Rule · GFSC · 16 May 2025
The States of Guernsey enacted this law to mandate the registration of non-regulated financial services businesses with the Guernsey Financial Services Commission. The legislation establishes detailed procedures for application, grant, suspension, and revocation of registration, while defining specific exemptions for businesses with low turnover or ancillary activities. It further empowers the Commission to conduct investigations, impose conditions, and enforce compliance through penalties and disqualification orders to protect the public and the Bailiwick's reputation.
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© States of Guernsey
PROJET DE LOI
ENTITLED
The Registration of Non-Regulated Financial Services Businesses (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 2008 * [CONSOLIDATED TEXT] NOTE This consolidated version of the enactment incorporates all amendments listed in the footnote below. However, while it is believed to be accurate and up to date, it is not authoritative and has no legal effect, having been prepared in-house for the assistance of the Law Officers. No warranty is given that the text is free of errors and omissions, and no liability is accepted for any loss arising from its use. The authoritative text of the enactment and of the amending instruments may be obtained from Her Majesty's Greffier, Royal Court House, Guernsey, GY1 2PB. © States of Guernsey
*
No. XV of 2008; as amended by the Statements Obtained Under Compulsion (Restriction of Use) (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 2009 (No. XIII of 2010); the Registration of Non-Regulated Financial Services Businesses (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 2008 (Amendment) Ordinance, 2008 (No. XXXII of 2008); the Registration of NonRegulated Financial Services Businesses (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 2008 (Schedule 1 Amendment) Regulations, 2008 (G.S.I. No. 75 of 2008); the Registration of Non-Regulated Financial Services Businesses (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 2008 (Schedule 1 Amendment) Regulations, 2010 (G.S.I. No. 17 of 2010); the Financial Services Commission (Bailiwick of Guernsey) (Amendment) Regulations, 2010 (G.S.I. No. 83 of 2010); the Registration of Non-Regulated Financial Services Businesses (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law 2008 (Schedule 1 Amendment) Regulations, 2013 (G.S.I. No. 16 of 2013). See also the Law Reform (Age of Majority and Guardianship of Minors) (Guernsey) Law, 1978 (Ordres en Conseil Vol. XXVI, p. 264); the Police Force (Guernsey) Law, 1986 (Ordres en Conseil Vol. XXIX, p. 207); the Law Reform (Age of Majority) (Sark) Law, 1986 (Ordres en Conseil Vol. XXIX, p. 378); the Age of Majority (Alderney) Law, 2001 (No. XXV of 2001, Ordres en Conseil Vol. XLI, p. 738); the Children (Consequential Amendments etc.) (Guernsey and Alderney) Ordinance, 2009 (No. VII of 2010).
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© States of Guernsey 2
PROJET DE LOI
ENTITLED
The Registration of Non-Regulated Financial Services Businesses (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 2008 ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS
PART I
REGISTRATION OF NON-REGULATED FINANCIAL SERVICES BUSINESSES Preliminary
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PART III
SUPPLEMENTARY MATTERS
Notice of decisions
15. Notice of Commission’s decision to refuse registration, etc.
Appeals
16. Appeals against decisions of Commission.
Power of Commission to obtain information
17. Site visits.
18. Power to request and obtain information and documents.
19. Investigations by inspectors.
20. Investigation of suspected offences.
21. Power of Bailiff to grant warrant.
22. Powers conferred by Bailiff’s warrant.
23. Legal professional privilege, liens and duties of confidentiality.
24. Falsification, etc, of documents during investigation.
Enforcement powers
25. Power to issue private reprimand.
26. Disqualification orders.
27. Injunctions to restrain unlawful business, etc.
Disclosure of information
28. Restrictions on disclosure of information.
29. Cases where disclosure is permitted.
PART IV
GENERAL PROVISIONS
Ordinances and regulations
30. Ordinances and regulations.
31. Regulations: consultation with Committees and laying before States.
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Criminal proceedings
32. Offences as to false or misleading information, etc.
33. Penalties.
34. Criminal proceedings against unincorporated bodies.
35. Criminal liability of directors, etc.
36. Defence of due diligence.
37. Jurisdiction.
Liability of States, etc.
38. Exclusion of liability.
Miscellaneous
39. Service of notices and documents.
40. Verification of information.
41. Evidence.
42. Interpretation.
43. References to financial services businesses.
44. "Carrying on" business.
45. Revocation.
46. Provision as to publication of notices in Alderney and Sark and on
Commission's website.
47. Citation.
SCHEDULE 1 Financial services businesses.
Part I Financial services businesses.
Part II Regulated businesses.
Part III Incidental and other activities.
SCHEDULE 2 Directors etc. to be fit and proper persons.
SCHEDULE 3 Meaning of "holding company" and "subsidiary company".
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PROJET DE LOI
ENTITLED
The Registration of Non-Regulated Financial Services Businesses (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 2008 THE STATES, in pursuance of their Resolution of the 13th day of December, 2007a , have approved the following provisions which, subject to the Sanction of Her Most Excellent Majesty in Council, shall have force of law in the Bailiwick of Guernsey.
PART I
REGISTRATION OF NON-REGULATED FINANCIAL SERVICES BUSINESSES Preliminary Application of Law.
a
Article 16 of Billet d'État No. XXVI of 2007.
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(4) The Policy Council may by regulation amend Schedule 1 by adding, deleting or amending any class or description of business. NOTE The following Regulations have been made under section 1:
Registration of Non-Regulated Financial Services Businesses (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 2008 (Schedule 1 Amendment) Regulations, 2008; Registration of Non-Regulated Financial Services Businesses (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 2008 (Schedule 1 Amendment) Regulations, 2010; Registration of Non-Regulated Financial Services Businesses (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law 2008 (Schedule 1 Amendment) Regulations, 2013. Financial services businesses must be registered by Commission.
2. (1) A financial services business carrying on or holding itself out
as carrying on business in or from within the Bailiwick must, subject to the provisions of section 3, be registered by the Guernsey Financial Services Commission ("the Commission"). (2) A financial services business which is not registered in accordance with subsection (1) is guilty of an offence. Exemptions from requirement to register.
3. A financial services business is not required to be registered by the
Commission where –
(a) the total turnover of the person carrying on the financial services business in respect of financial services business does not exceed £50,000 per annum,
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(b) the financial services business does not carry out occasional transactions, that is to say, any transaction involving more than £10,000, carried out by the financial services business in question in the course of that business, where no business relationship has been proposed or established, including such transactions carried out in a single operation or two or more operations that appear to be linked, (c) the financial services business does not exceed 5% of the total turnover of the person carrying on the business, (d) the financial services business is ancillary, and directly related, to the main activity of the person carrying on the business, (e) the financial services business does not facilitate or transmit money or value by any means, (f) the main activity of the person carrying on the financial services business is not that of a financial services business, and (g) the financial services business is provided only to customers of the main activity of the person carrying on the business and is not offered to the public. Registration
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Application for registration.
4. (1) A financial services business required to be registered under
section 2 shall apply to the Commission for registration.
(2) An application for registration shall be made in such form and manner as the Commission may determine and shall be accompanied by – (a) a statement of – (i) its legal name and any trading names, (ii) its place and date of incorporation or establishment, (iii) its principal place of business and any other business addresses in the Bailiwick, (iv) details of the type or types of financial services business carried out, (v) the name, address, date of birth and nationality of each of its directors, controllers, partners, senior officers and beneficial owners, (vi) the name of the money laundering reporting officer, (vii) subject to the provisions of the Rehabilitation of Offenders (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law,
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2002b
, whether or not any person mentioned in paragraphs (v) and (vi) has at any time had a criminal conviction and, if so, details of the conviction and the circumstances surrounding it, (b) such other information and documents as the Commission may reasonably require for the purpose of determining the application, and (c) subject to subsection (3), a non-refundable application fee of such amount as may be prescribed by regulations of the Commission. (3) A financial services business which, immediately prior to the commencement of this Law, has fulfilled, and continued to fulfil, the requirements of Regulation 16 of the Criminal Justice (Proceeds of Crime) (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Regulations, 2007, shall be exempt from the requirement to pay the application fee under subsection (2)(c). (4) On receipt of an application for registration and at any time thereafter the Commission may by notice in writing require the applicant or any person who is or is to be a director, controller, partner, senior officer or beneficial owner to provide such additional information and documents as the Commission may reasonably require for the purpose of determining the application. (5) Any information or statement to be provided to the Commission under this section shall be in such form as the Commission may
b
Order in Council No. XIV of 2002.
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(6) The Commission's requirements under subsections (4) and (5) may differ as between different applications. (7) An application under this section may be withdrawn by notice in writing to the Commission at any time before it is determined. (8) If there is any change to any of the information supplied to the Commission by or on behalf of an applicant for the purposes of an application for registration (whether by virtue of the information becoming out of date, or being found to be incomplete or inaccurate, or otherwise), the applicant shall inform the Commission, before the application is granted or refused, of the change, and a failure to do so is, without prejudice to the generality of any other provision of this Law, a ground for the refusal or revocation of registration. NOTE The following regulations have been made under section 4:
Registration of Non-Regulated Financial Services Businesses (Bailiwick of Guernsey) (Fees) Regulations, 2012. Grant or refusal of registration.
5. (1) The Commission may, on receipt of an application under
section 4 –
(a) grant the application, or
(b) refuse the application, or
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(c) grant the application subject to conditions under
section 8.
(2) The Commission may refuse an application for registration only if – (a) the application is not accompanied by the application fee, unless the applicant is exempt under section 4(3), or the application is otherwise not made in accordance with the provisions of section 4, (b) any requirement of the Commission under section 4 has not been complied with, (c) it appears to the Commission that any information, statement or document provided in support of the application is false, misleading, deceptive or inaccurate, (d) it appears to the Commission that the applicant has contravened in a material particular or committed an offence under a provision of, or made under, this Law or the prescribed Laws, (e) proceedings have been or are to be instituted in respect of the applicant under section 14 (winding up), section 26 (disqualification orders) or section 27 (injunctions), (f) it appears to the Commission that the applicant or any person who is, or is to be, a director, controller,
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© States of Guernsey 12 partner, senior officer or beneficial owner – (i) is not a fit and proper person to be concerned in the management of a financial services business, having regard to the provisions of
Schedule 2, which shall have effect
accordingly, or
(ii) has failed without reasonable excuse to provide the Commission with any information reasonably requested by the Commission concerning the fitness or propriety of any such person to be concerned in the management of a financial services business, (g) it appears to the Commission that the interests of the public or the reputation of the Bailiwick as a finance centre are in any way jeopardised, whether by the manner in which the applicant is conducting, or proposes to conduct, its affairs or for any other reason, or (h) a relevant supervisory authority in a country outside the Bailiwick has withdrawn from the applicant an authorisation corresponding to a registration under this Law. (3) Where the Commission decides to refuse an application for registration, the Commission shall serve on the applicant, in accordance with the provisions of section 15, notice in writing of the decision.
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(4) Except in circumstances where the Commission has notice of any grounds upon which it could refuse an application for, or revoke, registration of a financial services business, the Commission shall have no obligation to make any enquiries concerning – (a) an application for registration, or (b) the continued registration, of any financial services business. Certificate of registration.
6. (1) On approving an application for registration of a financial
services business under section 4, the Commission shall give the applicant a certificate of registration in such form and containing such information as the Commission may determine. (2) A financial services business shall immediately deliver its certificate of registration to the Commission – (a) whenever required to do so by the Commission, and (b) on the revocation, suspension or surrender of its registration. (3) Except when required by or under subsection (2) to deliver its certificate of registration to the Commission, a financial services business shall, at its principal place of business in the Bailiwick, at all times during ordinary business hours, make the certificate available to any person reasonably requesting to see it.
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(4) The certificate of registration remains, at all times, the property of the Commission. (5) A person who contravenes any provision of subsection (2) or (3) is guilty of an offence. Validity of registration and general requirements.
7. (1) The registration of a financial services business shall, subject
to subsection (2), remain effective until it is revoked or surrendered under section 10 or 11. (2) An annual fee, of such amount as may be prescribed by regulations of the Commission, shall be payable, on or before such date in each calendar year as may be so prescribed, in respect of each financial services business registered under this Law. (3) A registered financial services business must inform the Commission of any change occurring to the information given to the Commission for the purposes of its application for registration under section 4(2) or to any information given to the Commission thereafter – (a) prior to making such a change, or (b) where a change is sudden or unexpected, promptly after such change is made, and for the purposes of this paragraph a change to such information shall include the intention to cease being a financial services business to which this Law applies.
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NOTE
The following regulations have been made under section 7:
Registration of Non-Regulated Financial Services Businesses (Bailiwick of Guernsey) (Fees) Regulations, 2012. Conditions of registration.
8. (1) The Commission may, when registering a financial services
business or at any time thereafter, impose such conditions in respect of the registration as it thinks fit. (2) Such conditions may apply to registered financial services businesses generally, to any class of financial services business or to any particular financial services business. (3) The Commission may vary or rescind any condition of a registration. (4) Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1), the conditions which may be imposed in respect of a registration may make provision for the protection of the public or for the protection and enhancement of the reputation of the Bailiwick as a finance centre, and conditions may (without limitation) – (a) require the financial services business to take certain steps, to refrain from adopting or pursuing a particular course of action or to restrict the scope of its business in a particular way, (b) impose limitations on the acceptance or carrying on of
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© States of Guernsey 16 business,
(c) prohibit the financial services business from soliciting (whether at all or in any specified manner) business, either generally or from particular persons or classes of persons, (d) require the financial services business to provide, in whatever form and manner and at whatever time the Commission may reasonably determine, evidence of compliance with any provision of, or made under, this Law or the prescribed Laws. (5) A financial services business which contravenes any condition of its registration is guilty of an offence. (6) The contravention of a condition of a registration shall, in addition to constituting an offence under subsection (5), be a ground for the suspension or revocation of the registration but shall not of itself invalidate any contract entered into or transaction completed before the date of suspension or revocation. (7) In considering whether or not to impose, vary or rescind any condition in respect of a registration the Commission may, without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing provisions of this section, have regard to any matter to which it may have regard under section 5 or 10 when considering whether or not to grant an application for a registration or to revoke a registration. (8) The Commission may give public notice of the imposition, variation or rescission of a condition in respect of a registration and the date from
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© States of Guernsey 17 which any such condition is effective, and, in deciding whether or not to do so, the Commission shall have regard to the interests of the public and the protection and enhancement of the reputation of the Bailiwick as a finance centre. (9) Where the Commission decides, otherwise than with the agreement of the financial services business concerned, to impose, vary or rescind any condition in respect of a registration, the Commission shall serve upon the financial services business concerned, in accordance with the provisions of section 15, notice in writing of the decision setting out particulars of the condition in question. Suspension of registration.
9. (1) The Commission may, by notice in writing served on a
financial services business, suspend the financial services business's registration – (a) at the request of the financial services business concerned, or (b) in any case in which it appears to the Commission that it has power, under the provisions of section 10, to revoke the registration. (2) The suspension of a registration in pursuance of subsection (1) shall be – (a) for a period specified by the Commission, (b) until the occurrence of an event so specified, or (c) until any prohibitions or requirements so specified are
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© States of Guernsey 18 complied with.
(3) During a period of suspension of a registration in pursuance of subsection (1) – (a) the financial services business may not carry on, or hold itself out as carrying on, business of the description to which the registration relates in or from within the Bailiwick, and (b) no payments may be made by or to the financial services business or any person acting on the financial services business's behalf in respect of business of that description without the prior written approval of the Commission. (4) In considering whether or not to suspend a financial services business’s registration in pursuance of subsection (1), the Commission may, without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing provisions of this section, have regard to any matter to which it may have regard under section 5 or 10 when considering whether or not to grant an application for a registration or to revoke a registration. (5) Where the Commission decides, otherwise than with the agreement of the financial services business concerned, to suspend a registration, the Commission shall serve upon the financial services business concerned, in accordance with the provisions of section 15, notice in writing of the decision. (6) The provisions of section 10(3) to (6) shall apply in relation to a decision of the Commission to suspend a registration as they apply in relation to a decision of the Commission to revoke a registration, and for that purpose references
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© States of Guernsey 19 in those subsections (however expressed) to revocation shall include references to suspension. Revocation of registration.
10. (1) The Commission may revoke a registration held by a financial
services business if it appears to the Commission that – (a) any of the provisions of section 5(2)(d) to (h) would apply in respect of the registered financial services business if it were applying for registration, (b) the financial services business has contravened any condition imposed by the Commission under section 8, (c) the Commission has been provided with false, misleading, deceptive or inaccurate information for the purposes of any provision of, or made under, this Law – (i) by or on behalf of the financial services business, or (ii) by or on behalf of a person who is or is to be a director, controller, partner, senior officer or beneficial owner, or (d) the annual fee has not been paid. (2) In considering whether or not to revoke a registration the Commission may, without prejudice to the foregoing provisions of this section,
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© States of Guernsey 20 have regard to any matter to which it may have regard under section 5 when considering whether or not to grant an application for a registration. (3) A decision of the Commission to revoke a registration shall not, subject to the provisions of subsection (4), have effect until the end of the period within which, under section 16, an appeal can be brought against the revocation or, if an appeal is brought within that period, until the appeal is finally disposed of or withdrawn. (4) Where the Commission is of the view that it is necessary or desirable to do so for the protection of the public or for the protection or enhancement of the reputation of the Bailiwick as a finance centre, the Commission may apply to the Court for an order under this subsection directing that its decision to revoke a registration should, without prejudice to any appeal in respect of the decision under section 16, have immediate effect, and the Court may make an order under this subsection on such terms as it thinks just. (5) An application by the Commission for an order under subsection (4) may, with the approval of the Court, and on such terms as the Court may direct, be made ex parte. (6) In this section "the Court" means – (a) where the financial services business in relation to the registration of which the order is sought – (i) is an Alderney company, or (ii) is not an Alderney company or a Guernsey company but has its principal place of business
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© States of Guernsey 21 in Alderney, the Court of Alderney, (b) where the financial services business in relation to the registration of which the order is sought is not an Alderney company or a Guernsey company but has its principal place of business in Sark, the Court of the Seneschal, and (c) in any other case, the Royal Court. (7) Where the Commission decides, otherwise than with the agreement of the financial services business concerned, to revoke a registration, the Commission shall serve upon the financial services business concerned, in accordance with the provisions of section 15, notice in writing of the decision. Surrender of registration.
11. (1) A financial services business may surrender its registration by
notice in writing served upon the Commission.
(2) A surrender shall take effect upon service of the notice or at such later date as may be specified therein and, where a later date is so specified, the financial services business may by a further notice in writing served upon the Commission substitute an earlier date upon which the surrender is, subject as aforesaid, to take effect, not being earlier than the date upon which the further notice was served. (3) The surrender of a registration shall be irrevocable unless it is expressed to take effect on a particular date and, before that date, the Commission,
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© States of Guernsey 22 upon the written application of the financial services business and by notice in writing to the financial services business, allows the surrender to be withdrawn. Information as to registered financial services businesses List of, and information as to, registered financial services businesses.
12. (1) The Commission shall –
(a) establish and maintain, in such form as the Commission may determine, a list of all financial services businesses which are for the time being registered, (b) make available to any person, on request and on payment of such charge (if any) as the Commission may reasonably demand to cover the cost of preparation, a copy of that list, and (c) publish a copy of the list on the Commission's official website. (2) The list maintained under subsection (1) shall contain, in relation to each financial services business – (a) a statement of – (i) the legal name and any trading names of the business, (ii) its principal place of business and any other
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© States of Guernsey 23 business addresses in the Bailiwick, (iii) details of the type or types of financial services business carried out, and (b) such other particulars as the Commission may determine. (3) If at any time it appears to the Commission – (a) whether in consequence of – (i) any grant of a registration under section 5 or suspension, revocation or surrender of a registration under section 9, 10 or 11, or (ii) any change in relation to a financial services business, or (b) due to an error or for any other reason, that the list maintained under subsection (1), or any particular contained in an entry in that list, is inaccurate, the Commission shall make such addition, erasure or other alteration to that list or entry as the Commission considers necessary. (4) The Commission may give public notice of the fact that a particular financial services business – (a) has been granted or refused a registration,
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(b) has ceased to be registered, whether by virtue of the revocation or surrender of the registration or otherwise, or (c) has had its registration suspended, and, in deciding whether or not to do so, the Commission shall have regard to the interests of the public and the protection and enhancement of the reputation of the Bailiwick as a finance centre.
PART II
WINDING UP OF REGISTERED FINANCIAL SERVICES BUSINESSES Application of this Part.
13. This Part applies to registered financial services businesses, or the
persons carrying on registered financial services businesses, which are Guernsey companies or Alderney companies. Winding up.
14. (1) The Commission or, with the leave of the court, any other
person, may present an application for the winding up in accordance with the Companies (Guernsey) Law, 1994c of a registered financial services business, or a person carrying on a registered financial services business, which is a Guernsey company, or in accordance with the Companies (Alderney) Law, 1994d of a registered financial services business, or a person carrying on a registered financial
c
Orders in Council No. XXXIII of 1994; No. XIV of 1996; No. I of 2001, No. II of 2002 and No. IX of 2006; also amended by Ordinance No. X of 1997, No. XXXIII of 2003 and Ordinances No. XI, XII and XVIII of 2006. d Order in Council No. XXXIV of 1994; No. XV of 2002.
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© States of Guernsey 25 services business, which is an Alderney company – (a) on the ground that the financial services business has contravened in a material particular a provision of, or made under, this Law or the prescribed Laws, or has committed an offence under such a provision, or (b) where such winding up appears to be necessary – (i) for the protection of the public against the effects of dishonesty, incompetence or malpractice, or (ii) to counter financial crime and the financing of terrorism in the Bailiwick or elsewhere, or (iii) for the maintenance of confidence in the finance sector in the Bailiwick, or (iv) to protect or enhance the reputation of the Bailiwick as a finance centre. NOTE The Companies (Guernsey) Law, 1994 has since been repealed by the Companies (Guernsey) Law, 2008, section 543, Schedule 5, paragraph 4(1)(a), with effect from 1st July, 2008, subject to the savings and transitional provisions in, first, section 541 of and Schedule 4 (paragraphs 2 and 4 of which entered into force on 12th June, 2008) to the 2008 Law, second, the Companies (Transitional Provisions) Regulations, 2008, third, the Companies (Transitional Provisions) (No. 2) Regulations, 2008 and, fourth, the Companies (Transitional Provisions) (No. 3) Regulations, 2008.
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PART III
SUPPLEMENTARY MATTERS
Notice of decisions
Notice of Commission’s decision to refuse registration, etc.
15. (1) Notice of a decision of the Commission required to be served
under section 5(3), 8(9), 9(5) 10(7) or 25(3) – (a) shall state the grounds of the Commission's decision, and (b) shall give particulars of the right of appeal conferred by section 16. (2) Where – (a) a ground for a decision mentioned in section 5(3), 8(9), 9(5), 10(7) or 25(3) is that any person who is, or is to be, a director, controller, partner, senior officer or beneficial owner of the financial services business is not a fit and proper person to be concerned in the management of a financial services business, having regard to the provisions of Schedule 2, or (b) a condition of a registration requires the removal or replacement of any person as a director, controller, partner or senior officer,
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© States of Guernsey 27 the Commission shall serve on that person a copy of the notice mentioned in subsection (1) (which copy may omit any matter which does not relate to him) together with particulars of the right of appeal conferred by section 16. Appeals Appeals against decisions of Commission.
16. (1) A person aggrieved by a decision of the Commission –
(a) to refuse an application by him for registration of a financial services business under section 5(3), (b) to impose, vary or rescind any condition in respect of his registration under section 8(9), (c) to suspend or revoke his registration under section 9(5) or 10(7), (d) to impose a requirement under section 18, (e) to serve a notice on him under section 19(1) or (3), or
section 20(1),
(f) to issue a private reprimand under section 25, or (g) being a decision of such description as the States may by Ordinance prescribe for the purposes of this
section,
may appeal to the Court against the decision.
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(2) Where –
(a) a ground for a decision described in subsection (1) is that any person who is, or is to be, a director, controller, partner, senior officer or beneficial owner of the financial services business is not a fit and proper person to be concerned in the management of a financial services business, having regard to the provisions of Schedule 2, or (b) the effect of a decision described in subsection (1) is to require the removal or replacement of any person as a director, controller, partner or senior officer, the person to whom the ground relates or whose removal or replacement is required may appeal to the Court against the finding that there is a ground for the decision or, as the case may be, against the decision to require his removal. (3) The grounds of an appeal under this section are that – (a) the decision was ultra vires or there was some other error of law, (b) the decision was unreasonable, (c) the decision was made in bad faith, (d) there was a lack of proportionality, or
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(e) there was a material error as to the facts or as to the procedure. (4) An appeal under this section shall be instituted – (a) within a period of 28 days immediately following the date of the notice of the Commission's decision, and (b) by summons served on the Chairman of the Commission stating the grounds and material facts on which the appellant relies. (5) The Commission may, where an appeal under this section has been instituted, apply to the Court, by summons served on the appellant, for an order that the appeal shall be dismissed for want of prosecution, and upon hearing the application the Court may – (a) dismiss the appeal or dismiss the application (in either case upon such terms and conditions as the Court may direct), or (b) make such other order as the Court considers just, and the provisions of this subsection are without prejudice to the inherent powers of the Court or to any other rule of law empowering the Court to dismiss the appeal or the application for want of prosecution. (6) On an appeal under this section the Court may – (a) set the decision of the Commission aside and, if the
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Court considers it appropriate to do so, remit the matter to the Commission with such directions as the Court thinks fit, or (b) confirm the decision, in whole or in part. (7) On an appeal under this section against a decision described in subsection (1)(c) the Court may, upon the application of the appellant, and on such terms as the Court thinks just, suspend or modify the operation of the condition in question, or the variation or rescission thereof, pending the determination of the appeal. (8) In this section, "the Court" means the Royal Court constituted by the Bailiff sitting unaccompanied by the Jurats, and the Court may appoint one or more assessors to assist it in the determination of the proceedings or any matter relevant thereto. (9) An appeal from a decision of the Royal Court made under this Law (including a decision made on an appeal from the Court of Alderney or the Court of the Seneschal) shall lie to the Court of Appeal on a question of law. Power of Commission to obtain information Site visits.
17. The Financial Services Commission (Site Visits) (Bailiwick of
Guernsey) Ordinance, 2008 shall apply to financial services businesses registered under this Law as if such businesses were persons prescribed by Ordinance under the provisions of section 21C of the Financial Services Commission (Bailiwick of
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Guernsey) Law, 1987e and for the purposes of this section – (a) references in that Ordinance to a licensee shall be deemed to be references to a financial services business registered under this Law, and (b) references in that Ordinance to the regulatory Laws shall be deemed to be references to this Law and to the prescribed Laws within the meaning of section 42. Power to request and obtain information and documents.
18. (1) The Commission may, by notice in writing served on a
registered financial services business, require it to provide the Commission – (a) at such times or intervals, at such place and in respect of such periods as may be specified in the notice, with such information as the Commission may reasonably require for the performance of its functions, (b) with a report, in such form as may be specified in the notice, by a person who has relevant professional skill and who is nominated or approved by the Commission, on or on any aspect of any matter in relation to which the Commission may require information under paragraph (a).
e
Ordres en Conseil Vol. XXX, p. 243; amended by No. XX of 1991; No. XIII of 1994; No. II of 1997; No. II of 1998; Nos. XVII and XXI of 2002; Nos. III and XXII of 2003; the Machinery of Government (Transfer of Functions) (Guernsey) Ordinance, 2003 (No. XXXIII); and the Financial Services Commission (Bailiwick of Guernsey) (Amendment) Ordinance, 2005 (No. XXXIV).
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(2) The Commission may, by notice in writing served on a registered financial services business – (a) require it to produce, within such time and at such place as may be specified in the notice, such documents or documents of such description as may be so specified, (b) require it to furnish forthwith, to any of the Commission's officers, servants or agents authorised for the purposes of this paragraph, on production of evidence of such authority, such information and documents as the officer, servant or agent may specify, being information or documents reasonably required by the Commission for the performance of its functions. (3) Where under subsection (2) the Commission or any officer, servant or agent thereof has power to require the production of any documents from a registered financial services business, the Commission or that officer, servant or agent shall have the like power to require the production of those documents from any person who appears to be in possession of them (but without prejudice to any lien claimed by such a person on any documents produced by him). (4) The power conferred by this section to require a person to produce any documents includes power – (a) if the documents are produced, to take copies of them
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© States of Guernsey 33 or extracts from them and to require – (i) that person, or (ii) any other person who is a present or past director, controller, partner, senior officer or beneficial owner of that financial services business, to provide an explanation of them, and (b) if the documents are not produced, to require the person who was required to produce them to state, to the best of his knowledge and belief, where they are. (5) If it appears to the Commission to be desirable to do so for the protection of the public or the protection and enhancement of the reputation of the Bailiwick as a finance centre, the Commission may also exercise the powers conferred by this section in relation to any person who is or has at any relevant time been an associated party of the financial services business. (6) The foregoing provisions of this section shall apply in relation to a former registered financial services business as they apply in relation to a registered financial services business, but only, unless the Commission directs otherwise in any particular case, for a period of 6 years immediately after the date on which the former registered financial services business ceased to be registered. (7) The Commission may, by notice in writing served on any person who is or is to be a director, controller, partner, senior officer or beneficial owner of a financial services business, require him to furnish the Commission,
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© States of Guernsey 34 within such time as may be specified in the notice, with such information or documents as the Commission may reasonably require for determining whether he is a fit and proper person to be concerned in the management of a financial services business. (8) The Commission may exercise the powers conferred by subsections (1) to (4) in relation to, where the financial services business is a company, any person who is a significant shareholder of the financial services business if the Commission considers that it is desirable to do so for the protection of the public or for the protection or enhancement of the reputation of the Bailiwick as a finance centre. (9) A person who without reasonable excuse fails to comply with a requirement imposed on him by or under this section is guilty of an offence. [(10) A statement made by a person in response to a requirement imposed by or under this section – (a) may be used in evidence against him in proceedings other than criminal proceedings, and (b) may not be used in evidence against him in criminal proceedings except – (i) where evidence relating to it is adduced, or a question relating to it is asked, in the proceedings by or on behalf of that person, or (ii) in proceedings for –
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(A) an offence under subsection (9) or
section 32(1) (but only in relation to a
requirement imposed by or under this
section),
(B) some other offence where, in giving evidence, he makes a statement inconsistent with it, but the statement is only admissible to the extent necessary to establish the inconsistency, (C) perjury, or (D) perverting the course of justice.] [(10A) ...] (11) A notice under subsection (1), (2), (3) or (7) shall give particulars of the right of appeal conferred by section 16. NOTES In section 18, subsection (10) was substituted by the Statements Obtained Under Compulsion (Restriction of Use) (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 2009, section 1, Schedule, with effect from 5th August, 2010;1 subsection (10A) (which was originally inserted by the Registration of Non-Regulated Financial Services Businesses (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 2008 (Amendment) Ordinance, 2008, section 1(2), with effect from 9th July, 2008) was repealed by the Statements Obtained Under Compulsion (Restriction of Use) (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 2009, section 1, Schedule, with effect from 5th August, 2010.
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Investigations by inspectors.
19. (1) The Commission may, in relation to any registered financial
services business, if it considers it desirable to do so for the protection of the public or for the protection or enhancement of the reputation of the Bailiwick as a finance centre, appoint one or more competent persons (hereinafter called "inspectors") to investigate and report to the Commission on – (a) the nature, conduct or state of the business of the financial services business in question or any particular aspect of that business, or (b) the ownership or control of the financial services business, and the Commission shall give notice in writing of the appointment to the financial services business concerned. (2) An inspector may also, if he thinks it necessary to do so for the purposes of his investigation, subject to the provisions of subsection (3), investigate the business of any person who is or has at any relevant time been an associated party of the financial services business under investigation. (3) An inspector may not investigate the business of a party under subsection (2) unless and until the Commission has given notice in writing to that party of the proposed investigation. (4) A financial services business or party being investigated under subsection (1) or (2) and any person who is or has been a director, controller,
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© States of Guernsey 37 partner, senior officer, employee, agent, banker, auditor, advocate or other legal adviser of a financial services business or party being so investigated, or who is or has been a significant shareholder in relation to such a financial services business or party – (a) shall produce to an inspector, at such time and place as the inspector may require, all documents in his custody or power relating to that financial services business or party; and the inspector may take copies of or extracts from any documents produced to him under this paragraph, (b) shall attend before an inspector at such time and place as the inspector may require and answer such questions as the inspector may put to him in relation to that financial services business or party, and (c) otherwise shall give an inspector all assistance in connection with the investigation which he is reasonably able to give. (5) An inspector shall, if so required, produce evidence of his authority. (6) A person who without reasonable excuse – (a) fails to comply with any provision of subsection (4), or (b) obstructs, fails to comply with any requirement of or
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© States of Guernsey 38 fails to give all reasonable assistance to an inspector exercising or purporting to exercise any right conferred by this section, is guilty of an offence. [(7) A statement made by a person in response to a requirement imposed by or under this section – (a) may be used in evidence against him in proceedings other than criminal proceedings, and (b) may not be used in evidence against him in criminal proceedings except – (i) where evidence relating to it is adduced, or a question relating to it is asked, in the proceedings by or on behalf of that person, or (ii) in proceedings for – (A) an offence under subsection (6) or
section 32(1) (but only in relation to a
requirement imposed by or under this
section),
(B) some other offence where, in giving evidence, he makes a statement inconsistent with it, but the statement is
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© States of Guernsey 39 only admissible to the extent necessary to establish the inconsistency, (C) perjury, or (D) perverting the course of justice.] [(7A) ...] (8) Subject to the provisions of subsection (9), the costs, fees and expenses of an investigation and report under subsection (1) or (2) shall be met by the financial services business, the business, ownership or control of which is being investigated under subsection (1); and those costs, fees and expenses may, subject as aforesaid, be recovered by the Commission from that financial services business as a civil debt. (9) No sum in respect of the costs, fees and expenses of an investigation and report under subsection (1) or (2) may be recovered by the Commission from a financial services business as a civil debt where the court is satisfied that – (a) the sum is not reasonable in amount or was not reasonably incurred, or (b) the Commission acted unreasonably, frivolously or vexatiously in incurring that sum. (10) A notice under subsection (1) or (3) shall give particulars of the right of appeal conferred by section 16.
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(11) The provisions of this section apply in relation to a former registered financial services business as they apply in relation to a registered financial services business, but only in connection with the business, ownership or control of the former registered financial services business at a time when it was registered. NOTES In section 19, subsection (7) was substituted by the Statements Obtained Under Compulsion (Restriction of Use) (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 2009, section 1, Schedule, with effect from 5th August, 2010;2 subsection (7A) (which was originally inserted by the Registration of Non-Regulated Financial Services Businesses (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 2008 (Amendment) Ordinance, 2008, section 1(3), with effect from 9th July, 2008) was repealed by the Statements Obtained Under Compulsion (Restriction of Use) (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 2009, section 1, Schedule, with effect from 5th August, 2010. Investigation of suspected offences.
20. (1) Where the Commission has reasonable grounds for suspecting
that a person has committed an offence under section 2 or 8, the Commission may by notice in writing require that person or any other person – (a) to furnish, at such place as may be specified in the notice and either forthwith or at such time as may be so specified, such information, documents or description of documents as may be specified and as may reasonably be required for the purpose of investigating the suspected offence, (b) to attend at such place and time as may be specified in
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© States of Guernsey 41 the notice and answer questions relevant for determining whether such an offence has been committed. (2) An officer, servant or agent of the Commission may, on production if required of evidence of his authority – (a) take copies of or extracts from, and require an explanation of, any document furnished in accordance with the requirements of a notice under subsection (1), (b) in the case of any document which is not furnished as required by a notice under subsection (1), require the person on whom the notice was served to state to the best of his knowledge and belief the whereabouts of that document. (3) A person who without reasonable excuse fails to comply with any requirement of a notice under subsection (1) or obstructs or fails to comply with any requirement of a person exercising or purporting to exercise any right conferred by subsection (2) is guilty of an offence. [(4) A statement made by a person in response to a requirement imposed by or under this section – (a) may be used in evidence against him in proceedings other than criminal proceedings, and (b) may not be used in evidence against him in criminal proceedings except –
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(i) where evidence relating to it is adduced, or a question relating to it is asked, in the proceedings by or on behalf of that person, or (ii) in proceedings for – (A) an offence under subsection (3) or
section 32(1) (but only in relation to a
requirement imposed by or under this
section),
(B) some other offence where, in giving evidence, he makes a statement inconsistent with it, but the statement is only admissible to the extent necessary to establish the inconsistency, (C) perjury, or (D) perverting the course of justice.] [(4A) ...] (5) A notice under subsection (1) shall give particulars of the right of appeal conferred by section 16. NOTES In section 20,
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© States of Guernsey 43 subsection (4) was substituted by the Statements Obtained Under Compulsion (Restriction of Use) (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 2009, section 1, Schedule, with effect from 5th August, 2010;3 subsection (4A) (which was originally inserted by the Registration of Non-Regulated Financial Services Businesses (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 2008 (Amendment) Ordinance, 2008, section 1(4), with effect from 9th July, 2008) was repealed by the Statements Obtained Under Compulsion (Restriction of Use) (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 2009, section 1, Schedule, with effect from 5th August, 2010. Power of Bailiff to grant warrant.
21. (1) If the Bailiff (within the meaning of subsection (4)) is satisfied
by information on oath –
(a) that a notice has been served under section 18 on any person and that there are reasonable grounds for suspecting – (i) that there has been a failure to comply with any requirement imposed by or under the notice, (ii) that there has been a failure by that person to comply with any other requirement imposed by or under section 18, or (iii) the accuracy or completeness of any information or documents furnished pursuant to any requirement mentioned in subparagraph (i) or (ii), (b) that it is not practicable to serve a notice under section
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18, or
(c) that there are reasonable grounds for suspecting that if such a notice were served – (i) it would not be complied with, (ii) any documents to which it would relate would be removed, tampered with or destroyed, or (iii) the service of the notice might seriously prejudice the performance by the Commission of its functions, he may grant a warrant conferring the powers set out in section 22. (2) If the Bailiff is satisfied by information on oath that the Commission has appointed inspectors under section 19 to carry out an investigation under that section, and that there are reasonable grounds for suspecting – (a) that an offence under this Law has been committed in relation to the investigation, (b) the accuracy or completeness of any information or documents furnished in the course of the investigation, or (c) that, if a warrant were not granted – (i) any documents which the inspectors wish or
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© States of Guernsey 45 might wish to inspect would be removed, tampered with or destroyed, or (ii) the investigation might be seriously prejudiced, he may grant a warrant conferring the powers set out in section 22. (3) If the Bailiff is satisfied by information on oath that there are reasonable grounds for suspecting that a person has committed an offence under
section 2 or 8 and that –
(a) a person has failed to comply with any requirement of a notice under section 20(1) or any other requirement imposed by or under section 20, (b) there are reasonable grounds for suspecting the accuracy or completeness of any information or documents furnished pursuant to such a notice or requirement, (c) it is not practicable to serve a notice under section 20(1), or (d) there are reasonable grounds for suspecting that if such a notice were served – (i) it would not be complied with, (ii) any documents to which it would relate would be removed, tampered with or destroyed, or
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(iii) the service of the notice might seriously prejudice the investigation of the suspected offences, he may grant a warrant conferring the powers set out in section 22. (4) In this section the expression "Bailiff" means – (a) where the warrant is to be executed in Alderney, the Chairman of the Court of Alderney or, if he is unavailable, a Jurat thereof, (b) where the warrant is to be executed in Sark, the Seneschal or his deputy, (c) in any other case, the Bailiff, Deputy-Bailiff, Lieutenant-Bailiff, Judge of the Royal Court or Juge Délégué. Powers conferred by Bailiff's warrant.
