2019-11-12
Added · Updated
The Financial Conduct Authority proposes regulatory fee and levy changes for the 2020/21 financial year, including a new £5,000 annual charge for proxy advisors and a £50 administration fee for paper invoicing. The regulator intends to shift the periodic fee calculation basis for Multi-lateral Trading Facilities, Organised Trading Facilities, and Recognised Overseas Investment Exchanges from flat rates to annual income measures. Additional proposals involve updating special project fee applicability, adjusting valuation dates for premium listed issuers, and consulting on funding mechanisms for free-to-consumer debt advice.
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Consultation Paper
CP19/30
November 2019
Regulatory fees and levies:
policy proposals for 2020/21
CP19/30 Financial Conduct Authority
Regulatory fees and levies: policy proposals for 2020/21 How to respond Sign up for our weekly news and publications alerts See all our latest press releases, consultations and speeches. We are asking for comments on this Consultation Paper (CP) by 13 January 2020. You can send them to us using the form on our website at:
www.fca.org.uk/cp19-30-response-form
Or in writing to:
David Cheesman (for chapters 1-5)
Telephone: 0207 066 5406
Lucinda Puls (for chapter 6)
Telephone: 0207 066 7736
Financial Conduct Authority
12 Endeavour Square London E20 1JN
Email:
cp19-30@fca.org.uk
Contents
1 Summary 3
2 Fees for proxy advisors 6
3 Introducing income to calculate periodic fees for remaining B fee-block market infrastructure providers 7 4 Other fees policy proposals 12 5 Administration charge for paper invoicing 17 6 Debt advice levies for the Money and Pensions Service and devolved authorities 18
Annex 1
Questions in this paper 19
Annex 2
Compatibility statement 20
Annex 3
Abbreviations used in this paper 23
Appendix 1
Draft Handbook text
CP19/30
Chapter 1
Financial Conduct Authority
Regulatory fees and levies: policy proposals for 2020/21 1 Summary Why we are consulting
1.1 This consultation paper (CP) sets out our proposed policy changes to the way we will
raise FCA fees from 2020/21. We are funded entirely by the fees and levies from the firms we regulate. We do not receive any funding from other sources. Who this applies to
1.2 This document applies to all FCA fee-payers and to the following types of business
who will be coming under our supervision over the coming year:
CP19/30
Chapter 1
Financial Conduct Authority
Regulatory fees and levies: policy proposals for 2020/21 October/November Fees policy CP March Publish feedback on FSCS/MELL CP in Handbook Notice January FSCS MELL CP February Where appropriate publish feedback on fees policy CP in Handbook Notice June/July Publish feedback on March CP and �nal fees and levy rates in a Policy Statement March/April CP on rates for FCA periodic fees and Financial Ombudsman Service, the Single Financial Guidance Body and illegal money-lending levies, plus any feedback on fees policy CP if appropriate Summary of proposals
1.6 Each chapter deals with a self-contained area of policy, summarised below.
CP19/30
Chapter 1
Financial Conduct Authority
Regulatory fees and levies: policy proposals for 2020/21 Next steps
1.7 Please consider our proposals and send us your comments on the questions in this CP
by 13 January 2020.
1.8 Use the online response form or write to us at the address on page 2.
1.9 We will consider your comments and publish our feedback, along with our rules, in our
Handbook Notice in February or March 2020.
Equality and diversity considerations
1.10 We have considered the equality and diversity issues from our proposals.
1.11 Overall, we do not consider that the proposals negatively affect any of the groups with
protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010. But we will continue to consider the equality and diversity implications of the proposals during the consultation period, and will revisit them when publishing the final rules.
1.12 In the meantime, we welcome your input to this consultation on this.
Table 1.1: Fee-payers likely to be affected by each chapter of this CP
Issue Fee-payers likely to be affected Chapter £5,000 fee for proxy advisors Businesses which are or intend to become proxy advisors Using income to calculate periodic fees for remaining B fee-block market infrastructure providers
CP19/30
Chapter 2
Financial Conduct Authority
Regulatory fees and levies: policy proposals for 2020/21 2 Fees for proxy advisors (Draft instrument in Appendix 1)
2.1 This chapter presents our proposals for recovering our costs from proxy advisors
under the revised Shareholders Rights Directive (SRD II).
2.2 SRD II creates a new regulatory regime for proxy advisors, who analyse corporate
disclosures and other information of listed companies with a view to informing investors’ voting decisions through research, advice or recommendations. SRD II came into effect on 10 June 2019 and firms will have to notify us from 1 April 2020 if they intend to carry on business as proxy advisors. The regulations allow us to recover our costs from the firms registered with us.
2.3 Our powers are restricted to administering and enforcing SRD II disclosure provisions.
We expect to deliver the regime within our existing resources:
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Chapter 3
Financial Conduct Authority
Regulatory fees and levies: policy proposals for 2020/21 3 Introducing income to calculate periodic fees for remaining B fee-block market infrastructure providers (FEES 4 Annex 11AR and Annex 13G – draft rules in Appendix 1)
3.1 In this chapter, we set out our proposals to introduce income to calculate periodic fees
for the following remaining market infrastructure provider sub-sets of the B fee-block:
CP19/30
Chapter 3
Financial Conduct Authority
Regulatory fees and levies: policy proposals for 2020/21 the variable fee-rate applies. For RIEs the threshold is £10m and for RBAs and SCs the threshold is £100,000.
