Reporting information to clients

Part

COBS Conduct of Business Sourcebook

Chapter

Reporting information to clients

Printed on: 06/11/2024

Rulebook at: 31/12/2010

COBS 16

Reporting information to clients

COBS 16.1

General client reporting requirement

01/11/2007

COBS 16.1.1

A firm must ensure in relation to MiFID or equivalent third country business that a client receives adequate reports on the services provided to it by the firm. The reports must include, where applicable, the costs associated with the transactions and services undertaken by the firm on behalf of the client.

[Note: article 19(8) of MiFID]

01/11/2007

COBS 16.2

Occasional reporting

01/11/2007

Execution of orders other than when managing investments

COBS 16.2.1

(1) If a firm has carried out an order in the course of its designated investment business on behalf of a client, it must:

(a) promptly provide the client, in a durable medium, with the essential information concerning the execution of the order;
(b) in the case of a retail client, send the client a notice in a durable medium confirming the execution of the order and such of the trade confirmation information (COBS 16 Annex 1R) as is applicable:

(i) as soon as possible and no later than the first business day following that execution; or
(ii) if the confirmation is received by the firm from a third party, no later than the first business day following receipt of the confirmation from the third party; and

(2) Paragraph (1) does not apply to a firm managing investments.
(3) Paragraph (1)(b) does not apply if the confirmation would contain the same information as a confirmation that is to be promptly dispatched to the client by another person.
(4) Paragraphs (1)(a) and (b) do not apply to an order executed on behalf of a client that relates to a bond funding a mortgage loan agreement with the client. The report on the transaction must be made at the same time as the terms of the mortgage loan are communicated, but no later than one month after the execution of the order.
(5) If a firm carries out an order for a retail client relating to units or shares in a collective investment undertaking that is part of a series of orders that are executed periodically, it must:

(a) comply with paragraph (1)(b) in relation to that order; or
(b) provide the client at least once every six months with such of the trade confirmation information (COBS 16 Annex 1R) as is applicable in relation to each transaction in that series carried out in the relevant reporting period.

[Note: article 40 paragraphs (1) to (4) of the MiFID implementing Directive]

06/02/2009

COBS 16.2.2

The requirement concerning orders relating to bonds funding a mortgage loan agreement is unlikely to be relevant to products in the United Kingdom market.

01/11/2007

COBS 16.2.3

For the purposes of calculating the unit price in the trade confirmation information, where the order is executed in tranches, the firm may supply the client with information about the price of each tranche or the average price. If the average price is provided, the firm must supply the retail client with information about the price of each tranche upon request.

[Note: article 40(4) of the MiFID implementing Directive]

01/11/2007

COBS 16.2.3A

In determining what is essential information, a firm should consider including:

(1) for transactions in a derivative:

(a) the maturity, delivery or expiry date of the derivative;
(b) in the case of an option, a reference to the last exercise date, whether it can be exercised before maturity and the strike price;
(c) if the transaction closes out an open futures position, all essential details required in respect of each contract comprised in the open position and each contract by which it was closed out and the profit or loss to the client arising out of closing out that position (a difference account);

(2) for the exercise of an option:

(a) the date of exercise, and either the time of exercise or that the client will be notified of that time on request;
(b) whether the exercise creates a sale or purchase in the underlying asset; and
(c) the strike price of the option (for a currency option, the rate of exchange will be the same as the strike price) and, if applicable, the total consideration from or to the client; and

(3) the fact that the transaction involves any dividend or capitalisation or other right which has been declared, but which has not been paid, allotted or otherwise become effective in respect of the investment, and under the terms of the transaction the benefit of which will not pass to the purchaser.

01/11/2007

Guidance on the requirements

COBS 16.2.4

Where a firm executes an order in tranches, the firm may, where appropriate, indicate the trading time and the execution venue in a way that is consistent with this, such as, "multiple". In accordance with the client's best interests rule, a firm should provide additional information at the client's request.

01/11/2007

COBS 16.2.5

In accordance with COBS 2.4.9 R, a firm may dispatch a confirmation to an agent, other than the firm or an associate of the firm, nominated by the client in writing.

01/11/2007

Special cases

COBS 16.2.6

In relation to business that is not MiFID or equivalent third country business, a firm need not despatch a confirmation if:

(1) the firm has agreed with the client (in the case of a retail client, in writing and with the client's informed consent) that confirmations need not be supplied, either generally or in specified circumstances; or
(2) the designated investment is a life policy, stakeholder pension scheme or a personal pension scheme (other than a SIPP); or
(3) the designated investment is held within a CTF and the annual statement provided under the CTF Regulations includes the information that would have been contained in a confirmation under this section (other than information that has since become irrelevant).