22. (1) A warrant granted under section 21(1) shall authorise any
officer of police, together with any other person named in the warrant (including, without limitation, any officer, servant or agent of the Commission) – (a) to enter any premises specified in the warrant, being premises – (i) which are occupied by the person upon whom the notice under section 18 was or could be
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(ii) upon which the documents to which the notice under section 18 relates are reasonably believed to be, or (iii) where no notice under section 18 has been served, upon which the documents to which the notice would relate are reasonably believed to be, using such force as is reasonably necessary for the purpose, (b) to search the premises and, in relation to any documents – (i) which were required by the notice under
section 18, or
(ii) where no notice under section 18 has been served, which are of a class or description specified in the warrant and which could have been required by a notice under section 18, to take possession of them or to take any other steps which may appear to be necessary for preserving them or preventing interference with them, (c) to take copies of or extracts from any such documents,
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(d) to require any person named in, or of a class or description specified in, the warrant – (i) to answer any questions which could have been put to him under section 18, (ii) to state to the best of his knowledge and belief the whereabouts of any documents described in paragraph (b), (iii) to make an explanation of any such documents. (2) A warrant granted under section 21(2) shall authorise any officer of police, together with any other person named in the warrant (including, without limitation, any officer, servant or agent of the Commission) – (a) to enter any premises specified in the warrant, being premises – (i) which are occupied by the financial services business or other person being investigated by inspectors under section 19, or (ii) upon which any documents to which the investigation under section 19 relates are reasonably believed to be, using such force as is reasonably necessary for the purpose,
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(b) to search the premises and, in relation to any documents appearing to be relevant for the purpose of the investigation under section 19, to take possession of them or to take any other steps which may appear to be necessary for preserving them or preventing interference with them, (c) to take copies of or extracts from any such documents, (d) to require any person named in, or of a class or description specified in, the warrant – (i) to answer any questions relevant to the investigation under section 19, (ii) to state to the best of his knowledge and belief the whereabouts of any documents described in paragraph (b), (iii) to make an explanation of any such documents. (3) A warrant granted under section 21(3) shall authorise any officer of police, together with any other person named in the warrant (including, without limitation, any officer, servant or agent of the Commission) – (a) to enter any premises specified in the warrant, being premises – (i) which are occupied by the person upon whom
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© States of Guernsey 50 the notice under section 20(1) was served, (ii) upon which there are reasonably believed to be the documents to which the notice under
section 20(1) relates, or
(iii) where no notice under section 20(1) has been served, upon which the documents to which the notice would relate are reasonably believed to be, using such force as is reasonably necessary for the purpose, (b) to search the premises and, in relation to any documents appearing to be relevant for the purpose of investigating the suspected offence, to take possession of them or to take any other steps which may appear to be necessary for preserving them or preventing interference with them, (c) to take copies of or extracts from any such documents, (d) to require any person named in, or of a class or description specified in, the warrant – (i) to answer questions relevant for determining whether he or any other person has committed an offence under section 2 or 8,
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(ii) to state to the best of his knowledge and belief the whereabouts of any documents described in paragraph (b), (iii) to make an explanation of any such documents. (4) A warrant granted under section 21 shall cease to be valid on the expiration of 28 days immediately following the day on which it was issued. (5) Any documents of which possession is taken under the powers conferred by a warrant granted under section 21 may be retained – (a) for a period of three months or such longer period as the Bailiff may, when issuing the warrant or at any time thereafter, direct, or (b) if within that period proceedings to which the documents are relevant are commenced against any person, until the conclusion of those proceedings. (6) A person who without reasonable excuse obstructs or fails to comply with any requirement of a person exercising or purporting to exercise any power conferred by a warrant granted under section 21 is guilty of an offence. [(7) A statement made by a person in response to a requirement imposed under a warrant granted under section 21 – (a) may be used in evidence against him in proceedings other than criminal proceedings, and
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(b) may not be used in evidence against him in criminal proceedings except – (i) where evidence relating to it is adduced, or a question relating to it is asked, in the proceedings by or on behalf of that person, or (ii) in proceedings for – (A) an offence under subsection (6) or
section 32(1) (but only in relation to a
requirement imposed by or under this
section),
(B) some other offence where, in giving evidence, he makes a statement inconsistent with it, but the statement is only admissible to the extent necessary to establish the inconsistency, (C) perjury, or (D) perverting the course of justice.] [(8) ...] NOTES In section 22, subsection (7) was substituted by the Statements Obtained Under
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Compulsion (Restriction of Use) (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 2009, section 1, Schedule, with effect from 5th August, 2010;4 subsection (8) (which was originally inserted by the Registration of Non-Regulated Financial Services Businesses (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 2008 (Amendment) Ordinance, 2008, section 1(5), with effect from 9th July,
2008) was repealed by the Statements Obtained Under Compulsion
(Restriction of Use) (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 2009, section 1,
Schedule, with effect from 5th August, 2010.
Legal professional privilege, liens and duties of confidentiality.
23. (1) Nothing in –
(a) section 18, 19 or 20, or
(b) a warrant granted under section 21, shall compel the production or divulgence by an advocate or other legal adviser of a communication subject to legal professional privilege, but an advocate or other legal adviser may be required to give the name and address of any client. (2) Where a person claims a lien on a document, its production under – (a) section 18, 19 or 20, or (b) a warrant granted under section 21, is without prejudice to his lien. (3) A requirement imposed by or under –
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(a) section 18, 19 or 20, or
(b) a warrant granted under section 21, shall have effect notwithstanding any obligation as to confidentiality or other restriction upon the disclosure of information imposed by statute, contract or otherwise, and, accordingly, the obligation or restriction is not contravened by the making of a disclosure pursuant to such a requirement. Falsification, etc, of documents during investigation.
24. A person upon whom a notice under section 19 or 20 has been served
or who knows or has reasonable grounds to suspect – (a) that such a notice is likely to be served on him, or (b) that an inquiry or investigation is being or is likely to be carried out under section 19 or 20, and who falsifies, conceals, destroys, removes or otherwise disposes of, or causes or permits to be falsified, concealed, destroyed, removed or otherwise disposed of, documents which he knows or has reasonable grounds to suspect – (i) would be inspected or requested during such a site visit or are or would be relevant thereto, (ii) are or would be specified in such a notice, or (iii) are or would be relevant to such an inquiry or investigation,
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© States of Guernsey 55 is guilty of an offence unless he proves that he had no intention of concealing facts disclosed by the documents from the Commission or, as the case may be, from the persons carrying out such a site visit, inquiry or investigation. Enforcement powers Power to issue private reprimand.
25. (1) Without prejudice to any other powers of the Commission,
where the Commission considers that, having regard to the conduct of a registered financial services business or of any person who is a director, controller, partner, senior officer or beneficial owner, it is appropriate to do so, the Commission may issue to the financial services business a private reprimand. (2) In considering whether or not to issue a private reprimand under subsection (1), the Commission may, without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1), have regard to any matter to which it may have regard under section 5 or 10 when considering whether or not to grant an application for registration or to revoke a registration. (3) Where the Commission decides to issue a private reprimand, the Commission shall serve on the financial services business in question notice in writing of the decision. (4) A private reprimand issued under subsection (1) may be taken into account by the Commission in considering any matter under this Law concerning the financial services business in question. Disqualification orders.
26. (1) Where the Royal Court ("the Court") considers that, by
reason of a person's conduct in relation to any financial services business or
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© States of Guernsey 56 otherwise, that person is unfit to be concerned in the management of a financial services business, the Court may, if satisfied that it is desirable in the public interest to do so, make and subsequently renew (on one or more occasions) an order against him (a "disqualification order") prohibiting him, without the leave of the Court – (a) from being a director, controller, partner or senior officer of any, or any specified, financial services business, or (b) from participating in, or being in any way concerned in, directly or indirectly, the management, formation or promotion of any, or any specified, financial services business. (2) A disqualification order and any renewal thereof shall have effect for such period not exceeding 15 years as shall be specified therein. (3) A disqualification order and any renewal thereof may contain such incidental and ancillary terms and conditions as the Court thinks fit. (4) An application for a disqualification order or for a renewal thereof may be made by the Commission, by Her Majesty's Procureur, by any financial services business of which the person in question is, or has been, a director, controller, partner or senior officer, by any liquidator, member or creditor of such a financial services business or, with the leave of the Court, by any other interested party. (5) A person who contravenes any provision of a disqualification order or a renewal thereof –
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(a) shall be guilty of an offence, and
(b) shall be personally liable for any debts and liabilities of the financial services business in relation to which the contravention was committed which were incurred at any time when he was acting in contravention of the disqualification order or the renewal thereof. (6) A person's liability under subsection (5)(b) is joint and several with that of the financial services business and of any other person so liable in relation to that financial services business. (7) In determining whether or not a person is unfit to be concerned in the management of a financial services business, the Court shall have regard to the provisions of Schedule 2, which shall have effect accordingly. (8) A disqualification order may be renewed at any time before, or within a period of one month immediately succeeding, the date of the expiration of the order. (9) A person subject to a disqualification order or renewal thereof may apply to the Court for a revocation of the order or renewal on the ground that he is no longer unfit to be concerned in the management of a financial services business; and the Court may grant the application if satisfied that – (a) it would not be contrary to the public interest to do so, and (b) the applicant is no longer unfit to be concerned in the management of a financial services business.
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(10) An application under subsection (9) for the revocation of a disqualification order or renewal shall not be heard unless the person upon whose application the disqualification order or (as the case may be) the renewal was made has been served with notice of the application to revoke not less than 28 days (or such other period as the Court may in its absolute discretion direct) before the date of the hearing; and, without prejudice to the foregoing, the Court may – (a) direct that notice of the application to revoke shall also be served on such other persons as the Court thinks fit, and (b) for that purpose adjourn the hearing of the application. (11) For the removal of doubt, a disqualification order or renewal thereof, or an application under subsection (9) for the revocation of a disqualification order or renewal, may, with the agreement of the parties, and in the Court's absolute discretion, be granted by consent. (12) The provisions of this section are without prejudice to the Court’s powers under section 67A of the Companies (Guernsey) Law, 1994. NOTE The Companies (Guernsey) Law, 1994 has since been repealed by the Companies (Guernsey) Law, 2008, section 543, Schedule 5, paragraph 4(1)(a), with effect from 1st July, 2008, subject to the savings and transitional provisions in, first, section 541 of and Schedule 4 (paragraphs 2 and 4 of which entered into force on 12th June, 2008) to the 2008 Law, second, the Companies (Transitional Provisions) Regulations, 2008, third, the Companies (Transitional Provisions) (No. 2) Regulations, 2008 and, fourth, the Companies (Transitional Provisions) (No. 3) Regulations, 2008.
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Injunctions to restrain unlawful business, etc.
27. (1) If on the application of the Commission or, with the leave of
the Court, any other person, the Court is satisfied that – (a) there is a reasonable likelihood that a person will contravene section 2 or 8, or (b) a person may have contravened section 2 or 8 and there is a reasonable likelihood that the contravention will continue or be repeated, the Court may grant an injunction restraining the contravention. (2) If on the application of the Commission the Court is satisfied that a person may have contravened section 2 or 8, the Court may grant an injunction restraining him or any of his associates or controllers from disposing of or otherwise dealing with any assets or class or description of assets while the suspected contravention is investigated. (3) An injunction under subsection (1) or (2) may be granted on such terms and conditions, and may contain such incidental, ancillary, consequential or supplementary provision, as the Court thinks fit including, without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, provision for the appointment of a receiver or other person to exercise such powers as the Court may consider necessary or expedient for the purpose of ensuring that any assets subject to the injunction are not disposed of or otherwise dealt with in contravention of the injunction, including powers to locate, ascertain, hold, gather in, sequester or take possession or control of any such assets.
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(4) An application by the Commission for an injunction under this
section may, with the approval of the Court, and on such terms as the Court may
direct, be made ex parte.
(5) In this section "the Court" means –
(a) where the person against whom the injunction under this section is sought is within the jurisdiction of the Court of Alderney or the Court of the Seneschal, then the Court of Alderney or, as the case may be, the Court of the Seneschal, (b) in any other case, the Royal Court. (6) The powers conferred upon the Royal Court by this section are in addition to and not in derogation from the powers conferred by the Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Guernsey) Law, 1987f , and the provisions of Parts I and V of that Law (apart from section 1(1) and (7)) shall apply in relation to injunctions of the Royal Court under this section. Disclosure of information Restrictions on disclosure of information.
28. (1) Subject to the provisions of section 29, and without prejudice
to the provisions of section 21 of the Financial Services Commission (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 1987 – (a) no person who under or for the purposes of this Law
f
Ordres en Conseil Vol. XXX, p. 145.
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© States of Guernsey 61 receives information relating to the business or other affairs of any person, (b) no person who obtains any such information directly or indirectly from a person who has so received it, shall disclose the information without the consent of the person to whom it relates and (if different) the person from whom it was so obtained. (2) A person who discloses information in contravention of this
section is guilty of an offence.
Cases where disclosure is permitted.
29. Section 28 does not preclude –
(a) the disclosure of –
(i) information which at the time of disclosure is or has already been made available to the public from other sources, or (ii) information in the form of a summary or collection of information so framed as not to enable information relating to any particular person to be ascertained from it, (b) the disclosure of information for the purpose of enabling or assisting the Commission to discharge its functions conferred by or under this Law,
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(c) without prejudice to the generality of paragraph (b), where, in order to enable or assist it to discharge its functions conferred by or under this Law, the prescribed Laws or the regulatory Laws, the Commission considers it necessary to seek advice from a qualified person on any matter of law, accountancy or valuation or any other matter requiring the exercise of professional skill, the disclosure by the Commission to that person of such information as appears to the Commission to be necessary to ensure that he is properly informed as to the matters on which his advice is sought, (d) the disclosure by the Commission of information for the protection of the public or for the protection or enhancement of the reputation of the Bailiwick as a finance centre, (e) the disclosure of information for the purpose of enabling or assisting a relevant supervisory authority in a country outside the Bailiwick to exercise its functions, (f) the disclosure of information in compliance with, or for the purposes of enabling or assisting a person to comply with, any of the provisions of, or made under, this Law, (g) the disclosure of information –
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(i) for the purposes of the investigation, prevention or detection of crime, or (ii) with a view to the instigation of or otherwise for the purposes of any criminal proceedings, whether under this Law or otherwise, (h) the disclosure of information in connection with any other proceedings arising out of any of the provisions of, or made under, this Law, (i) the disclosure by the Commission to Her Majesty's Procureur or an officer of police of information obtained under sections 19 or 20 or information in the possession of the Commission as to any suspected offence in relation to which the powers conferred by those sections are exercisable, or (j) where information is disclosed to an officer of police under paragraph (i), the disclosure of that information by an officer of police for the purposes of an investigation or prosecution either in the Bailiwick or, with the prior consent of Her Majesty's Procureur to such disclosure, elsewhere.
PART IV
GENERAL PROVISIONS
Ordinances and regulations
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Ordinances and regulations.
30. [(1) The States may, without prejudice to any other provision of
this Law conferring power to enact Ordinances, by Ordinance amend section 3, 5, 10, 15, 16 or 38 or Schedule 2, where it appears to the States to be necessary or expedient to do so for the purpose of - (a) enabling the Commission more effectively to carry out any of its functions, (b) enhancing or protecting the reputation or economic interests of the Bailiwick, (c) improving or enhancing the investigation, prevention or detection of crime, (d) facilitating the instigation of, or otherwise for the purposes of, any criminal proceedings, (e) facilitating the detection, seizure and forfeiture of the proceeds of crime or assets intended for use in crime, (f) discharging any international obligation to which the Bailiwick is subject, or (g) assisting, in the interests of the public or otherwise, any authority which appears to the States to exercise in a place outside the Bailiwick functions corresponding to any of the functions of the Commission.]
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(2) The States may by Ordinance make provision for the purpose of carrying this Law into effect and for any matter for which provision may be made under this Law by Ordinance of the States. (3) The States may by Ordinance empower the Commission or the Policy Council to prescribe by Regulations anything for which provision may be made under this Law by Ordinance of the States except the power to amend this Law. (4) An Ordinance under this section may, for the avoidance of doubt – (a) [subject to subsection (4A),] create offences, (b) repeal, replace, amend, extend, adapt, modify or disapply any rule of customary or common law, (c) contain such transitional provisions, and such incidental or supplementary provisions, as appear to the States to be expedient for the purposes of the Ordinance, (d) make different provision in relation to different cases or circumstances, and (e) vary or revoke any Ordinance previously made under this section. [(4A) The power conferred by subsection (4)(a) to create offences does not include power – (a) to provide for offences to be triable only on
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(b) to authorise the imposition, on summary conviction of an offence, of a term of imprisonment or a fine exceeding the limits of jurisdiction for the time being imposed on the Magistrate's Court by section 9 of the Magistrate's Court (Guernsey) Law, 2008, or (c) to authorise the imposition, on conviction on indictment of any offence, of a term of imprisonment exceeding two years.] (5) An Ordinance under this section does not have effect in Alderney or Sark unless approved by the States of Alderney or (as the case may be) by the Chief Pleas of Sark. (6) For the purposes of subsection (5), an Ordinance shall be deemed to have been approved by the States of Alderney or the Chief Pleas of Sark at the expiration of a period of four months immediately following the day of its approval by the States of Deliberation unless, within that period – (a) the States of Alderney resolve to disapprove its application to Alderney or, as the case may be, (b) the Chief Pleas of Sark resolve to disapprove its application to Sark. NOTES In section 30,
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© States of Guernsey 67 subsection (1) was substituted by the Registration of Non-Regulated Financial Services Businesses (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 2008 (Amendment) Ordinance, 2008, section 2(2), with effect from 9th July, 2008; the words in square brackets in paragraph (a) of subsection (4), and subsection (4A), were inserted by the Registration of Non-Regulated Financial Services Businesses (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 2008 (Amendment) Ordinance, 2008, respectively section 2(3) and section 2(4), with effect from 9th July, 2008. Regulations: consultation with Committees and laying before States.
31. Regulations made under this Law or under an Ordinance made under
this Law –
(a) where made by the Commission, shall be made after consultation with the Policy Council, the Policy and Finance Committee of the States of Alderney and the General Purposes and Advisory Committee of the Chief Pleas of Sark, (b) where made by the Policy Council, shall be made after consultation with the Commission and with the agreement of the Policy and Finance Committee of the States of Alderney and the General Purposes and Advisory Committee of the Chief Pleas of Sark, (c) whether made by the Commission or by the Policy Council, shall be laid before a meeting of the States as soon as possible after being made, and if at that or the next meeting the States resolve that the regulations be annulled, the regulations shall cease to have effect but
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© States of Guernsey 68 without prejudice to anything done under them or to the making of new regulations. Criminal proceedings Offences as to false or misleading information, etc.
32. (1) If a person –
(a) in connection with an application for, or for the purposes of obtaining, a registration or renewal of registration under this Law, (b) in purported compliance with a requirement imposed by or under, or otherwise for the purposes of, this Law, or (c) otherwise than as mentioned in paragraph (a) or (b) but in circumstances in which that person intends, or could reasonably be expected to know, that any statement, information or document provided by him would or might be used by the Commission for the purpose of exercising its functions conferred by or under this Law, does any of the following – (i) he makes a statement which he knows or has reasonable cause to believe to be false, deceptive or misleading in a material particular,
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(ii) dishonestly or otherwise, he recklessly makes a statement which is false, deceptive or misleading in a material particular, (iii) he produces or furnishes or causes or permits to be produced or furnished any information or document which he knows or has reasonable cause to believe to be false, deceptive or misleading in a material particular, or (iv) dishonestly or otherwise, he recklessly produces or furnishes or recklessly causes or permits to be produced or furnished any information or document which is false, deceptive or misleading in a material particular, he is guilty of an offence. (2) A financial services business, or any director, controller, partner, senior officer or beneficial owner of a financial services business, who fails to provide the Commission with any information in his possession knowing or having reasonable cause to believe – (a) that the information is relevant to the exercise by the Commission of its functions under this Law in relation to the financial services business, and (b) that the withholding of the information is likely to
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© States of Guernsey 70 result in the Commission being misled as to any matter which is relevant to and of material significance to the exercise of those functions in relation to the financial services business, is guilty of an offence. Penalties.
33. (1) A person or body guilty of an offence under section 8(5) or
32(2) is liable –
(a) on conviction on indictment, to a fine,
(b) on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the uniform scale. (2) A person or body guilty of an offence under any other provision of this Law is liable – (a) on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or to a fine or to both, (b) on summary conviction, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three months or to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the uniform scale or to both. (3) In relation to offences tried before the Court of Alderney or the Court of the Seneschal, the penalties stipulated by subsections (1)(b) and (2)(b) are applicable notwithstanding the provisions of section 13 of the Government of
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Alderney Law, 2004g and section 23 of the Reform (Sark) Law, 1951h . (4) Where an offence under this Law involves a public display or exhibition of any name or description, there is a fresh offence on each day on which the display or exhibition continues. NOTE The Reform (Sark) Law, 1951 has since been repealed by the Reform (Sark) Law, 2008, section 66(2), Schedule 2, with effect from 1st September, 2008, subject to, first, the general savings and, second, the specific savings and transitional provisions in, respectively, section 66(3) and section 67 of the 2008 Law. Criminal proceedings against unincorporated bodies.
34. (1) Where an offence under this Law is committed by an
unincorporated body and is proved to have been committed with the consent or connivance of, or to be attributable to any neglect on the part of – (a) in the case of a partnership, any partner, (b) in the case of any other unincorporated body, any officer of that body who is bound to fulfil any duty whereof the offence is a breach or, if there is no such officer, any member of the committee or other similar governing body, or
g
Ordres en Conseil No. III of 2005. h
Ordres en Conseil Vol. XV, p. 215, section 23 was substituted by Vol. XXIII, p. 200 and amended by Vol. XXIX, p. 27 and Orders in Council No. VII of 1989 and No. XII of 1991.
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(c) any person purporting to act in any capacity described in paragraph (a) or (b), he as well as the unincorporated body is guilty of the offence and may be proceeded against and punished accordingly. (2) Where an offence under this Law is alleged to have been committed by an unincorporated body, proceedings for the offence shall be brought in the name of that body and not in the name of any of its members and, for the purpose of such proceedings, the service of any document (including any summons) on that body shall be carried out in accordance with the provisions of section 39. (3) A fine imposed on an unincorporated body on its conviction of an offence under this Law shall be paid from the funds of that body. Criminal liability of directors, etc.
35. (1) Where an offence under this Law is committed by a company
and is proved to have been committed with the consent or connivance of, or to be attributable to any neglect on the part of, any director, controller, partner, senior officer or beneficial owner or any person purporting to act in any such capacity, he as well as the company is guilty of the offence and may be proceeded against and punished accordingly. (2) Where the affairs of a company are managed by its members, subsection (1) applies to a member in connection with his functions of management as if he were a director. Defence of due diligence.
36. In proceedings for an offence under this Law it is a defence for the
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© States of Guernsey 73 accused to prove that he took all reasonable precautions and exercised all due diligence to avoid the commission of such an offence by himself and by any person under his control. Jurisdiction.
37. Without prejudice to any jurisdiction exercisable apart from this
section, proceedings for an offence under this Law may be taken, and the offence
may for all incidental purposes be treated as having been committed, in any place in the Bailiwick. Liability of States etc. Exclusion of liability.
38. No liability shall be incurred –
(a) by, or by any department of, the States of Guernsey, the States of Alderney or the Chief Pleas of Sark, (b) by the Commission, or (c) by any member, officer or servant of any body mentioned in paragraph (a) or (b), in respect of anything done or omitted to be done after the commencement of this Law in the discharge or purported discharge of any function conferred by or under this Law, unless the thing is done or omitted to be done in bad faith. Miscellaneous Service of notices and documents.
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39. (1) Any document other than a summons to be given or served
under any of the provisions of, or made under, this Law may be given to or served upon – (a) an individual, by being delivered to him, or by being left at, or sent by post or transmitted to, his usual or last known place of abode, (b) a company with a registered office in the Bailiwick, by being left at, or sent by post or transmitted to, that office, (c) a company without a registered office in the Bailiwick, by being left at, or sent by post or transmitted to, its principal or last known principal place of business in the Bailiwick or, if there is no such place, its registered office or principal or last known principal place of business outside the Bailiwick, (d) an unincorporated body, by being given to or served on any partner, member of the committee or other similar governing body, manager or other similar officer thereof in accordance with paragraph (a), or by being left at, or sent by post or transmitted to, the body's principal or last known principal place of business in the Bailiwick or, if there is no such place, its principal or last known principal place of business elsewhere, (e) the Commission or its Chairman, by being left at, or
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© States of Guernsey 75 sent by post or transmitted to, the principal office of the Commission in the Bailiwick, and in this section – (i) the expression "by post" means by special delivery, recorded delivery or ordinary letter post, (ii) the expression "transmitted" means transmitted by electronic communication, facsimile transmission or other similar means which produce a document containing the text of the communication, in which event the document shall be regarded as served when it is received, and (iii) the expression "summons" includes any document compelling a person's attendance before the court. (2) If a person notifies the Commission of an address for service within the Bailiwick for the purposes of this Law, any document other than a summons to be given to or served upon him may be given or served by being left at, or sent by post or transmitted to, that address. (3) If service of a document cannot, after reasonable enquiry, be effected in accordance with this section, the document may be served by being published on two occasions in La Gazette Officielle.
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(4) Subsections (1), (2) and (3) are without prejudice to any other lawful method of service. (5) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsections (1) to (4) and of any other rule of law in relation to the service of documents, no document to be given to or served on the Commission or its Chairman under this Law shall be deemed to have been given or served until it is received. (6) If a person upon whom a document is to be served under this Law is an infant or person under guardianship, the notice or document shall be served on his guardian, and if there is no guardian, the Commission (or, with leave of the Court, any other person) may apply to the Court for the appointment of a person to act as guardian for the purposes of this Law, and in this subsection "the Court" means – (a) where the person in respect of whom the guardian is to be appointed is within the jurisdiction of the Court of Alderney or the Court of the Seneschal, then the Court of Alderney or, as the case may be, the Court of the Seneschal, (b) in any other case, the Royal Court. (7) A document sent by post shall, unless the contrary is shown, be deemed for the purposes of this Law to have been received – (a) in the case of a document sent to an address in the United Kingdom, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man, on the third day after the day of posting,
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(b) in the case of a document sent elsewhere, on the seventh day after the day of posting, excluding in each case any non-business day within the meaning of section 1(1) of the Bills of Exchange (Guernsey) Law, 1958i . (8) Service of any document sent by post shall be proved by showing the date of posting, the address thereon and the fact of prepayment. NOTES In accordance with the provisions of, first, the Law Reform (Age of Majority and Guardianship of Minors) (Guernsey) Law, 1978, section 1(1),
section 1(2) and section 3, with effect from 1st July, 1978 and subject to the
saving provision in section 1(6) of the 1978 Law, second, the Law Reform (Age of Majority) (Sark) Law, 1986, section 1(1), section 1(2) and section 3, with effect from 3rd February, 1987 and subject to the savings in section 1(3) of, and the Schedule to, the 1986 Law and, third, the Age of Majority (Alderney) Law, 2001, section 1(1), section 1(3) and section 3, with effect from 14th December, 2001 and subject to the transitional and savings provisions in section 1(5) of, and the Schedule to, the 2001 Law, the reference in this section to an "infant" shall be construed as a reference to a "minor", that is to say a person under the age of 18 years. In accordance with the provisions of the Children (Consequential Amendments etc.) (Guernsey and Alderney) Ordinance, 2009, section 2, with effect from 4th January, 2010 (in Guernsey and Alderney but not in Sark), and having regard to the references in this section to "guardian", a guardian or person referred to as such has parental responsibility in respect of a child if the conditions in paragraph (a) or paragraph (b) of that section are satisfied. Verification of information.
40. The Commission may direct that any information, document or
i
Ordres en Conseil Vol. XVII, p. 384, Vol. XXIV, p. 84, No. XI of 1993, and No. XIV of 1994.
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© States of Guernsey 78 statement provided to it in compliance or purported compliance with any requirement imposed by or under any provision of, or made under, this Law shall be verified in such manner as the Commission may reasonably specify, and any information, document or statement which is not verified in accordance with a direction given under this section shall be deemed for the purposes of that provision not to have been provided in accordance with the said requirement and the said requirement shall accordingly be deemed not to have been complied with. Evidence.
41. (1) In any proceedings, a certificate signed on behalf of the
Commission and certifying –
(a) that a particular person or body is or is not a registered financial services business or was or was not a registered financial services business at a particular time, (b) the date on which a particular financial services business obtained or ceased to hold a registration, (c) the terms of any conditions imposed in respect of a particular registration, is admissible in evidence. (2) A certificate purporting to be signed as mentioned in subsection (1) shall be deemed to have been duly signed unless the contrary is shown. Interpretation.
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42. (1) In this Law, unless the context requires otherwise –
"advertisement" includes every form of advertising, whether in a publication or by the display of notices or by means of circulars or other documents or by an exhibition of photographs or cinematograph films or by way of sound broadcasting, television or any other electronic media, "advocate" means an Advocate of the Royal Court of Guernsey, "Alderney company" means a company the memorandum and articles of which are registered in the Register of Companies within the meaning of section 163(1) of the Companies (Alderney) Law, 1994, "associate", in relation to any person, means – (a) the spouse, child or stepchild of that person, (b) any person who is an employee of, or who is in partnership with, that person, (c) any body of which that person is a director, (d) where that person is a company – (i) any director or employee of that company, (ii) any subsidiary of that company, and (iii) any director or employee of any such subsidiary,
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(e) where that person is an unincorporated body, any director of that body, (f) if that person has with some other person an agreement or arrangement as to the acquisition, holding or disposal of shares or other interests in a company or under which they undertake to act together in exercising their voting power in relation to a company, that other person, "associated party", in relation to any person, means – (a) any person who is in partnership with that person, (b) any company of which that person is a controller, (c) any body of which that person is a director, (d) where that person is a company – (i) a holding company, subsidiary or related company of that person, (ii) a subsidiary or related company of a holding company of that person, (iii) a holding company of a subsidiary of that person, or
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(iv) a company in the case of which a shareholder controller of that person, alone or with associates, is entitled to exercise, or control the exercise of, more than 50% of the voting power in general meeting, and where, under the above provisions, any person or body is an associated party in relation to another person or body, then that other person or body is an associated party in relation to that first-mentioned person or body:
Provided always that the Commission may by regulation amend the definition of the expression "associated party", "Bailiwick" means the Bailiwick of Guernsey, "body" includes a body incorporated under the law of any State or territory and any unincorporated body, "business" includes any trade, profession or economic activity, whether or not carried on for profit, "business relationship" means a continuing arrangement between the financial services business in question and another party, to facilitate the carrying out of transactions, in the course of such financial service business – (a) on a frequent, habitual, or regular basis, and (b) where the monetary value of any transactions to be carried out in the course of the arrangement is not known on entering into the arrangement,
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"carrying on" business: see section 44,
"chief executive", in relation to a body, means a person who, alone or jointly with other persons, is responsible under the immediate authority of the directors for the conduct of the business of the body and, in relation to a body whose principal place of business is outside the Bailiwick, includes a person who, alone or jointly with other persons, is responsible for the conduct of its business in the Bailiwick, "the Commission" means the Guernsey Financial Services Commission established by the Financial Services Commission (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 1987, "company" means a body corporate, of whatever description, incorporated with or without limited liability in any part of the world, and includes a Guernsey company and an Alderney company, "contract of employment" means a contract of service or apprenticeship, or a contract personally to execute any work or labour, whether express or implied and whether written or oral, "contravention" includes failure to comply, and cognate expressions shall be construed accordingly, "controller", in relation to a company, means – (a) a managing director or chief executive of that company or of any other company of which that company is a subsidiary,
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(b) a shareholder controller or an indirect controller, "country" includes any territory or other place, "Court of Appeal" means the Court of Appeal established under the Court of Appeal (Guernsey) Law, 1961j , "Court of the Seneschal" means the Court of the Seneschal of Sark, "director" includes any person who occupies the position of or fulfils the role of director, by whatever name called, and also includes – (a) the chief executive or any member of the committee or other similar governing body, and (b) any person in accordance with whose directions or instructions any director is accustomed to act, "documents" includes information recorded in any form (including, without limitation, in an electronic form) and – (a) in relation to information recorded otherwise than in legible form, references to its production, howsoever expressed, include (without limitation) references to the production of a copy of the information in legible form,
j
Ordres en Conseil Vol. XVIII. p. 315.
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(b) without prejudice to paragraph (a), references to the production of documents, howsoever expressed, include (without limitation) references to the production of a copy thereof in the English language, "employee" means an individual who has entered into or who works under (or, where the employment has ceased, who worked under) a contract of employment, and cognate expressions shall be construed accordingly, "enactment" includes (without limitation) an enactment of the Parliament of the United Kingdom and a Measure of the Scottish, Welsh or Northern Irish Assembly, "equity share capital" means, in relation to a company, its issued share capital excluding any part thereof which, as respects neither dividends nor capital, carries any right to participate beyond a specified amount in a distribution, "financial services business": see Schedule 1, "group", in relation to a company, means that company, any other company which is its holding company or subsidiary and any other company which is a subsidiary of that holding company, "Guernsey company" means a company the memorandum and articles of which are registered in the Register of Companies within the meaning of section 117(1) of the Companies (Guernsey) Law, 1994, "Her Majesty's Procureur" includes Her Majesty's Comptroller,
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"holding company" has the meaning given in Schedule 3, subject to any regulations under paragraph 5 of that Schedule, "indirect controller", in relation to a company, means a person in accordance with whose directions or instructions any director of that company or of any other company of which that company is a subsidiary, or any controller of that company, is accustomed to act, "inspector" means a person appointed by the Commission under
section 19,
"manager", in relation to a company, means a person other than a chief executive who, under the immediate authority of a director or chief executive of the company – (a) exercises managerial functions, or (b) is responsible for maintaining accounts or other records of the company, "money laundering regulations" means the Criminal Justice (Proceeds of Crime) (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Regulations, 2007, and "money laundering reporting officer" has the meaning given in those Regulations, "officer of police" means a member of the salaried police force of the Island of Guernsey, any officer of customs and excise within the meaning of the Customs and Excise (General Provisions) (Bailiwick of
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Guernsey) Law, 1972k and –
(a) in relation to Guernsey, Herm and Jethou, and within the limits of his jurisdiction, a member of the special constabulary of the Island of Guernsey, (b) in relation to Alderney, a member of any police force which may be established by the States of Alderney and, within the limits of his jurisdiction, a special constable appointed by the Court of Alderney under
section 47 of the Government of Alderney Law, 2004,
(c) in relation to Sark, the Constable and the Vingtenier, "partnership" has the meaning given by section 1 of the Partnership (Guernsey) Law, 1995l , and cognate expressions shall be construed accordingly, "person" includes a body of persons (whether a company or an unincorporated body), "Policy Council" means the States of Guernsey Policy Council, "prescribed Laws" means –
k
Ordres en Conseil Vol. XXIII, p. 573; Vol. XXIV, p. 87; Vol. XXXI, p. 278; No. XIII of 1991; No. X of 2004; and the Excise Duties (Budget) Ordinance, 2005 (No. XXXII). l Order in Council No. VIII of 1995.
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(a) the Criminal Justice (Proceeds of Crime) (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 1999m , (b) the Drug Trafficking (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 2000n , (c) the Terrorism and Crime (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 2002o , (d) the Disclosure (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 2007p , (e) the Transfer of Funds (Guernsey) Ordinance, 2007q , (f) the Transfer of Funds (Alderney) Ordinance, 2007r , (g) the Transfer of Funds (Sark) Ordinance, 2007,
m
Order in Council No. VIII of 1999; Order in Council No. II of 2005; the Criminal Justice (Proceeds of Crime) (Bailiwick of Guernsey) (Amendment) Law, 2007; Ordinance XXVIII of 1999, Ordinance XII of 2002, Ordinance XXXIII of 2003; the Criminal Justice (Proceeds of Crime) (Bailiwick of Guernsey) (Amendment) Ordinance, 2007; the Criminal Justice (Proceeds of Crime) Regulations, 2007. n Order in Council No. VII of 2000; No. II of 2005; and Ordinance No. XXXIII of 2003; the Drug Trafficking (Bailiwick of Guernsey) (Amendment) Law, 2007. o Order in Council No. XVI of 2002; amended by Order in Council No. XIII of 2006 and by Ordinance XXXIII of 2003. p Approved by Resolution of the States of Guernsey of 30th May, 2007. q Approved by the Resolution of the States of Guernsey of 25th July, 2007. r Ordinance of the States of Alderney No. VI of 2007.
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(h) any other enactment or statutory instrument prescribed for the purposes of this section by regulations of the Commission, "protected cell company" means a company incorporated as, or converted into, a protected cell company in accordance with the provisions of the Protected Cell Companies Ordinance, 1997s , "the public" includes any section of the public, however selected, in the Bailiwick or elsewhere, including, in relation to a body, a section selected as members, debenture holders, policyholders, depositors or investors of, in or with that body, "registered" means registered by the Commission under section 2, and related expressions shall be construed accordingly, "registration" means a registration granted under section 5, "regulated business": see Part II of Schedule 1, "regulations" means regulations made by the Commission or, as the case may be, by the Policy Council under this Law, "regulatory Laws" means – (a) the Protection of Investors (Bailiwick of Guernsey)
s
Ordinance No. V of 1997; amended by No. XV of 1998; No. XXI of 2005; and No. XVII of 2006.
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Law, 1987t
,
(b) the Banking Supervision (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 1994u , (c) the Regulation of Fiduciaries, Administration Businesses and Company Directors, etc (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 2000v , (d) the Insurance Business (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 2002w , (e) the Insurance Managers and Insurance Intermediaries (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 2002x , [(ea) the Financial Services Commission (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 1987,] (f) any other enactment or statutory instrument prescribed for the purposes of this section by regulations of the
t
Ordres en Conseil Vol. XXX, p. 281; Vol. XXX, p. 243; Vol. XXXI, p. 278; Vol. XXXII, p. 324; No. XIII of 1994; No. XII of 1995; No. II of 1997; No. XVII of 2002; No's XV and XXXII of 2003 and the Protection of Investors (Bailiwick of Guernsey) (Amendment) Law, 2007. Also amended by Recueil d'Ordonnances Tome XXIV, p. 324; Tome XXVI, p. 333; Ordinances X and XX of 1998. u Order in Council No. XIII of 1994. v Order in Council No. I of 2000. w Order in Council No. XXI of 2002. x Order in Council No. XXII of 2002.
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Commission,
"related company", in relation to the company in question, means any company (other than one which is a group company in relation to the company in question) in which the company in question holds for a significant period a qualifying capital interest for the purpose of securing a contribution to the company in question's own activities by the exercise of any control or influence arising from that interest, and for the purposes of this Law – (a) a "qualifying capital interest" means, in relation to any company, an interest in shares comprised in the equity share capital of that company of a class carrying rights to vote in all circumstances at general meetings of that company, (b) where – (i) a company holds a qualifying capital interest in another company, and (ii) the nominal value of any relevant shares in that other company held by the first-mentioned company is equal to 20% or more of the nominal value of all relevant shares in that other company, the first-mentioned company shall be presumed to hold that interest on the basis and for the purpose mentioned above, unless the contrary is shown, and
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(c) in paragraph (b) "relevant shares" means, in relation to any company, any such shares in that company as are mentioned in paragraph (a), "relevant supervisory authority", in relation to a country outside the Bailiwick, means an authority discharging in that place – (a) functions corresponding to any functions of the Commission under this Law, under the Financial Services Commission (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 1987 or under the regulatory Laws or the prescribed Laws, or (b) such other functions as the Commission may by regulation prescribe, "Royal Court" means the Royal Court sitting as an Ordinary Court, "senior officer" includes, without limitation, a manager and a money laundering reporting officer, "shareholder controller" – (a) in relation to a company, and subject to paragraph (b), means a person who, alone or with associates, is entitled to exercise, or control the exercise of, 15% or more of the voting power in general meeting of that company or of any other company of which that company is a subsidiary,
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(b) in relation to a protected cell company, means a person who, alone or with associates, beneficially owns 50% or more of the cell shares issued in respect of any cell of that company, "significant shareholder", in relation to a company, means a person who, alone or with associates, is entitled to exercise, or control the exercise of, 5% or more but less than 15% of the voting power in general meeting of that company or of any other company of which that company is a subsidiary, "States" means the States of Guernsey, "subsidiary company" has the meaning given in Schedule 3, subject to any regulations under paragraph 5 of that Schedule, and "subsidiary" has the same meaning, "under this Law" and "for the purposes of this Law" include under and for the purposes of any Ordinance, regulation or rule made under this Law, "uniform scale" means the uniform scale of fines for the time being in force under the Uniform Scale of Fines (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 1989y . (2) Unless the context otherwise requires, references in this Law to the Policy and Finance Committee of the States of Alderney and the General
y
Ordres en Conseil Vol. XXXI, p. 278; Ordinance No. XXIX of 2006.