3.7 The variable fee-rate applicable to income above the thresholds is applied in units of
£1,000 of annual income. The valuation point, at which RIEs, RBAs and SCs are required to calculate the relevant annual income, is the amount that applies in their financial year ending in the calendar year that ends 31 December prior to the fee-year that the fees calculation relates. For example, the valuation point for fees calculated in fee-year 2019/20 was their financial year ending in the calendar year that ended 31 December 2018.
Table 3.1: Current periodic fee structure of market infrastructure providers in the
B fee-block
B fee-block subsets Current periodic fee structure and 2019/20 fee- rates RIEs Annual income (AI) up to and including £10m £105,060 (minimum fee) AI over £10m £4.11 (per £1,000 AI) RBAs AI up to and including £100,000 £1,151 (minimum fee) AI over £100,000 £1.59 (per £1,000 AI) SCs AI up to and including £100,000 £1,132 (minimum fee) AI over £100,000 £2.76 (per £1,000 AI) MTFs or OTFs MTF or OTF operator that has a named individual fixed portfolio supervisor Flat fee £343,358 All other MTFs or OTFs (ie, those supervised by a team of flexible portfolio supervisors) Flat fee £32,380 ROIEs Flat fee £60,000
3.8 This periodic fees structure for RIEs, RBAs and SCs is included in the FEES Manual rules
under Parts 3 and 5 of FEES 4 Annex 1AR and Part 1 of FEES 4 Annex 2AR.
3.9 The definition of annual income for RIEs, RBAs and SCs (referenced in Part 3 of FEES 4
Annex 1AR) is set out in FEES 4 Annex 11AR which also refers to the guidance in FEES 4
Annex 13G.
3.10 Our consultation on introducing income to calculate periodic fees for MTFs, OTFs and
ROIEs will aim, where appropriate, to mirror the existing fees structure and adapt the income definition rules and guidance that apply to RIEs, RBAs and SCs. Consultation timetable
3.11 We are proposing to consult in three stages commencing with this November 2019
consultation paper (CP) consulting on the definition of annual income for MTFs, OTFs and ROIEs.
3.12 Subject to the responses we receive from this first stage we will move to the second
stage consultation. We do not currently have the income data that MTFs, OTFs and
CP19/30
Chapter 3
Financial Conduct Authority
Regulatory fees and levies: policy proposals for 2020/21 ROIEs derive from these activities, the total of which we need to propose and consult on a size threshold for the minimum fee and calculate indicative minimum fee and variable fee-rates. At the second stage we will therefore consult on a requirement for MTFs, OTFs and ROIEs to provide us with their income data for periodic fees purposes (tariff data) by September 2020. We propose to consult on this reporting requirement in our April 2020 annual fees-rates CP
3.13 Subject to the responses we receive from the second stage we will move to the third
stage consultation. Using the total income data reported by end September 2020 we will set the threshold for the minimum fee level and calculate indicative minimum and variable fee-rates. We propose to consult on these in our November 2020 fees policy CP which will enable MTFs, OTFs and ROIEs to assess the impact of the changes to their fees. Subject to responses we receive we will implement the threshold for the minimum fee level from the 2021/22 fee-year.
3.14 Table 3.2 gives the full consultation timetable including that for the 2020/21 fee-year
the existing flat fee structure for MTFs, OTFs and ROIEs will continue to be the basis used for calculating their fees. We will consult on changes to the current levels in the April 2020 fees rates CP. Flat periodic fees are linked to annual movements in our ongoing regulatory activities (ORA) core budget.
Table 3.2: Consultation timetable to implement proposals from 2021/22 fee-year
When Consultation covering
November 2019 annual fees policy CP
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Chapter 3
Financial Conduct Authority
Regulatory fees and levies: policy proposals for 2020/21
3.16 We believe using income as a measure of size (tariff base) increases transparency
for fee-payers and represents an effective proxy for the impact risk they pose to our objectives. Income as a measure ensures an equitable distribution of cost recovery between fee-payers in the same fee-block provided all are reporting on the same basis. The definition must be clear, easy to understand and minimise the risk of inconsistent interpretation.
3.17 Therefore, we propose to incorporate MTFs, OTFs and ROIEs into the definition of annual
income we have already applied to RIEs, RBAs and SCs. The definition of annual income for these sub-sets is in FEES 4 Annex 11AR, with guidance in FEES 4 Annex 13G Table 1. MTFs and OTFs annual income definition
3.18 We are proposing the following definition of annual income for MTFs and OTFs:
CP19/30
Chapter 3
Financial Conduct Authority
Regulatory fees and levies: policy proposals for 2020/21 ROIE annual income definition
3.20 We are proposing the following definition of annual income for ROIEs:
CP19/30
Chapter 4
Financial Conduct Authority
Regulatory fees and levies: policy proposals for 2020/21 4 Other fees policy proposals
4.1 In this chapter, we consult on:
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Chapter 4
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Regulatory fees and levies: policy proposals for 2020/21 Adding a restructuring transaction
4.7 Where firms are entering into a Scheme of Arrangement under the Companies Act
2006 (a proposal to compromise its liabilities to its creditors) we have been asked to review these arrangements. The current SPF restructuring transactions include those relating to insolvency orders and voluntary winding up arrangements. We are proposing to add these Companies Act 2006 schemes as a SPF restructuring transaction. Introduce guidance to cover using relieving provisions where a SPF and authorisation application fees are also payable
4.8 Under our FEES 2.3 relieving provisions rules, if it appears to us that in the exceptional
circumstances of a particular case the payment of a fee would be inequitable, we may reduce or remit all or part of a fee.
