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Financial Services and Markets Act 2000

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[F1PART 1U.K.General

Textual Amendments

F1Schs. 1ZA, 1ZB substituted for Sch. 1 (24.1.2013 for specified purposes, 19.2.2013 for specified purposes, 1.4.2013 in so far as not already in force) by Financial Services Act 2012 (c. 21), s. 122(3), Sch. 3 (with Sch. 20); S.I. 2013/113, art. 2(1)(b)(c)(2), Sch. Pts. 2, 3, 4; S.I. 2013/423, art. 3, Sch.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

InterpretationU.K.

1U.K.In this Schedule—

  • the Bank” means the Bank of England;

  • functions”, in relation to the FCA, means functions conferred on the FCA by or under any provision of this Act (see section 1A(6) which affects the meaning of references to such functions).

ConstitutionU.K.

2(1)The constitution of the FCA must provide for the FCA to have a governing body.U.K.

(2)The governing body must consist of—

(a)a chair appointed by the Treasury,

(b)a chief executive appointed by the Treasury,

(c)the Bank's Deputy Governor for prudential regulation,

[F2(ca)the Chair of the Payment Systems Regulator,]

(d)2 members appointed jointly by the Secretary of State and the Treasury, and

(e)at least one other member appointed by the Treasury.

(3)The members referred to in sub-paragraph (2)(a), (c) [F3, (ca)] and (d) are to be non-executive members.

(4)In exercising its powers under sub-paragraph (2)(e) to appoint executive or non-executive members, the Treasury must secure that the majority of members of the governing body are non-executive members.

(5)An employee of the FCA may not be appointed as a non-executive member.

(6)In the following provisions of this Schedule an “appointed member” means a member of the governing body appointed under sub-paragraph (2)(a), (b), (d) or (e).

[F42A(1)The term of office of a person appointed as chief executive under paragraph 2(2)(b) must not begin before—U.K.

(a)the person has, in connection with the appointment, appeared before the Treasury Committee of the House of Commons, or

(b)(if earlier) the end of the period of 3 months beginning with the day on which the appointment is made.

[F5(1A)Appointment as chief executive under paragraph 2(2)(b) is to be for a period of 5 years.]

(2)[F6Sub-paragraphs (1) and (1A) do] not apply if the person is appointed as chief executive on an acting basis, pending a further appointment being made.

(3)The reference to the Treasury Committee of the House of Commons—

(a)if the name of that Committee is changed, is a reference to that Committee by its new name, and

(b)if the functions of that Committee (or substantially corresponding functions) become functions of a different Committee of the House of Commons, is to be treated as a reference to the Committee by which the functions are exercisable.

(4)Any question arising under sub-paragraph (3) is to be determined by the Speaker of the House of Commons.]

[F72B(1)A person may not be appointed as chief executive under paragraph 2(2)(b) more than twice.U.K.

(2)For this purpose an appointment as chief executive on an acting basis, pending a further appointment being made, is to be ignored.]

3(1)The terms of service of the appointed members are to be determined by the Treasury.U.K.

(2)In the case of a member appointed under paragraph 2(2)(d), the Treasury must consult the Secretary of State about the terms of service.

(3)Before appointing a person as an appointed member, the Treasury (or as the case requires the Treasury and the Secretary of State) must consider whether the person has any financial or other interests that could have a material effect on the extent of the functions as member that it would be proper for the person to discharge.

(4)The terms of service of an appointed member (“M”) must be such as—

(a)to secure that M is not subject to direction by the Treasury or the Secretary of State,

(b)to require M not to act in accordance with the directions of any other person, and

(c)to prohibit M from acquiring any financial or other interests that have a material effect on the extent of the functions as member that it would be proper for M to discharge.

(5)If an appointed member is an employee of the FCA, the member's interest as employee is to be disregarded for the purposes of sub-paragraphs (3) and (4)(c) and paragraph 4(1)(b).

(6)A person who is an employee of the PRA [F8or of the Payment Systems Regulator] is disqualified for appointment as an appointed member.