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Purposes and Advisory Committee of the Chief Pleas of Sark are references to the committees of those islands for the time being performing the functions respectively conferred by or under this Law on the said Policy and Finance Committee or (as the case may be) the said General Purposes and Advisory Committee. (3) Any reference in this Law to an enactment is a reference thereto as from time to time amended, re-enacted (with or without modification), extended or applied. (4) In this Law any words importing the neuter gender include the masculine and the feminine, and any words importing the masculine gender include the feminine and the neuter. (5) The Interpretation (Guernsey) Law, 1948z applies to the interpretation of this Law throughout the Bailiwick. NOTES In section 42, paragraph (ea) of the definition of the expression "regulatory Laws" in subsection (1) was inserted by the Financial Services Commission (Bailiwick of Guernsey) (Amendment) Regulations, 2010, regulation 5(2), with effect from 3rd September, 2010. The following Regulations have been made under section 42:
Financial Services Commission (Bailiwick of Guernsey) (Amendment) Regulations, 2010. In accordance with the provisions of the Police Force (Guernsey) Law, 1986, section 2(2), with effect from 19th August, 1986, the reference herein to a member of the salaried police force of the Island of Guernsey shall include a reference to a member of a force present in the Island by virtue of an agreement made under section 1 of the 1986 Law.
z
Ordres en Conseil Vol. XIII, p. 355.
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The Companies (Guernsey) Law, 1994 and the Protected Cell Companies Ordinance, 1997 have since been repealed by the Companies (Guernsey) Law, 2008, section 543, Schedule 5, respectively paragraph 4(1)(a) and paragraph 4(1)(l), with effect from 1st July, 2008, subject to the savings and transitional provisions in, first, section 541 of and Schedule 4 (paragraphs 2 and 4 of which entered into force on 12th June, 2008) to the 2008 Law, second, the Companies (Transitional Provisions) Regulations, 2008, third, the Companies (Transitional Provisions) (No. 2) Regulations, 2008 and, fourth, the Companies (Transitional Provisions) (No. 3) Regulations, 2008. References to financial services businesses.
43. References in this Law to a financial services business (however
expressed) include references to a person carrying on such a business. "Carrying on" business.
44. (1) For the purposes of any provision of, or made under, this
Law or the prescribed Laws, except to the extent that in any particular case the Commission may otherwise direct, a business holds itself out as carrying on business in or from within the Bailiwick if – (a) by way of business it occupies premises in the Bailiwick or makes it known by an advertisement or by an insertion in a directory or by means of letterheads that it may be contacted at a particular address in the Bailiwick, (b) it invites a person in the Bailiwick, by issuing an advertisement or otherwise, to enter into or to offer to enter into a contract or otherwise to undertake business, or
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(c) it is otherwise seen to be carrying on business in or from within the Bailiwick. (2) For the purposes of this section an advertisement issued or other invitation made by any person on behalf of or to the order of another person shall be treated as an advertisement issued or other invitation made, as the case may be, by that other person. Revocation.
45. Paragraphs (1) to (4) of regulation 16 of the Criminal Justice
(Proceeds of Crime) Regulations, 2007 are hereby revoked.
Provision as to publication of notices in Alderney and Sark and on Commission's website.
46. (1) If, pursuant to any requirement imposed by or under this
Law, any document or information is published in La Gazette Officielle – (a) a copy of the document or information shall be published in the Alderney Official Gazette, and (b) a copy of the document or information shall be sent or delivered to the Seneschal of Sark who shall forthwith cause a copy of the document or information to be inserted in the Sark notice box. (2) Any requirement imposed on the Commission by or under this Law to publish any document or information in La Gazette Officielle shall be construed as including a requirement to publish that document or information on the Commission's official web site.
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Citation.
47. This Law may be cited as the Registration of Non-Regulated
Financial Services Businesses (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 2008.
NOTE
The Law received Royal Sanction on 9th July, 2008 and was registered on the Records of the Island of Guernsey and came into force on 30th July, 2008.
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[SCHEDULE 1 Section 1
PART I
FINANCIAL SERVICES BUSINESSES
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© States of Guernsey 98 business consists only of buying, selling or arranging for the buying or selling of bullion, or otherwise dealing in bullion, where the value of each purchase, sale or deal does not exceed £10,000, in total, whether the transaction is executed in a single operation or in two or more operations which appear to be linked, (b) in the case of buying postage stamps, the business consists only of buying postage stamps where the value of each purchase does not exceed £10,000, in total, whether the transaction is executed in a single operation or in two or more operations which appear to be linked, and (c) in the case of selling postage stamps, the business consists only of selling postage stamps – (i) where the value of each sale does not exceed £10,000, in total, whether the transaction is executed in a single operation or in two or more operations which appear to be linked, or (ii) in the course of – (A) a postal services business carried on under the authority of a licence granted under the Post Office (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 2001, or
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(B) a business authorized to sell postage stamps by the holder of a licence under that Law.]
5. Facilitating or transmitting money or value through an informal
money or value transfer system or network.
6. Issuing, redeeming, managing or administering means of payment,
means of payment includes, without limitation, credit, charge and debit cards, cheques, travellers' cheques, money orders and bankers' drafts [and electronic money].
7. Providing financial guarantees or commitments.
8. Trading [...] (by way of spot, forward, swaps, futures, options, etc.)
in –
(a) money market instruments (including, without limitation, cheques, bills and certificates of deposit), (b) foreign exchange, exchange, interest rate or index instruments, and (c) commodity futures, transferable securities or other negotiable instruments or financial assets[...].
9. Participating in securities issues and the provision of financial
services related to such issues, including, without limitation, underwriting or placement as agent (whether publicly or privately) [...].
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10. Providing settlement or clearing services for financial assets
including, without limitation, securities, derivative products or other negotiable instruments.
11. Providing advice to undertakings on capital structure, industrial
strategy or related questions, on mergers or the purchase of undertakings, except where the advice is provided in the course of carrying on the business of a lawyer or accountant.
12. Money broking.
13. Money changing.
14. Providing individual or collective portfolio management services or
advice.
15. Providing safe custody services.
16. Providing services for the safekeeping or administration of cash or
liquid securities on behalf of clients.
17. Carrying on the business of a credit union.
18. Accepting repayable funds other than deposits.
[18A. Otherwise investing, administering or managing finds or money on behalf of other persons.]
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PART II
REGULATED BUSINESSES
19. The businesses specified in the following paragraphs of this Part of
this Schedule are regulated businesses for the purposes of this Law. [20. Carrying on any form of financial services business, where the business is carried on by a person to whom a licence has been granted, and is in force, under the Banking Supervision (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 1994.]
21. Carrying on "controlled investment business" as defined in the
Protection of Investors (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 1987 [or any other form of financial services business by a person to whom a licence has been granted, and is in force, under that Law].
22. ...
[22A. Carrying on "long term business", as defined in the Insurance Business (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 2002, or any other form of financial services business by a person to whom a licence in respect of long term business has been granted, and is in force, under that Law. 22B. Carrying on business as an insurance intermediary in respect of "long term business" as defined in, and which can only lawfully be carried on under the authority of a licence under, the Insurance Managers and Insurance Intermediaries (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 2002 or carrying on any other form of financial services business by a person to whom a licence in respect of long term business has been granted,
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© States of Guernsey 102 and is in force, under that Law.
22C. Acting as an insurance manager under the authority of a licence under the Insurance Managers and Insurance Intermediaries (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 2002 or carrying on any other form of financial services business by a person to whom a licence to act as an insurance manager has been granted and is in force, under that Law.]
23. Carrying on "regulated activities" as defined in the Regulation of
Fiduciaries, Administration Businesses and Company Directors, etc. (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 2000, in circumstances where the activity is prohibited except under the authority and in accordance with the conditions of a licence granted by the Commission under
section 6 of that Law[, or carrying on by way of business the
activities described in section 3(1)(g) or (x) of that Law] [or any other form of financial services business by a person to whom a licence has been granted, and is in force, under that Law].
24. …
PART III
INCIDENTAL AND OTHER ACTIVITIES
25. (1) Any financial services business falling within paragraphs 2 to
[18A] carried out in the course of carrying on the profession of – (a) a lawyer, where such business is incidental to the provision of legal advice or services, (b) an accountant, where such business is incidental to the
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© States of Guernsey 103 provision of accountancy advice or services, (c) an actuary, where such business is incidental to the provision of actuarial advice or services. (2) For the purposes of this paragraph, business is incidental to the provision of such advice or services, if – (a) separate remuneration is not being given for the business as well as for such advice or services, (b) such advice or services is not itself financial services business falling within paragraphs 2 to [18A], and (c) the business being carried out is incidental to the main purpose for which that advice or services is provided.
26. The carrying on of any financial service business –
(a) by way of the provision of in-house legal, accountancy or actuarial advice or services to any business referred to in paragraphs 2 to [18A], or (b) in the course of carrying on the profession (respectively) of a lawyer, accountant or actuary for any client carrying on such a business.
27. ...
28. Activities constituting the restricted activities of dealing, advising and
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© States of Guernsey 104 promotion for the purposes of Schedule 2 to the Protection of Investors (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 1987 provided that – (a) such activities are carried on by a person who is not incorporated or registered in the Bailiwick, (b) such activities are carried on by a person who does not maintain a physical presence in the Bailiwick, (c) such activities are carried on from a country or territory listed in Appendix C to the Handbook, (d) the conduct of such activities is subject to requirements to forestall, prevent and detect money laundering and terrorist financing that are consistent with those in the Financial Action Task Force Recommendations on Money Laundering in respect of such activities, and (e) the conduct of such activities is supervised for compliance with the requirements referred to in item (d), by an overseas regulatory authority.
29. [ Any insurance business, as defined in the Insurance Business
(Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 2002,] which is – (a) carried on by a person who is licensed in the Bailiwick solely to carry on general insurance business under the Insurance Business (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 2002,
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(b) carried on by a person who is not incorporated or registered in the Bailiwick, (c) carried on by a person who does not maintain a physical presence in the Bailiwick, (d) not managed in or from within the Bailiwick, and (e) subject to authorisation and supervision by the United Kingdom Financial Services Authority. [30. Any financial services business falling within paragraph 16, 18 or 18A carried out in the course of carrying on the business of auditor, external accountant, insolvency practitioner or tax adviser, where the business concerned is registered under the Criminal Justice (Proceeds of Crime) (Legal Professionals, Accountants and Estate Agents) (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Regulations, 2008.]] NOTES
Schedule I was substituted by the Registration of Non-Regulated Financial
Services Businesses (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 2008 (Schedule 1 Amendment) Regulations, 2008, regulation 1, with effect from 1st December, 2008. In Schedule I, paragraph 4A, the words in square brackets in paragraph 1, the words in square brackets in paragraph 6 and the words in the first pair of square brackets in paragraph 23 were inserted by the Registration of NonRegulated Financial Services Businesses (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 2008 (Schedule 1 Amendment) Regulations, 2010, respectively regulation 1(b), regulation 1(a), regulation 1(c) and regulation 1(f), with effect from 31st March, 2010, subject to the supplemental and transitional provisions in
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© States of Guernsey 106 regulation 3 of the 2010 Regulations; the figures and letters, first, within the square brackets in paragraph 1, second, in square brackets in paragraph 25(1) and paragraph 25(2)(b) and, third, in square brackets in paragraph 26(a) were substituted by the Registration of Non-Regulated Financial Services Businesses (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law 2008 (Schedule 1 Amendment) Regulations, 2013, respectively regulation 1(a), regulation 1(h) and regulation 1(i), with effect from 28th March, 2013; paragraph 27, the words omitted in the first and second pairs of square brackets in paragraph 8 and the words omitted in square brackets in paragraph 9 were repealed by the Registration of Non-Regulated Financial Services Businesses (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 2008 (Schedule 1 Amendment) Regulations, 2010, respectively regulation 1(g), regulation 1(d)(i) and regulation 1(d)(ii) and regulation 1(e), with effect from 31st March, 2010, subject to the supplemental and transitional provisions in regulation 3 of the 2010 Regulations; first, paragraph 18A, second, paragraph 22A, paragraph 22B and paragraph 22C and, third, paragraph 30 were inserted by the Registration of Non-Regulated Financial Services Businesses (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law 2008 (Schedule 1 Amendment) Regulations, 2013, respectively regulation 1(b), regulation 1(e) and regulation 1(k), with effect from 28th March, 2013; paragraph 20 was substituted, paragraph 22 was repealed and paragraph 24 was repealed by the Registration of Non-Regulated Financial Services Businesses (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law 2008 (Schedule 1 Amendment) Regulations, 2013, respectively regulation 1(c), regulation 1(e) and regulation 1(g), with effect from 28th March, 2013; the words in, first, square brackets in paragraph 21, second, the second pair of square brackets in paragraph 23 and, third, square brackets in paragraph 29 were, respectively, inserted, inserted and substituted by the Registration of Non-Regulated Financial Services Businesses (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law 2008 (Schedule 1 Amendment) Regulations, 2013, regulation 1(d), regulation 1(f) and regulation 1(j), with effect from 28th March, 2013.
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SCHEDULE 2 Sections 5, 15, 16, 26
Directors etc. to be fit and proper persons.
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© States of Guernsey 108 matters of the person in question.
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SCHEDULE 3 Section 42
Meaning of "holding company" and "subsidiary company".
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(b) that a person's appointment thereto follows necessarily from his appointment as director of that other company, (c) that the directorship is held by that other company itself or by a subsidiary of it.
3. In determining whether a company is a subsidiary of another –
(a) any shares held or power exercisable by that other in a fiduciary capacity shall be treated as not held or exercisable by it, (b) subject to paragraphs (c) and (d), any shares held or power exercisable – (i) by any person as a nominee for that other (except where that other is concerned only in a fiduciary capacity), (ii) by, or by a nominee for, a subsidiary of that other, not being a subsidiary which is concerned only in a fiduciary capacity, shall be treated as held or exercisable by that other, (c) any shares held or power exercisable by any person by virtue of the provisions of any debentures of the firstmentioned company or of a trust instrument for
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© States of Guernsey 111 securing any issue of such debentures shall be disregarded, (d) any shares held or power exercisable by, or by a nominee for, that other or its subsidiary (not being held or exercisable as mentioned in paragraph (c)) shall be treated as not held or exercisable by that other if the ordinary business of that other or its subsidiary, as the case may be, includes the lending of money and the shares are held or power is exercisable as aforesaid by way of security only for the purposes of a transaction entered into in the ordinary course of that business.
4. For the purposes of any provision of, or made under, this Law a
company shall be deemed to be another's holding company if, but only if, that other is its subsidiary.
5. The Policy Council may make regulations amending the meaning of
"holding company" and "subsidiary company" for the purposes of all or any of the provisions of this Law.
Subsection (10) was previously amended by the Registration of NonRegulated Financial Services Businesses (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 2008 (Amendment) Ordinance, 2008, section 1(1), with effect from 9th July, 2008. Subsection (7) was previously amended by the Registration of NonRegulated Financial Services Businesses (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 2008 (Amendment) Ordinance, 2008, section 1(1), with effect from 9th July, 2008. Subsection (4) was previously amended by the Registration of NonRegulated Financial Services Businesses (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 2008 (Amendment) Ordinance, 2008, section 1(1), with effect from 9th July, 2008. Subsection (7) was previously amended by the Registration of Non-
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Regulated Financial Services Businesses (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 2008 (Amendment) Ordinance, 2008, section 1(1), with effect from 9th July, 2008.
Guernsey Financial Services Commission •www.gfsc.gg August 2016 Guernsey Financial Services Commission Discussion Paper on Proposals to Revise the Bailiwick’s Financial Regulatory Infrastructure for Lending, Credit & Finance. Issued 26 August 2016
Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................................3
Purpose of the Discussion Paper.................................................................................................................3
Who Should Read This Paper? ....................................................................................................................4
Proposed Changes.......................................................................................................................................5
Why Do We Want to Make Changes? ..........................................................................................................5
Objectives.....................................................................................................................................................7
The Development of this Paper....................................................................................................................7
PROPOSED LICENSING CATEGORIES.....................................................................................................8
Category 1 LCF Licence............................................................................................................................10
Category 2 LCF Limited Licence...............................................................................................................12
Category 3 LCF Registration.....................................................................................................................19
Risk Based Exemptions..............................................................................................................................20
Not Required to Register............................................................................................................................21
REGULATORY EXPECTATIONS FOR LCF CATEGORIES 1 & 2 (CONTROLS & MEASURES) .....22
Proposed Changes, General Comments....................................................................................................28
Appendix A. Principles of Conduct of Finance Business...........................................................................29
Appendix B. Types of Crowdfunding .........................................................................................................31
Appendix C. The Registration of Non-Regulated Financial Servcies Businesses (Bailiwick of Guernsey)
Law, 2008. Part 1, Point 3, Exemptions from Requirement to Register....................................................32
Appendix D. Examples of Legislative and Regulatory Controls................................................................33
Definitions..................................................................................................................................................34
Abbreviations.............................................................................................................................................36
Responding to the Discussion Paper
Responses to this Discussion Paper are sought by Monday 24 October 2016. We welcome and strongly encourage respondents to provide feedback or comment on any section and question. You can send your responses to us using the online submission tool, Citizen Space, accessible on our website at:
https://consultationhub.gfsc.gg
Or in writing to:
Gillian Browning
Guernsey Financial Services Commission
Director, Fiduciary Supervision, Policy & Innovations Division PO Box 128, Glategny Court, Glategny Esplanade St Peter Port Guernsey GY1 3HQ Telephone +44 (0) 1481 712706 Email innovate@gfsc.gg Gillian Browning Director, Fiduciary Supervision Policy & Innovations Division Guernsey Financial Services Commission Steve Chandler Project Manager, Fiduciary Supervision Policy & Innovations Division Guernsey Financial Services Commission
Introduction
Purpose of the Discussion Paper
The Commission’s primary objective is to regulate and supervise financial services in the Bailiwick of Guernsey, with integrity, proportionality and professional excellence, and in so doing help to uphold the international reputation of the Bailiwick of Guernsey as a finance centre. Consistent with the Commission’s objectives, the proposals in this Discussion Paper are designed to enhance the levels of confidence and security in the Bailiwick’s lending, credit and finance infrastructure thereby further augmenting its development as a financial centre. The purpose of this Discussion Paper is to seek feedback from all interested parties on potential proposals to amend aspects of some of the Bailiwick’s supervisory and regulatory laws. The Discussion Paper is an invitation to work in conjunction with the Commission to ensure that the Bailiwick’s regulatory regime is as user-friendly as possible, while at all times complying with the relevant international standards. The intention is that responses will be considered by the Commission, potentially leading to the publication of a Consultation Paper, which will provide feedback on the key outcomes arising from this Discussion Paper and propose a more detailed framework for further consideration. This Discussion Paper is a working document and does not prejudge any final decision to be made by the Commission or the States of Guernsey.
Who Should Read This Paper?
The Discussion Paper is relevant and will be of interest to a number of parties including:
Please tick the box or boxes which best describe(s) your interest in this Discussion Paper. Consumer. Financial Advisor. Financial Service Business, including banks, insurance companies, investment companies, fund managers and fiduciaries. FinTech, e.g. businesses looking to develop innovative ways to provide financial services, operate, or plan to operate, lending platforms. Lending, Credit & Finance Business. Representative of a consumer body, industry association, trade body or business organisation. Existing Non-Regulated Financial Service Business. Prescribed Business, (legal professionals, accountants, estate agents). Other. (Please provide a description below).
Proposed Changes
The majority of registered Non-Regulated Financial Services Businesses (“NRFSBs”) currently perform lending, credit and finance services. However the Non-Regulated Financial Services Businesses (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 2008 (“NRFSB Law”) is principally for the purposes of anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism (“AML/CFT”) supervision. The NRFSB Law does not include specific provisions for consumer credit, prudential stability or supervisory oversight. The proposal is to address this by repealing the NRFSB Law and to introduce a new Lending, Credit and Finance Law (the “new Law”). The new Law, it is proposed, could implement a framework that introduces rules and guidance relating to consumer credit and innovative financial service businesses, whilst still including all existing statutory AML/CFT and authorisation requirements, as currently described in the NRFSB Law. The enactment of the new Law is not intended as a replacement for the use of codes, including those produced by trade and industry associations or other organisations. Codes are helpful in providing consistent clarity to a specific industry and therefore the intention would be to provide a law that can interact with current standards as opposed to detract from the value and benefit of industry and association codes. It is acknowledged that some codes in place, for example, ‘Borrowing Money? A Code of Practice for Consumer Lending’ , contains measures that could be incorporated into the new legislation. This could necessitate a period of transition to provide industry associations with an opportunity to review and adapt their codes and current practices. Why Do We Want to Make Changes? The rationale for change is to reform the current regulatory framework in favour of one which enhances both the interests of the consumer and the competitiveness of the Bailiwick. It is imperative to the Bailiwick’s reputation that consistent standards coupled with appropriate preventative and precautionary measures are in place, which protect the consumer, prevent exploitation by unscrupulous lenders and enable consumers to receive financial services and products that are suitable to their needs. The proposed framework will make it a formal requirement for firms providing lending, credit and finance to retail clients (including Bailiwick of Guernsey individuals) to apply standards and behaviours that are consistent, and in accordance with international standards. The proposed framework will also make it a requirement for firms to conduct themselves with integrity and treat customers fairly. Despite effective, equitable and transparent consumer credit legislation being an expected and essential component of a modern economy, the Bailiwick of Guernsey does not currently have consumer credit lending legislation. The pace of change in the global finance industry is such that the Bailiwick needs to be able to respond quickly and appropriately to ensure suitable prudential,
consumer and financial crime protection is in place. The rapid advancements in technology and the diversity of products and services offered by financial services businesses necessitates changing existing informal general standards and behaviour into a formal infrastructure that is flexible and yet provides adequate supervisory and
1 Borrowing Money? A Code of Practice for Consumer Lending is a Jersey Consumer Council Code implemented in June 2007 and is currently under review by the Jersey Consumer Council. There is currently no Guernsey equivalent, however a number of Guernsey companies subscribe to the Code as they have pan-island businesses and it is advantageous to display that they support and follow the Code’s standards.
enforcement powers. The ability to respond swiftly is also needed to support the Bailiwick’s financial services industry in extending the range of services on offer, to compete effectively and to contribute to the Bailiwick’s reputation as a progressive and trusted financial jurisdiction. This Discussion Paper seeks to promote growth and expansion whilst protecting the interests of the consumer. The proposal is to introduce proportionate controls and measures through legislation which balance affordability, transparency, financial awareness and financial promotions (including all forms of advertising and marketing). It is envisaged that in developing legislative controls that concentrate upon these areas the Bailiwick will implement a suitable framework that is primarily beneficial to consumers and meets international standards.2 Prior to the change announced on the 4 August 2016, reducing Bank Rate to 0.25%3 , the Bank of England Base Rate had remained at 0.5% since March 20094 and this long period of low interest rates has created a sense of stability and affordability that may not be sustainable. The sustained period of low interest rates coupled with a diverse range of easy access lending has created a risk of reliance upon the availability of low interest credit and an increasing use of credit. An indication on the level of consumer debit is that the estimated average total debt, (including a mortgage), per UK household is £54,740 and the average credit card debt per household is £2,397.5 The consumer credit proposals would include high interest, short term, unsecured, non-bank lending,6 roll-over loans, offering goods for hire and hire purchase credit facilities. The proposed controls would include completing affordability checks on borrowers, ensuring that borrowers are provided with sufficient clear information on any lending or credit facility and that all adverts or promotions are clear, fair and not misleading. Suggested measures would also address innovative changes that have occurred within the traditional sources of lending market, including crowdfunding and peer-to-peer lending. It is also important that consumers are able to exercise choice and avail themselves of new options confident in the knowledge that providers are applying a consistent standard of conduct. The following is a summary of the reasons for change:
Protecting consumers;
Providing a stable regulatory framework for some classes of innovative FSBs; and Underpinning the Bailiwick’s reputation by bringing it in line with other reputable financial jurisdictions which have established consumer credit legislation.
2 The closest relevant existing Law and Ordinance to the subject is the 1929 Law Relating to Debtors and Renunciation and an Ordinance enabling the Court to reduce excessive interest; 1930 Odonnance Donnant Pouvoir a la Cour de Reduire les Interets Excessifs. 3 http://www.bankofengland.co.uk/Pages/home.aspx 4 http://themoneycharity.org.uk/money statistics February 2016 5 http://themoneycharity.org.uk/money-statistics/ 6 Policy on High Interest, Short-term, Unsecured, Non-Bank Lending. In June 2012 the Commission adopted a policy that it should ordinarily refuse applications to register financial services businesses under the Registration of Non-Regulated Financial Services Businesses (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 2008, where the business consists of offering high interest, short-term, unsecured lending facilities to retail customers outside the Bailiwick. This policy has been adopted on the basis that such business is likely to adversely affect the reputation of the Bailiwick.
Objectives
The objective of this Discussion Paper is to propose the introduction of measures which provide:
appropriate consumer credit controls for consumers using Bailiwick lending, credit and financial products, and services; for the advancement of innovative lending financial services; proportionate conduct and reputational measures; an environment which can help to foster and stimulate business growth; and a framework that supports the reputation of the Bailiwick as a sound financial services jurisdiction and a good place to do business. The Development of this Paper The Commission, as the financial services regulator for the Bailiwick, appreciates that the development of an efficient regulatory regime requires the input of a range of stakeholders and entities. The Commission also recognises its role in meeting international standards and protecting the Bailiwick’s reputation as an accessible, high-quality international financial centre. The proposals in this Discussion Paper have been developed with assistance from focus groups that include representatives of industry, trade and professional associations, consumer bodies and the States of Guernsey. We are grateful for all the contributions, support and input provided. A voluntary completion survey of NRFSBs was conducted in 2014/2015. The information provided key baseline data and illustrated the level of lending provided by the current registered firms.
Proposed Licensing Categories
Consumer credit is a fundamental and expected component of a mature financial jurisdiction’s legislative framework. The absence of consumer credit legislation exposes the Bailiwick to conduct and reputational risk. The proposals outlined in this Discussion Paper seek to address these risks. It is proposed to repeal the current NRFSB Law and replace it with a new Law. The new Law would apply to all Bailiwick of Guernsey lending, credit and finance businesses and NRFSB firms that are non-lending, credit and finance businesses. In order to accommodate the differing types of business and the activities conducted, it is proposed to introduce categories of licence within the new Law. Firms would be able to identify which category their business would be licensed under from the descriptions stated in the new Law. The table below depicts the proposed categories using the differing types of milk as an analogy to describe the differences between each category. Category 1 Category 2 Category 3 Risk Based Exemptions & Not Required to Register LCF Licence Limited Licence Registration Red (full fat). Blue (standard). Green (skimmed). Firms All firms lending and/or providing credit facilities to retail clients (including Bailiwick of Guernsey individuals). Firms whose activities are associated/connected to lending credit and finance activities include innovative financial service businesses with an institutional focus.7 Firms who are not involved in lending, credit and finance. Activities that are of a suitably low risk nature to merit exclusion. Controls & Measures Must comply with the consumer credit controls and measures stipulated in the new Law. Permissible derogation of certain elements of the controls and measures stipulated by the new Law that are not applicable. Firms are required to register as part of their AML/CFT obligations. Countering Financial Crime and Terrorist Financing. Principles of Conduct of Finance Business.
7 Page 12, Category 2, LCF Limited Licence.
It is envisaged that through the introduction of the three categories it will be possible to introduce a level playing field that provides appropriate consumer credit controls, which are proportionate to the type of activities undertaken by lending, credit and finance providers, or those businesses peripheral to lending credit and finance activity. The focus groups that participated in developing this Discussion Paper highlighted that the framework needs to be proportionate and not restrain business growth and expansion. The focus groups further recommended that there should be recognition and provision in the new Law for instances where certain activities need not be included. Examples of items considered as not requiring inclusion are stated in the Discussion Paper section titled RiskBased Exemptions. However, respondents are invited and encouraged to provide opinion and suggestion on any further examples that should be considered outside the scope of the new Law. Do you agree with the proposal to introduce three categories of licence? Agree Disagree Please comment on the reasoning for your reply. It is intended to carry out further analysis of the activities conducted in order to provide greater clarity. However a short explanation of each category of licence and the business types which would fit under each category is outlined below. The Registration of Non-Regulated Financial Services Businesses (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law 2008 (“NRFSB Law”) The proposal to repeal the NRFSB Law will impact existing registrations. The proposed LCF categories for each existing NRFSB category of business specified in the NRFSB Law8 are listed under the description of each of the three proposed LCF categories.
8 Schedule 1, Part 1 of the NRFSB Law specifies the businesses that are financial service businesses for the purposes of any provision of, or made under the NRFSB Law. Schedule 1, Part II of the NRFSB Law specifies businesses that are regulated businesses for the purpose of the NRFSB Law.
Category 1 LCF Licence
The categories of business envisaged that would be included as a Category 1 LCF Licence are:
all firms that undertake any form of lending to retail clients (including Bailiwick of Guernsey individuals). This includes current NRFSB businesses and other financial service businesses; credit providers to retail clients (including Bailiwick of Guernsey individuals); and firms exercising rights or performing obligations of a credit provider or lessor. Lending to Retail Clients (including Bailiwick of Guernsey Individuals) The reason for proposing lending as a Category 1 LCF Licence is that, as noted earlier in this Discussion Paper, there is an absence of legislative and regulatory consumer credit controls in place in the Bailiwick. In 2015, a survey was conducted of the NRFSB population. The survey reported that the predominant activity undertaken by the NRFSB population was lending. The concentration of business activity exposes consumers to a risk of financial distress without legislative support thus heightening the need to introduce Bailiwick of Guernsey consumer credit financial legislation. It should be noted that the survey also included comments from various respondents that they welcomed and endorsed introducing consumer credit protection as it was recommended as a beneficial change to the current NRFSB regime. Comparing the legislative and regulatory lending, credit and finance laws in place in the other Crown Dependencies and the UK reveals a number of areas where there is minimal or no equivalent measures. The lack of comparable regulatory controls and measures is not only potentially detrimental to the consumer but it places the Bailiwick at a competitive disadvantage to jurisdictions that have such controls and measures that provide consumer credit protection and regulatory certainty regarding new and innovative lending financial services businesses. The new Law would seek to redress the current position and provide a suite of appropriate protection to the consumer of financial controls and measures that are comparable with international standards. LCF Category 1 Licence firms would be required to comply with the proposed new Law controls and measures and comply with the GFSC Principles of Conduct of Finance Business. An LCF Category 1 Licence will not be able to derogate from the requirements in the same manner as a Category 2 Limited Licence. For example, a lending firm would be obliged to comply with the proposal to complete an affordability assessment11 as opposed to a Category 2 Limited Licence business that is peripheral to lending, credit and finance e.g. a credit reference agency. The lending firm determines approval of a facility whereas the credit reference agency provides information to assist in the decision. It is not proposed to include any specific scalable or distinguishing lending criteria within the framework, for example, the differing types of lending, volume, size, or the amount of lending conducted. Including criteria that had a benchmark for the scale or size and volume of lending would require
continued monitoring and reporting by lending firms, which would be cumbersome and counter-productive for firms that were bordering on a specific threshold.
9 See Appendix D Examples of legislative and regulatory controls.
10 See Appendix A, Principles of Conduct of Finance Business.
11 See Regulatory Expectations for LCF Categories 1 & 2 (controls & Measures), Affordability Assessments.
It is suggested that it would be more effective to concentrate upon designing a framework that includes proportionate controls and measures for consumer protection regardless of the level of activities. Credit Providers to Retail Clients (including Bailiwick of Guernsey Individuals) Example activities are hire purchase (including firms that arrange hire purchase for the purchase of consumer goods and/or hire purchase arrangements via another lending institution) leasing arrangements and firms engaged solely in credit activities. Existing NRFSBs Proposed as Category 1 LCF Licence. Lending (including, without limitation, the provision of consumer credit or mortgage credit, factoring with or without recourse, financing of commercial transactions, including forfeiting and advancing loans against cheques). Exercising rights or performing obligations of a credit provider or lessor. Do you agree with the proposed Category 1 LCF Licence activities? Agree Disagree Please comment on the reasoning for your reply. Do you agree with the suggestion that all Category 1 LCF Licence firms lending or providing credit to retail clients (including Bailiwick of Guernsey individuals) should be obliged to apply all the described consumer protection requirements? Agree Disagree Please comment on the reasoning for your reply. Do you think that the new Law should be applicable to all firms providing lending, credit and finance which operate in or from within the Bailiwick of Guernsey? Agree Disagree Please comment on the reasoning for your reply. Do you agree that the new Law should apply to non-Bailiwick of Guernsey incorporated companies which are not necessarily located in the Bailiwick but carry on business in the Bailiwick? Agree Disagree Please comment on the reasoning for your reply.
Category 2 LCF Limited Licence
The types of business that would be envisaged as requiring a Category 2 LCF Limited Licence include:
i. innovative financial services businesses (“IFSBs”);
ii. financial services businesses, not including persons licensed under the Protection of
Investors (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law 1987, as amended (“POI Law”) and collective investment schemes authorised or registered under the POI Law; and
iii. firms that are not providing lending, credit and finance products and services but are
peripheral to an agreement, for example credit-related activities involving Bailiwick of Guernsey firms.
i. Innovative Financial Services Businesses (“IFSB”)
There are a wide range of specified categories, which include new technology driven services in the finance sector (FinTech), several of which are in the lending, credit and finance arena. The Commission recognises that stimulating and supporting innovation is essential in cultivating economic growth. The Commission continues to embrace and encourage innovation in the financial services business market. The Commission already has communication channels for innovative FSBs, which includes a policy of meeting and discussing regulatory matters with new and existing business at the earliest opportunity. The Commission has introduced the Innovation Soundbox12 to serve as a crossdivisional contact point for enquiries regarding innovative financial products and services. It is proposed to continue to augment this framework by raising awareness and conveying the available levels of support that are available. The report entitled, “A Strategic Vision for FinTech”, 13 commissioned by the former Commerce & Employment Department contains a number of recommendations including a general objective to create a platform for development, growth and expansion of FinTech in the Bailiwick. The proposals in this Discussion Paper support those recommendations through providing regulatory certainty for innovative financial services firms, thus encouraging investment in the economy for those businesses, which are commercially viable and beneficial to the financial services market. IFSBs are proposed to fall within the scope of Category 2 LCF Limited Licence in order to provide a category that aligns an emerging array of new products and services with appropriate controls. Technology is transforming the lending, credit and finance landscape and the momentum of change is challenging legacy retail and commercial financial market regulatory controls. It is envisaged that the Category 2 LCF Licence will provide a suitable degree of latitude for the innovative and embryonic businesses to flourish and grow without unnecessary barriers while at the same time retaining a suitable and proportionate level of consumer protection and financial crime prevention. Equally sometimes regulation is not required and therefore the new Law seeks to clarify an understanding of the regulatory/non-regulatory divide.
12 Innovation Soundbox
13 PWC Report, A Strategic Vision for FinTech, July 2015.
Despite technology offering new and alternative financial products and services there is a need to be cautious and closely monitor the approach adopted internationally. A number of the new and alternative options are in the prototype or formative stage and innovators require a period of time to progress. One example is block chain technology; Christopher Woolard, FCA Director of Strategy and Competition commented on block chain technology in his speech at the FCA’s event on UK FinTech, February 2016, 14 that:
“One example could be distributed ledger technology, sometimes more popularly known as ‘block chain’. There have been countless column inches devoted to this subject. The current development of distributed ledger technology has the potential to revolutionise financial services; whether it is the panacea of all ills in the financial world is yet to be seen. However it’s clear that there are a lot of regulatory and consumer issues that will need to be discussed as the technology evolves. For example, how individuals gain access to a distributed network and who controls this process, along with what data security exists for users are vital considerations for us as a regulator”. The FCA’s view is echoed by the Commission, other countries, jurisdictions and international supervisory bodies. The response of regulators across the Globe to cryptocurrencies evidences the cautious ‘watch and see’ regulatory approach. The European Commission and the voting body of the EU, the European Parliament, has discussed crypto-currencies and block chain innovation several times, most recently in a proposal to amend Directive (EU) 2015/849 15 In 2014, the Commission published a notice about virtual currencies, noting that it intended to adopt a cautious approach to virtual currencies due to the risks associated with them.16 It is acknowledged that as advances in technology continue to evolve consideration of regulatory concerns are featuring. In January 2016, the UK Government published a document following a review exploring how distributed ledger technology can revolutionise services, both in government and the private sector. The published document, Distributed Ledger Technology: Beyond Block Chain17 includes comment that:
“Effective governance and regulation are key to the successful implementation of distributed ledgers. Governance comprises the rules set out by the owners and participants of the ledger that safeguard their private interest. This needs to be supplemented by regulation and / or legislation, which comprises the framework of rules that are set by an outside authority to protect the broader interest of society”. The flexibility afforded through the proposed Category 2 LCF Limited Licence enables a framework that can nurture innovative expansion and cater for adequate consumer protection.
14 https://www.fca.org.uk/news/uk-fintech-regulating-for-innovation 15 The European Commission adopted proposals for Legislation to amend the 4th Anti-money Laundering Directive that will bring virtual currency exchangers and wallet providers into the EU’s anti-money laundering framework. July 2016 The European Parliament’s Committee on Economic & Monetary Affairs April 2016. The European Parliament’s Committee on Economic & Monetary Affairs, January 2016. The European Court of Justice, October 2015. 16 http://www.gfsc.gg/The-Commission/News/Pages/Virtual-Currencies.aspx 17 https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/distributed-ledger-technology-blackett-review
How could the new Law improve & support the growth and expansion of innovative financial service business? Comment. Are there any other types of innovative financial services businesses that should be considered for inclusion as a Category 2 LCF Limited Licence entity? Yes No Comment.
ii. Lending, Credit and Finance Financial Services Businesses, Not Included Under
the Protection of Investors Law (Crowdfunding, Peer to Peer Lending & RoboAdvisors) Crowdfunding has increased in popularity due to its ability to provide an alternative source of finance particularly for small and medium sized enterprises via online platforms. Crowdfunding is also attractive to investors as the crowdfund can allow smaller investors to participate and may potentially offer higher returns than current market interest rates. Four categories of crowdfunding can be identified; loan (or debt-based), equity (or investment based), donation and pre-payment. Donation and pre-payment have no financial incentive, other than a possible form of reward e.g. ‘JustGiving’ is an example of a charitable donation crowdfund platform. It is not intended, and therefore the Discussion Paper does not include, introducing proposals for legislative and regulatory controls in respect of donation based or pre-payment, reward based crowdfund activities. Loan-based crowdfunding is a term that can apply to peer to peer (“P2P”) lending, peer to business lending (“P2B”) and business-to-business lending (“B2B”), although the most frequent term used is P2P lending. 19 For the purposes of consistency, this document refers to loan-based crowdfunding agreements or lending as that is the overarching facility provided by the provider’s platform. Loan-based crowdfunding as a “matchmaking service” has seen a rapid rise in use, notably as the returns offered to lenders are attractive in a low interest rate environment. Since the loan-based crowdfund lending companies offering these services often operate entirely online, they can run with lower overheads and provide the service more cheaply than traditional financial institutions. As a result, lenders often earn higher returns compared to savings and investment products offered by banks, while borrowers can borrow money at lower interest rates, even after the loan-based crowdfunding lending company has taken a fee for providing the matchmaking platform and credit checking the borrower.