06/07/2010

Record keeping: occasional reporting

COBS 16.2.7

A firm must retain a copy of any confirmation despatched to a client under this section:

(1) for MiFID or equivalent third country business, for a period of at least five years; or
(2) for business that is not MiFID or equivalent third country business, for a period of at least three years;

from the date of despatch.

[Note: see article 51(3) of the MiFID implementing Directive]

01/11/2007

COBS 16.3

Periodic reporting

01/11/2007

Provision by the firm and contents

COBS 16.3.1

(1) If a firm is managing investments on behalf of a client, it must provide the client with a periodic statement in a durable medium unless such a statement is provided by another person.
(2) If the client is a retail client, the periodic statement must include such of the periodic information (COBS 16 Annex 2R) as is applicable.

[Note: article 41(1) and (2) of the MiFID implementing Directive]

06/02/2009

COBS 16.3.2

(1) In the case of a retail client, the periodic statement must be provided once every six months, except in the following cases:

(a) if the retail client so requests, the periodic statement must be provided every three months;
(b) if the retail client elects to receive information about executed transactions on a transaction-by-transaction basis (COBS 16.3.3 R) and there are no transactions in derivatives or other securities giving the right to acquire or sell a transferable security or giving rise to a cash settlement determined by reference to transferable securities, currencies, interest rates or yields, commodities or other indices or measures, the periodic statement must be provided at least once every twelve months;
(c) if the agreement between a firm and a retail client for the managing of investments authorises a leveraged portfolio, the periodic statement must be provided at least once a month.

(2) A firm must inform a retail client that he has the right to request the provision of a periodic statement every three months.

[Note: article 41(3) of the MiFID implementing Directive]

01/11/2007

COBS 16.3.3

(1) If the client elects to receive information about executed transactions on a transaction-by-transaction basis, a firm managing investments must provide promptly to the client, on the execution of a transaction, the essential information concerning that transaction in a durable medium.
(2) If the client is a retail client, the firm must send him a notice confirming the transaction and containing such of the information identified in column (1) of the table in COBS 16 Annex 1R as is applicable:

(a) no later than the first business day following that execution; or
(b) if the confirmation is received by the firm from a third party, no later than the first business day following receipt of the confirmation from the third party;

unless the confirmation would contain the same information as a confirmation that is to be promptly dispatched to the retail client by another person.

[Note: article 41(4) of the MiFID implementing Directive]

01/11/2007

COBS 16.3.4

In accordance with COBS 2.4.9 R, a firm may dispatch a periodic statement to an agent, other than the firm or an associate of the firm, nominated by the client in writing.

01/11/2007

COBS 16.3.5

For the purposes of calculating the unit price in the trade confirmation information or periodic information, where the order is executed in tranches, the firm may supply the client with information about the price of each tranche or the average price. If the average price is provided, the firm must supply the retail client with information about the price of each tranche upon request.

[Note: article 40(4) of the MiFID implementing Directive]

01/11/2007

COBS 16.3.6

(1) If a firm:

(a) manages investments for a retail client; or
(b) operates a retail client account that includes an uncovered open position in a contingent liability transaction,

it must report to the retail client any losses exceeding any predetermined threshold, agreed between it and the retail client.
(2) The firm must report:

(a) no later than the end of the business day in which the threshold is exceeded; or
(b) if the threshold is exceeded on a non-business day, the close of the next business day.

[Note: article 42 of the MiFID implementing Directive]

01/11/2007

COBS 16.3.7

For the purposes of this section, a contingent liability transaction is one that involves any actual or potential liability for the client that exceeds the cost of acquiring the instrument.

[Note: recital 63 of the MiFID implementing Directive]

01/11/2007

COBS 16.3.8

[intentionally blank]

01/11/2007

Guidance on contingent liability transaction

COBS 16.3.9

When providing a periodic statement to a retail client, a firm should consider whether to include:

(1) the collateral value in respect of any contingent liability transaction in the client's portfolio during the relevant period; and
(2) option account valuations in respect of each open option written by the client in the client's portfolio at the end of the relevant period; stating:

(a) the share, future, index or other investment involved;
(b) the trade price and date for the opening transaction, unless the valuation statement follows the statement for the period in which the option was opened;
(c) the market price of the contract; and
(d) the exercise price of the contract.