4.9 Currently, where we charge a SPF for a restructuring transaction, which includes a Part
VII insurance business transfer under which a separate application fee is payable, we have included guidance in FEES 3 Annex 11G to set out how we will consider using our relieving provisions.
4.10 In ‘FCA regulated fees and levies: Rates proposals 2018/19’ CP18/10 (Chapter 8) (April
2019) we consulted on several changes to our SPF rules. These included extending the
scope of our SPFs by adding to the restructuring transactions:
CP19/30
Chapter 4
Financial Conduct Authority
Regulatory fees and levies: policy proposals for 2020/21 D.1 fee-block designated professional bodies (Fees 4 Annex 5R – draft rules in Appendix 1)
4.14 We calculate periodic fees for designated professional bodies (DPBs) based on the
number of exempt professional firms in each body. Each DPB currently pays £10,000 (minimum fee) for its first exempt professional firm (tariff base – measure of size). The remaining amount of our annual funding requirement allocated to the D.1 fee-block is then recovered in proportion to the number of exempt professional firms reported by each DPB (variable fee). The resulting periodic fee for each DPB is then listed under FEES 4 Annex 5R.
4.15 In all other fee-blocks where part of the periodic fee is variable in proportion to a
measure of size we set out in our rules the basis of that calculation. We define the tariff base (including the valuation date we use), state the size threshold that applies to the minimum fee and the fee-rate per unit of tariff base used to calculate the variable fee. Fee-payers can clearly see how their fees are calculated and there is no need to list the individual amount of fees paid by each fee-payer.
4.16 We are proposing to set out the basis for calculating periodic fees for DPBs through
modifications to FEES 4 Annex 5R to incorporate the existing:
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Chapter 4
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Regulatory fees and levies: policy proposals for 2020/21 Illegal money lending levy (FEES13.2.3R and FEES 13.2.9R – draft rules in Appendix 1)
4.20 The illegal money lending (IML) levy is payable by consumer credit firms and the rules
are set out in FEES 13. Some of the IML levy rules cross-reference to the FCA rules under FEES 4.
4.21 We are updating the FEES 13 cross-references to reflect changes that have been
made to FEES 4 rules that relate to:
CP19/30
Chapter 4
Financial Conduct Authority
Regulatory fees and levies: policy proposals for 2020/21
4.26 In our annual fees and levy rate consultation paper in March to April 2020, we will
consult on the 2020/21 G.1 fee-block periodic fee that reflects the increase or decrease in our 2020/21 ORA budget. Q7: Do you have any comments on the proposed amendment to FEES App 3.1.2(2) to make it clear that the 2019/20 feerate for persons registered under the Money Laundering Regulations, covered by G.1 fee-block, is £460?
CP19/30
Chapter 5
Financial Conduct Authority
Regulatory fees and levies: policy proposals for 2020/21 5 Administration charge for paper invoicing (Draft instrument in Appendix 1)
5.1 We are proposing to introduce from April 2020 an administration charge of £50 for feepayers that require us to issue paper invoices instead of taking advantage of the online
invoicing portal.
5.2 The portal provides a ‘one-stop shop’ on fees. It gives firms the ability to view,
download or print invoices, view statements, pay invoices online by card, set up/amend a direct debit instruction, query invoices online, submit bank details to receive refunds by bank transfer and submit fee tariff data online, as well as providing easy access to a variety of fees information. For firms which do not want to use the portal (ie, do not wish to log in to their account), they can opt to use the application as an emailing service only and receive a pdf copy of their invoice with the FCA’s invoice notification.
5.3 In CP 17/38, Regulatory fees and levies: policy proposals for 2018/19, published in
November 2017, we discussed the possibility of introducing an annual charge of £50 to £100 for firms which required paper invoicing. We explained the environmental advantages and efficiency savings of online invoicing, and pointed out that other firms were picking up the additional costs of issuing paper invoices to firms that did not use the online facilities.
5.4 We received six responses, which we reviewed in FCA regulated fees and levies: Rates
proposals 2018/19 (CP 18/10, April 2018). Five supported a charge on the principle that users should pay, though one was concerned about the impact on smaller firms and several stressed that the charge should be justified by the cost. Only one objected to the suggestion, arguing that fee-payers may have good reasons for preferring paper invoices.
5.5 At that time, 15% of fee-payers were using paper invoices. Currently, less than 8%
receive paper invoices. As fewer fee-payers continue to opt for paper invoicing, any economies of scale are eroded and the costs per firm of printing and posting documents become more expensive. It is unreasonable for other fee-payers to continue to bear these additional costs.