18 See Appendix D Types of Crowdfunding.
19 P2P can be termed differently depending on the parties involved, hence references are often made to B2B (Business-to-Business), B2C (Business-to-Consumer), P2B (Peer-to-Business), etc.
The accessibility that the internet offers has resulted in platforms having a wider potential ‘client base’, where they are able to pool lenders money, effectively allowing individuals with smaller levels of capital than traditionally expected to enter the loan market. The entry of ‘retail lenders’ into this field gives rise to concern as the majority of loans arranged, certainly via electronic platforms, are unsecured which heightens the impact of borrowers defaulting on loans. Generally speaking trust is placed in the platform operator to have credit checked and risk rated borrowers adequately, often via an automated system. The current standard model of an electronic crowdfunding platform does not have the same benefit of asset backed lending by traditional financial service providers. The proposals included in this Discussion Paper are directed towards making loan-based crowd funding a regulated activity. This recommendation is consistent with that of other jurisdictions that either already have in place or, are considering introducing regulatory controls to crowdfunding, as loan-based crowdfunding poses a high risk both to consumers and those that fund the loan. The UK Financial Conduct Authority20 concluded that:
“In terms of harm, we consider loan-based crowdfunding firms to pose a high risk to consumers because they may hold and/or control client money before lending this money to the borrowers”. The Isle of Man Financial Services Authority, (formerly the Financial Supervision Commission), assessment of the risk relating to loan-based crowdfunding resulted in their proposing in their crowdfund consultation documents that the arrangement of loan crowdfunding should be regulated. It is proposed that loan-based crowdfunding advisors and other lending platform providers based in the Bailiwick will be included within the scope of a Category 2 LCF Limited Licence with specific controls relating to the protection of customer assets and AML/CFT. There are existing obligations for an entity arranging “pure” equity crowdfunding. Where a platform is domiciled in the Bailiwick the provider would require a licence under the Protection of Investors (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 1987 as it would be considered that it is carrying out restricted activities within the Bailiwick of Guernsey.22 Certain types of crowdfunding may also fall within the definition of a collective investment scheme, i.e. where the contributions of funders and profits out of which payments are to be made are pooled and there is evidence of management of the portfolio. The domicile of the website and the activities being carried out in connection with the website would all need to be taken into consideration when determining whether such an offering met the definition of a collective investment scheme.
20 The Financial Conduct Authority. The FCA’s regulatory approach to crowdfunding (and similar activities). 21 The Isle of Man Financial Supervision Commission’s Crowdfunding – a potential new regulated activity encompassing both equity and loan crowdfunding. April 2015 22 The prospectus for an offer to the public for a Protection of Investors, Category 2 controlled investment in the Bailiwick must be registered with the Commission. Category 2 investments include, but are not restricted to, shares and stocks in the share capital of a company, other than an investment company, therefore certain types of offerings listed on a Bailiwick of Guernsey domiciled platform may currently need to be registered with the Commission under the Registration of Non-Regulated Financial Services Businesses (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 2008.
The proposal of this Discussion Paper is to focus upon loan-based crowdfunding and equitybased crowdfunding. The suggestion is to introduce measures designed to protect consumers investing, lending and borrowing through a crowdfund platform by ensuring that the crowdfunding platform includes advice and guidance to enable potential users to make an informed decision about the service offered. The purpose of proposing controls in respect of loan-based and equity-based crowdfunding is because of the potential pitfalls and risks to the investor investing in products and services that are not regulated or supervised and have minimal or no assurance of security. Do you agree with the proposal that loan-based crowdfunding (including P2P) should be a regulated activity? Agree Disagree Please comment on the reasoning for your reply. Do you agree with the proposal that loan-based crowdfunding (including P2P) should be a Category 2 LCF Limited License? Agree Disagree Please comment on the reasoning for your reply. Similarly to an equity crowdfund, an online wealth management advisory service, (roboadvisor), would require a licence under the Protection of Investors (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law. However, where the products and service offered are lending, credit and finance related and not captured under the requirements of the Protection of Investors Law, the proposal is that the robo-advisor provider would be viewed a Category 2, LCF Limited Licence IFSB.
iii. Firms that are not providing lending, credit and finance products and services
but are peripheral to an agreement.
Example activities are firms that are:
Credit brokers;
Credit information services (e.g. providers of information on a person’s creditworthiness, debt position or other reference information, which is used for the purpose of assessing a lending or credit facility); Providing an introduction or facilitating a lending or credit facility with another firm (including lending, credit & finance firms that act as agents for another institution); Payroll providers; 23 and Acting as an intermediary broker or agent between the credit provider and the consumer. The Category 2 LCF Limited Licence also includes those firms who are not the actual lender but are involved or associated with the arrangements made by lending, credit and finance firms. Examples are brokers or agents that can arrange lending, borrowing or credit facilities for consumers. The rationale for including a broker, agent or introducer of business as a Category 2, LCF Limited Licence, rather than a Category 1, is that the lender would be subject to scrutiny and review as the ultimate provider. The consumer credit obligations of the broker or agent arise during negotiation and arrangement, albeit by virtue of an informal arrangement or formal contract agreeing the facility. The onus is upon the ultimate loan provider to ensure their agent or broker acts with integrity and in accordance with the consumer credit requirements.
23 Payroll services are, writing and/or arranging employment management agreements, issuing contracts of employment, processing salary payments, production of payroll documentation, payslips and the production of customer accounts
Existing NRFSBs Proposed as Category 2 LCF Limited Licence.
The following existing NRFSB activities are proposed as Category 2, LCF Limited Licence, under the new Law:
Financial Leasing.
Operating a money service business (including, without limitation, a business providing money or value transmission services, currency exchange (bureau de change) and cheque cashing). Transmitting Money / Value. Buying, selling or arranging the buying or selling of, or otherwise dealing in, bullion or buying or selling postage stamps. Facilitating or transmitting money or value through an informal money or value transfer system or network. Issuing, redeeming, managing or administering means of payment. Means of payment includes, without limitation, credit, charge and debit cards, cheques, travellers’ cheques, money orders and bankers drafts (and electronic money). Providing financial guarantees or commitments. Trading (by way of spot, forward, swaps, futures, options, etc.) in - o money market instruments (including, without limitation, cheques, bills and certificates of deposit); o foreign exchange, exchange, interest rate or index instruments; and o commodity futures, transferable securities or other negotiable instruments or financial assets. Participating in securities issues and the provision of financial services related to such issues, including, without limitation, underwriting or placement as agent (whether publicly or privately). Providing settlement or clearing services for financial assets including, without limitation, securities, derivative products or other negotiable instruments. Money Broking. Money Changing. Providing individual or collective portfolio management services or advice. Carrying on the business of a credit union. Accepting repayable funds other than deposits. Otherwise investing, administering or managing funds or money on behalf of other persons. Do you agree that the proposed NRFSB activities, listed above, should be included as Category 2 LCF Limited Licence? Agree Disagree Please comment on the reasoning for your reply.
Category 3 LCF Registration
It is proposed that the Category 3 LCF Registration will extend to NRFSB categories that are not undertaking any form of lending, credit and finance related activities or services. The potential categories of business, which would be classified Category 3 LCF Registration are businesses:
Providing advice to undertakings on capital structure, industrial strategy or related questions, on mergers or the purchase of undertakings, except where the advice is provided in the course of carrying on the business of a lawyer or accountant. Providing safe custody services, not including persons licensed under the POI Law and collective investment schemes authorised or registered under the POI Law. Do you agree or disagree with the proposed NRFSB activities suggested as Category 3 LCF Registration? Agree Disagree Please comment on the reasoning for your reply. Do you consider that a more viable option is to integrate non-lending activity categories into the Prescribed Business regime?
Agree Disagree
Please comment on the reasoning for your reply.
24 The Criminal Justice (Proceeds of Crime) (Legal Professionals, Accountants and Estate Agents) (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Regulations, 2008 created a public register of prescribed businesses. http://www.gfsc.gg/Registered/Registered-Entities/Pages/Prescribed-Businesses.aspx
Risk Based Exemptions
It is proposed to include within the framework, criteria that cater for certain low risk activities, products or services, which may merit discretionary exemption from the proposed regulatory regime because of their regulatory low risk nature and purpose. Examples of the types of potential exempted activities are:
An intercompany loan or financing facility; and Closed loop cards25 (Stored value, customer service cards that hold a low value for a specific purpose, e.g. a bus travel card). It is acknowledged that there is a need to be cautious in the manner in which any potential risk-based exemption is described and considered. Comments are invited on what areas could be exempted on the basis that the prudential, conduct and money laundering and terrorist financing risks are low. Are there any low risk activities, products or services which you consider should be a risk-based exemption? Please comment on the reasoning for your reply.
25 Closed loop cards are prepaid cards which can be used to acquire goods or services only in the premises of the issuer or within a limited network of service providers under direct commercial agreement with a professional issuer, or which can be used only to acquire a very limited range of goods or services. Taking into account the very limited money laundering and terrorist financing risks linked to closed loop cards, they are out of the scope of the definition of e-money for the purposes of the 4AMLD, which is consistent with the approach in Directive 2009/110/EC21
Not Required to Register
The NRFSB Law currently provides an exemption for an FSB to register with the Commission or to meet the AML/CFT regulations and rules in the Handbook if they meet all of the criteria stated in Part 1 Point 3, Exemptions from Requirement to Register.26 It is proposed to withdraw the current criteria as it only provides exclusion in limited instances. It is envisaged that the proposed new Law’s framework will distinguish instances where it is not necessary to register. What do you consider the new Law should exclude? Comment. Do you agree that the new Law should include risk-based exemptions and instances that are not requiring registration? Agree Disagree Please comment on the reasoning for your reply.
26 Appendix C. The Registration of Non-Regulated Financial Services Businesses (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 2008. Part 1, Point 3, Exemptions from Requirement to Register.
Regulatory Expectations for LCF Categories 1 & 2 (Controls & Measures) The proposals are a formal adoption of many existing best practice measures. One of the reasons for introducing the suggested measures is feedback received from firms participating in this paper’s development who advised that they wanted to be viewed on an equal footing with their international peers. Implementation of a lending, credit and finance infrastructure is considered essential to adding credibility to a provider’s reputation. Discussion with current providers confirmed that Bailiwick firms welcome the ability to promote and advertise the fact that they operate in an environment, which is competitive, treats customers fairly and where they are subject to regulatory supervision. A strong lending, credit and finance regime, possessing robust rules and guidance, promotes a market of integrity and security. The proposed recommendations in respect of each control are described below. Affordability Assessments A critical component of a lending or credit arrangement is checking the creditworthiness of an applicant. In order to ensure a consistent assessment is conducted prior to approval it is proposed to make it mandatory for all lending and/or credit facilities to be subject to an affordability assessment. The assessment will serve to ensure that the firm assessed the suitability of any loan or credit prior to approval. Completing an affordability assessment will also provide evidence and justification of the resulting decision. The introduction of a common affordability standard should not be burdensome or a hindrance to businesses and consumers and indeed it is acknowledged that many firms already have procedures in place that include conducting an effective affordability assessment. Our rationale for recommending formalising the methods undertaken for assessing a consumer’s creditworthiness is to implement controls that incorporate accountability, raise financial awareness to the consumer and prevent unaffordable debt. An affordability assessment should be based upon information provided by a consumer, information currently held and information obtainable from a credit reference agency. The proposal is to introduce criteria that consists of general and sensitive personal information necessary to make an informed decision on a person’s suitability for a product. Although the basis for conducting an affordability assessment is to enhance consumer credit controls there may be certain types of borrowing that should be excluded so as not to introduce controls that are administratively counterproductive. Examples of excluded arrangements could include short term in case of need facilities or a short term overdraft. Do you agree with the proposal that the Bailiwick of Guernsey requires the introduction of legislative regulatory consumer rights & protection in respect of lending, credit and finance? Agree Disagree Please comment on the reasoning for your reply.
Do you agree that an affordability assessment should be conducted for all lending, credit & finance facilities? Agree Disagree Please comment on the reasoning for your reply. If you agree that an affordability assessment should be conducted, what information and/or requirements do you consider should be included to assess a borrower’s creditworthiness? Please comment Right to Withdraw, “Cooling Off Period” Consideration is being given to introducing rules and guidance pertaining to consumers having the right to change their mind. It is suggested that the consumer could cancel a financing arrangement either verbally or by written notice (including email) within a specified time; often referred to as a “cooling off period”. A cooling off period is particularly important in an era of mobile and online products where speed of access can negate full consideration of a product’s terms. The generally accepted time period for a cooling off period is 14 days. Views are sought on whether it is appropriate to implement a cancellation right for a lending or credit arrangement in the Bailiwick. Do you agree there should be a mandatory requirement for lending, credit & finance providers to provide a right to withdraw? Agree Disagree If yes, what should be the length of time? Please comment on the reasoning for your reply.
27 EU Directive 2011/83/EU on consumer rights. 25 October 2011.
FCA, Consumer Credit Sourcebook, Section 11.1, Right to Cancel.
Rollover of loans and/or extending credit facilities Discussion took place within the focus groups as to whether to introduce a maximum number of occasions a borrower can rollover a loan or extend a credit facility. The current proposal is not to introduce such a control. The proposed controls relating to completing an affordability assessment will ensure that a firm includes in their credit and lending decision process an assessment of whether it is sensible to approve continuation of a facility. It is not uncommon for loans and credit facilities to include an option for continuation, however this should be on an understanding that any facility is first subject to review and a borrower should not consider renewal an absolute right. Do you agree that it is not necessary to introduce a maximum number of times a loan can be rolled over? Agree Disagree Please comment on the reasoning for your reply. Transparency It is proposed to implement proportionate controls and measures that prevent a consumer from being given misleading information about a product or service. It is envisaged that there will be specific controls and measures relating to the marketing, advertising and promotion of products and services. Providing communication and/or information relates to the manner in which a consumer interprets and understands any arrangement. It is proposed to introduce measures that ensure a firm demonstrates that a customer is made aware of relevant facts, that there is no omission of any relevant information and that the information provided either in written or verbal form is sufficient, clear and not misleading.
The following are examples of suggested recommendations for consideration and comment:
Communications & Information will: Communications & Information will not:
Consist of plain and intelligible language.
Provide full details of any arrangement, including fees, commissions and retrocessions. Provide details of any association or connection and include a statement of any conflict of interest. Include, where comparisons are made, that the comparison is factual, meaningful, balanced, qualified, justified and fair. Consist of clear and transparent terms, including information regarding interest and the annual percentage rate (“APR”). Contain sufficient information to allow users to make an informed decision. Detail all penalties and early repayment terms. Include a clear and transparent statement of return, costs, charges, penalties and interest. Provide information and guidance on complaints and disputes. Use false testimonials or make unsubstantiated claims. Disguise or obscure important information, statements or warnings. Imply that a customer is free of debt through a revised debt arrangement. Use inducements or incentives in a manner to purposefully disguise or obscure a debt arrangement. Contain any representation, which might damage the reputation of the Bailiwick of Guernsey. Disguise or obscure details regarding early repayment penalties. Are there any other requirements not included in the table that should be considered? Yes No Comment. Do you agree lending, credit & finance firms should provide a full explanation of all the features of a loan, credit arrangement or any other funding mechanism, including fees, commission and key risks, prior to agreement? Agree Disagree What do you consider would constitute suitable evidence and should the provision of an explanation be evidenced by the consumer?
Financial Promotions Advertising & Marketing Currently, there are no mandatory controls or best practice standards relating to financial promotions, advertising and marketing for lending, credit and finance firms in the Bailiwick. Advertising and marketing controls do exist for specific industry sectors. 28 However, they are not applicable to the NRFSB registered population. The NRFSB Law does provide for the Commission to apply conditions upon registered financial services businesses for any time after registration, including the ability to require a financial service business to take certain steps, to refrain from adopting or pursuing a particular course of action or to restrict the scope of its business in a particular way.29 This power is a supervisory control designed to prevent and respond to inappropriate activities. The proposal is to implement specific rules and guidance to lending, credit and finance in respect of financial promotions, advertising and marketing. The proposed rules and guidance are similar to the measures described in the AGB Code and the Conduct of Business Rules (“COB”) Rules. 30 However, they are not a substitute or replacement for existing obligations. The new rules and guidance will focus upon the breadth of promotional activities not just advertisements. Section 21 of the U.K. Financial Services & Markets Act 2000 defines a financial promotion as:
“An invitation or inducement to engage in investment activity, communicated by a person in the course of business.” To deliver financial awareness of a product or service it is considered sensible to include features relating to, not only the format of an advertisement, but also engagement and communication with consumers. Do you agree there should be advertising, marketing and promotion standards for lending, credit & finance products and services? Agree Disagree Please comment on the reasoning for your reply.
The Association of Guernsey Banks (“AGB”) has published a non-statutory code outlining the requirements for Association members in respect of deposit advertisements. The Registration of Non-Regulated Financial Services Businesses (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law 2008, section 6, Conditions of Registration. 30 The Protection of Investors (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 1987 or the Licensees (Conduct of Business) Rules 2014, (“the COB Rules”) and included within the COB Rules are the requirements expected of a licensee regarding promotions and advertising.
The following are examples of the proposed requirements we are considering:
Marketing, Promotion and Advertisement will:
Marketing, Promotion and Advertisement will not:
Use plain and intelligible language.
Specify the name of the firm making the promotion or on whose behalf the promotion is made. Contain all material account terms that are clear, fair, reasonable and not misleading or misunderstood. Contain sufficient information to enable an informed assessment of the financial product(s) or service(s) to which it relates to be made. It should also state that terms and conditions apply if relevant; and include the regulatory status. Use false testimonials or make unsubstantiated claims. Disguise or obscure important information, statements or warnings. Contain any representation, which might damage the reputation of the Bailiwick of Guernsey. Are there any other requirements not included above that should be considered? Please comment on the reasoning for your reply.
Proposed Changes, General Comments
Responses are invited on any other areas relating to the matters described in the Discussion Paper. Are there any areas that you consider have been omitted from the Discussion Paper? Yes No If yes, please provide a brief description of what you consider has been omitted? Comment. Do you have any comment on any of the proposals in the Discussion Paper that you would like to add? Comment. (Please include reference to the section or topic). Do you have any views on the benefits that could result from implementation of the proposals? Comment. Do you consider that there would be any disadvantages resulting from implementation of the proposals? Comment.
Appendix A. Principles of Conduct of Finance Business
The Principles are a general statement of fundamental obligations that firms should comply with under their regulatory responsibilities. The Principles include a brief description of their intended purpose, however the Principles are only applicable to businesses licensed or registered with the Commission and they do not include any underlying description of the Commission’s expectations of how a firm applies each Principle. The proposal is to develop the provisions contained in the Principles as the basic fundamental criteria for lending, credit and finance rules and guidance. It is proposed to expand the current descriptions with clear statements of what is expected by all consumer lending, credit and finance providers. It is envisaged that this will provide clarity on the standards and behaviour expected and promote consistent application by the firms. The GFSC Principles of Conduct of Finance Business Integrity A financial institution should observe high standards of integrity and fair dealing in the conducts of its business Skill, Care & Diligence A financial institution should act with due skill, care and diligence towards its customers and counterparties Conflicts of Interest A financial institution should either avoid any conflict of interest arising or, where a conflict arises, should ensure fair treatment to all its customers by disclosure, internal rules of confidentiality, declining to act, or otherwise. A financial institution should not unfairly place its interests above those of its customers and, where a properly informed customer would reasonably expect that the financial institution would place his interests above its own, the financial institution should live up to that expectation. Information about Customers A financial institution should seek from customers it advises or for whom it exercises discretion any information about their circumstances and investment objectives, which might reasonably be expected to be relevant in enabling it to fulfill its responsibilities to them. Information for Customers A financial institution should take reasonable steps to give a customer it advises, in a comprehensible and timely way, any information needed to enable him to make a balanced and informed decision. A financial institution should similarly be ready to provide a customer with a full and fair account of the fulfillment of its responsibilities to him. Customer Assets Where a financial institution has control of, or is otherwise responsible for, assets belonging to a customer which it is required to safeguard, it should arrange proper protection for them, by way of segregation and identification of those assets or otherwise, in accordance with the responsibilities it has accepted.
Market Practice
A financial institution should observe high standards of market conduct, and should also comply with any code of standard as in force from time to time and issued or approved by the Commission. Financial Resources A financial institution should ensure that it maintains adequate financial resources to meet it finance business commitments and to withstand the risks to which its business is subject. Internal Organisation A financial institution should organise and control its internal affairs in a responsible manner, keeping proper records, and where the financial institution employs staff or is responsible for the conduct of finance business by others, should have adequate arrangements to ensure that they are suitable, adequately trained and properly supervised and that it has well-defined compliance procedures. Relations with GFSC A financial institution should deal with the Commission in an open and co-operative manner and keep the Commission promptly informed of anything concerning the financial institution, which might reasonably be expected to be disclosed to it.
Appendix B. Types of Crowdfunding
The following are the universally acknowledged categories of crowdfunding:
Appendix C. The Registration of Non-Regulated Financial Servcies
Businesses (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 2008. Part 1, Point 3, Exemptions from Requirement to Register. (a) the total turnover of the person carrying on the financial services business in respect of financial services business does not exceed £50,000 per annum, (b) the financial services business does not carry out occasional transactions, this is to say, any transaction involving more than £10,000, carried out by the financial services business in question in the course of that business, where no business relationship has been proposed or established, including such transactions carried out in a single operation or two or more operations that appear to be linked, (c) the financial services business does not exceed 5% of the total turnover of the person carrying on the business, (d) the financial services business is ancillary, and directly related, to the main activity of the person carrying on the business, (e) the financial service business does not facilitate or transmit money or value by any means, (f) the main activity of the person carrying on the financial service business is not that of a financial services business, and (g) the financial service business is provided only to customers of the main activity of the person carrying on the business and is not offered to the public.
Appendix D. Examples of Legislative and Regulatory Controls.
The following are examples of the various legislative and regulatory controls in place in the UK and the Crown Dependencies in respect of lending, credit and finance. Please note that the examples are purely indicative of the types of controls and measures in place and not intended as a complete record of all consumer credit legislative and regulatory controls in each jurisdiction. Bailiwick of Guernsey The Trading Standards (Enabling Provisions) (Guernsey) Law, 2009. Billet D’Etat of the States of Guernsey, February 2016, included a policy letter detailing proposals for the introduction of consumer rights legislation in Guernsey, Herm and Jethou.31
Guernsey Trading Standards publish advice and guidance on the States of Guernsey website.32 The webpage includes a section titled “Safety of Consumer Products.” Jersey The Distance Selling (Jersey) Law 2007, revised in 2016. The Supply of Goods & Services Law 2009.33 The Jersey Trading Standards Service publish on the Jersey government website a page that details the obligations of companies that are signed up to the Code of Practice for Consumer Lending.34
Jersey Government website also has a webpage on consumer protection.35 The Isle of Man The Isle of Man Moneylenders Act 199136 requires any person other than a bank or other exempt organisation who carries on in the Island a business, which makes loans of money to consumers and/or sole traders to be registered with the Isle of Man, Office of Fair Trading. In 2013 the Isle of Man Office of Fair Trading issued a review of payday lending titled, Review of Payday Lending as it Affects Isle of Man Consumers.37 The report includes under section 9, Consumer Protection; “In concluding its review of payday lending as it affects IOM consumers it is necessary for the OFT to consider whether there is a need to enhance consumer protection in the area.” United Kingdom UK Financial Services Act 2012. UK Consumer Protection Act 1987. UK Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008. UK Mortgage Conduct of Business Rules.
31 https://gov.gg/CHttpHandler.ashx?id=99842&p=0 32 https://www.gov.gg/article/151913/Trading-standards-advice 33 https://www.jerseylaw.je/laws/revised/pages/05.800.aspx 34http://www.gov.je/stayingsafe/consumerprotection/borrowmoney/pages/companyresponsibilitieslendmoney. aspx 35 https://www.gov.je/Government/Consultations/Pages/ConsumerProtection.aspx .http://www.legislation.gov.im/cms/images/LEGISLATION/PRINCIPAL/1991/1991- 0006/MoneylendersAct1991_2.pdf 37 https://www.gov.im/lib/news/oft/oftpublishespayd.xml
Definitions
Block Chain38
A block chain is a type of database that takes a number of records and puts them in a block. Each block is then ‘chained’ to the next block, using a cryptographic signature. This allows block chains to be used like a ledger, which can be shared and corroborated by anyone with the appropriate permissions. Distributed Ledger38 A distributed ledger is essentially an asset database that can be shared across a network of multiple sites, geographies or institutions. All participants within a network can have their own identical copy of the ledger. Any changes to the ledger are reflected in all copies in minutes, or in some cases, seconds. The assets can be financial, legal, physical or electronic. The security and accuracy of the assets stored in the ledger are maintained cryptographically through the use of ‘keys’ and signatures to control who can do what within the shared ledger. Entries can also be updated by one, some or all of the participants, according to rules agreed by the network. High-Cost Short-Term Credit39 A regulated credit agreement :
(a) which is a borrower-lender agreement or a P2P agreement; (b) in relation to which the APR is equal to or exceeds 100%; (c) either:
(i) in relation to which a financial promotion indicates (by express words or otherwise) that the credit is to be provided for any period up to a maximum of 12 months or otherwise indicates (by express words or otherwise) that the credit is to be provided for a short term; or (ii) under which the credit is due to be repaid or substantially repaid within a maximum of 12 months of the date on which the credit is advanced; (d) which is not secured by a mortgage, charge or pledge; and (e) which is not:
(i) a credit agreement in relation to which the lender is a community finance organisation; or (ii) a home credit loan agreement, a bill of sale loan agreement or a borrower-lender agreement enabling a borrower to overdraw on a current account or arising where the holder of a current account overdraws on the account without a pre-arranged overdraft or exceeds a pre-arranged overdraft limit.
38 https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/distributed-ledger-technology-blackett-review 39 https://www.handbook.fca.org.uk/handbook/glossary
Innovative Financial Service Business (“IFSB”) Innovative financial services business has been used in the document as a collective descriptive term. IFSBs relate to prospective innovative or start up financial service businesses whose business model comprises of FinTech related products and services. Robo-Adviser40 A robo-advisor is an online wealth management service that provides automated, algorithmbased portfolio management advice without the use of human financial planners. RoboAdvisors use the same software as traditional advisors, but usually only offer portfolio management and do not get involved in more personal aspects of wealth management, such as taxes and retirement or estate planning. Smart Contracts41 Smart contracts are computer protocols that facilitate, verify, or enforce the negotiation or performance of a contract, or that obviate the need for a contractual clause. Smart contracts usually also have a user interface and often emulate the logic of contractual clauses. Proponents of smart contracts claim that many kinds of contractual clauses may thus be made partially or fully self-executing, self-enforcing, or both. Smart contracts aim to provide security superior to traditional contract law and to reduce other transaction costs associated with contracting.
40 www.investopedia.com
41 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smart_contract
Abbreviations
AGB Association of Guernsey Banks
AML/CFT Anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism APR Annual Percentage Rate B2B Business to Business B2C Business to Consumer COB The Licensees (Conduct of Business) Rules 2014 Commission GFSC CS Citizen Space – online portal for consultations and discussion papers. DP Discussion Paper EU European Union FCA Financial Conduct Authority FSBs Financial Service Businesses GFSC Guernsey Financial Services Commission IFSB Innovative Financial Services Business LCF Lending, Credit & Finance Licensee Any person who holds a licence, consent, authorisation, registration or permission from the Commission; New Law Proposed Lending, Credit & Finance Law NRFSB Non-Regulated Financial Services Businesses NRFSB Law Non-Regulated Financial Services Businesses (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 2008 (as amended) OFT UK Office of Fair Trading POI Law The Protection of Investors (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 1987 (as amended) P2P Peer to Peer
HANDBOOK FOR FINANCIAL
SERVICESBUSINESSES
ON
COUNTERING FINANCIAL CRIME
AND TERRORIST FINANCING
15 December 2007
(updated July 2016)
CONTENTS
Part 1 Page
CHAPTER 1 – INTRODUCTION 4
CHAPTER 2 – CORPORATE GOVERNANCE 10
CHAPTER 3 – A RISK-BASED APPROACH 15
CHAPTER 4 – CUSTOMER DUE DILIGENCE 25
CHAPTER 5 – HIGH RISK RELATIONSHIPS 48
CHAPTER 6 – LOW RISK RELATIONSHIPS 56
CHAPTER 7 – WIRE TRANSFERS 66
CHAPTER 8 – EXISTING CUSTOMERS 74
CHAPTER 9 – MONITORING TRANSACTIONS AND ACTIVITY 79
CHAPTER 10 – REPORTING SUSPICION 84
CHAPTER 11 – EMPLOYEE SCREENING AND TRAINING 114
CHAPTER 12 – RECORD KEEPING 121
CHAPTER 13 – BRIBERY AND CORRUPTION 128
CHAPTER 14 – UN, EU AND OTHER SANCTIONS 134
CHAPTER 15 – SPECIFIC INDUSTRY SECTORS 142
CHAPTER 16 – APPENDICES 151
CHAPTER 17 – GLOSSARY 307
ANNEX – USING TECHNOLOGY FOR CDD PURPOSES 316
PART 1 – REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS
AND GUIDANCE NOTES
CHAPTER 1 – INTRODUCTION
Sections in this Chapter Page
1.1 Background and Scope 5
1.2 Purpose of the Handbook 6
1.3 Contents of the Handbook 7
1.4 Risk-Based Approach 9
1 INTRODUCTION
robbery or theft;
smuggling;
extortion;
forgery;
piracy; and
insider trading and market manipulation
4. Guernsey’s anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism
(AML/CFT) legislation (and by extension, the Handbook) applies to all financial services businesses conducting financial services business in Guernsey. This includes Guernsey-based branches and offices of companies incorporated outside Guernsey conducting financial services business in Guernsey.
1.2 Purpose of the Handbook
5. The Handbook has been issued by the Commission and, together with Statements
issued by the Commission, contains the rules and guidance referred to in Regulation 3(2) of the Criminal Justice (Proceeds of Crime) (Financial Services Businesses) (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Regulations, 2007 as amended (the Regulations), section 15(8) of the Terrorism and Crime (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 2002 as amended, section 15 of the Disclosure (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 2007 and section 15 of the Transfer of Funds (Guernsey) Ordinance, 2007; the Transfer of Funds (Alderney) Ordinance, 2007 and the Transfer of Funds (Sark) Ordinance, 2007.
6. The Handbook is issued to assist financial services businesses to comply with the
requirements of the relevant legislation concerning money laundering, terrorist financing and related offences to prevent the Bailiwick’s financial system from being used in the laundering of money or the financing of terrorism. The Criminal Justice (Proceeds of Crime) (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 1999 as amended and the Terrorism and Crime (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 2002 as amended states that the Guernsey courts shall take account of rules made and guidance given by the Commission in determining whether or not a person has complied with the Regulations.
7. The Guernsey AML/CFT framework includes the following legislation, which is
referred to in the Handbook as the relevant enactments:
The Criminal Justice (Proceeds of Crime) (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 1999 as amended; The Drug Trafficking (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 2000 as amended; The Terrorism and Crime (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 2002 as amended; The Transfer of Funds (Guernsey) Ordinance, 2007; The Transfer of Funds (Alderney) Ordinance, 2007; The Transfer of Funds (Sark) Ordinance, 2007; The Disclosure (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 2007 as amended;
The Disclosure (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Regulations, 2007 as amended; The Terrorism and Crime (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Regulations, 2007 as amended; The Registration of Non-Regulated Financial Services Businesses (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 2008 as amended; The Terrorist Asset-Freezing (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 2011 The Al-Qaida and Taliban (Freezing of Funds) (Guernsey) Ordinance, 2011 and such enactments relating to money laundering or terrorist financing as may be enacted from time to time in the Bailiwick.
8. The Regulations include requirements relating to:
risk assessment and mitigation;
undertaking customer due diligence (CDD);
monitoring customer activity and ongoing CDD; reporting suspected money laundering and terrorist financing activity; staff screening and training; record keeping; and ensuring compliance, corporate responsibility and related requirements.
9. For any financial services business, whether regulated by the Commission or
registered with the Commission, the primary consequences of any significant failure to meet the standards required by the Regulations, the Handbook and the relevant enactments will be legal ones.
10. As regards a financial services business regulated by the Commission, the
Commission is entitled to take such failure into consideration in the exercise of its judgment as to whether the financial services business and its directors and managers have satisfied the minimum criteria for licensing. In particular, in determining whether a firm is carrying on its business with integrity and skill and whether a person is fit and proper, the Commission must have regard to compliance with the Regulations, related rules in the Handbook and the relevant enactments.
11. As regards a financial services business which is not regulated by, but is registered
with, the Commission, the Commission is entitled to consider compliance with the Regulations, the Handbook and the relevant enactments when exercising its judgement in considering the continuing registration of a financial services business.
1.3 Contents of the Handbook
12. The Handbook is divided into three parts. The text in Part 1 applies to all
Guernsey financial services businesses. Part 2 provides material for a number of
specific industry sectors, which supplements the generic text contained in Part 1.
Part 3 contains appendices and a glossary of terms.
13. The full text of the Regulations is set out in Appendix F. That text is definitive.
Any paraphrasing of that text within Part 1 or 2 of the Handbook represents the Commission’s own explanation of the Regulations and is for the purposes of information and assistance only. That paraphrasing does not detract from the legal effect of the Regulations or from their enforceability by the courts. In case of doubt you are advised to consult a Guernsey Advocate.
14. Part 1 of the Handbook takes a two-level approach:
Level one (Commission Rules) sets out how the Commission requires financial services businesses to meet the Regulations. Compliance with the Commission Rules must be taken into account by the courts when considering compliance with the Regulations (which are legally enforceable and a contravention of which can result in prosecution). In addition, the Commission can take enforcement action under the regulatory laws for any contravention of the Commission Rules in respect of those financial services businesses licensed or authorised under those laws. The Commission can also take enforcement action under the Registration of Non-Regulated Financial Services Businesses (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 2008 as amended in respect of those financial services businesses registered with the Commission under that law. In addition, the Commission can take enforcement action under the regulatory laws for any contravention of the Commission Rules in respect of those financial services businesses licensed or authorised under those laws and under the Financial Services Commission Law. Level two (Guidance) presents ways of complying with the Regulations and the Commission Rules. A financial services business may adopt other appropriate and effective measures to those set out in Guidance, including policies, procedures and controls established by the group Head Office of the financial services business, so long as it can demonstrate that such measures also achieve compliance with the Regulations and the Commission Rules.
15. When obligations in the Regulations are explained or paraphrased in the
Handbook, and where the Commission’s Rules are set out in the Handbook, the term must is used, indicating that these provisions are mandatory and subject to the possibility of prosecution (in the case of a contravention of the Regulations) as well as regulatory sanction and any other applicable sanctions.
16. Information on the Regulations and, where appropriate, the text of the most
relevant Regulations are shown in a box on a white background at the front of each chapter.
17. The text of the Commission Rules is presented in shaded boxes throughout each
chapter of the Handbook for ease of reference.
18. In other cases, i.e. Guidance, the Handbook uses the terms should or may to
indicate ways in which the requirements of the Regulations and the Commission Rules may be satisfied, but allowing for alternative means of meeting the
requirements. References to “must”, “should” and “may” in the text must therefore be construed accordingly.
19. The Commission will from time to time update the Handbook to reflect new
legislation, developments in the finance sector, changes to international standards and good practice and the Regulations.
20. The Handbook is not intended to provide an exhaustive list of appropriate and
effective policies, procedures and controls to counter money laundering and the financing of terrorism. The structure of the Handbook is such that it permits a financial services business to adopt a risk-based approach appropriate to its particular circumstances. The financial services business should give consideration to additional measures that may be necessary to prevent its exploitation and that of its services/products and delivery channels by persons seeking to carry out money laundering or terrorist financing.
1.4 Risk-Based Approach
21. A risk-based approach is a systematic approach to risk management and involves:
risk identification and assessment – taking account of the customer and the business relationship or occasional transaction and of the product/service/delivery channel to identify the money laundering and terrorist financing risk to the financial services business; risk mitigation – applying appropriate and effective policies, procedures and controls to manage and mitigate the risks identified; risk monitoring – monitoring the effective operation of a financial services business’ policies, procedures and controls; and policies, procedures and controls – having documented policies, procedures and controls to ensure accountability to the board and senior management.
22. As part of the risk-based approach, financial services businesses are actively
encouraged by the Commission to develop modern and secure techniques of money management as a means of encouraging the replacement of cash transfers. In addition, the Commission discourages the inappropriate use of cash collections and supports the maintenance of registers by financial services businesses which record the value and reasons for cash collections.
23. It is important to realise that various sectors in the financial services industry –
whether in terms of products/services or delivery channel or typical customers, can differ materially. An approach to preventing money laundering and terrorist financing that is appropriate in one sector may be inappropriate in another.
24. A financial services business should be able to take such an approach to the risk of
being used for the purposes of money laundering and terrorist financing and to ensure that its policies, procedures and controls are appropriately designed and implemented and are effectively operated to reduce the risk of the financial services business being used in connection with money laundering or terrorist financing.
CHAPTER 2 – CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Key Regulations Page
Regulation 15 Ensuring Compliance, Corporate Responsibility 11 and Related Requirements Sections in this Chapter
2.1 Objectives 12
2.2 Corporate Governance 12
2.3 Board Responsibility for Oversight of Compliance 12
2.3.1 Liaison with the Commission 13
2.3.2 Financial services business conducted outside Guernsey 13
2.3.3 Outsourcing 13
2.4 The Money Laundering Reporting Officer 14
2.4.1 Nominated officer 14
REGULATIONS
The requirements of the Regulations to which the rules and guidance in this chapter particularly relate are:
Regulation 12, which provides for the appointment of a money laundering reporting officer and the reporting of suspicion. See chapter 10. Regulation 15, which makes provisions in relation to the review of compliance. See below. Regulation 15
15. (1) A financial services business must, in addition to complying with the preceding
requirements of these Regulations –
(a) establish such other policies, procedures and controls as may be appropriate and effective for the purposes of forestalling, preventing and detecting money laundering and terrorist financing, (b) establish and maintain an effective policy, for which responsibility must be taken by the board, for the review of its compliance with the requirements of these Regulations and such policy shall include provision as to the extent and frequency of such reviews, (c) ensure that a review of its compliance with these Regulations is discussed and minuted at a meeting of the board at appropriate intervals, and in considering what is appropriate a financial services business must have regard to the risk taking into account – (i) the size, nature and complexity of the financial services business, (ii) its customers, products and services, and (iii)the ways in which it provides those products and services, (d) subject to paragraph (2), ensure that any of its branch offices and, where it is a body corporate, any body corporate of which it is the majority shareholder, which, in either case, is a financial services business in any country or territory outside the Bailiwick, complies there with – (i) the requirements of these Regulations, and (ii) any requirements under the law applicable in that country or territory which are consistent with the Financial Action Task Force Recommendations on Money Laundering, provided that, where requirements under subparagraphs (i) and (ii) differ, a financial services business must ensure that the requirement which provides the highest standard of compliance by reference to the Financial Action Task Force Recommendations on Money Laundering, is complied with. (2)The obligation under paragraph (1) (d) applies to the extent that the law of the relevant country or territory allows and if the law of that country or territory does not so allow in relation to any requirement of these Regulations, the financial services business must notify the Commission accordingly.
2. CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
A financial services business must comply with the Rules in addition to the Regulations. The Rules are boxed and shaded for ease of reference. A financial services business should note that the Court must take account of the Rules and Guidance issued by the Commission in considering compliance with the Regulations.
2.1 Objectives
25. Corporate governance refers to the manner in which boards of directors and senior
management oversee the financial services business. This chapter, together with the Regulations, provides the framework for oversight of the policies, procedures and controls of a financial services business to counter money laundering and terrorist financing.
2.2 Corporate Governance
26. References in this chapter to “the Board” must be read as meaning the senior
management of the financial services business where the business is not a company, but is, for example, a firm or partnership.
2.3 Board Responsibility for Oversight of Compliance
27. The Board of the financial services business has effective responsibility for
compliance with the Regulations and the Handbook and references to compliance in this Handbook generally, are to be taken as references to compliance with the Regulations and the Handbook. In particular the Board must take responsibility for the policy on reviewing compliance and must consider the appropriateness and effectiveness of compliance and the review of compliance at appropriate intervals.
28. A financial services business must also ensure that there are appropriate and
effective policies, procedures and controls in place which provide for the Board to meet its obligations relating to compliance review, in particular the Board must:
ensure that the compliance review policy takes into account the size, nature and complexity of the business and includes a requirement for sample testing of the effectiveness and adequacy of the policies, procedures and controls including where aspects of the due diligence process are undertaken via electronic methods and systems; consider whether it would be appropriate to maintain a separate audit function to assess the adequacy and effectiveness of the area of compliance; ensure that when a review of compliance is discussed by the Board at appropriate intervals the necessary action is taken to remedy any identified deficiencies; ensure that the financial services business is meeting its obligation that its branches and subsidiaries operating outside the Bailiwick comply with the Regulations and applicable local law which is consistent with the FATF Recommendations; provide adequate resources either from within the financial services business, within the group, or externally to ensure that the AML/CFT policies,
procedures and controls of the financial services business are subject to regular monitoring and testing as required by the Regulations; provide adequate resources to enable the MLRO to perform his duties; and take appropriate measures to keep abreast of and guard against the use of technological developments and new methodologies in money laundering and terrorist financing schemes.
29. The Board may delegate some or all of its duties but must retain responsibility for
the review of overall compliance with AML/CFT requirements as required by Regulation 15.
2.3.1 Liaison with the Commission
30. The Board of a financial services business must ensure that the Commission is
advised of any material failure to comply with the provisions of the Regulations and the rules in the Handbook and of any serious breaches of the policies, procedures or controls of the financial services business.
2.3.2 Financial services business conducted outside Guernsey
31. Where a branch or subsidiary is unable to observe the appropriate AML/CFT
measures because local laws, Regulations or other measures prohibit this, the Regulations require that a financial services business informs the Commission.
32. A financial services business must be aware that this inability to observe the
appropriate AML/CFT measures is particularly likely to occur in countries or territories which do not or insufficiently apply the FATF Recommendations.
2.3.3 Outsourcing
33. It should be noted that whether a financial services business carries out a function
itself, or outsources the function to a third party (either in Guernsey or overseas, or within its group or externally) the financial services business remains responsible for compliance with the Regulations in Guernsey and the requirements of the Handbook. A financial services business cannot contract out of its statutory and regulatory responsibilities to prevent and detect money laundering and terrorist financing.
34. Where a financial services business wishes to outsource functions, it should make
an assessment of any potential money laundering and financing of terrorism risk, maintain a record of the assessment, monitor the perceived risk, and ensure that relevant policies, procedures and controls are and continue to be in place at the outsourced business.
35. Where a financial services business is considering the outsourcing of compliance
functions and/or providing the MLRO with additional support from third parties, from elsewhere within the group or externally, then the business should:
consider and adhere to the Commission’s policy on outsourcing;
ensure that roles, responsibilities and respective duties are clearly defined and documented; ensure that the MLRO, any deputy MLRO, other third parties and all employees understand the roles, responsibilities and respective duties of all parties.
2.4 The Money Laundering Reporting Officer
36. In larger financial services businesses, because of their size, nature and
complexity, the appointment of one or more appropriately qualified persons as permanent deputy MLROs may be necessary.
37. The MLRO and any deputy MLROs that are appointed must:
be a natural person;
be employed by the financial services business. In the case of managed or administered businesses it is acceptable for an employee of the manager or administrator of the business to be appointed as the MLRO/deputy MLRO; be resident in Guernsey; be the main point of contact with the Financial Intelligence Service (FIS) in the handling of disclosures; have sufficient resources to perform his duties; have access to the CDD records; be available on a day to day basis (see section 2.4.1); receive full cooperation from all staff; report directly to the Board; have regular contact with the Board to ensure that the Board is able to satisfy itself that all statutory obligations and provisions in the Handbook are being met and that the financial services business is taking sufficiently robust measures to protect itself against the potential risk of being used for money laundering and terrorist financing; and be fully aware of both his obligations and those of the financial services business under the Regulations, the relevant enactments and the Handbook.
2.4.1 Nominated officer
38. In order to meet the requirements of Regulation 12(b), a financial services
business must nominate another person to receive disclosures in the absence of the MLRO and must communicate the name of the nominated officer to the employees. The nominated person must be of at least management level and must be appropriately qualified.
CHAPTER 3 – A RISK-BASED APPROACH
Key Regulations Page
Regulation 3 Risk Assessment and Mitigation 16 Sections in this Chapter
3.1 Objectives 17
3.2 Benefits of a Risk-Based Approach 17
3.3 Identifying and Assessing the Risks 18
3.4 Business Risk Assessment – Management and Mitigation 19
3.5 Relationship Risk Assessment – Management and Mitigation 19
3.5.1 Business from Sensitive Sources Notices, Instructions, etc. 21
3.5.2 Inherent risks 21
3.5.3 Profile indicators 22
3.6 Monitoring the Effectiveness of Policies, Procedures and Controls 23
3.7 Documentation 24
REGULATIONS
The requirements of the Regulations to which the rules and guidance in this chapter particularly relate are:
Regulation 3, which provides for a financial services business to identify and assess the risks of money laundering and terrorist financing and to ensure that its policies, procedures and controls are effective and appropriate to the assessed risk. See below. Regulation 15, which makes provisions in relation to the review of compliance. See
chapter 2.
Regulation 3
3. (1) A financial services business must-
(a) carry out and document a suitable and sufficient money laundering and terrorist financing business risk assessment which is specific to the financial services business- (i) as soon as reasonably practicable after these Regulations come into force, or (ii) in the case of a financial services business which only becomes such on or after the date these Regulations come into force, as soon as reasonably practicable after it becomes such a business, and (b) regularly review its business risk assessment, at a minimum annually, so as to keep it up to date and, where, as a result of that review, changes to the business risk assessment are required, it must make those changes, (2) A financial services business must- (a) prior to the establishment of a business relationship or the carrying out of an occasional transaction, undertake a risk assessment of that proposed business relationship or occasional transaction, (b) regularly review any risk assessment carried out under subparagraph (a) so as to keep it up to date and, where changes to that risk assessment are required, it must make those changes, and (c) ensure that its policies, procedures and controls on forestalling, preventing and detecting money laundering and terrorist financing are appropriate and effective, having regard to the assessed risk. (3) A financial services business must have regard to (a) any relevant rules and guidance in the Handbook and, (b) any notice or instruction issued by the Commission under the Law, in determining, for the purposes of these Regulations, what constitutes a high or low risk.
3 A RISK-BASED APPROACH
A financial services business must comply with the Rules in addition to the Regulations. The Rules are boxed and shaded for ease of reference. A financial services business should note that the Court must take account of the Rules and Guidance issued by the Commission in considering compliance with the Regulations.
3.1 Objectives
39. Reference in this chapter to “the Board” must be read as meaning the senior
management of the financial services business where the business is not a company, but is, for example, a firm or partnership.
40. The Board and senior management of any business are responsible for managing
the business effectively. They are in the best position to evaluate all potential risks. The Board and senior management of a financial services business are accustomed to applying proportionate risk-based policies across different aspects of their business.
41. It should be noted that in respect of administered entities, the responsibility is
retained by the Board and senior management of the administered entity and not transferred to the administrator of these entities.
42. This chapter, together with the Regulations, is designed to assist a financial
services business to take such an approach to the risk of its products and services being used for the purposes of money laundering and terrorist financing and to ensure that its policies, procedures and controls are appropriately designed and implemented and are effectively operated to reduce the risk of the financial services business being used in connection with money laundering and terrorist financing.
43. In order to meet the requirements of Regulation 3 a financial services business
must have regard to any relevant rules and guidance in assessing the risk of a business relationship or occasional transaction particularly in respect of higher risk relationships or transactions.
3.2 Benefits of a Risk-Based Approach
44. No system of checks will detect and prevent all money laundering or terrorist
financing. A risk-based approach will, however, serve to balance the cost burden placed on individual businesses and on their customers with a realistic assessment of the threat of the business being used in connection with money laundering or terrorist financing. It focuses the effort where it is needed and has most impact.
45. To assist the overall objective to prevent the abuse of the financial services sector,
a risk-based approach:
recognises that the money laundering/terrorist financing threat to a financial services business varies across its customers, countries/territories, products/services and delivery channels; allows the Board and senior management to differentiate between their customers in a way that matches the risk in their particular business; allows the Board and senior management to apply their own approach to the policies, procedures and controls of the financial services business in particular circumstances; helps to produce a more cost-effective system; promotes the prioritisation of effort and activity by reference to the likelihood of money laundering or terrorist financing taking place; reflects experience and proportionality through the tailoring of effort and activity to risk; and allows a financial services business to apply the Handbook sensibly and to consider all relevant factors.
46. A risk-based approach takes a number of discrete steps in assessing the most costeffective and proportionate way to manage the money laundering and terrorist
financing risks facing a financial services business by:
identifying and assessing the money laundering and terrorist financing risks presented by the particular customers, products/services, delivery channels and geographical areas of operation of the financial services business; managing and mitigating the assessed risks by the application of appropriate and effective policies, procedures and controls; monitoring and improving the effective operation of the policies, procedures and controls; and documenting, as appropriate, the policies, procedures and controls to ensure accountability to the Board and senior management.
3.3 Identifying and Assessing the Risks
47. A risk-based approach starts with the identification and assessment of the risk that
has to be managed. In the context of the Handbook a risk-based approach requires a financial services business to assess the risks of how it might be involved in money laundering or terrorist financing taking into account its customers, products and services and the ways in which it provides those services.
48. A financial services business should ask itself what is the threat of it being used
for money laundering or terrorist financing. For example:
What risk is posed/mitigated by the customers of the financial services business, taking into account:
their wealth;
their influence;
their geographical origin;
the complexity of their transaction structures;
the complexity of legal persons and legal arrangements; whether they were introduced to the financial services business; and any unwillingness of customers who are not individuals to give the names of their underlying owners and principals. What risk is posed/mitigated by the products/services offered by the financial services business? For example:
whether the value of a transaction is particularly high; whether payments to third parties are allowed; whether the product/service/structure is of particular, or unusual, complexity.
3.4 Business Risk Assessment – Management and Mitigation
49. In order to ensure its policies, procedures and controls on anti-money laundering
and terrorist financing are appropriate and effective, having regard to the assessed risk, a financial services business must ask itself what measures it can adopt, and to what extent, to manage and mitigate the identified risks cost-effectively.
50. These measures may, for example, include:
varying the CDD procedures in respect of customers appropriate to their assessed money laundering and terrorist financing risk; requiring the quality of evidence – documentary/electronic/third party assurance – to be of a certain standard; obtaining additional customer or business relationship information where this is appropriate to their assessed money laundering or terrorist financing risk, for example, identifying and understanding where a customer’s funds and wealth come from; monitoring ongoing CDD, existing customer accounts and ongoing business relationships.
51. The responses to the questions set out in section 3.3, or to similar questions, will
be a useful framework for the process whereby a financial services business, having assessed the risk to its business, is able to tailor its policies, procedures and controls on the countering of money laundering and terrorist financing.
3.5 Relationship Risk Assessment – Management and Mitigation
52. The policies, procedures and controls of each financial services business towards
the identification and assessment of risk in its customer base must be appropriate, effective, documented and approved at Board level.
53. For a financial services business to consider the extent of its potential exposure to
the risk of money laundering and terrorist financing it must assess the risk of any proposed business relationship or occasional transaction. Based on this
assessment, the financial services business must decide whether or not to accept each business relationship and whether or not to accept any instructions to carry out any occasional transactions.
54. In addition, the assessment will allow a financial services business to determine,
on a risk basis, the extent of identification information (and other CDD information) that must be obtained, how that information will be verified, and the extent to which the resulting business relationship will be monitored.
55. When assessing the risk of a proposed business relationship or occasional
transaction a financial services business must ensure that all the relevant risk factors are considered before making a determination on the level of overall assessed risk.
56. Information which must be taken into consideration when undertaking a
relationship risk assessment includes but is not limited to:
the identity of the customer, beneficial owners and underlying principals; the associated geographic areas; the products/services being provided and the delivery channel; the purpose and intended nature of the business relationship or occasional transaction, including the possibility of legal persons and legal arrangements forming part of the business relationship or occasional transaction; and the type, volume and value of activity that can be expected within the business relationship.
57. Where one or more aspects of the business relationship or occasional transaction
indicates a high risk of money laundering or terrorist financing but the financial services business does not assess the overall risk as high because of strong and compelling mitigating factors, the financial services business must identify the mitigating factors and, along with the reasons for the decision, document them.
58. A financial services business must ensure that any proposed or existing business
relationship or any proposed occasional transaction which:
has characteristics identified in Regulation 5(1)(a) to (c); or is connected to any of the countries or territories listed in Part A or Part C of Instructions on Business from Sensitive Sources issued by the Commission; is designated as high risk.
59. A financial services business must have documented procedures which will allow
it to demonstrate how the assessment of each business relationship or occasional transaction has been reached, and which take into account the nature and complexity of its operation.
60. Such procedures may provide for standardised profiles to be used where the
financial services business has satisfied itself, on reasonable grounds, that such an
approach effectively assesses the risk for each particular business relationship or occasional transaction. However, a financial services business with a diverse customer base or where a wide range of products and services are available must develop a more structured and rigorous system to show that judgement has been exercised on an individual basis rather than on a generic or categorised basis.
61. Whatever method is used to assess the risk of a business relationship or
occasional transaction there must be clear documented evidence as to the basis on which the assessment has been made.
3.5.1 Business from Sensitive Sources Notices, Instructions, etc.
62. From time to time the Commission issues Business from Sensitive Sources
Notices, Advisory Notices, Instructions and Warnings which highlight potential risks arising from particular sources of business. A financial services business must ensure that it visits the Commission’s website and apprise itself of the available information on a regular basis. Additionally, this information, which is updated as necessary, together with sanctions legislation applicable in the Bailiwick, must be taken into consideration when seeking to create a relationship risk profile.
63. Further information on two of the relevant enactments, for the purposes of this
Handbook the Terrorist Asset-Freezing (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 2011 (“Terrorist Law 2011”) and the Al-Qaida and Taliban (Freezing of Funds) (Guernsey) Ordinance, 2011 (“Al-Qaida Ordinance 2011”) can be found in chapters 14 and 16.
64. Care must be taken when dealing with customers, beneficial owners and
underlying principals from countries or territories which are associated with the production, processing and trafficking of illegal drugs. Financial services businesses must also exercise a higher degree of awareness of the potential problems associated with taking on politically sensitive and other customers from countries or territories where bribery and corruption are widely considered to be prevalent.
65. Countries or territories that do not or insufficiently apply the FATF
Recommendations and other high risk countries or territories are dealt with in
section 5.5 of the Handbook.
3.5.2 Inherent risks
66. A financial services business must have regard to the attractiveness to money
launderers of the availability of complex products and services that operate within reputable and secure wealth management environments that are familiar with high value transactions. The following factors contribute to the increased vulnerability of wealth management:
wealthy customers, private banking customers and powerful customers – such customers may be reluctant or unwilling to provide adequate documents,
details and explanations;
multiple accounts and complex accounts – customers often have many accounts in more than one jurisdiction, either within the same firm or group, or with different firms; movement of funds – the transmission of funds and other assets by private customers often involve high value transactions, requiring rapid transfers to be made across accounts in different countries and regions of the world.
67. In order to counter the perceived and actual risks of such relationships, a financial
services business must ensure it recognises, manages and mitigates the potential risks arising from relationships with high net worth customers.
3.5.3 Profile indicators
68. Regulations 5 and 6 and the rules in chapters 5 and 6 of the Handbook set out the
particular circumstances in relation to the assessment of a proposed business relationship or occasional transaction as having either a high or low risk of money laundering and terrorist financing.
69. This paragraph provides examples of low risk indicators for customers and for
products and services which a financial services business may consider when preparing a profile. (a) Customers – Low Risk Indicators customers whose funds are part of a pooled client money account held in the name of an Appendix C business (see the definition in Appendix C to the Handbook); customers who are actively employed with a regular source of income which is consistent with the employment being undertaken; customers who are locally resident retail customers who have a business relationship which is understood by the financial services business; and customers represented by those whose appointment is subject to court approval or ratification (such as executors). (b) Products and services – Low Risk Indicators products where the provider does not permit third party investment or repayment and the ability to make or receive payments to or from third parties is restricted; life insurance policies where the annual premium is no more than £1,000 or a single premium of no more than £2,500; insurance policies for pension schemes if there is no surrender clause and the policy cannot be used for collateral; and regular payment savings or investment/insurance products.
70. This paragraph provides examples of high risk indicators for customers and for
products and services which a financial services business may consider when preparing a profile.
(a) Customers – High Risk Indicators
complex ownership structures, which can make it easier to conceal underlying beneficial owners and beneficiaries; structures where there is no apparent legitimate economic or other rationale; customers or structures which are associated with a specific industry activity which carries a higher exposure to the possibility of bribery and corruption (such as in natural resource extraction, infrastructure construction or the defence industry);an individual who may be regarded as a commercially exposed person because of his or her position as a senior executive of a well known commercial enterprise; customers based in, or conducting business in or through, a country or territory with known higher levels of bribery and corruption, or organised crime, or involved in illegal drug production/processing/distribution, or associated with terrorism; involvement of an introducer from a country or territory which does not have an adequate AML/CFT infrastructure; where a customer wants a product or service in one country or territory when there are very similar products or services in his home country or territory, and where there is no legitimate economic or other rationale for buying the product or service abroad; requests to adopt undue levels of secrecy with a transaction; and business relationships or occasional transactions where the source of wealth and source of funds cannot be easily verified or where the audit trail has been deliberately broken and/or unnecessarily layered. (b) Products and Services – High Risk Indicators complex structures of legal persons and/or legal arrangements; hold mail or retained mail arrangements; safe custody arrangements; significant and/or frequent cash transactions; high value balances or investments, which are disproportionately large to that particular customer, product or service set; bearer shares and other bearer instruments; and inappropriate delegation of authority.
3.6 Monitoring the Effectiveness of Policies, Procedures and Controls
71. The financial services business’ compliance review policy must make provision
for a review of the following elements to ensure their appropriateness and effectiveness:
the procedures surrounding the products/services offered by the financial services business; the CDD requirements in place including where provided through the use of any electronic method or system for establishing a new business relationship or undertaking an occasional transaction; staff screening and training; and
monitoring compliance arrangements.
3.7 Documentation
72. Documentation of the results achieved by taking the steps set out in sections 3.3 to
3.6 will assist the financial services business to demonstrate:
how it identifies and assesses the risks of being used for money laundering or terrorist financing; how it agrees and implements appropriate and effective policies, procedures and controls to manage and mitigate the risk; how it monitors and improves the effectiveness of its policies, procedures and controls; and how it ensures accountability of the Board and senior management on the operation of its policies, procedures and controls process.
CHAPTER 4 – CUSTOMER DUE DILIGENCE
Key Regulations Page
Regulation 4 Customer Due Diligence 27
Regulation 7 Timing of Identification and Verification 28 Regulation 9 Non-compliance with Customer Due Diligence 29 Measures etc. Regulation 10 Introduced Business 29 Sections in this Chapter
4.1 Objectives 30
4.2 Customer Due Diligence – Policies, Procedures and Controls 30
4.3 Obligation to Identify and Verify Identity 31
4.4 Identification and Verification of Customers who are Individuals 32
4.4.1 Identification data for individuals 32
4.4.2 Verification of identity – the individual 32
4.4.3 Verification of identity – the address 33
4.4.4 Guarding against the financial exclusion of Guernsey residents 33
4.5 Non Resident Individual Customers 34
4.5.1 Adequate measures 34
4.5.2 Suitable certifiers 35
4.5.3 Verification of residential address of overseas residents 35
4.6 Identification and Verification of Customers who are not Individuals 36
4.6.1 Legal bodies 36
4.6.2 Obligations of financial services businesses establishing or
administering foundations 38
4.6.3 Obligations of financial services businesses dealing with foundations
4.6.4 Legal arrangements 40
4.6.5 Obligations of trustees 40
4.6.6 Obligations of financial services businesses dealing with trusts 41
4.7 Employee benefit schemes, share option plans or pension schemes 42
4.8 Life and Other Investment Linked Insurance 42
4.9 Acquisition of a Business or Block of Customers 43
4.10 Customer Due Diligence Procedures for Introduced Business Relationships 43
4.10.1 Group introducers 45
4.11 Chains of Introducers 45
4.12 Pooled Bank Accounts 45
4.13 Timing of Identification and Verification of Identity 46
4.13.1 Occasional transactions 46
4.14 Failure to Complete Customer Due Diligence Procedures 47
REGULATIONS
The requirements of the Regulations to which the rules and guidance in this chapter particularly relate are:
Regulation 3, which provides for a financial services business to identify and assess the risks of money laundering and terrorist financing and to ensure that its policies, procedures and controls are effective and appropriate to the assessed risk. See
chapter 3.
Regulation 4, which provides for the required customer due diligence measures, when they should be applied and to whom they should be applied. See below. Regulation 7, which provides for the timing of identification and verification of identity. See below. Regulation 8, which makes provisions in relation to anonymous accounts and shell banks. See chapter 8. Regulation 9, which provides for the non-compliance with customer due diligence measures. See below. Regulation 10, which provides for the customer due diligence measures to be undertaken in introduced business relationships. See below. Regulation 15, which makes provisions in relation to the review of compliance. See
chapter 2.
Regulation 4
4.(1) A financial services business shall, subject to the following provisions of these Regulations, ensure that the steps in paragraph (3) are carried out - (a) when carrying out the activities in paragraphs (2)(a) and (b) and in the circumstances in paragraphs (2)(c) and (d), and (b) in relation to a business relationship established prior to the coming into force of these Regulations - (i) in respect of which there is maintained an anonymous account or an account in a fictitious name, as soon as possible after the coming into force of these Regulations and in any event before such account is used again in any way, and (ii) where it does not fall within subparagraph (i) and to the extent that such steps have not already been carried out, at appropriate times on a risksensitive basis. (2) The activities and circumstances referred to in paragraph (1) are - (a) establishing a business relationship, (b) carrying out an occasional transaction, (c) where the financial services business knows or suspects or has reasonable
grounds for knowing or suspecting -
(i) that, notwithstanding any exemptions or thresholds pursuant to these Regulations, any party to a business relationship is engaged in money laundering or terrorist financing, or (ii) that it is carrying out a transaction on behalf of a person, including a beneficial owner or underlying principal, who is engaged in money laundering or terrorist financing, and (d) where the financial services business has doubts about the veracity or adequacy of previously obtained identification data. (3) The steps referred to in paragraph (1) are that - (a) the customer shall be identified and his identity verified using identification data, (b) any person purporting to act on behalf of the customer shall be identified and his identity and his authority to so act shall be verified, (c) the beneficial owner and underlying principal shall be identified and reasonable measures shall be taken to verify such identity using identification data and such measures shall include, in the case of a legal person or legal arrangement, measures to understand the ownership and control structure of the customer, (d) a determination shall be made as to whether the customer is acting on behalf of another person and, if the customer is so acting, reasonable measures shall be taken to obtain sufficient identification data to identify and verify the identity of that other person, (e) information shall be obtained on the purpose and intended nature of each business relationship, and (f) a determination shall be made as to whether the customer, beneficial owner and any underlying principal is a politically exposed person. (4) A financial services business must have regard to any relevant rules and guidance in the Handbook in determining, for the purposes of this regulation and regulation 5, what constitutes reasonable measures. Regulation 7 7.(1) Identification and verification of the identity of any person or legal arrangement pursuant to regulations 4 to 6 must, subject to paragraph (2) and regulation 4(1)(b), be carried out before or during the course of establishing a business relationship or before carrying out an occasional transaction. (2) Verification of the identity of the customer and of any beneficial owners and underlying principals may be completed following the establishment of a business relationship provided that – (a) it is completed as soon as reasonably practicable thereafter, (b) the need to do so is essential not to interrupt the normal conduct of business,
and
(c) appropriate and effective policies, procedures and controls are in place which operate so as to manage risk. Regulation 9
9. Where a financial services business can not comply with any of regulation 4(3)(a)
to (d) it must -
(a) in the case of an existing business relationship, terminate that business relationship, (b) in the case of a proposed business relationship or occasional transaction, not enter into that business relationship or carry out that occasional transaction with the customer, and (c) consider whether a disclosure must be made pursuant to Part I of the Disclosure Law or section 15 or 15A of the Terrorism Law. Regulation 10 10.(1) In the circumstances set out in paragraph (2), a financial services business may accept a written confirmation of identity and other matters from an introducer in relation to the requirements of regulation 4(3)(a) to (e) provided that - (a) the financial services business also requires copies of identification data and any other relevant documentation to be made available by the introducer to the financial services business upon request and without delay, and (b) the introducer keeps such identification data and documents. (2) The circumstances referred to in paragraph (1) are that the introducer - (a) is an Appendix C business, or (b) is either an overseas branch of, or a member of the same group of bodies corporate as, the financial services business with which it is entering into the business relationship (“receiving financial services business”), and - (i) the ultimate parent body corporate of the group of bodies corporate of which both the introducer and the receiving financial services business are members, falls within paragraph (2)(a), (ii) the conduct of the introducer is subject to requirements to forestall, prevent and detect money laundering and terrorist financing that are consistent with those in the Financial Action Task Force Recommendations on Money Laundering in respect of such a business, and (iii)the conduct of which is supervised for compliance with the requirements referred to in subparagraph (ii), by the Commission or an overseas regulatory authority. (3) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), where reliance is placed upon the introducer the responsibility for complying with the relevant provisions of regulation 4 remains with the receiving financial services business.
4 CUSTOMER DUE DILIGENCE
A financial services business must comply with the Rules in addition to the Regulations. The Rules are boxed and shaded for ease of reference. A financial services business should note that the Court must take account of the Rules and Guidance issued by the Commission in considering compliance with the Regulations.
4.1 Objectives
73. This chapter sets out the rules and provides guidance in respect of the CDD
procedures to be undertaken by a financial services business in order to meet the CDD requirements of the Regulations in circumstances where the risk of a particular business relationship or occasional transaction has been assessed as normal. See chapter 17 for the definition of CDD.
74. Where the risk of a particular business relationship or occasional transaction has
been assessed as higher than normal (described in this Handbook as high risk), the CDD requirements described in this chapter must be read in conjunction with the enhanced CDD requirements described in chapter 5 which deals with high risk relationships.
75. Where the risk of a particular business relationship or occasional transaction has
been assessed as lower than normal (described in this Handbook as low risk), the CDD requirements described in this chapter should be read in conjunction with the requirements of chapter 6 which provides for circumstances in which reduced or simplified CDD policies, procedures and controls may be applied.
4.2 Customer Due Diligence – Policies, Procedures and Controls
76. Sound CDD procedures are vital for all financial services businesses because they:
constitute an essential part of risk management, for example, by providing the basis for identifying, assessing, mitigating and managing risk; help to protect the financial services business and the integrity of the financial sector in which it operates by reducing the likelihood of a financial services business becoming a vehicle for, or a victim of, financial crime and terrorist financing; help the financial services business, at the time the CDD is carried out, to take comfort that the customers and other parties included in a business relationship are who they say they are, and that it is appropriate to provide them with the product or service requested; and help the financial services business to identify, during the course of a continuing business relationship, factors which are unusual and which may lead to knowing or suspecting or having reasonable grounds for knowing or suspecting that persons involved in a business relationship may be carrying out money laundering or terrorist financing.
4.3 Obligation to Identify and Verify Identity
77. Establishing that any customer, beneficial owner or underlying principal is the
person that he claims to be is a combination of being satisfied that:
a person exists – on the basis of appropriate identification data; and the customer, beneficial owner or underlying principal, is that person – by verifying from identification data, satisfactory confirmatory evidence of appropriate components of their identity.
78. A financial services business must have customer take-on policies, procedures
and controls in place which provide scope to identify and verify identity to a depth appropriate to the assessed risk of the business relationship and occasional transaction.
79. The policies, procedures and controls must:
be risk-based to differentiate between what is expected in low risk situations and what is expected in high risk situations and what is expected in situations which are neither high nor low risk; impose the least necessary burden on customers, beneficial owners and underlying principals consistent with meeting the requirements of the Regulations and Rules; not constrain access to financial services, for example, by those without driving licences or passports; and deal sensibly and sensitively with special groups for whom special processes may be appropriate, for example, the elderly and students studying overseas.
80. Financial services businesses must judge, on a risk-based approach, how much
identification and verification information to ask for, what to verify, and how to verify, in order to be satisfied as to the identity of a customer, beneficial owner or underlying principal.
81. For customers that are legal persons or legal arrangements, the financial services
business must:
(i) verify the legal status of the legal person or legal arrangement; and (ii) obtain information concerning the customer’s name, the names of trustees (for trusts), legal form, address, directors (for legal persons), foundation officials (for foundations) and provisions regulating the power to bind the legal person or arrangement.
82. Where the individual (or business relationship to which he is connected) presents
a high risk, a financial services business must consider whether additional verification checks are necessary – see chapter 5 on high risk relationships.
4.4 Identification and Verification of Customers who are Individuals
83. Sections 4.4 to 4.9 of this chapter provide rules and guidance on how to meet the
identification and verification of identity requirements of Regulation
84. Identification and verification of identity of a personal customer is a two-part process. The
customer first identifies himself to the financial services business, by supplying a range of personal information. Generally, this information will be provided on some type of application form and the information requested may be used for business purposes over and above verifying the identity of the customer. The second part – the verification – consists of the financial services business verifying some or all of this information through the use of identification data.
85. For business relationships or occasional transactions which have been identified as low risk
see chapter 6.
4.4.1 Identification data for individuals
86. A financial services business must, subject to section 6.2.1, collect relevant
identification data on an individual, which includes:
legal name, any former names (such as maiden name) and any other names used; principal residential address; date and place of birth; nationality; any occupation, public position held and, where appropriate, the name of the employer; and an official personal identification number or other unique identifier contained in an unexpired official document (for example, passport, identification card, residence permit, social security records, driving licence) that bears a photograph of the customer.
4.4.2 Verification of identity – the individual
87. The legal name, address, date and place of birth and nationality of the individual must
be verified.
88. In order to verify the legal name, date and place of birth and nationality of the individual,
the following documents are considered to be the best possible, in descending order of acceptability:
current passport (providing photographic evidence of identity); current national identity card (providing photographic evidence of identity); armed forces identity card.
89. The examples quoted above are not the only possibilities. There may be other documents of
an equivalent nature which may be produced as satisfactory evidence of identity of the individual.
4.4.3 Verification of identity – the address
90. The following are considered to be suitable to verify the residential address of
individuals:
a bank/credit card statement or utility bill; correspondence from an independent source such as a central or local government department or agency (in Guernsey and Jersey this will include States departments, and parish authorities); commercial or electronic databases; a letter of introduction from an Appendix C business (see the definition in
Appendix C to the Handbook) with which the individual has an existing
business relationship and which confirms residential address; written communication from an Appendix C business (see the definition in
Appendix C to the Handbook) in connection with a product or service
purchased by the individual;
lawyer’s confirmation of property purchase, or legal document recognising title to property (low risk relationships and transactions only); a personal visit to the residential address; and an electoral roll.
91. For Guernsey residents and overseas residents who may encounter difficulties in
providing evidence of their residential address, additional documents are listed in sections 4.4.4 and 4.5.3 respectively.
92. Identification data does not have to be in paper form. As well as documentary
forms of verification, external electronic databases and other sources such as the internet, information published by government departments and law enforcement authorities, and subscription databases are accessible directly by financial services businesses. The evidential value of electronic checks should depend on the assessed risk of the business relationship or occasional transaction.
93. Where a financial services business is not familiar with the form of the evidence
of identification data, it should take reasonable measures to satisfy itself that the evidence is genuine.
94. All key documents (or parts thereof) must be understood by an employee of the
financial services business, and must be translated into English at the reasonable request of the FIS or the Commission.
95. Where establishing a face-to-face business relationship with or undertaking an
occasional transaction for a customer who is an individual, reduced or simplified CDD may be carried out as set out in Regulation 6 – see chapter 6.
4.4.4 Guarding against the financial exclusion of Guernsey residents
96. Certain individuals may encounter difficulties in providing evidence of their
Guernsey residential address using the sources identified above. Examples of such individuals include:
seasonal workers who do not have a permanent residential address in Guernsey; individuals living in Guernsey in accommodation provided by their employer, with family (for example, in the case of minors), or in care homes, who may not pay directly for utility services; or Guernsey students living in university, college, school, or shared accommodation, who may not pay directly for utility services.
97. Where an individual has a valid reason for being unable to produce the requested
documentation, and who would otherwise be excluded from accessing financial services and products, identification procedures should provide for alternative means of verifying an individual’s Guernsey residential address. The following are examples of alternative methods of verifying identity:
a letter from the head of the household at which the individual resides confirming that the applicant lives at that Guernsey address, setting out the relationship between the applicant and the head of the household, together with evidence that the head of the household resides at the address; a letter from the residential home or care home confirming residence of the applicant; a certificate of lawful residence or a Housing Licence; a letter from a director or manager of the Guernsey employer that confirms residence at a stated Guernsey address, and indicates the expected duration of employment. In the case of a seasonal worker, the worker’s residential address in his country of origin should also be obtained and, if possible, also verified; or in the case of a Guernsey student, a letter from a Guernsey resident parent or a copy of the acceptance letter for a place at the college/university. The student’s residential address in Guernsey should also be obtained and, if possible, also verified.
4.5 Non Resident Individual Customers
98. In order to meet the requirements of Regulation 5 a financial services business
must take adequate measures to manage and mitigate the specific risks of business relationships or occasional transactions with a customer who is not a Guernsey resident.
99. See Sections 6.2.1 and 6.2.2 for information on the provisions applicable to
Guernsey residents who meet the criteria for reduced or simplified CDD measures to be applied.
4.5.1 Adequate measures
100. A financial services business must ensure that it takes adequate measures which
include one or more of the following:
requiring additional documents to complement those which are required for face-to-face customers;
development of independent contact with the customer and other third parties responsible for the source of funds or company registrations, etc.; third party introduction; or requiring the first payment to be carried out through an account in the customer’s name with a bank situated in a country or territory listed in
Appendix C to the Handbook.
101. In addition, where copy documentation is provided, a financial services business
must ensure that the copy documents have been certified by a suitable certifier.
4.5.2 Suitable certifiers
102. Use of a certifier guards against the risk that identification data provided does not
correspond to the individual whose identity is to be verified. For certification to be effective, the certifier will need to have seen the original documentation and, where certifying evidence of identity containing a photograph, have met the individual in person..
103. A financial services business must give consideration to the suitability of a
certifier based on the assessed risk of the business relationship or occasional transaction, together with the level of reliance being placed on the certified documents. The financial services business must exercise caution when considering certified copy documents, especially where such documents originate from a country or territory perceived by the financial services business to represent a high risk, or from unregulated entities in any country or territory.
104. Where certified copy documents are accepted, the financial services business
must satisfy itself, where possible, that the certifier is appropriate, for example, by satisfying itself that the certifier is not closely related to the person whose identity is being certified.
105. A suitable certifier must certify that he has seen original documentation verifying
identity and residential address.
106. The certifier must also sign and date the copy identification data and provide
adequate information so that contact can be made with the certifier in the event of a query.
4.5.3 Verification of residential address of overseas residents
107. There may be occasions when an individual resident abroad is unable to provide
evidence of his residential address using the means set out in section 4.4.3. Examples of such individuals include residents of countries without postal deliveries and no street addresses, who rely on post office boxes or employers for delivery of mail.
108. Where an individual has a valid reason for being unable to produce more usual
documentation to verify residential address, and who would otherwise be
excluded from establishing a business relationship with the financial services business, satisfactory verification of address may be established by:
a letter from a director or officer of a reputable overseas employer that confirms residence at a stated overseas address (or provides detailed directions to locate a place of residence); or any of the means provided in sections 4.4.3 and 6.2.2 without regard to any restrictions imposed on such documents.
4.6 Identification and Verification of Customers who are not Individuals
109. The identification and verification requirements in respect of customers who are
not individuals are different from those for individuals, as beneficial owners and underlying principals must also be identified. Although a customer who is not an individual has a legal status which can be verified, each customer also involves a number of individuals, whether as beneficial owners (or equivalent), directors (or equivalent) or underlying principals, who have the power to direct movement of the customer’s funds or assets.
110. As identified in the following paragraphs, certain information about the customer
must be obtained as a minimum requirement. In addition, on the basis of the assessed money laundering and terrorist financing risk of the particular customer/product/service combination, a financial services business must consider how the identity of the customer and of specific individuals must be verified, and what additional information in respect of the entity must be obtained.
4.6.1 Legal bodies
111. Legal body refers to bodies corporate, partnerships, associations or other bodies
which are not natural persons or legal arrangements. Foundation relationships are dealt with separately – see sections 4.6.2 to 4.6.3. Trust relationships and other legal arrangements are also dealt with separately – see sections 4.6.4 to 4.6.6.
112. Where a legal body is either a collective investment scheme regulated by the
Commission or a legal body quoted on a regulated market or is a subsidiary of such, then a financial services business may consider the legal body to be the principal to be identified and verified - see section 6.2.3.
113. Where a legal body which is not either a collective investment scheme regulated
by the Commission or a legal body quoted on a regulated market is the customer, beneficial owner or underlying principal a financial services business must:
identify and verify the identity of the legal body. The identity includes name, any official identification number, date and country or territory of incorporation if applicable; identify and verify any registered office address and principal place of business (where different from registered office) where the risk presented by
the legal body is other than low;
identify and verify the individuals ultimately holding a 25% or more interest in the capital or net assets of the legal body; identify and verify the individuals, including beneficial owners, underlying principals, directors, authorised signatories or equivalent, with ultimate effective control over the capital or assets of the legal body; and verify the legal status of the legal body.
114. When seeking to identify and verify the identity of beneficial owners, underlying
principals, the directors and authorised signatories or equivalent in accordance with this section, reference should be made to the identification and verification requirements for personal customers – see sections 4.3, 4.4 and 4.5. It may be appropriate to consider directors with ultimate effective control as being those who have authority to operate an account or to give the financial services business instructions concerning the use or transfer of funds or assets.
115. One or more of the following examples are considered suitable to verify the legal
status of the legal body:
a copy of the Certificate of Incorporation (or equivalent) if applicable; a company registry search, if applicable, including confirmation that the legal body has not been, and is not in the process of being, dissolved, struck off, wound up or terminated; a copy of the latest audited financial statements; a copy of the Memorandum and Articles of Association or equivalent constitutional documentation; a copy of the Directors’ Register; a copy of the Shareholders’ Register; independent information sources, including electronic sources, for example, business information services; a copy of the Board Resolution authorising the opening of the account and recording account signatories; and a personal visit to the principal place of business.