(3) Option account valuations may show an average trade price and market price in respect of an option series if the retail client buys a number of contracts within the same series.

01/11/2007

Periodic reporting: special situations

COBS 16.3.10

In relation to business that is not MiFID or equivalent third country business, a firm need not provide a periodic statement:

(1) to a client habitually resident outside the United Kingdom if the client concerned has so requested or the firm has taken reasonable steps to establish that he does not wish to receive it;
(2) in respect of a CTF, if the annual statement provided under the CTF Regulations contains the periodic information.

01/11/2007

Record keeping: periodic reporting

COBS 16.3.11

A firm must make, and retain, a copy of any periodic statement:

(1) for MiFID or equivalent third country business, for a period of at least five years; or
(2) for business that is not MiFID or, for a period of at least three years;

from the date of despatch.

[Note: see article 51(3) of the MiFID implementing Directive]

01/11/2007

COBS 16.4

Statements of client designated investments or client money

01/11/2007

COBS 16.4.1

(1) A firm that holds client designated investments or client money for a client must send that client at least once a year a statement in a durable medium of those designated investments or that client money unless such a statement has been provided in a periodic statement.
(2) A credit institution need not send a statement in respect of deposits held by it.
(3) This rule does not apply in relation to a firm holding client designated investments or client money under a personal pension scheme or a stakeholder pension scheme where doing so is not MiFID or equivalent third country business.

[Note: article 43(1) of the MiFID implementing Directive]

01/11/2007

COBS 16.4.2

A firm must include in a statement of client assets referred to under this section the following information:

(1) details of all the designated investments or client money held by the firm for the client at the end of the period covered by the statement;
(2) the extent to which any client designated investments or client money have been the subject of securities financing transactions; and
(3) the extent of any benefit that has accrued to the client by virtue of participation in any securities financing transactions, and the basis on which that benefit has accrued.

[Note: article 43(2) of the MiFID implementing Directive]

01/11/2007

COBS 16.4.3

In cases where the portfolio of a client includes the proceeds of one or more unsettled transactions, the information in a statement provided under this section may be based either on the trade date or the settlement date, provided that the same basis is applied consistently to all such information in the statement.

[Note: article 43(2) of the MiFID implementing Directive]

01/11/2007

COBS 16.4.4

A firm which holds designated investments or client money and is managing investments for a client may include the statement under this section in the periodic statement it provides to that client.

[Note: article 43(3) of the MiFID implementing Directive]

01/11/2007

COBS 16.4.5

In reporting to a client in accordance with this section, a firm should consider whether to provide details of any assets loaned or charged including:

(1) which investments (if any) were at the end of the relevant period loaned to any third party and which investments (if any) were at that date charged to secure borrowings made on behalf of the portfolio; and
(2) the aggregate of any interest payments made and income received during the period in respect of loans or borrowings made during that period

01/11/2007

COBS 16.5

Quotations for surrender values

01/11/2007

COBS 16.5.1

When a long-term insurer receives any indication that a retail client wishes to surrender a life policy which is of the type that may be traded on an existing secondary market for life policies, it must, before accepting a surrender, make the policy holder aware that he may be able to sell his policy instead, how he may do so and that there may be financial benefits in doing so.

01/11/2007

COBS 16.6

Communications to clients - life insurance, long term care insurance and income withdrawals

06/08/2008

Disclosure for life insurance contracts: information to be provided during the term of the contract

COBS 16.6.1

(1) This section applies to a long-term insurer, unless, at the time of application, the client, other than an EEA ECA recipient, was habitually resident:

(a) in an EEA State other than the United Kingdom; or
(b) outside the EEA and he was not present in the United Kingdom.

(2) In addition, COBS 16.6.8 R applies to an operator of a personal pension scheme or stakeholder pension scheme in relation to a retail client who elects to make income withdrawals.

06/02/2009

COBS 16.6.2

If during the term of a life policy entered into on or after 1 July 1994 there is any proposed change in the information referred to in paragraphs (1) to (12) of the Consolidated Life Directive information (COBS 13 Annex 1) the long-term insurer must inform the policyholder of the effect of the change before the change is made.

[Note: article 36(2) of the Consolidated Life Directive]

01/11/2007

COBS 16.6.3

If a life policy entered into on or after 1 July 1994 provides for the payment of bonuses and the amounts of bonuses are unspecified, the long-term insurer must, in every calendar year except the first, either:

(1) notify the policyholder in writing of the amount of any bonus which has become payable under the contract, and which has not previously been notified under this rule; or
(2) give the policyholder in writing sufficient information to enable him to determine the amount of any such bonus.