5.6 Issuing paper invoices involves direct costs for printing, paper and postage, as well
as staff time for chasing firms over the phone and sending out reminders. The work on individual firms varies. Some pay their invoices promptly, whereas others require chasing and several reminders. We consider £50 per firm represents a fair contribution per firm but our objective is not to recover our current administrative costs. Our objective is that all fee-payers should recognise the advantages of online invoicing and so move away from paper invoicing. We will consider our policy has succeeded when we have no additional costs to recover because all fee-payers are engaging with us electronically. We hope all fee-payers will opt for online invoicing without waiting to be charged but, in the meantime, the charge will save other firms from paying for the ones that do not. If a small core of fee-payers continue to resist online invoicing, we may in the future consider making on-line invoicing mandatory. Q8: Do you have any comments on our proposal to charge £50 from firms which require us to send paper invoices, to cover our additional administration costs?
CP19/30
Chapter 6
Financial Conduct Authority
Regulatory fees and levies: policy proposals for 2020/21 6 Debt advice levies for the Money and Pensions Service and devolved authorities
6.1 The FCA is responsible for collecting funding for free-to-consumer debt advice
provided by the Money and Pensions Service (MaPS) and the devolved authorities. We do this through the SFGB (Single Finance Guidance Body) debt advice levy, which funds MaPS, and the Devolved Authorities’ debt advice levy.
6.2 We are currently considering whether a change in the way we collect the debt advice
levies will result in better distribution of costs across regulated firms. Also, the FCA is working with MaPs in a joint working group on the overall funding system for freeto-client debt advice in the UK. This group will look at current funding mechanisms including the levy, and potential additional structures with the aim of developing an improved sustainable long-term funding model. The group are talking to stakeholders over the coming months to hear views on the current system and potential future models.
6.3 This work is at an early stage, and we are not consulting on changes in this paper. Any
proposed changes to levies for financial services firms arising from this work will be subject to the usual process of public consultation and will require the consent of the Secretary of State and the Treasury.
6.4 If you wish to share your views on how to better support overall funding for free debt
advice you can write to us at the address on page 2.
CP19/30
Annex 1
Financial Conduct Authority
Regulatory fees and levies: policy proposals for 2020/21
Annex 1
Questions in this paper
Q1: Do you have any comments on our proposed charge of £5,000 for proxy advisors? Q2: Do you have any comments on our proposal to introduce using income to calculate periodic fees for MTFs, OTFs and ROIEs and our proposed definitions of annual income? Q3: Do you have any comments on our proposed updating and additions to our Special Project Fees rules and expansion of related guidance? Q4: Do you have any comments on our proposal to incorporate the existing basis for calculating periodic fees for designated professional bodies in our rules? Q5: Do you have any comments on our proposal to change the valuation date for market capitalisations used to calculate the variable fee-rate paid by premium listed issuers? Q6: Do you have any comments on our proposal to update the illegal money lending (IML) levy rule cross references to FCA fees rules? Q7: Do you have any comments on the proposed amendment to FEES App 3.1.2(2) to make it clear that the 2019/20 fee-rate for persons registered under the Money Laundering Regulations, covered by G.1 feeblock, is £460? Q8: Do you have any comments on our proposal to charge £50 from firms which require us to send paper invoices, to cover our additional administration costs?
CP19/30
Annex 2
Financial Conduct Authority
Regulatory fees and levies: policy proposals for 2020/21
Annex 2
Compatibility statement
Compliance with legal requirements
CP19/30
Annex 2
Financial Conduct Authority
Regulatory fees and levies: policy proposals for 2020/21
7. We also think that these proposals are compatible with our strategic objective of ensuring
that the relevant markets function well, albeit indirectly. This is because they will enable us to fund the activities to help us meet that objective. For the purposes of our strategic objective, ‘relevant markets’ are defined by s.1F of FSMA. In the rest of this annex, reference to objectives means both our strategic objective and operational objectives.
8. In preparing the proposals set out in this consultation, we have had regard to the
regulatory principles set out in s.3B of FSMA. Most of the relevant regulatory principles are considered below:
The need to use our resources in the most efficient and economic way
9. Our fee-raising proposals are set to recover our costs in carrying out our
responsibilities under FSMA and associated legislation. We aim to carry out this work in the most efficient and economical way possible, concentrating on the areas of activity that pose the greatest risk to our objectives.
10. Our proposals in chapter 5 are intended to make our invoicing processes more cost
effective by recovering the additional costs of paper invoicing directly from the firms who require it. We hope it will encourage greater take-up of online invoicing to achieve savings for ourselves and other fee-payers. The principle that a burden or restriction should be proportionate to the benefits
11. Our fees are necessary for us to meet our objectives. As outlined above, we aim to use
our resources in the most efficient and economic way, while delivering benefits to UK consumers, through our regulatory activities.
12. In chapter 2, we set a flat-rate charge of £5,000 from proxy advisors to recover our
costs without introducing unnecessary reporting requirements.
13. In chapter 3, our proposals to use income to calculate periodic fees for Multi-lateral
Trading Facilities (MTFs), Organised Trading Facilities (OTFs) and Recognised Overseas Investment Exchanges (ROIEs) represents an effective proxy for the impact risk they pose to our objectives.