(7)The FCA may pay expenses to [F9a person holding an office mentioned in paragraph 2(2)(c) or (ca)] in respect of that person's service as a member.

4(1)The Treasury may remove an appointed member from office—U.K.

(a)on the grounds of incapacity or serious misconduct, or

(b)on the grounds that in all the circumstances the member's financial or other interests are such as to have a material effect on the extent of the functions as member that it would be proper for the person to discharge.

(2)Before removing from office a member appointed under paragraph 2(2)(d), the Treasury must consult the Secretary of State.

5U.K.The validity of any act of the FCA is not affected—

(a)by any vacancy in any of the offices mentioned in paragraph 2(2)(a), (b) [F10, (c) or (ca)], or

(b)by a defect in the appointment of a person—

(i)to any of those offices, or

(ii)as an appointed member.

Textual Amendments

6U.K.The Bank's Deputy Governor for prudential regulation must not take part in any discussion by or decision of the FCA which relates to—

(a)the exercise of the FCA's functions in relation to a particular person, or

(b)a decision not to exercise those functions.

[F116A(1)The Chair of the Payment Systems Regulator must not take part in any discussion by or decision of the FCA which relates to—U.K.

(a)the exercise of the FCA’s functions in relation to a particular person, or

(b)a decision not to exercise those functions.

(2)Sub-paragraph (1) does not apply at any time when the person who is the Chair of the Payment Systems Regulator also holds the office mentioned in paragraph 2(2)(a).]

RemunerationU.K.

7U.K.The FCA must pay to the appointed members such remuneration as may be determined—

(a)in the case of the non-executive members, by the Treasury;

(b)in the case of the executive members, by the FCA.

Arrangements for discharging functionsU.K.

8(1)The FCA may make arrangements for any of its functions to be discharged by a committee, sub-committee, officer or member of staff of the FCA, but subject to the following provisions.U.K.

(2)In exercising its legislative functions, the FCA must act through its governing body.

(3)For that purpose, the following are the FCA's legislative functions—

(a)making rules [F12under this Act or under [F13assimilated direct] legislation];

F14(b). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(c)issuing statements under—

(i)section [F1563ZD,] 63C, F16... 69, 88C, 89S, 93, 124, 131J, 138N, [F17142V,] 192H, 192N, 210 [F18or 312J],

(ii)section 345D (whether as a result of section 345(2) [F19, section 249(1) or 261K(1)]), or

(iii)section 80 of the Financial Services Act 2012;

(d)giving directions under section 316, 318 or 328.

F20(e). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F21(f)making technical standards in accordance with Chapter 2A of Part 9A;

(g)making EU Exit instruments under the Financial Regulators’ Powers (Technical Standards) (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2018.]

[F22(3A)In exercising its functions under sections 9(2) and 10 of the Financial Guidance and Claims Act 2018 (approving and reviewing standards set by [F23Money and Pensions Service]), the FCA must act through its governing body.]

(4)The function of issuing general guidance (as defined in section 139B(5) F24...) may not be discharged by an officer or member of staff of the FCA.

[F25(5)In respect of the exercise of a function under Part 1 of the Competition Act 1998, the power in sub-paragraph (1) is subject to provision in rules made under section 51 of that Act by virtue of paragraph 1A of Schedule 9 to that Act.]

Textual Amendments

F16Word in Sch. 1ZA para. 8(3)(c)(i) omitted (7.3.2016) by virtue of Financial Services (Banking Reform) Act 2013 (c. 33), s. 148(5), Sch. 3 para. 16(b)(ii); S.I. 2015/490, art. 2(1)(b) (with savings and transitional provisions in S.I. 2015/492 (as amended by S.I. 2015/1660))

F17Word in Sch. 1ZA para. 8(3)(c)(i) inserted (1.1.2019) by Financial Services (Banking Reform) Act 2013 (c. 33), ss. 4(6), 148(5); S.I. 2018/1306, art. 2(d)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C4Sch. 1ZA para. 8(2) modified (26.7.2013 for specified purposes, 1.4.2014 in so far as not already in force) by The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Regulated Activities) (Amendment) (No. 2) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/1881), arts. 1(2)(6), 64(6)

C5Sch. 1ZA para. 8(2) modified (E.W.S.) (29.11.2018 for specified purposes, 1.4.2019 in so far as not already in force) by The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Claims Management Activity) Order 2018 (S.I. 2018/1253), arts. 1(2)(3), 85(8)

RecordsU.K.