01/11/2007

COBS 16.6.4

(1) When a firm provides information in accordance with this section, it must provide the information in a durable medium, unless (2) applies.
(2) If the contract is being made by telephone, the firm may give the information orally to the customer. If the customer enters into the contract, a written version of the required information must be sent to the customer within five business days of the contract being entered into.

01/11/2007

COBS 16.6.5

Where a life policy is effected jointly, the information required by this section may be sent to the first named client.

01/11/2007

COBS 16.6.6

A firm must make an adequate record of information provided to a customer under this section and retain that record for a minimum period after the information is provided of five years.

01/11/2007

Long term care insurance

COBS 16.6.7

At each anniversary of the date on which a long-term care insurance contract which is based on single premium investment bonds was entered into, the insurer must:

(1) provide the retail client with a table based on the format of COBS 13 Annex 3 2.2R containing at least the current fund value and projected future policy values (as in column "What you might get back");
(2) where it is the case, inform the retail client of the possibility that future policy values may be insufficient to fulfil the original purpose of the contract; and
(3) inform the retail client how to obtain advice on investments in respect of long-term care insurance contracts, and that it is in his best interest to do so.

01/11/2007

Income withdrawals

COBS 16.6.8

At intervals no longer than 12 months from the date of an election by a retail client to make income withdrawals, the relevant operator of a personal pension scheme or stakeholder pension scheme must:

(1) provide the retail client with such information as is necessary for the retail client to review the election, including where relevant the information required by COBS 13 Annex 2 2.9R; and
(2) inform the retail client how to obtain advice on investments in respect of his income withdrawals, and that it would be in his best interests to do so.

06/02/2009

COBS 16 Annex 1R

Trade confirmation and periodic information

01/11/2007

This annex forms part of COBS 16.2.1 R

The information below must be provided, where relevant for the purposes of reporting to a retail client, in accordance with SUP 17 Annex 1

(1) Trade confirmation information

(2) Periodic information (where trade confirmation information is not provided on a transaction by transaction basis, to be provided for each transaction carried out during the reporting period)

General

the reporting firm identification;

the name or other designation of the client;

the trading day;

the trading time;

the type of the order (for example, a limit order or a market order);

the venue identification;

the instrument identification;

the buy/sell indicator;

the nature of the order if other than buy/sell;

10.

the quantity;

11.

the unit price;

12.

the total consideration;

13.

a total sum of the commissions and expenses charged (for a CIS operator, initial charges may be disclosed in cash or percentage terms)and, where the retail client so requests, an itemised breakdown, including, where relevant, the amount of any mark-up or mark-down imposed by the firm or its associate where the firm or associate acted as principal in executing the transaction, and the firm owes a duty of best execution to the client;

14.

the rate of exchange obtained where the transaction involves a conversion of currency;

15.

[intentionally blank]

16.

[intentionally blank]

17.

the client's responsibilities in relation to the settlement of the transaction, including the time limit for payment or delivery as well as the appropriate account details where these details and responsibilities have not previously been notified to the client; and

18.

if the client's counterparty was the firm itself or any person in the firm's group or another client of the firm, the fact that this was the case unless the order was executed through a trading system that facilitates anonymous trading.

[Note: article 40(4) and recital 64 to the MiFID implementing Directive]

A firm may provide the client with the information referred to in this Annex using standard codes if it also provides an explanation of the codes used.

[Note: article 40(5) of the MiFID implementing Directive]

06/02/2009

COBS 16 Annex 2R

Information to be included in a Periodic report

01/11/2007

This annex forms part of COBS 16.3.1 R.

Periodic information (all cases)

the name of the firm;

the name or other designation of the retail client's account;

a statement of the contents and the valuation of the portfolio, including details of:

(a)

each designated investment held, its market value or fair value if market value is unavailable;

(b)

the cash balance at the beginning and at the end of the reporting period; and

(c)

the performance of the portfolio during the reporting period;

the total amount of fees and charges incurred during the reporting period, itemising at least total management fees and total costs associated with execution, and including, where relevant, a statement that a more detailed breakdown will be provided on request;

a comparison of performance during the period covered by the statement with the investment performance benchmark (if any) agreed between the firm and the client;

the total amount of dividends, interest and other payments received during the reporting period in relation to the client's portfolio; and

information about other corporate actions giving rights in relation to designated investments held in the portfolio.

[Note: article 41(2) of MiFID implementing Directive]

01/11/2007