14. In chapter 4, our proposals on Special Project Fees (SPFs) will further target the
recovery of our exceptional supervisory costs to relevant firms and for relevant restructuring transactions. The desirability of recognising differences in the nature of, and objectives of, businesses carried on by different persons including mutual societies and other kinds of business organisation
15. The simple fees structure we are establishing for proxy advisors recognises our limited
engagement with them.
The principle that we should exercise of our functions as transparently as possible
16. Our consultation processes are intended to ensure that we are transparent about
the thinking behind our proposals and clearly explain what we expect to achieve. We
CP19/30
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Financial Conduct Authority
Regulatory fees and levies: policy proposals for 2020/21 believe that this CP meets these objectives.
17. Our proposals in chapter 3 for MTFs, OTFs and ROIEs and our proposals in chapter
4 for Designated Professional Bodies will make the basis for how periodic fees are calculated for these fee payers more transparent.
18. Our proposals in chapter 4 to extend the guidance covering the use of our relieving
provisions where SPFs and certain application fees are also charged, makes it clearer for firms that our relieving provisions may be applicable in such cases. Expected effect on mutual societies
19. We do not expect the proposals in this paper to have a significantly different impact on
mutual societies to the impact on other authorised firms.
Compatibility with the duty to promote effective competition in the interests of consumers
20. These proposals enable us to fund the activities we need to undertake in 2018/19. These
activities include meeting our duty to promote effective competition in the interests of consumers. Fees are not intended in themselves to influence firms’ behaviour. Equality and diversity
21. We are required under the Equality Act 2010 to ‘have due regard’ to the need to
eliminate discrimination and to promote equality of opportunity in carrying out our policies, services and functions. As part of this, we conduct an equality impact assessment to ensure that the equality and diversity implications of any new policy proposals are considered.
22. As explained in paragraphs 1.10 to 1.12 of this CP, we do not think that the proposals
negatively impact any of the groups with protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010. But we will continue to consider the equality and diversity implications of the proposals during the consultation period, and will revisit them when publishing the final rules. The Treasury’s recommendations about economic policy
23. Each year, the Treasury makes recommendations to us under section 1JA of FSMA
about aspects of economic policy which we should consider when undertaking our functions. Our fees proposals indirectly take account of the Treasury’s recommendations by providing the resources that enable us to meet our objectives in taking responsibility for the claims management market.
CP19/30
Annex 3
Financial Conduct Authority
Regulatory fees and levies: policy proposals for 2020/21
Annex 3
Abbreviations used in this paper
AFR Annual funding requirement
DPB Designated professional body
FCA Financial Conduct Authority
FSCS Financial Services Compensation Scheme
FSMA Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 IML Illegal money lending LSE London Stock Exchange MaPS Money and Pensions Service MELL Management expenses levy limit MiFID Markets in Financial Instrument Directive MLRs Money Laundering Regulations MTF Multi-lateral Trading Facility ORA Ongoing regulatory activities OTF Organised Trading Facility PRA Prudential Regulation Authority RIE Recognised Investment Exchange (RBAs) ROIE Recognised Overseas Investment Exchanges RBA Regulated Benchmark Administrator SC Service Company SFGB Single Finance Guidance Body SPF Special project fee SRD Shareholders Rights Directive
CP19/30
Annex 3
Financial Conduct Authority
Regulatory fees and levies: policy proposals for 2020/21 AFR Annual funding requirement DPB Designated professional body FCA Financial Conduct Authority FSCS Financial Services Compensation Scheme FSMA Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 IML Illegal money lending LSE London Stock Exchange MaPS Money and Pensions Service MELL Management expenses levy limit MiFID Markets in Financial Instrument Directive MLRs Money Laundering Regulations MTF Multi-lateral Trading Facility ORA Ongoing regulatory activities OTF Organised Trading Facility PRA Prudential Regulation Authority RIE Recognised Investment Exchange (RBAs) ROIE Recognised Overseas Investment Exchanges RBA Regulated Benchmark Administrator SC Service Company SFGB Single Finance Guidance Body SPF Special project fee SRD Shareholders Rights Directive Sign up for our weekly news and publications alerts
CP19/30
Annex 3
Financial Conduct Authority
Regulatory fees and levies: policy proposals for 2020/21 We have developed the policy in this Consultation Paper in the context of the existing UK and EU regulatory framework. The Government has made clear that it will continue to implement and apply EU law until the UK has left the EU. We will keep the proposals under review to assess whether any amendments may be required in the event of changes in the UK regulatory framework in the future. We make all responses to formal consultation available for public inspection unless the respondent requests otherwise. We will not regard a standard confidentiality statement in an email message as a request for non-disclosure. Despite this, we may be asked to disclose a confidential response under the Freedom of Information Act 2000. We may consult you if we receive such a request. Any decision we make not to disclose the response is reviewable by the Information Commissioner and the Information Rights Tribunal. All our publications are available to download from www.fca.org.uk. If you would like to receive this paper in an alternative format, please call 020 7066 7948 or email: publications_graphics@fca.org.uk or write to:
Editorial and Digital team, Financial Conduct Authority, 12 Endeavour Square, London E20 1JN
CP19/30
Appendix 1
Financial Conduct Authority
Regulatory fees and levies: policy proposals for 2020/21
Appendix 1
Draft Handbook text
FCA 2020/XX
FEES (MISCELLANEOUS AMENDMENTS) (No [15]) INSTRUMENT 2020 Powers exercised A. The Financial Conduct Authority (“the FCA”) makes this instrument in the exercise of:
(1) the following powers and related provisions in or under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (“the Act”):
(a) section 137A (General rule-making power); (b) section 137T (General supplementary powers); (c) section 139A (Power of the FCA to give guidance); (d) section 333T (Funding of action against illegal money lending); (e) paragraph 23 (Fees) in Part 3 (Penalties and Fees) of Schedule 1ZA (The Financial Conduct Authority); and (2) regulation 102 (Costs of Supervision) of the Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing and Transfer of Funds (Information on the Payer) Regulations 2017 (SI 2017/692); (3) regulation 28 (Application of Schedule 1ZA to the Act: penalties, fees and exemption from liability in damages) and 31 (Public list of proxy advisors) of the Proxy Advisors (Shareholders’ Rights) Regulations 2019 (2019/926); (4) regulation 118 (Costs of supervision) of the Payment Services Regulations 2017 (2017/752); and (5) regulation 59 (Costs of supervision) of the Electronic Money Regulations 2011 (SI 2011/99). B. The rule-making powers listed above are specified for the purpose of section 138G(2) (Rule-making instruments) of the Act. Commencement
C. This instrument comes into force on 1 April 2020, except for Part 2 of Annex B which
comes into force on 31 March 2020.
