2024-10-01
The Securities Commission issued revised Guidelines on Conduct for Capital Market Intermediaries on 1 October 2024 to mandate a corporate culture focused on delivering specific client outcomes. The amendments introduce new requirements for board and senior management oversight, establish dedicated chapters for the treatment of vulnerable clients and personal advice, and set principles for services provided via online platforms. Additionally, the document enhances existing conduct rules regarding complaint handling, data quality, client information security, and the explanation of contract terms to ensure informed decision-making.
SUMMARY OF AMENDMENTS REVISED GUIDELINES ON CONDUCT FOR CAPITAL MARKET INTERMEDIARIES (Date of Issuance: 1 October 2024) Page 1 of 8 The following table provides a summary of key amendments to the revised Guidelines on Conduct for Capital Market Intermediaries (Guidelines) issued on 1 October 2024: A. Overview
SUMMARY OF AMENDMENTS REVISED GUIDELINES ON CONDUCT FOR CAPITAL MARKET INTERMEDIARIES (Date of Issuance: 1 October 2024) Page 2 of 8 B. Amendment Highlights No. Prior to 1 October 2024 Revised Version Dated 1 October 2024 Comments Chapter 1: Introduction
SUMMARY OF AMENDMENTS REVISED GUIDELINES ON CONDUCT FOR CAPITAL MARKET INTERMEDIARIES (Date of Issuance: 1 October 2024) Page 3 of 8 B. Amendment Highlights No. Prior to 1 October 2024 Revised Version Dated 1 October 2024 Comments Chapter 3: Related Provisions 5. - 3.04 Amended to set out the guidelines that will be repealed as a consequence to the Guidelines. Chapter 4: Definitions 6. Paragraph 4.01 Paragraph 4.01 • Amended definition of ‘client’ to clarify that a client includes a prospective client. • New definition of ‘personal advice’ inserted. • New definition of ‘vulnerable client’ inserted. Chapter 5: Role of Board and Senior Management 7. - Paragraphs 5.01 - 5.04 Inserted new chapter 5 to set out the respective responsibilities of a CMI’s board and senior management to ensure compliance with the Guidelines. Chapter 6: Treatment of Clients 8. Paragraph 5.02(a) Paragraph 6.02(a) Amended to clarify that the requirement extends to vulnerable clients and applies throughout a CMI’s relationship with a client.
SUMMARY OF AMENDMENTS REVISED GUIDELINES ON CONDUCT FOR CAPITAL MARKET INTERMEDIARIES (Date of Issuance: 1 October 2024) Page 4 of 8 B. Amendment Highlights No. Prior to 1 October 2024 Revised Version Dated 1 October 2024 Comments 9. Paragraph 5.02(b) Paragraphs 6.02(b) and (c) Amended to clarify the distinction between the prohibition against making or providing false or misleading statements or information, and engaging in or attempting to engage in misleading or deceptive acts. 10. Paragraph 5.02(c) Paragraph 6.02(d) Amended to require CMI and their representatives to also provide information to clients that is accurate, balanced, complete, sufficient for clients to make informed investment decisions and which does not omit any material information. 11. Paragraph 5.02(d) Paragraph 6.02(e) Amended to emphasise that CMI and their representatives must offer products that are suitable to clients’ particular circumstances when giving personal advice. 12. Paragraph 5.02(e) - Deleted as subsumed under new guidance to paragraph 6.02(d)(iii) which clarifies that a client should be sufficiently informed of risks associated with client’s investments. 13. Paragraph 5.02(f) Paragraph 6.02(f) Amended to clarify that CMI and their representative may disclose fees and charges payable by clients in the form of percentage or a range. 14. Paragraph 5.02(g) Paragraph 6.02(g) Amended to clarify that a CMI’s reward or incentive structures must be designed to encourage responsible business conduct and avoid conflicts of interest.