116. Where the documents provided are copies of the originals the financial services
business must ensure they are certified by the company secretary, director, manager or equivalent officer or by a suitable certifier.
117. Where the legal body (or any beneficial owner or underlying principal connected
with the legal body) presents a high risk, a financial services business must consider whether additional verification checks are appropriate, for example, obtaining additional information or documentation.
118. A general threshold of 25% is deemed to indicate effective control or ownership.
Individuals having ultimate effective control over a legal body will often include directors or equivalent. In the case of partnerships, associations, clubs, societies, charities, church bodies, institutes, mutual and friendly societies, cooperative and
provident societies, this will often include members of the governing body or committee plus executives. In the case of foundations, this will include members of the governing council of a foundation and any supervisors.
119. Powers of attorney and similar third party mandates must be given particular
attention if there is no evident reason for granting them. In addition, an unnecessarily wide-ranging scope to the mandate must also be given particular attention. In any case, a financial services business must obtain a copy of the power of attorney (or other authority or mandate) that provides the individuals representing the legal body with the right to act on its behalf and verification must be undertaken on the holders of the powers of attorney as well as the customer. A financial services business must also ascertain the reason for the granting of the power of attorney.
4.6.2 Obligations of financial services businesses establishing or administering
foundations
120. When establishing or administering a foundation relationship, a financial services
business must, in order to identify and verify the identity of its customer and any beneficial owner and underlying principal, identify:
the founder(s);
all councillors;
any guardian;
any beneficiary including any default recipient; and any other person with ultimate effective control over the assets of the foundation.
121. Subject to paragraph 122 verification of the identity of beneficiaries must, be
undertaken prior to any distribution of foundation funds to (or on behalf of) that beneficiary in accordance with the requirements of Regulation 7.
122. Where a business relationship has been assessed as a high risk relationship,
verification of the identity of any beneficiaries must, where possible, be undertaken at the time that the assessment of risk is made. Where it is not possible to do so, (for example, because they are disenfranchised) the reasons must be documented.
123. Verification of the identity of other underlying principals such as founders,
councillors, guardians and any other persons with ultimate effective control must be carried out before or during the course of establishing the business relationship.
4.6.3 Obligations of financial services businesses dealing with foundations
124. Subject to section 6.5 of the Handbook, a financial services business entering into
a relationship with a customer which is a foundation must:
identify and verify the identity of the foundation. The identity includes name, any official identification number, date and country or territory of registration if applicable; identify and verify any registered office address and principal place of operation/administration (where different from the registered office); identify and verify the identity of any registered agent of the foundation unless they themselves are either subject to the Handbook or are an Appendix C business (see the definition in Appendix C to the Handbook); verify the legal status of the foundation; require the registered agent, foundation officials or other relevant person to identify and notify it of the names of the underlying principals and beneficial owners, i.e:
the founder(s);
all councillors;
any guardian;
any beneficiary including any default recipient; and any other person with ultimate effective control over the capital or assets of the legal body; and understand the nature of the foundation structure and the nature and purpose of activities undertaken by the structure sufficient to monitor such activities and to fully understand the business relationship.
125. Subject to paragraph 126 verification of the identity of beneficiaries must be
undertaken prior to any distribution of foundation assets to (or on behalf of) that beneficiary in accordance with the requirements of Regulation 7.
126. Where a business relationship has been assessed, as a high risk relationship,
verification of the identity of any beneficiaries must, where possible, be undertaken at the time that the assessment of risk is made. Where it is not possible to do so, (for example, because they are disenfranchised) the reasons must be documented.
127. Verification of the identity of the underlying principals and beneficial owners
must be undertaken either by the financial services business itself or, provided that the rules in section 4.10 of the Handbook are met, by requesting the registered agent, where one has been appointed, to provide identification data on them, by way of a certificate or summary sheet (see Appendix B for an example).
128. When identifying and verifying the identity of founders, foundation officials,
beneficiaries and others in accordance with this section, financial services businesses must act in accordance with the identification and verification
requirements for customers who are individuals and legal bodies – see sections
4.4 and 4.6.1.
129. One or more of the following examples are considered suitable to verify the legal
status of the foundation:
a copy of the Certificate of Registration; a registry search, if applicable, including confirmation that the foundation has not been, and is not in the process of being, dissolved, struck off, wound up or terminated; a copy of the latest audited financial statements; a copy of the Charter; and a copy of the Council Resolution authorising the opening of the account and recording account signatories.
130. Where the documents provided are copies of the originals the financial services
business must ensure they are certified by a foundation official or by a suitable certifier.
131. Powers of attorney and similar third party mandates must be given particular
attention if there is no evident reason for granting them. In addition, an unnecessarily wide-ranging scope to the mandate must also be given particular attention. In any case, a financial services business must obtain a copy of the power of attorney (or other authority or mandate) that provides the individuals representing the foundation with the right to act on its behalf and verification must be undertaken on the holders of the powers of attorney as well as the customer. A financial services business must also ascertain the reason for the granting of the power of attorney.
4.6.4 Legal arrangements
132. There is a wide variety of trusts and other legal arrangements ranging from large,
nationally and internationally active organisations subject to a high degree of public scrutiny and transparency, through to trusts set up under testamentary arrangements and trusts established for wealth management purposes.
133. Trusts do not have separate legal personality and therefore form business
relationships through their trustees. It is the trustee of the trust who will enter into a business relationship on behalf of the trust and should be considered along with the trust as the customer.
4.6.5 Obligations of trustees
134. When establishing a trust relationship, a financial services business which is
acting as a trustee must, in order to identify and verify the identity of its customer and any beneficial owner and underlying principal, identify:
the settlor(s);
any protector(s) or co-trustee(s); and
any beneficiary with a vested interest or any person who is the object of a power.
135. Subject to paragraph 136 verification of the identity of beneficiaries with a vested
interest or any person who is the object of a power must be undertaken prior to any distribution of trust assets to (or on behalf of) that beneficiary or person in accordance with the requirements of Regulation 7.
136. Where a business relationship has been assessed as a high risk relationship,
verification of the identity of any beneficiaries must, where possible, be undertaken at the time that the assessment of risk is made. Where it is not possible to do so, the reasons must be documented.
137. The verification of identity of other underlying principals such as settlors, cotrustees and protectors must be carried out before or during the course of
establishing a business relationship.
138. When identifying and verifying the identities of beneficiaries and others in
accordance with this section, trustees must act in accordance with the identification and verification requirements for personal customers and legal bodies – see sections 4.4 and 4.6.1.
4.6.6 Obligations of financial services businesses dealing with trusts
139. Subject to section 6.5 of the Handbook, a financial services business entering a
relationship with a customer which is a trust must:
verify the legal status and the name and date of establishment of the trust; verify the identity of the trustees of the trust unless they are themselves subject either to the Handbook or are an Appendix C business (see the definition in Appendix C to the Handbook); require the trustee of the trust to identify and notify it of the names of the underlying principals and beneficial owners, i.e.:
the settlor(s) (the initial settlor(s) and any persons subsequently settling funds into the trust); any protector(s) or trustee(s); and any beneficiary with a vested interest or any person who is the object of a power; and understand the nature of the trust structure and the nature and purpose of activities undertaken by the structure sufficient to monitor such activities and to fully understand the business relationship.
140. Verification of the identity of the underlying principals and beneficial owners
must be undertaken either by the financial services business itself or, provided that the rules in section 4.10 of the Handbook are met, by requesting the trustee to provide identification data on them, by way of a certificate or summary sheet (see
Appendix B for an example).
141. Subject to paragraph 142 verification of the identity of beneficiaries or any
persons who are the object of a power must be undertaken prior to any distribution of trust assets to (or on behalf of) that beneficiary in accordance with the requirements of Regulation 7.
142. Where a business relationship has been assessed as a high risk relationship,
verification of the identity of any beneficiaries must, where possible, be undertaken at the time that the assessment of risk is made. Where it is not possible to do so, the reasons must be documented.
143. When identifying and verifying the identity of trustees, beneficiaries and others in
accordance with this section, financial services businesses must act in accordance with the identification and verification requirements for customers who are individuals and legal bodies – see sections 4.4 and 4.6.1.
4.7 Employee benefit schemes, share option plans or pension schemes
144. Where the product or service is:
an employee benefit scheme or arrangement; an employee share option plan; a pension scheme or arrangement a superannuation scheme; or a similar scheme where contributions are made by an employer or by way of deductions from wages and the scheme rules do not permit assignment of a member’s interest under the scheme, then the sponsoring employer, the trustee, the foundation council, and any other person who has control over the business relationship, for example, the administrator or the scheme manager is considered as the principal and must be identified and verified in accordance with the requirements of this chapter.
145. In these types of relationships, the financial services business should consider the
person providing the source of funds as a factor when determining the risk classification to be given to the relationship.
4.8 Life and Other Investment Linked Insurance
146. Where the product or service is a life or other investment linked insurance policy,
the issuer, in order to meet the requirements of Regulation 4, must, in addition to identifying and verifying the customer and beneficial owner also identify and verify the identity of any beneficiaries..
147. Verification of the identity of beneficiaries must be undertaken prior to any
distribution to (or on behalf of) those beneficiaries.
4.9 Acquisition of a Business or Block of Customers
148. There are circumstances where a financial services business may acquire a
business with established business relationships or a block of customers, for example, by way of asset purchase.
149. Before taking on this type of business, in order to avoid breaching the
Regulations, a financial services business should undertake enquiries on the vendor sufficient to establish the level and the appropriateness of identification data held in relation to the customers and the business relationships of the business to be acquired.
150. A financial services business may consider it appropriate to rely on the
information and documentation previously obtained by the vendor where the following criteria are met:
the vendor is an Appendix C business (see the definition in Appendix C to the Handbook); the financial services business has assessed that the CDD policies, procedures and controls operated by the vendor were satisfactory; and the financial services business has obtained from the vendor, identification data for each customer acquired.
151. Where deficiencies in the identification data held are identified (either at the time
of transfer or subsequently), the accepting financial services business must determine and implement a programme to remedy any such deficiencies.
4.10 Customer Due Diligence Procedures for Introduced Business
Relationships
152. An introduced business relationship is where a financial services business, lawyer
or accountant is acting on behalf of one or more third parties who are also its customers and establishes a business relationship on their behalf with a financial services business. Introducer relationships may be business relationships on behalf of a single third party or on behalf of more than one third party, including a pool of such persons.
153. A business relationship established by an introducer on behalf of more than one of
its customers is described by the Handbook as a pooled relationship – see section 4.12.
154. It is important to distinguish between introduced business relationships and
intermediary business relationships. In the latter relationships, an intermediary meeting the criteria necessary to be considered as such can be treated as the customer – see section 6.5.
155. Regulation 10 provides for the circumstances in which a financial services
business may place reliance on an introducer to have verified the identity of the customer, beneficial owners and any underlying principals.
When establishing an introducer relationship a financial services business must
satisfy itself that the introducer:
has appropriate risk-grading procedures in place to differentiate between the CDD requirements for high and low risk relationships; and conducts appropriate and effective CDD procedures in respect of its customers, including enhanced CDD measures for PEP and other high risk relationships.
In the circumstances set out in Regulation 10, a financial services business relying
upon a third party must immediately obtain written confirmation of identity from the introducer, by way of a certificate or summary sheet(s), detailing elements (a) – (d) of the CDD process (see below).
A financial services business must take adequate steps to be satisfied that the
introducer will supply, upon request without delay, certified copies or originals of the identification data and other evidence it has collected under the CDD process.
The CDD process referred to above in accordance with Regulation 4(3) includes
the following elements:
(a) identifying the customer by name and verifying that customer’s identity using identification data; (b) identifying any beneficial owner and underlying principal, (in the case of a trust, the beneficiaries as beneficial owners and the settlors, trustees and the protector as underlying principals) and taking reasonable measures to verify the identity of any beneficial owner or underlying principal by name such that the financial institution is satisfied that it knows who the beneficial owner is. For legal persons and legal arrangements this includes financial institutions taking reasonable measures to understand the ownership and control structure of the customer; (c) determining whether the customer is acting on behalf of another person and taking reasonable steps to obtain sufficient identification data to identify and verify the identity of that other person; and (d) obtaining information on the purpose and intended nature of the business relationship.
A financial services business must recognise that introduced business by its very
nature, for example, relying on a third party, has the capacity to be high risk and a financial services business must use a risk-based approach when deciding whether it is appropriate to rely on a certificate or summary sheet from an introducer in accordance with Regulation 10 or whether it considers it necessary to do more.
A financial services business must have a programme of testing to ensure that
introducers are able to fulfil the requirement that certified copies or originals of the identification data will be provided upon request and without delay. This will involve financial services businesses adopting ongoing procedures to ensure they have the means to obtain that identification data and documentation.
In accordance with the Regulations the ultimate responsibility for customer
identification and verification will remain, as always, with the financial services business relying on the introducer.
A template certificate which may be used by financial services businesses for
introduced business is contained within Appendix A.
4.10.1 Group introducers
Where a customer is introduced by one part of a financial services group to
another, it is not necessary for his identity to be re-verified, provided that:
the requirements of Regulation 10 are satisfied; as a minimum, the financial services business receives a written confirmation from the group introducer in accordance with the requirements for introduced business as detailed in section 4.10 above; the financial services business takes adequate steps to satisfy itself that copies of identification data and other relevant documentation relating to CDD requirements will be made available upon request without delay. This requirement would be satisfied if the financial services business has access to the information electronically on the group’s database.
Group introduced business must not be regarded as intrinsically low risk. As
identified in section 4.10 a financial services business must use a risk-based approach when deciding whether it is appropriate to rely on a certificate or summary sheet from a group introducer or whether it considers it necessary to do more bearing in mind that, ultimately, the responsibility for customer identification and verification will remain, as always, with the financial services business relying on the introducer.
4.11 Chains of Introducers
Sections 4.10, 4.10.1 provide for a financial services business to rely on a
certificate or summary sheet from an introducer which has provided an assurance that the introducer retains the verification documentation and other evidence collected under the CDD process.
Chains of introducers are not permitted, a financial services business must not
place reliance on an introducer who forms part of a chain. This avoids a situation whereby, should the middle institution fall away, the receiving financial services business would be left with difficulty in obtaining copies of identification data and other relevant documentation relating to the introduced customer from the original introducer.
4.12 Pooled Bank Accounts
Banks often hold pooled accounts on behalf of professional firms and financial
services businesses. These accounts contain the funds of more than one client. Where the requirement is for the pooled account to be held on an undisclosed
basis, section 6.5 provides information on the CDD requirements of such relationships.
169. Where the pooled account is held on behalf of a professional firm or a financial
services business which:
does not meet the requirements as set out in section 6.5.1; and the product or service is not a product or service set out in section 6.5.2, then the bank must identify and verify the identity of the customers, beneficial owners and underlying principals for whom the professional firm or financial services business is acting in accordance with the requirements of chapter 4 of the Handbook.
4.13 Timing of Identification and Verification of Identity
170. Regulation 7 prescribes the timing for identification and verification of identity.
171. When the circumstances are such that verification of identity of customers,
beneficial owners and underlying principals may be completed following the establishment of the business relationship or after carrying out the occasional transaction, a financial services business must have appropriate and effective policies, procedures and controls in place so as to manage the risk which must include:
establishing that it is not a high risk relationship; monitoring by senior management of these business relationships to ensure verification of identity is completed as soon as reasonably practicable; ensuring funds received are not passed to third parties; and establishing procedures to limit the number, types and/or amount of transactions that can be undertaken.
172. A financial services business should be aware that there may be occasions where
the circumstances are such that the business relationship has been established or the occasional transaction has been carried out and the identification and verification procedures cannot be completed. In such circumstances a financial services business should refer to section 4.14 of the Handbook.
4.13.1 Occasional transactions
173. If identity is known, verification of identity is not required in the case of
occasional transactions (whether single or linked), below the threshold in the Regulations, unless at any time it appears that two or more transactions, which appear to have been small one-off transactions, are in fact linked and constitute a significant one-off transaction.
4.14 Failure to Complete Customer Due Diligence Procedures
174. When a financial services business has been unable, within a reasonable time
frame, to complete CDD procedures in accordance with the requirements of the Regulations and the Handbook it must assess the circumstances and ensure that the appropriate action is undertaken as required by Regulation 9.
CHAPTER 5 – HIGH RISK RELATIONSHIPS
Key Regulations Page
Regulation 5 Additional Customer Due Diligence 49 Sections in this Chapter
5.1 Objectives 52
5.2 Enhanced Policies, Procedures and Controls 52
5.3 Politically Exposed Persons 52
5.3.1 Source of funds and source of wealth 53
5.4 Correspondent Relationships 53
5.5 Countries or Territories that Do Not or Insufficiently Apply the FATF
Recommendations and other High Risk Countries or Territories 54
5.6 Legal Persons able to Issue Bearer Instruments 55
REGULATIONS
The requirements of the Regulations to which the rules and guidance in this chapter particularly relate are:
Regulation 3, which provides for a financial services business to identify and assess the risks of money laundering and terrorist financing and to ensure that its policies, procedures and controls are effective and appropriate to the assessed risk. See
chapter 3.
Regulation 4, which provides for the required customer due diligence measures, when they should be applied and to whom they should be applied. See chapter 4. Regulation 5, which provides for enhanced customer due diligence measures in respect of business relationships and occasional transactions which are identified as high risk. See below. Regulation 8, which makes provisions in relation to anonymous accounts and shell banks. See chapter 8. Regulation 15, which makes provisions in relation to the review of compliance. See chapter 2. Regulation 5 5.(1) Where a financial services business is required to carry out customer due diligence, it must also carry out enhanced customer due diligence in relation to the following business relationships or occasional transactions – (a) a business relationship or occasional transaction in which the customer or any beneficial owner or underlying principal is a politically exposed person, (b) a business relationship which is - (i) a correspondent banking relationship, or (ii) similar to such a relationship in that it involves the provision of services, which themselves amount to financial services business or facilitate the carrying on of such business, by one financial services business to another, (c) a business relationship or an occasional transaction - (i) where the customer is established or situated in a country or territory that does not apply or insufficiently applies the Financial Action Task Force Recommendations on Money Laundering, or (ii) which the financial services business considers to be a high risk relationship, taking into account any notices, instructions or warnings issued from time to time by the Commission, and (d) a business relationship or an occasional transaction which has been assessed as a high risk relationship pursuant to regulation 3(2)(a). (2) In paragraph (1) -
(a) “enhanced customer due diligence” means - (i) obtaining senior management approval for establishing a business relationship or undertaking an occasional transaction; (ii) obtaining senior management approval for, in the case of an existing business relationship with a PEP, continuing that relationship; (iii)taking reasonable measures to establish the source of any funds and of the wealth of the customer and beneficial owner and underlying principal; (iv) carrying out more frequent and more extensive ongoing monitoring in accordance with regulation 11; and (v) taking one or more of the following steps as would be appropriate to the particular business relationship or occasional transaction- (A) obtaining additional identification data; (B) verifying additional aspects of the customer’s identity; and (C) obtaining additional information to understand the purpose and intended nature of each business relationship. (b) “politically exposed person” means - (i) a person who has, or has had at any time, a prominent public function or who has been elected or appointed to such a function in a country or territory other than the Bailiwick including, without limitation - (A) heads of state or heads of government, (B) senior politicians and other important officials of political parties, (C) senior government officials, (D) senior members of the judiciary, (E) senior military officers, and (F) senior executives of state owned body corporates, (ii) an immediate family member of such a person including, without limitation, a spouse, partner, parent, child, sibling, parent-in-law or grandchild of such a person and in this subparagraph “partner” means a person who is considered by the law of the country or territory in which the relevant public function is held as being equivalent to a spouse, or (iii) a close associate of such a person, including, without limitation - (A) a person who is widely known to maintain a close business relationship with such a person, or (B) a person who is in a position to conduct substantial financial transactions on behalf of such a person. (4) Where the customer was not a Guernsey resident when a financial services business carried out an activity set out in regulation 4(2)(a) or (b), a financial services business must take adequate measures to compensate for the specific risk arising as a result -
(a) when carrying out customer due diligence, and (b) where the activity was establishing a business relationship, when carrying out monitoring of that relationship pursuant to regulation 11.
5 HIGH RISK RELATIONSHIPS
A financial services business must comply with the Rules in addition to the Regulations. The Rules are boxed and shaded for ease of reference. A financial services business should note that the Court must take account of the Rules and Guidance issued by the Commission in considering compliance with the Regulations.
5.1 Objectives
177. This chapter provides for the treatment of business relationships and occasional
transactions which have been assessed as high risk and should be read in conjunction with chapter 3 of the Handbook, which provides guidance on the assessment of risk and with chapter 4 which provides for the standard CDD requirements.
5.2 Enhanced Policies, Procedures and Controls
178. Where a financial services business has assessed, taking into account the high risk
indicators provided in chapter 3, that the business relationship or occasional transaction is a high risk relationship – whether because of the nature of the customer, the business relationship, or its location, or because of the delivery channel or the product/service features available – the financial services business must ensure that its policies, procedures and controls require enhanced CDD measures to be undertaken as required in Regulation 5.
5.3 Politically Exposed Persons
179. As required by Regulation 4 when carrying out CDD a determination must be
made by the financial services business as to whether the customer, beneficial owner and any underlying principal is a PEP.
180. Where a financial services business has determined that the business relationship
or occasional transaction is one where the customer or any beneficial owner or underlying principal is a PEP, the financial services business must ensure that it has appropriate and effective policies, procedures and controls in place to ensure compliance with the enhanced due diligence requirements of Regulation 5.
181. In order to determine whether a customer, beneficial owner or underlying
principal is a PEP, a financial services business must consider:
assessing countries which pose the highest risk of corruption – one source of information is the Transparency International Corruption Perception Index; establishing who are the current and former holders of prominent public functions within those high risk countries and determining, as far as is reasonably practicable, whether or not customers, beneficial owners or underlying principals have any connections with such individuals – the UN, the European Parliament, the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the
Group of States Against Corruption may be useful information sources; and using commercially available databases. Website addresses for the above authorities and other useful website links are provided in Appendix I.
5.3.1 Source of funds and source of wealth
182. The source of funds refers to the activity which generates the funds for a business
relationship or occasional transaction. Source of wealth is distinct from source of funds, and describes the activities which have generated the total net worth of a person both within and outside a business relationship, i.e. those activities which have generated a customer’s net assets and property.
183. Understanding the customer’s source of funds and source of wealth are important
aspects of CDD especially in relationships with PEPs.
184. A financial services business must, in establishing the source of any funds or
wealth, consider and document its consideration of the risk implications of the source of the funds and wealth and the geographical sphere of the activities that have generated a customer’s source of funds and/or wealth.
5.4 Correspondent Relationships
185. Correspondent banking is the provision of banking services by one bank (the
“correspondent bank”) to another bank (the “respondent bank”). Used by banks throughout the world, correspondent accounts enable banks to conduct business and provide services that the bank does not offer directly. There are similar relationships in other areas of financial services.
186. In relation to correspondent relationships for banking and those established for
securities transactions or funds transfers, whether for the financial services business as principal or for its customers, a financial services business must take additional steps in relation to CDD including those in the bullets below and (where relevant) those in the following paragraph:
gather sufficient information about a respondent institution to understand fully the nature of the respondent’s business; determine from publicly available information the reputation of the institution and the quality of supervision, including whether it has been subject to a money laundering or terrorist financing investigation or regulatory action; assess the respondent institution’s AML/CFT policies, procedures and controls, and ascertaining that they are adequate, appropriate and effective; obtain board or senior management approval, i.e. sign off before establishing new correspondent relationships; and document the respective AML/CFT responsibilities of each institution.
187. Where a correspondent relationship involves the maintenance of “payable-
through accounts”, a financial services business must also take steps so that they are satisfied that:
their customer (the “respondent financial services business”) has performed all the required CDD obligations set out in the Regulations and chapter 4 of the Handbook on those of its customers that have direct access to the accounts of the correspondent financial services business; and the respondent financial services business is able to provide relevant customer identification data upon request to the correspondent financial services business.
188. Financial services businesses must, pursuant to Regulation 15(a), ensure that
appropriate and effective policies, procedures and controls are in place when establishing correspondent relationships with foreign banks and other institutions.
189. Additionally, a financial services business must have appropriate and effective
policies, procedures and controls in place to ensure compliance with the requirements of Regulation 8 in respect of shell banks.
5.5 Countries or Territories that Do Not or Insufficiently Apply the FATF
Recommendations and other High Risk Countries or Territories
190. In addition to the enhanced CDD measures required by Regulation 5 for high risk
relationships, financial services businesses must give special attention to business relationships and transactions with persons (including legal persons and other financial institutions) from or in countries or territories that do not or insufficiently apply the FATF Recommendations and from other countries or territories closely associated with illegal drug production/processing or trafficking, corruption, terrorism, terrorist financing and other organised crime.
191. Financial services businesses must:
ensure they are aware of concerns about weaknesses in the AML/CFT systems of other countries or territories; identify transactions which (in the context of business relationships and occasional transactions) have no apparent economic or visible lawful purpose and examine the background and purpose of such transactions; and record in writing the findings of such examinations in order to assist the Commission, the FIS, other domestic competent authorities and auditors.
192. When determining which countries or territories these policies, procedures and
controls should apply to, a financial services business must consider:
Business from Sensitive Sources Notices and Instructions issued from time to time by the Commission; findings of reports issued by the FATF, FATF-style regional bodies, FATF associate members such as Moneyval and Asia Pacific Group, the Offshore Group of Banking Supervisors, Transparency International, the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank;
situations where the country or territory has not been the subject of an AML/CFT assessment; and its own experience or the experience of other group entities (where part of a multinational group), which may have indicated weaknesses or trends in other countries or territories.
5.6 Legal Persons able to Issue Bearer Instruments
193. As identified in section 3.5.3 of the Handbook, when assessing the risk of a
particular relationship a financial services business must consider whether any legal person who is the customer, beneficial owner or underlying principal has issued or has the potential to issue bearer shares, bearer warrants or bearer negotiable instruments.
194. In circumstances where such a relationship has been identified, and in order to
address the specific risks of such a relationship a financial services business must undertake enhanced CDD measures to ensure that the CDD requirements of Regulation 4 are met and that legal persons who have issued or have the potential to issue bearer shares, bearer warrants or bearer negotiable instruments are not misused for money laundering and/or terrorist financing.
CHAPTER 6 – LOW RISK RELATIONSHIPS
Key Regulations Page
Regulation 6 Customer Due Diligence for Low Risk Relationships 57 Sections in this Chapter
6.1 Objectives 58
6.2 Simplified or Reduced CDD Measures 58
6.2.1 Identification data for Guernsey residents 59
6.2.2 Verification of identity for Guernsey residents 59
6.2.3 Legal bodies quoted on a regulated market 59
6.2.4 Appendix C business 60
6.3 Non-Guernsey Collective Investment Funds 60
6.4 Receipt of Funds as Verification of Identity 61
6.5 Intermediary Relationships 61
6.5.1 CDD procedures on the intermediary 62
6.5.2 Products and services 63
REGULATIONS
The requirements of the Regulations to which the rules and guidance in this chapter particularly relate are:
Regulation 3, which provides for a financial services business to identify and assess the risks of money laundering and terrorist financing and to ensure that its policies, procedures and controls are effective and appropriate to the assessed risk. See
chapter 3.
Regulation 4, which provides for the required customer due diligence measures, when they should be applied and to whom they should be applied. See chapter 4. Regulation 6, which provides for reduced or simplified customer due diligence measures to be applied to business relationships which have been identified as being low risk relationships. See below. Regulation 15, which makes provisions in relation to the review of compliance. See
chapter 2.
Regulation 6
6.(1) Where a financial services business is required to carry out customer due diligence in relation to a business relationship or occasional transaction which has been assessed as a low risk relationship pursuant to regulation 3(2)(a), it may, subject to the following provisions of this regulation - (a) apply reduced or simplified customer due diligence measures, or (b) treat an intermediary as if it were the customer. (2) The discretion in paragraph (1) may only be exercised in accordance with the requirements set out in chapter 6 of the Handbook. (3) For the avoidance of doubt, the discretion in paragraph (1) shall not be exercised - (a) where the financial services business knows or suspects or has reasonable grounds for knowing or suspecting that any party to a business relationship or any beneficial owner or underlying principal is engaged in money laundering or terrorist financing, or (b) in relation to business relationships or occasional transactions where the risk is other than low.
6 LOW RISK RELATIONSHIPS
A financial services business must comply with the Rules in addition to the Regulations. The Rules are boxed and shaded for ease of reference. A financial services business should note that the Court must take account of the Rules and Guidance issued by the Commission in considering compliance with the Regulations.
6.1 Objectives
195. This chapter provides for the treatment of relationships and occasional
transactions which have been assessed pursuant to Regulation 3 as low risk and should be read in conjunction with chapter 3 of the Handbook, which provides guidance on the assessment of risk and with chapter 4 which provides for the standard CDD requirements.
6.2 Simplified or Reduced CDD Measures
196. The general rule is that business relationships and occasional transactions are
subject to the full range of CDD measures as identified in chapter 4 of the Handbook, including the requirement to identify and verify the identity of the customer, beneficial owners and any underlying principals. Nevertheless, there are circumstances where the risk of money laundering or terrorist financing has been assessed as being low (for example, a locally resident retail customer purchasing a low risk product where the purpose and intended nature of the business relationship or occasional transaction is clearly understood by the financial services business and where no aspect of the business relationship or occasional transaction is considered to carry a high risk of money laundering or terrorist financing), or where information on the identity of the customer, beneficial owners and underlying principals is publicly available, or where adequate checks and controls exist elsewhere in national systems.
197. In such circumstances a financial services business may consider applying
simplified or reduced CDD measures when identifying and verifying the identity of the customer, beneficial owners and underlying principals.
198. A financial services business must ensure that when it becomes aware of
circumstances which affect the assessed risk of the business relationship or occasional transaction, a review of the CDD documentation and information held is undertaken to determine whether it remains appropriate to the revised risk of the business relationship or occasional transaction.
199. Where a financial services business has taken a decision to apply reduced or
simplified CDD measures, documentary evidence must be retained which reflects the reason for the decision.
200. The possibility of applying simplified or reduced CDD measures does not remove
from the financial services business its responsibility for ensuring that the level of CDD required is proportionate to the risk.
Commission; or
the legal body is quoted on a regulated market (or is a wholly owned subsidiary of such a legal body); and must identify and verify authorised signatories who have authority to operate an account or to give the financial services business instructions concerning the use or transfer of funds or assets.
207. For example, where a bank is opening an account for a collective investment
scheme regulated by the Commission, the bank may treat the scheme itself as the customer to be identified and verified..
6.2.4 Appendix C business
208. When the customer has been identified as an Appendix C business (see the
definition in Appendix C to the Handbook), and the purpose and intended nature of the relationship is understood, verification of the identity of the Appendix C business is not required. However, if the Appendix C business is acting for underlying principals then those underlying principals must be identified and their identity verified in accordance with the requirements of the Handbook.
209. Where a person authorised to act on behalf of a legal body or legal arrangement is
acting in the course of employment by an Appendix C business (see definition in
Appendix C to the Handbook), it is not necessary to identify and verify the
identity of such persons. One such example would be a director (or equivalent) of a Guernsey fiduciary which is acting as trustee.
6.3 Non-Guernsey Collective Investment Funds
210. A Guernsey regulated financial services business which is providing services
within the scope of a licence issued to it by the Commission, to a collective investment fund established outside Guernsey may, in certain circumstances, place reliance on a contracted party, for instance the administrator or the transfer agent, of the fund to have undertaken CDD procedures on the investor.
211. Where the financial services business in Guernsey wishes to rely on the CDD
procedures of the administrator of the fund, the financial services business must:
undertake CDD procedures in respect of the administrator to ensure that it is an Appendix C business and that it is regulated and supervised for investment business; and require the administrator to provide a written confirmation which:
contains adequate assurance that the administrator conducts the necessary CDD procedures in respect of investors in the fund; confirms that the administrator has appropriate risk-grading procedures in place to differentiate between the CDD requirements for high and low risk relationships; and contains an assurance that the administrator will notify the
financial services business of any investor in the fund categorised as a PEP. In addition, the Guernsey financial services business must have a programme for testing and reviewing the CDD procedures of the administrator.
6.4 Receipt of Funds as Verification of Identity
212. Where the customer, beneficial owner and any underlying principal have been
identified, the relationship or occasional transaction is considered to be a low risk relationship and the receipt of funds is considered to provide a satisfactory means of verifying identity, the financial services business must ensure that:
all initial and future funds are received from an Appendix C business (see the definition in Appendix C to the Handbook); all initial and future funds come from an account in the sole or joint name of the customer or underlying principal; payments may only be paid to an account in the customer’s name (i.e. no third party payments allowed); no payments may be received from third parties; no changes are made to the product or service that enable funds to be received from or paid to third parties; and no cash withdrawals are permitted other than by the customer or underlying principal on a face-to-face basis where identity can be confirmed and in the case of significant cash transactions, reasons for cash withdrawal are verified.
213. A financial services business must retain documentary evidence to demonstrate
the reasonableness of its conclusion that the relationship being established or the occasional transaction being undertaken presents a low risk of money laundering and terrorist financing.
214. A financial services business must ensure that, once a relationship has been
established, should any of the above conditions no longer be met then verification of identity is carried out in accordance with chapter 4 of the Handbook.
215. Should a financial services business have reason to suspect the motives behind a
particular transaction or believe that the business is being structured to avoid the standard identification requirements, it must ensure that receipt of funds is not used to verify the identity of the customer, beneficial owner or underlying principal.
6.5 Intermediary Relationships
216. Section 4.10 of the Handbook provides for the identification and verification
requirements in relation to introduced business relationships, i.e. where a financial services business enters into a business relationship on behalf of one or more third parties, who are its customers, with another financial services business.
business which:
confirms that the intermediary has appropriate risk-grading procedures in place to differentiate between the CDD requirements for high and low risk relationships; contains adequate assurance that the intermediary conducts appropriate and effective CDD procedures in respect of its customers, including enhanced CDD measures for PEP and other high risk relationships; contains sufficient information to enable the financial services business to understand the purpose and intended nature of the business relationship; and confirms that the account will only be operated by the intermediary and that the intermediary has ultimate, effective control over the financial product or service.
221. In circumstances where the above criteria are not completely satisfied or are no
longer met then the relationship cannot be considered as an intermediary relationship and the financial services business in Guernsey must ensure that appropriate CDD procedures are undertaken in order to comply with the CDD requirements of Regulation 4 and chapter 4.
6.5.2 Products and services
222. For an intermediary to be considered as the customer of the financial services
business, a business relationship must be established to provide for one or more of the following products and services:
Product/service Intermediaries who may be considered as the customer Investment of life company funds to back the company’s policyholder liabilities where the life company opens an account. If the account has a policy identifier then the bank must require an undertaking to be given by the life company that they are the legal and beneficial owner of the funds and that the policyholder has not been led to believe that he has rights over a bank account in Guernsey. The life company. The offering of insurance products to another regulated financial services business by a Guernsey licensed insurer, as part of its relationship falling within the scope of the Insurance Law The regulated financial services business.
Investments via discretionary or advisory investment managers or custodians of their customers’ monies into a collective investment scheme either authorised or registered by the Commission where the funds (and any income) may not be returned to a third party unless that third party was the source of funds. Investments via discretionary or advisory investment managers of their customers’ monies into a nonGuernsey scheme, where approval has been granted by the Commission to a POI licensee to provide administration, and where the funds (and any income) may not be returned to a third party unless that third party was the source of funds. The regulated financial services business, i.e. the discretionary or advisory investment manager or custodian. The regulated financial services business, i.e. the discretionary or advisory investment manager. Undertaking various restricted activities by a POI licensee, within the scope of its licence as part of its relationship falling within the scope of the POI Law, with another regulated financial services business licence where the funds (and any income) may not be returned to a third party unless that third party was the source of funds. Dealing in bullion by a licensed bank, a POI licensee or a Guernsey licensed fiduciary as part of its relationship with another regulated financial services business, where:
safe custody services are provided in relation to bullion; no physical bullion is received or delivered; and any funds may only be received from and/or returned to the intermediary. The provision of nominee shareholder services The provision of pension trustee The regulated financial services business. The regulated financial services business The nominee subsidiary vehicle The pension trustee subsidiary vehicle
services to its parent company
Client accounts held by banks in the name of a POI licensee e.g. a pooled client money account, where the funds are subject to the conduct of business rules. The POI licensee Client accounts held by banks in the name of a Guernsey licensed fiduciary or a firm of lawyers or estate agents registered with the Commission where the holding of funds in the client account is on a short-term basis and is necessary to facilitate a transaction Pooled accounts held by banks in the name of a Guernsey licensed fiduciary where the holding of funds in the pooled account is on a shortterm basis and where the funds (and any income generated) will only be returned to the bank account from which the funds originated. Licensed fiduciaries should ensure that any such use is compatible with relevant trust deeds, and applicable legislation and Codes of Practice. The licensed fiduciary or firm of lawyers or estate agents operating in Guernsey. The Guernsey licensed fiduciary
223. A financial services business should always consider whether it feels the risks
would be better managed if the financial services business undertook CDD on the beneficial owner and underlying principal(s) for whom the intermediary is acting rather than treating the intermediary as the customer.
CHAPTER 7 – WIRE TRANSFERS
Applicable Ordinances Page
Transfer of Funds Ordinances – Appendix G 230 Sections in this Chapter
7.1 Objectives 68
7.2 Scope 68
7.3 Outgoing Transfers 68
7.3.1 Transfers for non-account holders 68
7.3.2 Transfers for account holders 69
7.3.3 Batch files – transfers either inside or outside the British
Islands 70
7.3.4 Minimum standards 70
7.4 Incoming Transfers 71
7.4.1 Detection of missing or incomplete information 71
7.4.2 Failure to supply information on a regular basis 73
7.4.3 Reporting of suspicion 73
7.4.4 Record keeping 73
7.5 Intermediary Payment Service Providers 73
ORDINANCES
In addition to the Regulations, and the Rules and Guidance elsewhere in the Handbook, there are also dedicated Ordinances which provide for the treatment of wire transfers. Financial services businesses must comply with the Transfer of Funds (Guernsey) Ordinance, 2007 and the parallel Ordinances applicable in Alderney and Sark and should note that the Court will take account of the Rules and also of the Guidance provided in the Handbook in considering compliance with the Ordinances and the Regulations. The text of the Transfer of Funds (Guernsey) Ordinance, 2007 is set out in Appendix G. That text is definitive. References to an “Ordinance” in this chapter will refer to the Ordinance relevant to the Island from which the institution is operating.
7 WIRE TRANSFERS
A financial services business must comply with the Ordinance, the Regulations and the Rules. In order to assist financial services businesses to understand the contents of the Ordinance, much of the text below paraphrases the policies, procedures and controls which are required by the Ordinance to be established and maintained. Any paraphrasing of that text within this chapter represents the Commission’s own explanation of the Ordinance and is for the purposes of information and assistance only. That paraphrasing does not detract from the legal effect of the Ordinance or from their enforceability by the courts. In case of doubt you are advised to consult a Guernsey Advocate. The paraphrased text is contained within a clear box in order to provide clarity whilst the rules which must be followed in order to meet the requirements of the Ordinance are in shaded boxes.
7.1 Objectives
224. This chapter provides for a payment service provider (PSP) to have clear and
comprehensive policies, procedures and controls for ensuring that it has the ability to trace all wire transfers back to the originator of the transfer.
7.2 Scope
225. The requirements summarised in this chapter apply to transfers of funds in any
currency sent or received by a PSP established in Guernsey.
226. The requirements do not apply to the transfers set out in the Schedule to the
Transfer of Funds Ordinance.
227. References to the British Islands in this chapter are to the area that comprises the
United Kingdom, Guernsey, Jersey and the Isle of Man.