9U.K.The FCA must maintain satisfactory arrangements for—

(a)recording decisions made in the exercise of its functions, and

(b)the safe-keeping of those records which it considers ought to be preserved.

Publication of record of meetings of governing bodyU.K.

10(1)The FCA must publish a record of each meeting of its governing body—U.K.

(a)before the end of the period of 6 weeks beginning with the day of the meeting, or

(b)if no meeting of the governing body is subsequently held during that period, before the end of the period of 2 weeks beginning with the day of the next meeting.

(2)The record must specify any decision taken at the meeting (including decisions to take no action) and must set out, in relation to each decision, a summary of the deliberations of the governing body.

(3)Sub-paragraphs (1) and (2) do not require the publication of information whose publication within the time required by sub-paragraph (1) would in the opinion of the governing body be against the public interest.

(4)Publication under this section is to be in such manner as the FCA thinks fit.

Annual reportU.K.

11(1)At least once a year the FCA must make a report to the Treasury on—U.K.

(a)the discharge of its functions,

(b)the extent to which, in its opinion, its operational objectives have been advanced,

(c)the extent to which, in its opinion, it has acted compatibly with its strategic objective,

(d)how, in its opinion, it has complied with the duty in section 1B(4),

[F26(da)how, in its opinion, it has complied with the duty in section 1B(4A),]

(e)its consideration of the matter mentioned in section 1B(5)(b),

(f)its consideration of the principles in section 3B,

(g)how it has complied with section 3D,

(h)any direction received under section 3I or 3J during the period to which the report relates,

[F27(ha)any rules that it has made as a result of section 137C during the period to which the report relates and the kinds of regulated credit agreement (within the meaning of that section) to which the rules apply,]

F28(hb). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F29(hc)how it has satisfied the requirement in section 138EA(2) so far as regarding disclosure requirements in connection with matters relating to sustainability],

(i)how it has complied with section 354A(1) so far as relating to co-operation with persons outside the United Kingdom, F30...

[F31(ia)how, in its opinion, it has complied with its duties under sections 9(2) and 10 of the Financial Guidance and Claims Act 2018, F32...]

[F33(ib)how it has satisfied the requirement in section 416B to have regard to any SDR policy statement of the Treasury published and not withdrawn under section 416A (sustainability disclosure requirements: policy statement)],

[F34(ib)any engagement with the statutory panels of the FCA, the PRA or the Payment Systems Regulator,

(ic)how it has complied with the statement of policy on panel appointments prepared under section 1RA in relation to the process for making appointments and the matters considered in determining who is appointed, and]

(j)such other matters as the Treasury may from time to time direct.

(2)Sub-paragraph (1) does not require the inclusion in the report of any information whose publication would in the opinion of the FCA be against the public interest.

(3)The report must be accompanied by—

(a)a statement of the remuneration of the appointed members of the governing body of the FCA during the period to which the report relates, and

(b)such other reports or information, prepared by such persons, as the Treasury may from time to time direct.

(4)The Treasury must lay before Parliament a copy of each report received by them under this paragraph.

[F35(5)In this paragraph “statutory panel” has the meaning given in section 1RB(5).]

Textual Amendments

F27Sch. 1ZA para. 11(1)(ha) inserted (18.2.2014) by Financial Services (Banking Reform) Act 2013 (c. 33), ss. 131(2), 148(2)

F30Word in Sch. 1ZA para. 11(1)(i) omitted (1.10.2018) by virtue of Financial Guidance and Claims Act 2018 (c. 10), s. 37(5), Sch. 3 para. 21(3)(b); S.I. 2018/1029, reg. 2(q) (with Sch. para. 2)

[F36Other reportsU.K.