SUMMARY OF AMENDMENTS REVISED GUIDELINES ON CONDUCT FOR CAPITAL MARKET INTERMEDIARIES (Date of Issuance: 1 October 2024) Page 5 of 8 B. Amendment Highlights No. Prior to 1 October 2024 Revised Version Dated 1 October 2024 Comments 15. Paragraph 5.02(h) Paragraph 6.02(h) Amended to clarify what CMI and their representatives must take into consideration in discharging the obligation relating to the handling of clients’ complaints and disputes. 16. Paragraph 5.02(j) Paragraph 6.02(j) Amended to clarify the type of practices the SC will consider as unethical. 17. Paragraph 6.04 Paragraph 6.03 Amended to clarify that a CMI’s representatives must be properly trained and qualified to deliver the outcomes in the amended paragraph 1.02. 18. - Paragraph 6.04 New paragraph inserted to require CMI and their representatives to explain to clients the implications of nonnegotiable provisions, terms, or clauses which affect clients’ rights and obligations under a contract or document. Chapter 7 – Treatment of Vulnerable Clients 19. - Paragraph 7.01 New chapter inserted to set out the SC’s expectations on the treatment of vulnerable clients. Chapter 8: Care, Skill and Diligence 20. Paragraph 6.01 Paragraph 8.01 New sentence inserted to reinforce the reason why CMI must exercise care, skill and diligence.
SUMMARY OF AMENDMENTS REVISED GUIDELINES ON CONDUCT FOR CAPITAL MARKET INTERMEDIARIES (Date of Issuance: 1 October 2024) Page 6 of 8 B. Amendment Highlights No. Prior to 1 October 2024 Revised Version Dated 1 October 2024 Comments 21. - Paragraph 8.02 New paragraph inserted to expand the non-exhaustive list of situations in which CMI are expected to exercise reasonable care, skill and diligence. 22. Paragraphs 6.02, 6.03 and 6.04
Chapter 11: Clients’ Assets and Information 24. Paragraph 8.03 Paragraph 11.03 Amended to require a CMI to maintain clients’ information in a secure manner and have in place appropriate and effective CPP to protect clients’ information.
SUMMARY OF AMENDMENTS REVISED GUIDELINES ON CONDUCT FOR CAPITAL MARKET INTERMEDIARIES (Date of Issuance: 1 October 2024) Page 7 of 8 B. Amendment Highlights No. Prior to 1 October 2024 Revised Version Dated 1 October 2024 Comments 25. Paragraph 8.05 Paragraph 11.05 Amended to require a CMI to have in place appropriate and effective CPP to deal with any breach in the safe-guarding of clients’ information. Chapter 12: Communication with Clients and Regulators 26. Paragraph 9.02 Paragraph 12.02 New sentence inserted to require CMI and their representatives to explain technical terms to clients. 27. Paragraph 9.03 - Deleted as subsumed under new paragraphs 6.02(b) and (c). 28. - Paragraphs 12.04 and 12.05 New paragraphs inserted to set out the SC’s expectations for the quality of data submitted to the SC by CMI and their representatives. Chapter 13: Principles and Requirements Applicable to Online Platforms 29. - Paragraphs 13.01 - 13.11 New chapter inserted to set out principles and requirements applicable to CMI providing capital market related services on or through online platforms.
SUMMARY OF AMENDMENTS REVISED GUIDELINES ON CONDUCT FOR CAPITAL MARKET INTERMEDIARIES (Date of Issuance: 1 October 2024) Page 8 of 8 B. Amendment Highlights No. Prior to 1 October 2024 Revised Version Dated 1 October 2024 Comments Chapter 10: Compliance 30. Paragraphs 10.01 – 10.04 - Deleted as subsumed under new Chapter 5. Chapter 11: The SC’s Assessment on Compliance with These Guidelines 31. Paragraphs 11.01 – 11.02 - Deleted as subsumed under amended paragraph 1.02 and new Chapter 5.