Amendments to the Handbook
D. The modules of the FCA’s Handbook of rules and guidance listed in column (1) below are amended in accordance with the Annexes to this instrument listed in column (2) below:
(1) (2)
Glossary of definitions Annex A
FCA 2020/XX
The Fees manual (FEES) Annex B
Citation
E. This instrument may be cited as the Fees (Miscellaneous Amendments) (No [15]) Instrument 2020. By order of the Board [date]
FCA 2020/XX
Annex A
Amendments to the Glossary of definitions
In this Annex, underlining indicates new text. proxy advisor (1) (Except for FEES 4.2) a legal person that analyses, on a professional and commercial basis, the corporate disclosure and, where relevant, other information of listed companies, with a view to informing investors’ voting decisions by providing research, advice or voting recommendations that relate to the exercise of voting rights. (2) (In FEES 4.2) a person as defined in regulation 2 of the Proxy Advisors (Shareholders’ Rights) Regulations 2019.
FCA 2020/XX
Annex B
Amendments to the Fees manual (FEES)
In this Annex, underlining indicates new text and striking through indicates deleted text.
Part 1
3 Application, Notification and Vetting Fees … 3 Annex 9 Special Project Fee for restructuring (1) R The Special Project Fee for restructuring (the SPFR) is only payable by a person in one of the following categories:
(a) if it is in that person falls within any of the A, CC1, CC2 and CMC fee-blocks (as defined in Part 1 of FEES 4 Annex 1AR); or (b) if it is in that person falls within fee-block G.3 or G.10 (as defined in FEES 4 Annex 11R); or (c) if it is a recognised investment exchange; or (d) [deleted] (e) if it is in that person falls within any of the B fee-blocks (as defined in Part 1 of FEES 4 Annex 1AR). (2) R The SPFR becomes payable by a person falling into (1)(a) or (b) if it engages in, or prepares to engage in, activity which involves it undertaking or making arrangements with a view to any of the following:
…
(c) a scheme of arrangement under Part 26 of the Companies Act 2006 in respect of that person. 3 Annex 11G Guidance on fees due under FEES 3 Annex 1R, FEES 3 Annex 3R, FEES 3
Annex 8R, FEES 3 Annex 10R, FEES 3.2.7R(p), FEES 3.2.7R(s) and FEES
3.2.7AR 3.2.7R(ze)
The following table sets out guidance on how a firm liable to pay a fee under both FEES 3.2.7R(s) and FEES 3.2.7R(ze) for the same transaction should expect to be treated. (1) The transferor in insurance business transfer schemes is liable to pay the fee set out in FEES 3.2.7R(s). However, it may also be liable to pay the Special Project Fee for restructuring set out in FEES 3.2.7R(ze), calculated
FCA 2020/XX in accordance with FEES 3 Annex 9. It is possible then for a firm to have to pay two types of fees in respect of the same insurance business transfer scheme. (2) Where the situation described in (1) arises, the FCA will consider whether to reduce or remit a fee under FEES 2.3 (Relieving Provisions).
Part 1 This Part applies to the following:
(1)
(a) FCA-authorised persons, PRA-authorised persons and persons seeking to become FCA-authorised persons or PRA-authorised persons that pay application fees under FEES 3 Annex 1R, FEES 3 Annex 3R, FEES 3
Annex 8R and FEES 3 Annex 10R; or
(b) a firm seeking a variation of its Part 4A permission which pays an application fee under FEES 3.2.7R(p). (2) The following table sets out guidance on how a person liable to pay both a fee mentioned in (1) above and also in FEES 3.2.7R(ze) for the same transaction, should expect to be treated. (A) The person is liable to pay the fees referred to in (1). However, it may also be liable to pay the Special Project Fee for restructuring set out in FEES 3.2.7R(ze), calculated in accordance with FEES 3 Annex 9. It is possible then for a person to have to pay two types of fees in respect of the same application. (B) Where the situation described in (A) arises, the FCA will consider whether to reduce or remit a fee under FEES 2.3 (Relieving Provisions).
