “retail CDFI”). See subsections (6)(b) to (8).
975.The distinction between a retail CDFI and an accredited CDFI which is not a retail CDFI (a “wholesale CDFI”) is relevant to the limits on the total value of investments which a CDFI can make for an accreditation period and which are set out in section 348(4). SI 2003/96 provides different limits on the value of investments which a retail CDFI and a wholesale CDFI may make in any enterprise.