228. There are different requirements in relation to transfers between financial services
businesses within the British Islands and to transfers where the PSP of the payer or the payee is outside the British Islands.
7.3 Outgoing Transfers
229. Section 7.3.1 of this chapter summarises the procedures to be undertaken for nonaccount holders and section 7.3.2 summarises the procedures to be undertaken for
account holders.
7.3.1 Transfers for non-account holders
230. In accordance with section 2 of the Ordinance, where a transfer of funds is not
made from an account and the PSP is seeking to make a transfer in excess of €1,000 in a single transaction or in a linked series of transactions which are
together in excess of €1,000, it must obtain customer identification information on the payer and verify and record that information.
231. Where the transfer is at or below the €1,000 threshold then customer
identification information on the payer must be obtained and recorded but it is not necessary to verify the customer information.
232. Where the transfer is being made to a PSP in the British Islands, the transfer must,
in accordance with section 3(1) of the Ordinance, include a unique identifier (which can trace a transaction back to the customer). If further information, for example, the name and address of the payer is requested by the PSP of the payee, such information must be provided within three working days of the receipt of a request for such information.
233. Where the transfer is being made to a PSP in any other country or territory,
section 2 of the Ordinance requires such transfers to include the following
customer identification information (complete information):
the name of the payer;
a unique identifier (which can trace a transaction back to the customer); and the payer’s address (residential or postal) which may be substituted with his date and place of birth (where relevant), his customer identification number or national identity number.
234. A customer identification number may be an internal reference number that is
created by a PSP which uniquely identifies a payer (rather than an account that is operated for a payer), and which will continue throughout a business relationship, or it may be a number that is contained within an official document.
7.3.2 Transfers for account holders
235. In accordance with section 2 of the Ordinance where a PSP is seeking to make a
transfer from an account, PSPs must:
obtain customer identification information on the payer, verify that information, and record and retain that information; or have undertaken customer CDD procedures and retained records in connection with the opening of that account in accordance with the requirements of the Regulations and the Handbook, but where the payer is an existing customer the PSP may deem verification to have taken place if it is appropriate to do so taking into account the risk of money laundering or terrorist financing.
236. Where the transfer is being made to a PSP in the British Islands, section 3 of the
Ordinance requires such transfers to include a customer account number. The account number could be, but is not required to be, expressed as the International Bank Account Number (“IBAN”). If further information, for example, the name and address of the payer is requested by the PSP of the payee, such information must be provided by the PSP within three working days of the receipt of a request
for such information.
237. The provision which allows transfers being made to a PSP in the British Islands to
only include a customer account number arises from technical limitations, not principle, in order to accommodate transfers by domestic systems like BACS which are currently unable to include complete information. Accordingly, where the system used for a transfer in the British Islands has the functionality to carry complete information, it may be appropriate to include it, and thereby reduce the likely incidence of inbound requests from payee PSPs for complete information.
238. Where the transfer is being made to a PSP in any other countries or territories, the
transfer must include the following customer identification information:
the name of the payer;
the payer’s account number (or IBAN); and
the payer’s address (residential or postal), which may be substituted with his date and place of birth (where relevant), his customer identification number or national identity number.
239. In the case of a payer that is a company, the transfer must include the address at
which the company’s business is conducted. In the case of a payer that is a trustee, a transfer must be accompanied by the address of the trustee.
240. PSPs must ensure that when messaging systems such as SWIFT MT202 (which
provide for transfers where both the payer and the payee are PSPs acting on their own behalf), are used on behalf of another financial services business, the transfers are accompanied by the customer identification information necessary to meet the requirements of the Ordinance.
241. Where a PSP is itself the payer (i.e. acting as principal), as will sometimes be the
case even for SWIFT MT102 and 103 messages, the requirement to provide name, address, and account number may be met by the provision of the Bank Identifier Code (BIC), although an account number must be included where this is available. Where a Business Entity Identifier (BEI) accompanies a transfer, the account number must always be included.
7.3.3 Batch files – transfers either inside or outside the British Islands
242. In accordance with section 4 of the Ordinance, batch files from a single payer to
multiple payees must carry the information identified in sections 7.3.1 and 7.3.2 of this chapter for the payer (which will depend on whether the PSP of a payee is located within or outside the British Islands). However, the individual transfers within the batch file need only carry the payer’s customer account number (or unique customer identifier if there is no account number).
7.3.4 Minimum standards
243. The information requirements of section 7.3 of this chapter are the minimum
standards. It is open to PSPs to elect to supply complete information with transfers
which are eligible for a reduced information requirement and thereby limit the likely incidence of inbound requests for complete information.
244. In order to ensure that information provided under the Ordinance is also processed
in line with the Data Protection (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 2001, it may be advisable for a payer PSP to ensure that its terms and conditions of business with each payer include reference to the information that it may provide under the requirements set out in sections 2 and 3 of the Ordinance.
7.4 Incoming Transfers
245. Sections 5 and 6 of the Ordinance require PSPs to have effective policies,
procedures and controls for checking that incoming payments contain the required customer identification information (which will depend on whether the payer’s PSP is located within or outside the British Islands) – see sections 7.3.1 and 7.3.2 of this chapter.
7.4.1 Detection of missing or incomplete information
246. PSPs will need to be able to identify empty message fields, have procedures in
place to detect whether the required customer identification information is missing, for example, by undertaking sample testing to identify fields containing incomplete information on the payer, and, where information is incomplete, to take specified action.
247. SWIFT payments on which mandatory payer information fields are not completed
will fail anyway and the payee PSP will not receive the payment. Current SWIFT validation prevents payments being received where the mandatory information is not present at all. However, it is accepted that where the payer information fields are completed with incorrect or meaningless information, or where there is no account number, the payment will pass through the system. SWIFT is currently considering how its validation standards might be improved to respond more effectively to the requirements of FATF Special Recommendation VII. Similar considerations apply to non-SWIFT messaging systems which also validate that a field is populated in accordance with the standards applicable to that system, for example, BACS.
248. Under section 5 of the Ordinance a PSP of a payee must:
detect whether or not the fields relating to information on the payer have been completed in accordance with the characters or inputs admissible within the conventions of the messaging or payment and settlement system, i.e. ensure that validation rules of whichever messaging or payment system used are being utilised; and have effective procedures in place to detect the absence of required information on the payer.
249. PSPs must therefore have in place appropriate and effective policies, procedures
and controls which subject incoming payment transfers to an appropriate level of
post-event random sampling in order to detect non-compliant payments.
250. The level of the sampling must be appropriate to the risk of the financial services
business being used in connection with money laundering and terrorist financing and consideration should be given to areas such as:
the value of the transaction;
the country or territory of the payer; and the history of previous transfers with the PSP of the payer, i.e. whether it has failed previously to comply with the customer identification requirement.
251. Undertaking such an assessment will allow the PSP to make a considered decision
as to the appropriate action to be taken.
252. Under section 6 of the Ordinance if a PSP has identified in the course of
processing a payment that information on the payer is missing or incomplete it must either; reject the transfer; or ask for complete information on the payer; or take such other steps as the Commission may by order direct, but must comply with any other relevant provision of an enactment relating to money laundering or terrorist financing if that provision is contrary to the requirement to provide missing or incomplete information or imposes additional requirements, for example, compliance with tipping off provisions.
253. A PSP should take a risk-based approach when considering the most appropriate
course of action to be taken in order to meet the requirements of section 6 of the Ordinance. If a decision is made is to ask for complete information on the payer, a PSP should also consider, on the basis of risk, making the payment or whether the funds should be held by the PSP until such time as the complete information has been received.
254. Where a payee PSP becomes aware subsequent to processing the payment that
information on the payer is missing or incomplete either as a result of random checking or other monitoring mechanisms under the PSP’s risk based approach, it must:
seek the complete information on the payer; and/or take any other action which the Commission may by order direct.
255. Where the PSP has sought complete information on the payer and it has not been
provided to the PSP within a reasonable time frame, the PSP must consider, on a risk based approach, the most appropriate course of action to be undertaken.
7.4.2 Failure to supply information on a regular basis
256. Section 6 of the Ordinance also sets out the action required where a PSP regularly
fails to supply information on the payer required by the Ordinance.
257. In order to comply with the requirements of section 6 of the Ordinance, where a
PSP of a payer is identified as having regularly failed to comply with the information requirements, then the PSP of the payee must notify the Commission and the FIS of that fact and take steps to attempt to ensure that such information is supplied. The action may include issuing warnings and setting deadlines, prior to either refusing to accept further transfers from that PSP or deciding whether or not to restrict or terminate the business relationship.
7.4.3 Reporting of suspicion
258. In accordance with section 7 of the Ordinance, where information on the payer
accompanying a transfer of funds is missing or incomplete, the PSP of the payee must take this into account in assessing whether the transfer of funds, or any related transaction, is suspicious, and whether a disclosure should be made to the FIS in accordance with the legislative requirements referred to in chapter 10 of the Handbook.
7.4.4 Record keeping
259. Section 7 of the Ordinance requires the PSP of the payee to retain all records of
any information received on the payer of a transfer of funds for five years from the date of the transfer of funds.
260. More information on record keeping is available in chapter 12 of the Handbook.
7.5 Intermediary Payment Service Providers
261. In accordance with sections 8 and 9 of the Ordinance, intermediary PSPs (for
example, those acting as agents for other payment service providers or who provide correspondent banking facilities) must, subject to technical limitations, ensure that all information received on a payer which accompanies a wire transfer is retained with the transfer.
262. Where an intermediary PSP uses a payment system with technical limitations (i.e.
which prevents information on the payer accompanying transfers of funds) for transfers, and is aware that payer information is missing or incomplete it must:
notify the PSP of the payee that the information is missing or incomplete through a procedure agreed between the intermediary and the PSP; and retain records of all information received on the payer for 5 years from the date of the transfer.
263. If requested to do so by the PSP of the payee, the intermediary PSP must provide
the PSP of the payee with all information it has received on the payer within three working days of receiving the request.
CHAPTER 8 – EXISTING CUSTOMERS
Key Regulations Page
Regulation 8 Accounts and Shell Banks 75
Sections in this Chapter
8.1 Objectives 77
8.2 Assessing the Risk 77
8.3 Customer Due Diligence 77
8.4 Timing 78
REGULATIONS
The requirements of the Regulations to which the rules and guidance in this chapter particularly relate are:
Regulation 3, which provides for a financial services business to identify and assess the risks of money laundering and terrorist financing and to ensure that its policies, procedures and controls are effective and appropriate to the assessed risk. See
chapter 3.
Regulation 4, which provides for the required customer due diligence measures, when they should be applied and to whom they should be applied. See chapter 4. Regulation 5, which provides for enhanced customer due diligence measures in respect of business relationships and occasional transactions which have been identified as high risk relationships. See chapter 5. Regulation 6, which provides for reduced or simplified customer due diligence measures to be applied to business relationships which have been identified as being low risk relationships. See chapter 6. Regulation 8, which makes provisions in relation to anonymous accounts and shell banks. See below. Regulation 15, which makes provisions in relation to the review of compliance. See
chapter 2.
Regulation 8
8. (1) A financial services business must, in relation to all customers-
(a) not set up anonymous accounts or accounts in fictitious names, and (b) maintain accounts in a manner which facilitates the meeting of the requirements of these Regulations. (2) A financial services business must – (a) not enter into, or continue, a correspondent banking relationship with a shell bank, and (b) take appropriate measures to ensure that it does not enter into, or continue, a correspondent banking relationship where the respondent bank is known to permit its accounts to be used by a shell bank. (3) In this regulation - (a) “consolidated supervision” means supervision by a regulatory authority of all aspects of the business of a group of bodies corporate carried on worldwide, to ensure compliance with- (i) the Financial Action Task Force Recommendations on Money Laundering; and, (ii) other international requirements,
and in accordance with the Core Principles of Effective Banking Supervision issued by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision as revised or reissued from time to time, (b) “physical presence” means the presence of persons involved in a meaningful way in the running and management of the bank which, for the avoidance of doubt, is not satisfied by the presence of a local agent or junior staff, and (c) “shell bank” means a bank that has no physical presence in the country or territory in which it is incorporated and licensed and which is not a member of a group of bodies corporate which is subject to effective consolidated supervision.
8 EXISTING CUSTOMERS
A financial services business must comply with the Rules in addition to the Regulations. The Rules are boxed and shaded for ease of reference. A financial services business should note that the Court must take account of the Rules and Guidance issued by the Commission in considering compliance with the Regulations.
8.1 Objectives
264. This chapter provides for the CDD measures to be undertaken in respect of
business relationships which have been established with customers taken on before the coming into force of the Regulations.
8.2 Assessing the Risk
265. As identified in chapter 3 a risk-based approach starts with the identification and
assessment of the risk that has to be managed. Consideration of the information obtained during the business risk assessment will enable a financial services business to create a profile of a particular business relationship.
266. The adoption of a risk-based approach to the CDD requirements of existing
customers allows a financial services business to apply the requirements of this
chapter sensibly and to consider all relevant factors rather than carrying out a “tick
box” approach.
267. Each financial services business is best placed to assess the risk of its own
customer base and the extent and nature of the customer due diligence information held or of any additional documentation or information that may be required for existing customers.
8.3 Customer Due Diligence
268. A financial services business must ensure that its policies, procedures and
controls in place in respect of existing customers are appropriate and effective and provide for:
its customers to be identified;
the assessment of risk of its customer base; the level of CDD to be appropriate to the assessed risk of the business relationship; the level of CDD, where the business relationship has been identified as a high risk relationship (for example, a PEP relationship), to be sufficient to allow the risk to be managed; the business relationship to be understood; and the application of such policies, procedures and controls to be based on materiality and risk.
CHAPTER 9 – MONITORING TRANSACTIONS AND ACTIVITY
Key Regulations Page
Regulation 11 Monitoring Transactions and Other Activity 80 Sections in this Chapter
9.1 Objectives 81
9.2 Monitoring Business Relationships and Recognising Suspicious Transactions
and Activity 81
9.3 Computerised/Manual Monitoring Methods and Procedures 82
9.4 Ongoing Customer Due Diligence 83
REGULATIONS
The requirements of the Regulations to which the rules and guidance in this chapter particularly relate are:
Regulation 11, which provides for the monitoring of transactions and other activity and also for conducting ongoing due diligence. See below. Regulation 15, which makes provisions in relation to the review of compliance. See chapter 2. Regulation 11
11. (1) A financial services business shall perform ongoing and effective monitoring of
any existing business relationship, which shall include- (a) reviewing identification data to ensure it is kept up to date and relevant in particular for high risk relationships or customers in respect of whom there is a high risk, (b) scrutiny of any transactions or other activity, paying particular attention to all - (i) complex transactions, (ii) transactions which are both large and unusual, and (iii) unusual patterns of transactions, which have no apparent economic purpose or no apparent lawful purpose, and (c) ensuring that the way in which identification data is recorded and stored is such as to facilitate the ongoing monitoring of each business relationship. (2) The extent of any monitoring carried out under this regulation and the frequency at which it is carried out shall be determined on a risk sensitive basis including whether or not the business relationship is a high risk relationship.
9 MONITORING TRANSACTIONS AND ACTIVITY
A financial services business must comply with the Rules in addition to the Regulations. The Rules are boxed and shaded for ease of reference. A financial services business should note that the Court must take account of the Rules and Guidance issued by the Commission in considering compliance with the Regulations.
9.1 Objectives
272. This chapter deals with the requirement for a financial services business to
monitor business relationships and to apply scrutiny of unusual, complex or high risk transactions or activity so that money laundering or terrorist financing may be identified and prevented. This may involve requesting additional customer due diligence information.
9.2 Monitoring Business Relationships and Recognising Suspicious
Transactions and Activity
273. An unusual transaction or activity may be in a form that is inconsistent with the
expected pattern of activity within a particular business relationship, or with the normal business activities for the type of product or service that is being delivered. This may indicate money laundering or terrorist financing activity where the transaction or activity has no apparent economic or visible lawful purpose.
274. Monitoring of the activity of a business relationship must be carried out on the
basis of a risk-based approach, with high risk relationships being subjected to an appropriate frequency of scrutiny, which must be greater than may be appropriate for low risk relationships.
275. Transactions and activity to or from jurisdictions specified in the Business from
Sensitive Sources Notices and Instructions issued by the Commission, must be subject to a greater level of caution and scrutiny.
276. Scrutiny of transactions and activity must be undertaken throughout the course of
the business relationship to ensure that the transactions and activity being conducted are consistent with the financial services business’ knowledge of the customer, their business, source of funds and source of wealth.
277. A financial services business must consider the possibility for legal persons and
legal arrangements to be used as vehicles for money laundering and terrorist financing.
278. A financial services business when monitoring complex, unusual and large
transactions or unusual patterns of transactions must examine the background and purpose of such transactions and record such findings in writing.
9.4 Ongoing Customer Due Diligence
286. The requirement to conduct ongoing CDD ensures that a financial services
business is aware of any changes in the development of the business relationship. The extent of the ongoing CDD measures must be determined on a risk sensitive basis but a financial services business must bear in mind that as the business relationship develops, the risk of money laundering or terrorist financing may change.
287. It should be noted that it is not necessary to re-verify or obtain current
documentation unless an assessment has been made that the identification data held is not adequate for the assessed risk of the business relationship or there are doubts about the veracity of the information already held. For example, where there is a material change in the way that the business of the customer is conducted which is inconsistent with its existing business profile.
CHAPTER 10 – REPORTING SUSPICION
Key Regulations
Regulation 12 Reporting Suspicion 86
Sections in this Chapter
10.1 Objectives............................................................................................................................87
10.2 Obligation to Report ............................................................................................................87
10.3 Internal Reporting................................................................................................................89
10.4 Form and Manner of Disclosing to the FIS .........................................................................89
10.5 The Response of the FIS......................................................................................................91
10.6 Communicating with Customers and Tipping Off ..............................................................92
10.7 Terminating a Business Relationship ..................................................................................92
10.8 Request for Additional Information from Third Parties......................................................93
10.9 Definitions ...........................................................................................................................93
10.10 Additional Information Requests.......................................................................................93
ADDITIONAL LEGISLATION
In addition to the Regulations, rules and guidance in the Handbook there are four other pieces of legislation which have specific requirements with regard to the reporting and disclosure of suspicions. Financial services businesses must comply with the relevant provisions of the Disclosure (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 2007, the Terrorism and Crime (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 2002, the Disclosure (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Regulations, 2007 and the Terrorism and Crime (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Regulations, 2007. Financial services businesses should note that the Court will take account of the Rules and also of the Guidance provided in the Handbook in considering compliance with the disclosure requirements of this legislation and the Regulations. The requirements of the legislation to which the rules and guidance in this chapter particularly relate are:
The Disclosure (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 2007
Section 1 and 2 of the Disclosure (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 2007.
http://www.guernseylegalresources.gg/CHttpHandler.ashx?id=71019&p=0 The Disclosure (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Regulations, 2007. http://www.guernseylegalresources.gg/CHttpHandler.ashx?id=73344&p=0 The Disclosure (Bailiwick of Guernsey) (Amendment) Regulations, 2014. http://www.guernseyfiu.gov.gg/CHttpHandler.ashx?id=90483&p=0 The Terrorism and Crime (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 2002. http://www.guernseylegalresources.gg/CHttpHandler.ashx?id=70911&p=0 Sections 15 and 15A of the Terrorism and Crime (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 2002. The Terrorism and Crime (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Regulations, 2007. http://www.guernseylegalresources.gg/CHttpHandler.ashx?id=73347&p=0 The Terrorism and Crime (Bailiwick of Guernsey) (Amendment) Regulations, 2014. http://www.guernseyfiu.gov.gg/CHttpHandler.ashx?id=90482&p=0
REGULATIONS
The requirements of the Regulations to which the rules and guidance in this chapter particularly relate are:
10 REPORTING SUSPICION
A financial services business must comply with the Rules in addition to the Regulations. The Rules are boxed and shaded for ease of reference. A financial services business should note that the Court must take account of the Rules and Guidance issued by the Commission in considering compliance with the Regulations
10.1 Objectives
289.This chapter outlines the statutory provisions concerning disclosure of information, the policies, procedures and controls necessary for reporting and disclosing suspicion and the provision of information on the reporting and the disclosing of suspicion. 290.References in this chapter to a transaction or activity include an attempted or proposed transaction or activity. 291.References in this chapter to a transaction or activity also include attempted transaction, attempted activity and attempts or proposals to enter into a business relationship or to undertake an occasional transaction. 292.References in this chapter to any suspicion are references to suspicion of either money laundering or terrorist financing.
10.2 Obligation to Report
293.A suspicion may be based upon a transaction or activity which is inconsistent with a customer’s known legitimate business, activities or lifestyle or with the normal business for that type of product/service. 294.It follows that an important precondition of recognition of a suspicious transaction or activity is for the financial services business to know enough about the business relationship and occasional transaction to recognise that a transaction or activity is unusual. Such knowledge would arise mainly from complying with the monitoring and ongoing customer due diligence requirements in Regulation 11 – see chapter 9. Suspicion need not only be based on transactions or activities within the business relationship, but also on information from other sources, including law enforcement agencies, other government bodies, the media, intermediaries, or the customer himself.
300.Although a financial services business is not expected to conduct the kind of investigation carried out by law enforcement agencies, it must act responsibly and ask questions to satisfy any gaps in the CDD or its understanding of a particular transaction or activity or proposed transaction or activity.
10.3 Internal Reporting
301. A financial services business must have appropriate and effective internal reporting
policies, procedures and controls to ensure that:
307.When considering the provision of information to the FIS a financial services business should be aware of the Disclosure (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 2007 and the Terrorism and Crime (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 2002. These laws provide that a disclosure made in good faith to a prescribed police officer does not contravene any obligation as to confidentiality or other restriction on the disclosure of information imposed by statute, contract or otherwise. Additionally, both laws provide that disclosures made under them include disclosure of any information or document relating to the knowledge, suspicion or reasonable grounds for suspicion that the person in respect of whom the disclosure is made is engaged in money laundering, and any fact or matter upon which such knowledge, suspicion or reasonable grounds for suspicion is based. For the purposes of the above paragraph information or document includes any information or document relating to – a) any money or property; b) any transaction concerning such money or property; and c) the parties to any such transaction. 308.Where the MLRO considers that a disclosure should be made urgently (for example, where the customer’s financial services product is already part of a current investigation), initial notification to the FIS may be made by telephone.
309. In addition to the requirements of Regulation 14 for the keeping of records of internal
reports a financial services business must also maintain a register of all disclosures made to the FIS pursuant to this paragraph. Such register must contain details of:
313.It is for each financial services business (or group) to consider whether (in addition to any disclosure made in Guernsey) the MLRO should report suspicions within the financial services business (or group), for example, to the compliance department at Head Office. A report to Head Office, the parent or group does not remove the requirement also to disclose suspicions to the FIS.
10.5 The Response of the FIS
314.Disclosures made through the online reporting facility will be immediately acknowledged.
315. If the disclosure does not refer to a specific transaction or activity that could constitute
a money laundering or terrorist financing offence, the response from the FIS will simply acknowledge receipt of the disclosure. 316.If the disclosure does include reference to a specific transaction or activity that has led to the suspicion and ultimately a disclosure, the financial services business should indicate whether or not it intends to carry out the transaction or activity, and if so request consent to continue with the particular transaction or activity. The MLRO should exhaust all avenues at his disposal to either negate or confirm whether or not there is a suspicion before seeking consent. On receipt of such a request the FIS will consider whether or not it may give consent under the relevant provisions. The FIS will, except in exceptional circumstances, within seven days of receipt of the disclosure, advise in writing its decision regarding the request. In urgent matters, consent may be given orally by the FIS, but will be followed by written confirmation. 317.In the event that consent is not given, the FIS will discuss with the financial services business the implications and will offer what assistance it can in deciding the most appropriate course of action to be taken thereafter. Any such discussion with the FIS does not constitute legal advice. If deemed appropriate, legal advice should be sought by the financial services business from its Advocate or other legal adviser. 318.Access to disclosures will be restricted to appropriate authorities and any information provided by the FIS emanating from such disclosures will normally be in a sanitised format and will not include the identity of the source. In the event of a prosecution, the source of the information will be protected as far as the law allows. 319.The FIS may, by virtue of section 2(1) of the Disclosure (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Regulations, 2007 or section 2(1) of the Terrorism and Crime (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Regulations, 2007, seek additional information from the disclosing financial services business. Such additional information includes financial and administrative information which may provide clarification of the grounds of suspicion and allow the person to whom the disclosure has been made to make a judgement as to how to proceed. 320.In addition, the FIS will, so far as is possible, supply on request and through planned initiatives information as to the current status of any investigations emanating from a disclosure as well as more general information regarding identified trends and indicators.
10.6 Communicating with Customers and Tipping Off
321.The Disclosure Law and the Terrorism and Crime Law provide that it is a criminal offence if a person knows, or suspects, that an internal suspicion report to a MLRO or a disclosure to the FIS has been or will be made or if any information or other matter concerning the internal suspicion report or disclosure has been or will be communicated to a MLRO or the FIS and he discloses to any other person information or any other matter about, or relating to, that knowledge or suspicion unless it is for a purpose set out in those laws. Those purposes include, but are not limited to, the prevention, detection, investigation or prosecution of criminal offences, whether in the Bailiwick or elsewhere. HM Procureur has issued a paper entitled Guidance on Prosecution for Tipping Off which provides for disclosures made to members of the same organisation or linked organisations to discharge their AML/CFT responsibilities. A copy of this paper is set out in Appendix E. 322.Reasonable enquiries of a customer, conducted in a discreet manner, regarding the background to a transaction or activity which has given rise to the suspicion is prudent practice, forms an integral part of CDD and ongoing monitoring, and should not give rise to tipping off.
323. Policies, procedures and controls must enable a MLRO to consider whether it is
appropriate to disclose a suspicion or to make a request for consent or whether in assessing the circumstances, it would in the first instance be more appropriate to obtain more information to assist him with this process. Such procedures must also provide for the MLRO to consider whether it would be more appropriate to decline to proceed with the requested act and to give due thought to the future of the business relationship as a whole. 324.There will be occasions where it is feasible for the financial services business to agree a joint strategy with the FIS, but the FIS will not seek to influence what is ultimately a decision for the financial services business and the online reporting facility cannot be used for this purpose.
10.7 Terminating a Business Relationship
325.Whether or not to terminate a business relationship is a commercial decision except where required by legislation, for example, where the financial services business cannot obtain the required CDD information (see chapter 4 and Regulation 9). 326.Where a financial services business makes a decision to terminate a business relationship after it has made a disclosure or requested consent, and is concerned that, in doing so it may prejudice an investigation or contravene the tipping off rules, it should engage with the FIS accordingly. The decision to terminate a relationship, however, remains with the financial service business.
10.8 Request for Additional Information from Third Parties
The Terrorism and Crime (Bailiwick of Guernsey) (Amendments) Regulations, 2014 and The Disclosure (Bailiwick of Guernsey) (Amendment) Regulations, 2014 inserted a new regulation 2A. The inserted regulation applies where a person has made a disclosure under section 1, 2 or 3 of the Disclosure (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 2007 and/or under the section 12, 15 or 15C of the Terrorism and Crime (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 2002 and the police officer to whom the disclosure is made believes as a result, that another person (“a third party”) may possess relevant information. A prescribed police officer, by notice in writing served upon a third party, require that third party to provide the officer (or any other specified officer) with such additional information relating to the initial disclosure as may be specified in writing within such period which, in unusual circumstances shall not be less that 7 days, and in such form and manner, as may be specified.
10.9 Definitions
The Terrorism and Crime (Bailiwick of Guernsey) (Amendment) Regulations, 2014 and The Disclosure (Bailiwick of Guernsey) (Amendment) Regulations, 2014 include the following definitions:
PLEASE NOTE THAT PAGES 95 – 113 HAVE BEEN WITHDRAWN
CHAPTER 11 – EMPLOYEE SCREENING AND TRAINING
Key Regulations Page
Regulation 13 Employee Screening and Training 116 Sections in this Chapter
11.1 Objectives 116
11.2 Screening of Employees 116
11.3 Relevant Employees 116
11.4 Employee Training 117
11.4.1 The MLRO 118
11.4.2 The Board and seniormanagement 118
11.5 Timing and Frequency of Training 118
11.6 The Relevance of Training 119
REGULATIONS
The requirements of the Regulations to which the rules and guidance in this chapter particularly relate are:
Regulation 13, which provides for procedures to be undertaken by a financial services business when hiring employees and for the requirements of training relevant employees. See below. Regulation 15, which makes provisions in relation to the review of compliance. See
chapter 2.
Regulation 13
13. (1) A financial services business shall maintain appropriate and effective
procedures, when hiring employees, for the purpose of ensuring high standards of employee probity and competence. (2) A financial services business shall ensure that relevant employees receive comprehensive ongoing training in – (a) the relevant enactments, these Regulations and the Handbook, (b) the personal obligations of employees and their potential criminal liability under these Regulations and the relevant enactments, (c) the implications of non-compliance by employees with any rules, Guidance, instructions, notices or other similar instruments made for the purposes of these Regulations, and (d) its policies, procedures and controls for the purposes of forestalling, preventing and detecting money laundering and terrorist financing. (3) A financial services business shall identify relevant employees who, in view of their particular responsibilities, should receive additional and ongoing training, appropriate to their roles, in the matters set out in paragraph (2) and must provide such additional training.
11 EMPLOYEE SCREENING AND TRAINING
A financial services business must comply with the Rules in addition to the Regulations. The Rules are boxed and shaded for ease of reference. A financial services business should note that the Court must take account of the Rules and Guidance issued by the Commission in considering compliance with the Regulations.
11.1 Objectives
327. One of the most important tools available to a financial services business to assist
in the prevention and detection of money laundering is to have staff who are alert to the potential risks of money laundering and terrorist financing and who are well trained in the requirements concerning CDD and the identification of unusual activity, which may prove to be suspicious.
11.2 Screening of Employees
328. In order for a financial services business to ensure that employees are of the
required standard of competence and probity, which will depend on the role of the employee, consideration (which must be documented) must be given to:
obtaining and confirming appropriate references at the time of recruitment; requesting information from the employee with regard to any regulatory action taken against him or action taken by a professional body; updates to the lists of specified countries and persons against whom sanctions have been imposed by the United Nations and the European Union on the grounds of suspected or known involvement in terrorist activity; requesting information from the employee with regard to any criminal convictions and the provision of a check of his criminal record (subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 2002); and must ensure that special attention is paid to and checks undertaken on qualifications and professional memberships relating to potential employees.
329. The term employee as defined in the Regulations includes any person working for
a financial services business, i.e. not only individuals working under a contract of employment (including on a temporary basis), but also those working under a contract for services. Where persons who are employees of any third parties carry out work in relation to financial services business under an outsourcing agreement, the financial services business must have procedures to satisfy itself as to the effectiveness of the screening procedures of the third party in ensuring employee competence and probity.
11.3 Relevant Employees
330. The requirements of the Regulations concerning training apply to employees
whose duties relate to actual financial services business and any directors or
managers (hereafter referred to as relevant employees), and not necessarily to all employees of a financial services business.
331. When determining whether an employee is a relevant employee, for the purposes
of the Handbook a financial services business may take into account the following:
whether the employee is undertaking any customer facing functions, or handles or is responsible for the handling of business relationships or transactions; whether the employee is directly supporting a colleague who carries out any of the above functions; whether an employee is otherwise likely to be placed in a position where he might see or hear anything which may lead to a suspicion; and whether an employee’s role has changed to involve any of the functions mentioned above.
11.4 Employee Training
332. The Board must be aware of the obligations of the financial services business in
relation to staff screening and training.
333. A financial services business must, in ensuring that relevant employees receive
the ongoing training required under the Regulations, in particular ensure that they are kept informed of:
the CDD requirements and the requirements for the internal and external reporting of suspicion; the criminal and regulatory sanctions in place for failing to report information in accordance with policies, procedures and controls; the identity and responsibilities of the MLRO; the principal vulnerabilities of the products and services offered by the financial services business; and new developments, including information on current money laundering and terrorist financing techniques, methods, trends and typologies.
334. A financial services business must in providing the training required under the
Regulations:
provide appropriate training to enable relevant employees adequately and responsibly to assess the information that is required for them to judge whether an activity or business relationship is suspicious in the circumstances; provide relevant employees with a document outlining their own obligations and potential criminal liability and those of the financial services business under the relevant enactments and the Regulations; prepare and provide relevant employees with a copy, in any format, of the financial services business’ policies, procedures and controls manual for AML/CFT; and
ensure its employees are fully aware of legislative requirements.
11.4.1 The MLRO
335. A financial service business is required under the Regulations to identify
particular relevant employees who in view of their roles should receive additional training and it must provide such training. Such employees must include, the MLRO, any nominated persons and any deputies to whom suspicion reports may be made. The additional training must include in depth and specific training with regard to; the handling and reporting of internal suspicion reports; the handling of production and restraining orders including, but not limited to, the requirements of the relevant legislation and how to respond to court orders; liaising with law enforcement agencies; and the management of the risk of tipping off.
336. Please refer to section 2.4 for information on the role and responsibilities of the
MLRO.
11.4.2 The Board and senior management
337. The Board and senior management are responsible for the effectiveness and
appropriateness of the financial services business’ policies, procedures and controls to counter money laundering and terrorist financing. As such they must be identified as relevant employees to whom additional training must be given in order that they remain competent to give adequate and informed consideration to the evaluation of the effectiveness of those policies, procedures and controls.
338. In addition to the general training provided to relevant employees a detailed level
of additional training must be provided to the Board and senior management to provide a clear explanation and understanding of:
the relevant enactments and the Regulations and information on the offences and the related penalties, including potential director and shareholder liability; the CDD and record keeping requirements; and the internal and external suspicion reporting procedures.
11.5 Timing and Frequency of Training
339. As part of providing comprehensive ongoing training, appropriate training must
be provided for all new relevant employees prior to them becoming actively involved in day-to-day operations. Thereafter, the frequency of training should be determined on a risk-based approach, with those employees with responsibility
for the handling of business relationships or transactions receiving more frequent training.
340. Such programmes may include, as well as the matters required in the Regulations:
the principal vulnerabilities of any new products, services or delivery channels offered; the nature of terrorism funding and terrorist activity, in order that staff are alert to customer transactions or activities that might be terrorist-related; information on the changing behaviour and practices amongst money launderers and those financing terrorism; emerging typologies; and the policies, procedures and controls applied by the financial services business to the assessment of risk and the requirements for dealing with high risk relationships.
341. At a minimum, training must be provided to all relevant employees at least every
two years but will need to be more frequent to meet the requirements in the Regulations if new legislation or significant changes to the Handbook are introduced or where there have been significant technological developments within the financial services business.
11.6 The Relevance of Training
342. Whilst there is no single or definitive way to conduct staff training for AML/CFT
purposes, the critical requirement is that staff training must be adequate and relevant to those being trained and the training messages should reflect good practice. The training should equip staff in respect of their responsibilities.
343. Financial services businesses must put in place mechanisms to measure the
effectiveness of the AML/CFT training.
344. The guiding principle of all AML/CFT training should be to encourage
employees, irrespective of their level of seniority, to understand and accept their responsibility to contribute to the protection of the financial services business against the risk of money laundering and terrorist financing.
345. The precise approach will depend on the size, nature and complexity of the
financial services business. Classroom training, videos and technology-based training programmes can all be used to good effect depending on the environment and the number of people to be trained.
346. Training should highlight to employees the importance of the contribution that
they can individually make to the prevention and detection of money laundering and terrorist financing. There is a tendency, in particular on the part of more junior employees, to mistakenly believe that the role they play is less pivotal than that of more senior colleagues. Such an attitude can lead to failures to disseminate
important information because of mistaken assumptions that the information will have already been identified and dealt with by more senior colleagues.
CHAPTER 12 – RECORD KEEPING
Key Regulations Page
Regulation 14 Record- Keeping 123
Sections in this Chapter
12.1 Objectives 124
12.2 General and Legal Requirements 124
12.2.1 Customer due diligence information 124
12.2.2 Transactions 124
12.2.3 Wire transfer records 125
12.2.4 Internal and external suspicion reports 125
12.2.5 Training 125
12.2.6 Compliance monitoring 125
12.3 Record Keeping 126
12.3.1 Ready retrieval 126
12.4 Period of Retention 126
12.5 Requirements on Closure or Transfer of Business 126
REGULATIONS
The requirements of the Regulations to which the rules and guidance in this chapter particularly relate are:
Regulation 14, which provides for the record keeping requirements of a financial services business. See below. Regulation 15, which makes provisions in relation to the review of compliance. See
chapter 2.
Regulation 14
14. (1) A financial services business shall keep-
(a) a transaction document and any customer due diligence information, or (b) a copy thereof, for the minimum retention period. (2) Where a financial services business is required by any enactment, rule of law or court order to provide a transaction document or any customer due diligence information to any person before the end of the minimum retention period, the financial services business shall- (a) keep a copy of the transaction document or customer due diligence information until the period has ended or the original is returned, whichever occurs first, and (b) maintain a register of transaction documents and customer due diligence information so provided. (3) A financial services business shall also keep records of – (a) any reports made to a money laundering reporting officer as referred to in regulation 12 and of any disclosure made under Part I of the Disclosure Law or section 15 or 15A of the Terrorism Law made other than by way of a report to the money laundering reporting officer, for five years starting from- (i) in the case of a report or a disclosure in relation to a business relationship, the date the business relationship ceased, or (ii) in the case of a report or a disclosure in relation to an occasional transaction, the date that transaction was completed, (b) any training carried out under regulation 13 for five years starting from the date the training was carried out,
(c) any minutes or other documents prepared pursuant to regulation 15(c) until – (i) the expiry of a period of five years starting from the date they were finalised, or (ii) they are superseded by later minutes or other documents prepared under that regulation, whichever occurs later, and (d) its policies, procedures and controls which it is required to establish and maintain pursuant to these Regulations, until the expiry of a period of five years starting from the date that they ceased to be operative. (4) Documents and customer due diligence information, including any copies thereof, kept under this regulation – (a) may be kept in any manner or form, provided that they are readily retrievable, and (b) must be made available promptly (i) to an auditor, and (ii) to any police officer, the Financial Intelligence Service, the Commission or any other person where such documents or customer due diligence information are requested pursuant to these Regulations or any relevant enactment.
12 RECORD KEEPING
A financial services business must comply with the Rules in addition to the Regulations. The Rules are boxed and shaded for ease of reference. A financial services business should note that the Court must take account of the Rules and Guidance issued by the Commission in considering compliance with the Regulations.
12.1 Objectives
347. Record keeping is an essential component that the Regulations require in order to
assist in any financial investigation and to ensure that criminal funds are kept out of the financial system, or if not, that they may be detected and confiscated by the appropriate authorities.
12.2 General and Legal Requirements
348. To ensure that the record keeping requirements of the Regulations are met, a
financial services business must have appropriate and effective policies, procedures and controls in place to require that records are prepared, kept for the stipulated period and in a readily retrievable form so as to be available on a timely basis, i.e. promptly, to domestic competent authorities upon appropriate authority and to auditors.
12.2.1 Customer due diligence information
349. In order to meet the requirement in the Regulations to keep transaction documents
and CDD information a financial services business must keep the following records:
copies of the identification data obtained to verify the identity of all customers, beneficial owners and underlying principals; and copies of any customer files, account files, business correspondence and information relating to the business relationship or occasional transaction; or information as to where copies of the CDD information may be obtained.
12.2.2 Transactions
350. In order to meet the requirement to keep each transaction document, all
transactions carried out on behalf of or with a customer in the course of business, both domestic and international, must be recorded by the financial services business. In every case, sufficient information must be recorded to enable the reconstruction of individual transactions so as to provide, if necessary, evidence for prosecution of criminal activity.
351. A financial services business must ensure that in order to meet the record keeping
requirements for transactions, documentation is maintained which must include:
the name and address of the customer, beneficial owner and underlying principal; if a monetary transaction, the currency and amount of the transaction; account name and number or other information by which it can be identified; details of the counterparty, including account details; the nature of the transaction; and the date of the transaction.