11A(1)The Treasury may (subject to this paragraph) at any time by direction require the FCA to publish a report containing information about—U.K.

(a)any of the matters mentioned in paragraphs (a) to (ia) of paragraph 11(1);

(b)such other matters that the direction may specify.

(2)The Treasury may give a direction under this paragraph requiring information to be published only if the Treasury consider that—

(a)the information is reasonably necessary for the purpose of reviewing and scrutinising the discharge of the FCA’s functions, and

(b)other available information is not sufficient to meet that purpose.

(3)Subject to sub-paragraph (4), the FCA must publish a report prepared under a direction given under this paragraph in such manner, and within such period, as the direction may require.

(4)Nothing in this paragraph requires the inclusion in the report of any information whose publication would be against the public interest.

(5)A direction under this paragraph may not—

(a)require a report to be published more than once in each quarter;

(b)require the publication of information that is confidential information for the purposes of Part 23 (see section 348(2)).

(6)The Treasury must consult the FCA before giving a direction under this paragraph.

(7)In exercising the power under this paragraph, the Treasury must have regard to the desirability of minimising any adverse effect that the preparation of the report required in accordance with the direction may have on the exercise by the FCA of any of its other functions.

(8)The Treasury must—

(a)lay before Parliament a copy of a direction given under this paragraph, and

(b)publish the direction in such manner as the Treasury think fit.

(9)A direction under this paragraph may be varied or revoked by the giving of a further direction.]

Annual public meetingU.K.

12(1)Not later than 3 months after making a report under paragraph 11, the FCA must hold a public meeting (“the annual meeting”) for the purposes of enabling that report to be considered.U.K.

(2)The FCA must organise the annual meeting so as to allow—

(a)a general discussion of the contents of the report which is being considered, and

(b)a reasonable opportunity for those attending the meeting to put questions to the FCA about the way in which it discharged, or failed to discharge, its functions during the period to which the report relates.

(3)But otherwise the annual meeting is to be organised and conducted in such a way as the FCA considers appropriate.

(4)The FCA must give reasonable notice of its annual meeting.

(5)That notice must—

(a)give details of the time and place at which the meeting is to be held,

(b)set out the proposed agenda for the meeting,

(c)indicate the proposed duration of the meeting,

(d)give details of the FCA's arrangements for enabling persons to attend, and

(e)be published by the FCA in the way appearing to it to be best calculated to bring the notice to the attention of the public.

(6)If the FCA proposes to alter any of the arrangements which have been included in the notice given under sub-paragraph (5), it must—

(a)give reasonable notice of the alteration, and

(b)publish that notice in the way appearing to the FCA to be best calculated to bring it to the attention of the public.

Report of annual meetingU.K.

13U.K.Not later than one month after its annual meeting, the FCA must publish a report of the proceedings of the meeting.

Accounts and auditU.K.

14(1)The Treasury may—U.K.

(a)require the FCA to comply with any provisions of the Companies Act 2006 about accounts and their audit which would not otherwise apply to it, or

(b)direct that any provision of that Act about accounts and their audit is to apply to the FCA with such modifications as are specified in the direction, whether or not the provision would otherwise apply to the FCA.

(2)Compliance with any requirement under sub-paragraph (1)(a) or (b) is enforceable by injunction or, in Scotland, an order for specific performance under section 45 of the Court of Session Act 1988.

(3)Proceedings under sub-paragraph (2) may be brought only by the Treasury.

15(1)The FCA must send a copy of its annual accounts to the Comptroller and Auditor General as soon as is reasonably practicable.U.K.

(2)The Comptroller and Auditor General must—

(a)examine, certify and report on accounts received under this paragraph, and

(b)send a copy of the certified accounts and the report to the Treasury.

(3)The Treasury must lay the copy of the certified accounts and the report before Parliament.

(4)Except as provided by paragraph 14(1), the FCA is exempt from the requirements of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006 (audit), and its balance sheet must contain a statement to that effect.

(5)In this paragraph “annual accounts” has the meaning given in section 471 of the Companies Act 2006.]

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