Part 2 The following table sets out guidance on how a firm is liable to pay a fee under
both FEES 3.2.7R(s) and FEES 3.2.7R(ze) for the same transaction should expect to be treated. (1) The transferor in insurance business transfer schemes is liable to pay the fee set out in FEES 3.2.7R(s). However, it may also be liable to pay the Special Project Fee for restructuring set out in FEES 3.2.7R(ze), calculated in accordance with FEES 3 Annex 9. It is possible then for a firm to have to pay two types of fees in respect of the same insurance business transfer scheme. (2) Where the situation described in (1) arises, the FCA will consider whether to reduce or remit a fee under FEES 2.3 (Relieving Provisions).
FCA 2020/XX
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4 Periodic fees
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4.2 Obligation to pay periodic fees
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4.2.3 G The FCA will issue invoices online at least 30 days before the dates on
which payments fall due under FEES 4.2.1R.
4.2.3A R If, in response to a request from a fee payer, the FCA issues a paper invoice, an administration charge of £50 per year will be added to the fee otherwise payable. …
4.2.11 R Table of periodic fees payable to the FCA
1 Fee payer 2 Fee payable 3 Due date 4 Events occurring during the period leading to modified periodic fee … A benchmark endorser The tariff specified in FEES 4 Annex 15R Payable in accordance with FEES 4.3.6R Not applicable Proxy advisor (1) £5,000 (1) At the time of notification Not applicable (2) For a proxy advisor which is already trading on 1 April 2020, the amount specified in (1) upon notifying the FCA. (2) For a proxy advisor which has already notified the FCA, within 30 days of the date of the invoice
FCA 2020/XX
(3) For a proxy advisor which starting trading after 1 April 2020, the fee payable is pro-rated in proportion to the months remaining in the financial year 1 April – 31 March, including the month of notification. … 4 Annex 5R Periodic fees for designated professional bodies payable in relation to the period 1 April 2019 to 31 March 2020 : tariff base, valuation date and tariff rates
Table of fees payable by Designated Professional Bodies
Name of Designated Professional Body Amount payable (£) The Law Society of England & Wales 81,110 The Law Society of Scotland 15,030 The Law Society of Northern Ireland 15,140 The Institute of Actuaries 10,170 The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales 43,700 The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland 11,770 The Institute of Chartered Accountants in Ireland 6,580 The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants 21,400 The Council for Licensed Conveyancers 12,400 Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors 16,950
FCA 2020/XX
Part 1
This table sets out the tariff base and valuation date for the designated professional bodies fee-block. The tariff base and valuation date in this Part is the means by which the FCA calculates the annual periodic fees payable by a designated professional body to the FCA. Activity group Fee payer falls in the activity group if:
Tariff base Valuation date
D.1 Designated professional bodies
It is a designated professional body
Number of exempt professional firms regulated or supervised by a designated professional body As at 31 December prior to the fee-year
Part 2
This table sets out the tariff rates applicable to designated professional bodies Fee payable in relation to 2020/21 Amount payable Minimum fee, payable by all designated professional bodies £[tbc] Variable fee, payable by designated professional bodies where the number of exempt professional firms regulated or supervised by a designated professional body is greater than 1 £[tbc] multiplied by the total number of exempt professional firms in excess of 1. Note The Financial Services Register includes details of exempt professional firms carrying out insurance distribution activity. … 4 Annex 11AR Definition of annual income for the purposes of calculating fees in fee blocks A.13, A.14, A.18, A.19 and B. Service Companies, Recognised Investment Exchanges, Recognised Overseas Investment Exchanges, Multilateral Trading Facilities, Organised Trading Facilities, Regulated Benchmark Administrators and Claims Management Companies Annual income definition General definition for all relevant fee-blocks (other than where the firm is an operator of a Recognised Investment Exchange, a Recognised Overseas
FCA 2020/XX
Investment Exchange, a Multilateral Trading Facility, an Organised Trading Facility a Regulated Benchmark Administrator or a Claims Management Company) “Annual income” for a particular fee block (the “relevant fee block”) is the gross inflow of economic benefits (i.e. cash, receivables and other assets) recognised in the firm’s accounts during the reporting year in respect of, or in relation to, the provision in the UK of the regulated activities specified in FEES 4 Annex 1AR Part 1 as belonging to the relevant fee block. … Definition for Recognised Investment Exchanges “Annual income” for a recognised investment exchange is the gross inflow of economic benefits (i.e. cash, receivables and other assets) recognised in the firm’s accounts during the reporting year in respect of, or in relation to activities that comprise a necessary part of an exchange’s business as an investment exchange. This should include all revenues the firm derives from operating multilateral trading facilities and organised trading facilities. For the purposes of calculating annual income of the recognised investment exchange include amounts received in relation to the operation of its markets; access to those markets; the submission, management and execution of orders; quotes or transactions on those markets; the supply of pre-and post- trade transparency information about those markets; fees for admission to trading or listing; membership of connectivity charges; fees for order execution or management; trade reporting; market data and any other relevant revenue streams. Definition for Recognised Overseas Investment Exchanges “Annual income” for a recognised overseas investment exchange is the gross inflow of economic benefits (i.e. cash, receivables and other assets) recognised in their accounts during the reporting year in respect of income derived from their UK members. Definition for firms operating Multilateral Trading Facilities and Organised Trading Facilities This refers to firms operating a multilateral trading facility or organised trading facility. “Annual income” for an operator of a multilateral trading facility or organised trading facility is the gross inflow of economic benefits (i.e. cash, receivables and other assets) recognised in the firm’s accounts during the reporting year in respect of, or in relation to activities that comprise a necessary part of the firm’s business as an operator of a multilateral trading facility or organised trading facility. For the purposes of calculating annual income of the operator of a multilateral trading facility or organised trading facility include amounts received in relation to the operation of its markets; access to those markets; the submission,
FCA 2020/XX management and execution of orders; quotes or transactions on those markets; the supply of pre-and post-trade transparency information about those markets; fees for admission to trading or listing; membership of connectivity charges; fees for order execution or management; trade reporting; market data and any other relevant revenue streams. … … 4 Annex 13G Guidance on the calculation of tariffs set out in FEES 4 Annex 1AR Part 3
Table 1
The following table sets out guidance on how a firm should calculate tariffs for fee blocks A.13, A.14, A.18, A.19 and B. Service Companies, Recognised Investment Exchanges, Multilateral Trading Facilities, Organised Trading Facilities, Regulated Benchmark Administrators and Claims Management Companies. Calculating and apportioning annual income - FEES 4 Annex 11AR Calculating annual income Defining relevant income streams (1) The firm should refer to the fee-block definitions in FEES 4 Annex 1AR,
Part 1 to decide which particular income streams should be taken into
account when calculating its annual income for the purposes of fee-blocks A.13, A.14, A.18, A.19 and B. Service Companies, Recognised Investment Exchanges, Multilateral Trading Facilities, Organised Trading Facilities and Benchmark Administrators. … … 4 Annex 14R UKLA periodic fees for the period from 1 April 2019 2020 to 31 March 2020 2021
Part 1 Base fee
Activity group or invoice code (Note 1)
Description Base fee payable (£)
E.1 Discontinued
E.2 Premium listed issuer
A listed issuer of equity shares and certificates representing shares with a premium listing (see Note 2) 5,465 [tbc]
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E.3 Standard listed issuer
A listed issuer of shares and certificates representing certain securities with a standard listing and not with a premium listing (see Note 2) 20,700 [tbc] E.4 Discontinued E.5 Discontinued E.6 Non-listed issuer (in DTR) A non-listed issuer (in DTR) 0 [tbc] E.7 Primary information provider A primary information provider 17,275 [tbc] ES. Sponsor A sponsor (see Note 3) 28,775 [tbc] …
Part 2 Variable fee additional to base fee
Activity Group Market capitalisation as at the last business day of the November September prior to the fee-year in which the fee is payable in £million Fee payable in £per £million or £part million E.2 Premium listed issuer (as described in Part 1) 0 - 100 0 [tbc]
100 - 250 28.803154
[tbc]
250 – 1,000 11.113106
[tbc]
1,000 – 5,000 6.840573 [tbc]
5,000 – 25,000 0.166862 [tbc]
25,000 0.053909 [tbc]
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13 Illegal money lending levy
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13.2 The IML levy
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Calculation of the IML levy
13.2.3 R The IML levy is calculated as follows:
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(6) modify the result as indicated by the tables in FEES 4.2.6R 4.2.7ER (Modifications for persons becoming subject to periodic fees during the course of a fee-year), and FEES 4.2.7FR (Calculating the fee in the firm’s first year of authorisation), FEES 4.2.7GR (Calculating fees in the second fee-year where the firm received permission between 1 January and 31 March in its first fee-year) and FEES 4.2.7HR to FEES 4.2.7KR (Calculating all other fees in the second and subsequent years of authorisation where a full year of tariff data is not available) (if applicable); …
13.2.9 R Table of rules in FEES 4 that also apply to FEES 13 to the extent that in
FEES 4 they apply to fees payable to the FCA.
FEES 4 rules incorporated into
FEES 13
Description
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FEES 4.2.7GR to FEES 4.2.7KR Calculation of periodic fee and tariff base for a firm’s second financial year …
Part 2
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App 3 Fees payable by persons registered under the Money Laundering Regulations … App 3.1 Fees for persons registered under the Money Laundering Regulations …
FCA 2020/XX
App 3.1.2 (1) Registration fee:
£100
(2) Periodic fee:
Activity group Fee-payer falls in the activity group if: Fee payable in 2017/18 2019/20 G.1 it is registered with the FCA under the Money Laundering Regulations or any predecessor legislation £438 £460 [Note: Regulation 102 of the Money Laundering Regulations]
© Financial Conduct Authority 2019
12 Endeavour Square London E20 1JN
Telephone: +44 (0)20 7066 1000
Website: www.fca.org.uk
All rights reserved
Pub ref: 006078
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