352. Records relating to unusual and complex transactions and high risk transactions
must include the financial services business’ own reviews of such transactions.
12.2.3 Wire transfer records
353. See section 7.4 of chapter 7 for the record keeping requirements of wire transfer
documents.
12.2.4 Internal and external suspicion reports
354. In order to meet the requirement to keep records of reports of suspicion made to a
MLRO, a financial services business must keep:
the internal suspicion report;
records of actions taken under the internal and external reporting requirements; when the MLRO has considered information or other material concerning possible money laundering, but has not made a disclosure of suspicion to the FIS, a record of the other material that was considered and the reason for the decision; and copies of any disclosures made to the FIS.
12.2.5 Training
355. Training records must include:
the dates AML/CFT training was provided;
the nature of the training; and
the names of the employees who received training.
12.2.6 Compliance monitoring
356. In order to meet the requirement to keep records of documents prepared in
connection with the obligation of the Board to discuss a review of compliance and of its compliance review policy and other policies, procedures and controls relating to compliance, a financial services business must retain:
reports by the MLRO to the Board and senior management; records of consideration of those reports and of any action taken as a consequence; and
any records made within the financial services business or by other parties in respect of compliance of the financial services business with the Regulations and the Handbook.
12.3 Record Keeping
357. The record keeping requirements are the same, regardless of the format in which
the records are kept, or whether the transaction was undertaken by paper or electronic means or however they are subsequently retained. A financial services business must, however, consider whether keeping documents other than in original paper form could pose legal evidential difficulties, for example, in civil court proceedings.
12.3.1 Ready retrieval
358. A financial services business must periodically review the ease of retrieval of, and
condition of, paper and electronically retrievable records.
359. Where the FIS or another domestic competent authority requires sight of records,
under the Regulations or the relevant enactment, which according to a financial services business’ procedures would ordinarily have been destroyed, the financial services business must none the less conduct a search for those records and provide as much detail to the FIS or other domestic competent authority as possible.
360. The Regulations require documents which must be kept to be made available
promptly to domestic competent authorities where so requested under the Regulations or other relevant enactment. Financial services businesses must therefore consider the implications for meeting this requirement where documentation, data and information is held overseas or by third parties, such as under outsourcing arrangements, or where reliance is placed on introducers or intermediaries.
361. Financial services businesses must not enter into outsourcing arrangements or
place reliance on third parties to retain records where access to records is likely to be restricted as this would be in breach of the Regulations which require records to be readily retrievable.
12.4 Period of Retention
362. The minimum retention periods are set out in Regulation 14.
12.5 Requirements on Closure or Transfer of Business
363. Where a financial services business terminates activities, or disposes of a business
or a block of business relationships, for example, by way of asset sale, to another financial service provider the person taking on that business must ensure that the
record keeping requirements in the Regulations are complied with in respect of such business.
CHAPTER 13 – BRIBERY AND CORRUPTION
Applicable Legislation
The Prevention of Corruption (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 2003 Appendix J Sections in this Chapter
13.1 Objectives 130
13.2 Overview 132
13.3 Board Responsibility for Oversight of Compliance 131
13.4 Bribery and Corruption Risk Assessment 131
13.5 Relationship Risk Assessment 132
13.6 Monitoring Business Relationships 132
13.7 Training 135
13.8 Record Keeping 133
LEGISLATION
In addition to the Regulations, and the Rules and Guidance elsewhere in the Handbook, there is also a dedicated law which has specific requirements with regard to corruption. The text of the Prevention of Corruption (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 2003 is set out in Appendix J. That text is definitive.
13 BRIBERY AND CORRUPTION
13.1 Objectives
364. Bribery and corruption risk is the risk of a financial services business, or any
person acting on behalf of the financial services business, or any third party connected to a business relationship, engaging in bribery or corruption.
365. In light of the increasing global focus on anti-bribery and anti-corruption
(“ABC”), the extra-territorial effect of foreign legislation and the links between an effective ABC framework and an effective AML/CFT framework, the Commission is issuing the guidance in this chapter on bribery and corruption. It should be noted that there are currently no rules in this chapter.
366. The objective of this chapter is to provide information about ABC legislation and
guidance on how the potential risks of bribery and corruption can be recognised, managed and mitigated. Nothing in this chapter should be read as reducing in any way the requirements of legislation or the rules elsewhere in this handbook.
13.2 Overview
367. The involvement of financial services businesses in corrupt or potentially corrupt
practices overseas undermines the integrity of the jurisdiction’s financial services sector. Unless robust systems and controls are in place, financial services businesses risk contravening Guernsey and/or overseas ABC legislation. A weak control environment (for example, surrounding the making of payments to overseas third parties) may give rise to the risk of the services of a financial services business being inadvertently used to process potentially corrupt payments.
368. The Board, in the context of its oversight of risk management and maintenance of
a sound system of risk identification, measurement and control, has effective responsibility for ensuring that the business complies with the Prevention of Corruption (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 2003 (“the Corruption Law”). The provisions of the Corruption Law apply to corruption committed both within and outside the Bailiwick.
369. The Board also has responsibility for ensuring that the financial services business
does not risk contravening the corruption legislation of other jurisdictions which apply to financial services businesses undertaking business in those jurisdictions or which apply to financial services businesses in other ways. For example, the extra-territorial reach of the UK Bribery Act 2010 (“the Bribery Act”) means that a foreign company, including a Guernsey company, which carries on any “part of a business” in the UK could be prosecuted under the Bribery Act for failing to prevent bribery committed by any of its employees, agents or other representatives, even if the bribery takes place outside the UK and involves nonUK persons. The Bribery Act also applies to British citizens working anywhere in the world, even if the company for which they work does not carry out business anywhere in the UK.
financial services businesses may wish and it may be appropriate to, include the assessment of bribery and corruption risk in their ML/FT business risk assessment.
376. A financial services business should ask itself how it might be exposed to bribery
and corruption risk. For example, it should consider what risks are associated with:
the products/services offered and administered by the financial services business; the underlying purpose to which products/services are put e.g. companies set up to invest in high risk industries; project financing, particularly where it involves the public sector; high value projects or projects involving a significant number of unrelated contractors or third parties; the customers of the financial services business and their geographical origin; exposure to PEPs; the use of and payments to third parties (particularly those located in higher risk jurisdictions)
377. Consideration of the above factors, along with any other factors relevant to the
business, will provide a useful framework for the financial services business, having assessed the risk to its business, to tailor its policies, procedures and controls on ABC.
13.5 Relationship Risk Assessment
378. Chapter 3 of this Handbook provides for the undertaking of a relationship risk
assessment in respect of any proposed business relationship or occasional transaction. The chapter contains examples of high risk indicators which a financial services business may consider when preparing a risk profile, including indicators associated with bribery and corruption.
13.6 Monitoring Business Relationships
379. As identified in Regulation 11 and chapter 9, an unusual transaction or activity
may appear to be inconsistent with the expected pattern of activity within a particular business relationship or the normal business activities for the type of product or service that is being delivered. This may indicate bribery or corruption where the transaction or activity has no apparent economic or visible lawful purpose. Consideration should be given to:
commission structures, e.g. considering whether commission percentages paid to introducers of new business are reasonable proportionate and transparent; charitable or political donations and sponsorship; instructions to effect payments for advisory and consulting activities with no apparent connection to the known activities of the business; payments to unknown third parties and effecting transactions through cash payments and money orders.
13.7 Training
380. As part of the ongoing training of relevant employees, a financial services
business should include information about its ABC policies, procedures and controls and the specific risks relating to bribery and corruption to which the business may be exposed.
381. In addition, a financial services business should ensure that those employees
responsible for the implementation and monitoring of ABC policies, procedures and controls have additional training in order that they are:
competent to give adequate and informed consideration to the evaluation of the effectiveness of those policies, procedures and controls; and competent to provide adequate and informed input on revisions to those policies, procedures and controls.
13.8 Record Keeping
382. The Board should ensure that appropriate and effective policies, procedures and
controls are in place to require that records relevant to ABC are maintained and retained in a readily retrievable form so as to be available on a timely basis, i.e. promptly, to domestic competent authorities upon appropriate authority.
CHAPTER 14 – UN, EU AND OTHER SANCTIONS
Applicable Legislation
The Terrorist Asset-Freezing (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 2011 Appendix K http://www.guernseylegalresources.gg/article/98999/Terrorist-Asset-Freezing-Bailiwick-of-Guernsey-Law-2011 The Afghanistan (Restrictive Measures) (Guernsey) Ordinance, 2011 http://www.guernseylegalresources.gg/article/93433/Afghanistan-Restrictive-Measures-Guernsey-Ordinance-2011 The Afghanistan (Restrictive Measures) (Alderney) Ordinance, 2011 http://www.guernseylegalresources.gg/CHttpHandler.ashx?id=70430&p=0 The Afghanistan (Restrictive Measures) (Sark) Ordinance, 2011 http://www.guernseylegalresources.gg/CHttpHandler.ashx?id=78298&p=0 The Al-Qaida (Restrictive Measures) (Guernsey) Ordinance, 2013 http://www.guernseylegalresources.gg/article/108694/Al-Qaida-Restrictive-Measures-Guernsey-Ordinance-2013 The Al-Qaida (Restrictive Measures) (Alderney) Ordinance, 2013 http://www.guernseylegalresources.gg/CHttpHandler.ashx?id=84805&p=0 The Al-Qaida (Restrictive Measures) (Sark) Ordinance, 2013 http://www.guernseylegalresources.gg/article/109720/Al-Qaida-Restrictive-Measures-Sark-Ordinance-2013 Sections in this Chapter
14.1 Objectives.....................................................................................................................136
14.2 The Terrorist Asset-Freezing (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 2011 (“Terrorist Law
2011”).............................................................................................................................136
14.3 The Afghanistan (Restrictive Measures) (Guernsey) Ordinance 2011 together with
corresponding Ordinances for Alderney and Sark (“Afghanistan Ordinances”), and the Al-Qaida (Restrictive Measures) (Guernsey) Ordinance, 2013 and corresponding
Ordinances for Alderney and Sark (“Al-Qaida Ordinances”)........................................137
14.4 Licences........................................................................................................................139
14.5 Obligation to Report .....................................................................................................139
14.6 Obtaining information ..................................................................................................139
14.7 Information on Guernsey’s Sanction Regime ..............................................................139
LEGISLATION
In addition to the Regulations, and the Rules and Guidance elsewhere in the Handbook, there are also some dedicated enactments which implement sanctions measures relating to terrorist financing and which have specific requirements with regard to making funds or financial services available to listed persons (“the terrorist asset freezing enactments”). The text of the Terrorist Law 2011, the Afghanistan Ordinances and the Al-Qaida Ordinances is accessible by the hyperlinks displayed under applicable legislation.
14. UN, EU AND OTHER SANCTIONS
A financial services business must comply with the Rules in addition to the terrorist asset freezing enactments. In order to assist financial services businesses to understand the contents of the terrorist asset freezing enactments, some of the text below paraphrases the prohibitions which must be observed. Any paraphrasing of that text within this chapter represents the Commission’s own explanation of the terrorist asset freezing enactments and is for the purposes of information and assistance only. That paraphrasing does not detract from the legal effect of the terrorist asset freezing enactments or from their enforceability by the courts. In case of doubt you are advised to consult a Guernsey Advocate. The paraphrased text is contained within a clear box in order to provide clarity whilst the rules which must be followed are boxed and shaded for ease of reference.
14.1 Objectives
383.This chapter outlines the statutory provisions concerning UN, EU and other Sanctions, the policies, procedures and controls necessary in respect of such sanctions and the provision of information on sanctions and freezing of funds notices.
14.2 The Terrorist Asset-Freezing (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 2011
(“Terrorist Law 2011”)
384.The Terrorist Law 2011 implements United Nations Security Council Resolution 1373 and Council Regulation (EC) No. 2580/2001 (“the EU Regulation”). The EU regulation imposes restrictive measures directed against certain persons and entities with a view to combating terrorism.
385. The Terrorist Law 2011 prohibits any person from:
(a) dealing with funds or economic resources owned, held or controlled by a designated person, knowing or having reasonable cause to suspect such funds or economic resources are being dealt with; (b) making funds or financial services available (directly or indirectly) to a designated person knowing or having reasonable cause to suspect, the funds or financial services are being made so available; (c) making funds or financial services available to any person for the benefit of a designated person, knowing or having reasonable cause to suspect the funds or financial services are being made so available; (d) making economic resources available (directly or indirectly) to a designated person, knowing or having reasonable cause to suspect that the economic resources are being made so available, and that the designated person would be likely to exchange the economic resources, or use them in exchange, for funds, goods or services; (e) making economic resources available to any person for the benefit of a designated person, knowing or having reasonable cause to suspect, that the economic resources are being made so available; (f) intentionally participating in activities, knowing that the object or effect of such activities (whether directly or indirectly) is to circumvent or facilitate the contravention of any of the above prohibitions.
386. A designated person means –
(a) a person designated by Policy Council under the Terrorist Law 2011; or (b) a person who is the subject of a designation under and within the meaning of the UK’s Terrorist Asset-Freezing etc. Act 2010; or (c) a natural of legal person, group or entity included in the list provided for by
Article 2(3) of Council Regulation (EC) No 2580/2001 of 27 December 2001
on specific restrictive measures directed against certain persons and entities with a view to combating terrorism (as that Regulation is amended from time to time). 387.When determining whether a particular individual or legal person is a designated person, financial services businesses must consult the full list of financial sanctions targets which may be found in the financial sanctions section of the HM Treasury website at: http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/fin_sanctions_index.htm 388.The list referred to above is a consolidated list of specified countries, organisations and individuals who have been designated by the United Nations, European Union and United Kingdom under legislation relating to current financial sanctions regimes. 389.Any legal or natural persons designated by the Policy Council who are not on the consolidated lists are named in a separate list maintained by the Policy Council which is accessible on the States of Guernsey website. 390.The disclosure and other requirements of the Terrorist Law 2011 are separate to the requirements of the Disclosure Law and the Terrorism and Crime Law.
14.3 The Afghanistan (Restrictive Measures) (Guernsey) Ordinance 2011
together with corresponding Ordinances for Alderney and Sark (“Afghanistan Ordinances”), and the Al-Qaida (Restrictive Measures) (Guernsey) Ordinance, 2013 and corresponding Ordinances for Alderney and Sark (“Al-Qaida Ordinances”). 391.The Afghanistan Ordinances and the Al-Qaida Ordinances implement United Nations Security Council Resolution 1267 (“the original Resolution”). The original Resolution was given effect within the EU by Council Regulation (EC) No. 881/002 (“the original Regulation”) which was in turn implemented in the Bailiwick by the Al–Qaida and Taliban (Freezing of Funds) (Guernsey) Ordinance 2011 and corresponding Ordinances for Alderney and Sark. The original Resolution and Regulation, as initially enacted, applied to parties associated with both the Taliban and with Al-Qaida. In 2011, after the death of Osama Bin Laden, the United Nations Security Council created two separate regimes for the Taliban and Al-Qaida. This was done by creating a new regime specific to Afghanistan under United Nations Security Council Resolution 1988, which was based on the list of parties associated with the Taliban that had been listed under the original Resolution. This change was reflected in a corresponding EU Regulation, namely Council Regulation (EU) No. 753/2011 which was then implemented in the Bailiwick by the Afghanistan
Ordinances. The original Regulation continued to apply to parties associated with Al-Qaida and it is currently given effect in the Bailiwick by the Al-Qaida Ordinances. 392.The EU Regulations impose restrictive measures in respect of designated persons, that is, persons, groups or entities designated by the relevant United Nations Sanctions Committees. The lists maintained by those Committees can be accessed at:
http://www.un.org/sc/committees/1988/list.shtml and http://www.un.org/sc/committees/1267/aq_sanctions_list.shtml. Persons named in those lists are included in the lists at Annex 1 to each of the two EU Regulations. 393.In order to determine whether any person, group or entity is a designated person, financial services businesses must consult the UN lists as well as the consolidated versions of Annex 1 to each of the two EU Regulations which are accessible at:
http://eur-lex.europa.eu/homepage.html
394.The lists in Annex 1 to each of the two EU Regulations are consolidated lists of individuals, groups and entities subject to the sanctions measures and consist of two sections, specified below:
(a) individuals associated with the Taliban or Al-Qaida, as the case may be; (b) entities and other groups and undertakings associated with the Taliban or AlQaida, as the case may be. 395.The Afghanistan Ordinances and the Al-Qaida Ordinances prohibit any person from:
(a) dealing with funds or economic resources belonging to, or owned, held, or controlled by, a designated person; (b) making available, directly or indirectly, to or for the benefit of a designated person funds or economic resources; (c) participating knowingly and intentionally in activities with the aim of circumventing the prohibitions, or enabling or facilitating their contravention. 396.The prohibitions in the Afghanistan Ordinances and the Al-Qaida Ordinances are subject to certain exceptions, such as payments due under contracts, agreements or obligations that were concluded or arose before the account became a frozen account, and payment of interest on frozen funds. 397.In addition, the prohibitions do not apply to anything done under the authority of a licence granted by the Policy Council.
14.4 Licences
398.The Policy Council may grant a licence permitting the release of specified funds which would otherwise be caught by the provisions of the Terrorist Law 2011 and of the Afghanistan and Al-Qaida Ordinances. No offence is committed in respect of such funds provided that the terms of the licence are complied with. 399.The Policy Council will entertain applications for licences under the Terrorist Law 2011 and the Afghanistan and Al-Qaida Ordinances from any party. Such licences will normally only be issued in respect of funding for necessities such as food, medical treatment and accommodation, but funding for extraordinary expenses will also be considered.
14.5 Obligation to Report
400.Financial services businesses should note that, under the Terrorist Law 2011 and the Afghanistan and Al-Qaida Ordinances, it is a criminal offence for a financial institution to fail to disclose to the Policy Council its knowledge or suspicion that a customer or potential customer is a designated person or has committed any of the offences set out in the Law or Ordinances. This requirement is additional to the reporting obligation in the Disclosure Law and the Terrorism and Crime Law.
14.6 Obtaining information
401.It should be noted that neither the European Union nor the United Nations has a notification facility for advising when the lists of designated persons maintained by them are updated. However, the consolidated list provided by HM Treasury referred to above includes designations by the European Union and the United Nations and it is kept up to date. 402.The Asset-Freezing Unit of HM Treasury offers a free subscription facility for notification by e-mail when a financial sanctions-related release is published on its website and the consolidated list of targets is updated. Information on how to subscribe for this service is provided on the UN, EU and other sanctions section of the Commission’s website, together with the full text of the terrorist asset freezing enactments, information regarding the obligations contained within the enactments and links to both the UN Sanctions Committee lists and the consolidated list of asset freeze targets provided by HM Treasury.
14.7 Information on Guernsey’s Sanction Regime
403.In addition to the sanctions regime implemented by the terrorist asset freezing enactments, financial services businesses should be aware that Guernsey has enacted legislation to implement a wide range of country-specific sanctions. Sanctions of this kind are a tool used increasingly for enforcing foreign policy by putting pressure on a State or entity in order to maintain or restore international peace and security. Often, sanctions are used as an alternative to force. 404.The United Nations and the European Union are key bodies that adopt sanctions measures. Sanctions measures may include:
PART 2 – SPECIFIC INDUSTRY SECTORS
CHAPTER 15 – SPECIFIC INDUSTRY SECTORS
Sections in this Chapter Page
15.1 Banking 143
15.1.1 Scope of application 143
15.1.2 Suspicious features or activities 143
15.1.3 Hold mail accounts 144
15.1.4 Bearer instruments 144
15.2 Fiduciary 144
15.2.1 Scope of application 144
15.2.2 Suspicious features or activities 145
15.3 Investment 145
15.3.1 Investment Funds 145
15.3.1.1 Scope of application 145
15.3.1.2 Suspicious features or activities 146
15.3.2 Discretionary and advisory asset management 146
15.3.2.1 Scope of application 146
15.3.2.2 Suspicious features or activities 146
15.3.3 Intermediaries 146
15.3.3.1 Scope of application 147
15.3.3.2 Suspicious features or activities 147
15.4 Insurance 147
15.4.1 Scope of application 147
15.4.2 Suspicious features or activities 147
15.5 General 149
15.5.1 Suspicious features or activities 149
15 SPECIFIC INDUSTRY SECTORS
15.1 Banking
15.1.1 Scope of application
411. Vigilance should govern all the stages of the bank’s dealings with its customers,
including: account opening; non-account holding customers; safe custody and safe deposit boxes; deposit-taking; lending; transactions into and out of accounts generally, including by way of electronic transfer (wire transfer) and marketing and self-promotion.
412. It needs to be borne in mind that loan and mortgage facilities (including the
issuing of credit and charge cards) may be used by launderers at the layering or integration stages. Secured borrowing is an effective method of layering and integration because it puts a legitimate financial business (the lender) with a genuine claim to the security in the way of those seeking to restrain or confiscate the assets.
413. Banks that undertake transactions for persons who are not their account holders
should be particularly careful to treat such persons (and any underlying principals) as verification subjects.
414. Particular precautions need to be taken in relation to requests to hold boxes,
parcels and sealed envelopes in safe custody. Where such facilities are made available to non-account holders, the verification procedures set out in the Handbook should be followed.
15.1.2 Suspicious features or activities
415. In the absence of a satisfactory explanation the following should be regarded as
suspicious activity:
where a customer is reluctant to provide normal information or provides only minimal, false or misleading information; where a customer provides information which is difficult or expensive for the bank to verify; opening an account with a significant cash balance and/or subsequent substantial cash deposits, singly or in accumulations without a plausible and legitimate explanation; unusual cash deposits without apparent cause, particularly where such deposits are subsequently withdrawn or transferred within a short time; frequent small or modest cash deposits which taken together are substantial; making use of a third party to deposit cash or negotiable instruments, particularly if these are promptly transferred between client or trust accounts; the collection (either within the Bailiwick or in another country or territory) of significant cash sums singly or in accumulations without a plausible and legitimate explanation;
where a deposit appears to be credited to an account only for the purpose of supporting the customer’s order for a bankers’ draft, money transfer or other negotiable or readily marketable money or bearer instrument; where deposits are received from other banks and the bank is aware of a regular consolidation of funds from such accounts prior to a request for onward transmission of funds; the avoidance by the customer or its representatives of direct contact with the bank (such as the use of night safes to make large cash deposits); the use of nominee accounts, trustee accounts or client accounts which appear to be unnecessary for or inconsistent with the type of business carried on by the underlying principal; the use of numerous accounts for no clear commercial reason where fewer would suffice (so serving to disguise the scale of the total deposits); the use by the customer of numerous individuals (particularly persons whose names do not appear on the mandate for the account) to make deposits; frequent switches of funds between accounts in different names or in different countries or territories; matching of payments out with credits paid in on the same or previous day; substantial withdrawal from a previously dormant or inactive account; substantial withdrawal from an account which has just received an unexpected large credit from overseas; use of bearer instruments outside a recognised dealing system in settlement of an account or otherwise; and where a customer declines to provide information which normally would make him eligible for valuable credit or other banking services; or where he inexplicably avoids normal banking facilities, such as higher interest rate facilities for larger credit balances.
15.1.3 Hold mail accounts
416. Hold or retained mail services should only be offered to customers as an exception
and should only be provided where plausible and legitimate reasons for requiring the service are given.
15.1.4 Bearer instruments
417. Certain countries or territories permit their companies to issue bearer shares or
other instruments as evidence of title. Banks should only open accounts for companies or structures capable of issuing bearer instruments where the holders of the instruments are verified. Banks should take steps to ensure that bearer instruments are held in secure custody by the bank or a trusted intermediary which has undertaken to inform the banks of any proposed change in ownership of the company or structure.
15.2 Fiduciary
15.2.1 Scope of application
418. Fiduciaries should understand the purposes and activities of the structures in
relation to which they are appointed or to which they provide services. If they are
unable to do so, they should consider whether a suspicion is raised that assets are, or represent, the proceeds of crime.
15.2.2 Suspicious features or activities
419. If a fiduciary is unable to obtain an adequate explanation of the following features,
or any other feature which causes it concern, suspicion could be raised:
complex networks of trusts and/or nomineeships and/or companies; transactions which lack economic purpose (for example, sales or purchases at undervalued or inflated prices; payments or receipts being split between a large number of bank accounts or other financial services products; companies consistently making substantial losses); transactions which are inconsistent (for example, in size or source) with the expected objectives of the structure; arrangements established with the apparent objective of fiscal evasion; structures or transactions set up or operated in an unnecessarily secretive way, for example, involving “blind” trusts, bearer shares, endorsed cheques, cash or other bearer instruments or use of P.O. Boxes; lack of clarity about beneficial ownership or interests or difficulties in verifying identity of persons with ownership or control; unwillingness to disclose the source of assets to be received by a trust or company; unwillingness for the fiduciary to have the degree of information and control which it needs to fulfil its duties; use of general powers of attorney in a manner which dilutes the control of a company’s directors.
420. When considering whether these or other features cause suspicion, fiduciaries
should obtain documentary evidence where appropriate and record explanations they receive.
421. In addition to performing adequate CDD before commencement of the
relationship, the fiduciary should, on an ongoing basis, monitor the activities of the structures to which it provides services.
15.3 Investment
15.3.1 Investment Funds
15.3.1.1 Scope of application
422. Investment funds may be open to abuse by people seeking to launder money. The
risk of that abuse is increased by the fact that most transactions for subscription, redemption or transfer will not be conducted on a face-to-face basis, and to a similar extent the risk is mitigated by the fact that where some transactions are not conducted on the face-to-face basis, they will typically involve a regulated intermediary or introducer, in Guernsey or elsewhere.
423. To the extent that intermediaries and introducers are regulated in Guernsey, or in a
country or territory listed in Appendix C to the Handbook, then financial services businesses may, in the circumstances described in sections 4.10, 4.11 and 6.5 of
the Handbook, rely on the intermediary or introducer to identify the investor and to certify that they have verified the identity of the investor.
424. In order to mitigate the risks of money laundering, firms should take steps to
identify any third party subscribers or payees or refuse to accept or make third party payments. Furthermore, most retail investors use these products for medium and long term savings, which makes short-term investment or high turnover unusual and often relatively straightforward to monitor. Where the risks of money laundering are mitigated, then the relevant funds may be considered to be low risk in terms of their use for money laundering purposes. Investors in institutional funds, including private equity funds, may be considered to be of lower risk than their retail counterparts by virtue of the restricted types of investor, rather than the product features. Notwithstanding such consideration it is still necessary to know the identity of such investors.
15.3.1.2 Suspicious features or activities
425. Since most investment is made for medium- and long-term objectives,
transactions suggesting that improper use is being made of an investment fund will tend to centre on transactions with very short holding periods (particularly where the investor appears uninterested in mitigating the effect of initial charges).
426. Transactions in open-ended funds, or initial subscriptions at the launch of a
closed-ended fund, where funds are to be received from a third party or repaid to a third party, require enhanced due diligence. Funds should not in general be accepted from or paid to a third party without that third party having had its identity verified by the fund operator.
15.3.2 Discretionary and advisory asset management
15.3.2.1 Scope of application
427. In terms of risks associated with money laundering and terrorist financing, there is
little distinction between discretionary and advisory asset management activities. In both cases the customer will usually need to have been subject to full assessment at take on, both in order to verify identity and source of funds, and it will in any case be necessary to review the customer’s objectives in order to assess, for other regulatory reasons, the suitability of transactions undertaken or recommended for the customer.
15.3.2.2 Suspicious features or activities
428. Consideration should be given to undertaking enhanced due diligence where there
are frequent and unexplained additions to the investment portfolio, and or where there are frequent and unexplained requests for assets to be realised and the funds paid away. As with investment funds, receipt of funds from, or remission of funds to, third parties should not be undertaken unless there is a satisfactory explanation for the arrangement and the identity of the third party has been verified by the service provider.
15.3.3 Intermediaries
429. The paragraphs below should be read together with section 6.5 of the Handbook.
15.3.3.1 Scope of application
430. Intermediaries may provide stock broking services and also act as interface
between the investor and other investment product providers. As with discretionary and advisory asset managers, intermediaries will need to have set up, under Guernsey regulatory rules, a full customer agreement with any potential customer and will need to assure themselves the suitability of any recommendation they make. They will therefore need to have researched and verified the customer’s identity, source of funds and investment objectives in order to provide that service in accordance with the requirements of the Regulations and the Handbook.
431. “Execution Only” arrangements, in which the service provider is not required to
assess the suitability of any transaction for the customer, can be a feature of intermediary business. That would not absolve the intermediary from a knowledge and verification of a customer’s identity and source of funds.
15.3.3.2 Suspicious features or activities
432. As with investment fund operators, and discretionary and advisory asset
managers, intermediaries will need to be vigilant as to the source and use of the assets which they are invited to trade. In particular, intermediaries will need to make enquiries in circumstances where there are sudden and unexplained additions to, or transfers from, the client’s investment portfolio.
433. Intermediaries will also be on enquiry in circumstances where the client appears
indifferent to the profit or loss generated by trading activities.
434. Intermediaries will also need to make enquiries where the client transfers, and
asks the intermediary to dispose of, assets which were not acquired through that intermediary, since transfers of assets off market may provide a vehicle for the laundering of money.
15.4 Insurance
15.4.1 Scope of application
435. Insurers, insurance managers, and the introducers of insurance business are
responsible for transactions which present a number of opportunities for money laundering and the financing of terrorism. As such the proper identification of the sources of funding for these transactions, the purposes of these transactions and the ultimate benefit of these transactions should be fully understood and documented by licensees. If an insurance licensee is faced with a transaction which it cannot fully explain and document, then suspicion should be raised if subsequent enquiries do not provide plausible explanation.
15.4.2 Suspicious features or activities
436. In the absence of a satisfactory explanation the following should be regarded as
suspicious activity:
the purchase of a significant single premium product followed by the early surrender or termination of the policy where this gives rise to a loss, or to a payment to an unusual third party; the use of trusts within the ownership structure of a managed insurer; transactions which are inconsistent in size or source with the expected business plan and cash-flow projections of the licensee; transactions which are either priced at a level which is significantly out of line with current market rates, or where claims incidence is significantly out of line with current market loss ratios; introductions from brokers or agents based in countries or territories with which the licensee is unfamiliar, or from which criminal or terrorist funding activity is known or suspected to occur; overly complex or confusing transactions, including any transactions involving a number of counterparties or multi-jurisdictional entities; insurance transactions giving rise to unusually large or uneconomic commission payments or expenses, especially where the payments are to unrelated or unknown recipients; bearer shares within the ownership structure of a licensee, or bearer instruments used to fund the premiums or capital of a licensee; individuals or corporate entities based in unregulated or loosely regulated countries or territories, especially where there are difficulties or undue delays in obtaining information in respect such individuals or entities; receipts or payments which appear to have little or no economic value, or where such receipts or payments are split between a large number of counterparties; introductions from clients in overseas countries or territories where comparable policies are available “closer to home”; transactions involving cash payments from unusual third parties, or where settlement directions are for the benefit of unusual third parties rather than the policyholder; early termination of policies, especially at a loss, and/or when the repayment request is for the benefit of a third party, or in a different form to the initial premium payment.
437. Illustrations of the type of situation that might give rise to reasonable grounds for
suspicion in some circumstances are:
transactions or instructions which have no apparent purpose and which make no obvious economic sense; where the transaction being requested by the customer, without reasonable explanation, is out of the ordinary range of services normally provided or is outside the experience of the financial services business in relation to the particular customer, customer profile or business relationship; transfers to and from high risk countries or territories without reasonable explanation; where the customer refuses to provide routine information requested by the financial services business without reasonable explanation; where a customer who has entered into a business relationship uses the relationship for a single transaction or for only a very short period of time;
unusual patterns of payment such as unnecessary routing of funds through third party accounts, cash payments (receipts or collection), making more than one payment or making payments to a variety of accounts where one would normally be expected; and requests for hold mail facilities without legitimate purpose.
15.5 General
15.5.1 Suspicious features or activities
438. In the absence of a satisfactory explanation the following might give grounds for
suspicion in some circumstances:
unusual early cancellation of any financial products or services that result in an economic penalty to the customer; large numbers of individuals making payments into one account; customers who have accounts with many financial services businesses in the same jurisdiction; frequent requests for travellers cheques, drafts or other negotiable instruments or frequent paying of funds using these types of instruments; frequent and seemingly unnecessary currency exchanges; unexpected repayment activity on loans; the use of a financial product as a loan collateral in unusual circumstances (for example, the purchase of a product which is immediately used as collateral); transactions that are at economically disadvantageous terms for the customer; transactions with last minute amendments to settlement instructions or changes to a third party settlement; advice being requested on a capital structure or industrial strategy where the arrangement is not characteristic of the customer’s profile.
PART 3 – APPENDICES AND GLOSSARY
CHAPTER 16 – APPENDICES
Appendices in this Chapter Page
A General Introducer Certificate 154
B Guernsey Fiduciary Introducer Certificate 159 C Countries or Territories whose Regulated Financial Services 164 Businesses may be treated as if they were Local Financial Services Businesses D1 Internal Report Form 166 D2 Disclosure 167 D3 Specimen Consent Not Required of the FIS 171 D4 Specimen Consent of the FIS 172 D5 Specimen Consent Refused of the FIS 173 D6 Specimen Acknowledgment of the FIS 174 E Guidance on Prosecution for Tipping Off 175 F The Criminal Justice (Proceeds of Crime) (Financial Services 177 Businesses) (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Regulations, 2007 G The Transfer of Funds (Guernsey) Ordinance, 2007 230 H Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorism Techniques 246 and Methods I Links to useful Website Addresses 254 J The Prevention of Corruption (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 2003 255 K The Terrorist Asset-Freezing (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 2011 267 L The Al-Qaida and Taliban (Freezing of Funds) (Guernsey) 299 Ordinance, 2011
16 APPENDICES
APPENDIX A
GENERAL INTRODUCER CERTIFICATE GIC1
Name of accepting financial services business Name of Introducer Account name (in full) Details of associated account/s (which are part of the same structure) Introducer’s contact details Address:
Telephone: Fax:
Email:
The Introducer certifies that it is a Guernsey licensed financial services business or an Appendix C business and in respect of this account it has obtained and holds the verification required to satisfy the Handbook for Financial Services Businesses on Countering Financial Crime and Terrorist Financing (“Handbook”) issued by the Guernsey Financial Services Commission, as updated from time to time. The information disclosed for this account by the Introducer accurately reflects the information held and is being given for account opening and maintenance purposes only. The Introducer undertakes to supply certified copies or originals of the verification documentation upon request without delay. Please identify the number of supplementary pages being submitted:
Signature:
Full Name:
Official Position:
Date:
GIC2 GIC3 GIC4
APPENDIX A (CONTINUED)
GENERAL INTRODUCER CERTIFICATE GIC2
IDENTIFICATION INFORMATION
Name of Introducer:
Account name (in full):
To be completed for applicants for business who are individuals or partners in a partnership only (Please complete the section below and attach additional copies of this sheet as required) 1 2 Full Name Nationality, date and place of birth Current residential address (please include postcode). Note: A PO Box only address is insufficient Does the Introducer consider the related party to be, or to be associated with a PEP? Yes No Yes No To be completed for applicants for business who are companies, partnerships, trusts or foundations Date of incorporation or registration (if applicable) Registration number Place of incorporation or registration (if applicable) Current registered office address (if applicable) Date of establishment (if unincorporated/unregistered) legal jurisdiction (if unincorporated /unregistered) Type of trust/foundation/company Is it a trading entity Yes No Are bearer shares currently in issue? Yes No If no, can bearer shares be issued? Yes No To be completed for all applicants for business Nature of activities or purpose and intended nature of business relationship (please provide full description) (for all PEP relationships and, where appropriate, for high risk relationships):
Source of wealth (and identify the period over which this has been derived) Account activity Should the space provided be insufficient, please continue using GIC4. Initial of signatory /ies completing GIC1
APPENDIX A (CONTINUED)
GENERAL INTRODUCER CERTIFICATE GIC3
RELATED PARTIES
Name of Introducer:
Account name (in full):
Details of all principal(s) (see GIC5 for definition) including beneficial owners and excluding officers of the Introducer (Please complete the section below and attach additional copies of this sheet as required) 1 2 Full Name Nationality, date and place of birth Current residential address (please include postcode). Note: A PO Box only address is insufficient Role of principal and date relationship commenced Does the Introducer consider the related party to be, or to be associated with a PEP? Yes No Yes No 3 4 Full Name Nationality, date and place of birth Current residential address (please include postcode). Note: A PO Box only address is insufficient Role of principal and date relationship commenced Does the Introducer consider the related party to be, or to be associated with a PEP? Yes No Yes No Initial of signatory /ies completing GIC1
APPENDIX A (CONTINUED)
GENERAL INTRODUCER CERTIFICATE GIC4
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Name of Introducer:
Account name (in full):
This section is to be used by the financial services business to identify any additional information or documentation that they require over and above the stated minimum and/or for the Introducer to provide additional information to supplement the details contained in GIC1, GIC2 and/or GIC3. Initial of signatory /ies completing GIC1
APPENDIX A (CONTINUED)
GENERAL INTRODUCER CERTIFICATE GIC5
NOTES AND GUIDANCE
These notes and the definitions below are intended to assist the Introducer in completing the required forms and to enable greater consistency to be achieved. “Associated accounts” Refers to an account with the same financial services business where any of the principals are connected with an account in the same group or structure. “Account activity” An estimate of the total flow of funds in and out of the account should be provided. An estimated maximum account turnover should also be provided. For a trading operation, the scale and volume of transactions should be explained. “Bearer shares” Should bearer shares be subsequently issued (after the opening of the account) such that the “Yes” box needs ticking in GIC2, an updated form should be supplied to the accepting financial services business without delay. “Certified copy” An officer or authorised signatory of a regulated financial services business will be an acceptable certifier. An acceptable “certified copy” document should be an accurate and complete copy of the original such that the certifier will sign and date the copy document printing his position, capacity and company name. “Introducer” Is a Guernsey licensed financial services business or an Appendix C business. “Nature of activities or purpose and intended nature of business relationship” A sufficient description should be provided to enable the accepting financial services business to properly categorise the underlying nature of the arrangements. If the activity is of a commercial nature, then additional information may be required. “PEP” Politically exposed person as defined in the Handbook. “Principal” Includes any person or other entity that has or is likely to receive a benefit in the foreseeable future or who the Introducer customarily treats as having an economic interest. “Role” This might include, for example, a beneficial owner, a shareholder, beneficiary, settlor, partner, etc. “Signatory” The Introducer’s Certificate will need to be signed or initialled (where appropriate) in line with the Introducer’s current mandate/authorised signatory list held with the accepting financial services business. “Source of wealth” The origins of the wealth of the principal/s (and over what period) should be identified. Generally, simple one word answers will be unacceptable, for example, “income”, “dividends”, “Bill Smith”, or “work”. A brief description to give a fuller picture is expected, for example, “sale of UK private company in 1997”, “life time savings of settler who was a doctor”, “inheritance from parents’ UK estate” and “UK property development over the last 10 years”. “Trading” Implies commercial activity which may include a business, invoicing or re-invoicing operations. For clarity, a “trading company” does not include a personal service/employment company. Please refer to the accepting financial services business should you have any doubt or queries about completing the Introducer Certificate Forms.
APPENDIX B
GUERNSEY FIDUCIARY INTRODUCER CERTIFICATE FIC1 Name of bank/deposit taker or accepting financial services business Name of Introducer Account name (in full) Details of associated account/s (which are part of the same structure) Introducer’s contact details Address:
Telephone: Fax:
Email:
The Introducer certifies that it is a Guernsey licensed financial services business and in respect of this account it has obtained and holds the verification required to satisfy the Handbook for Financial Services Businesses on Countering Financial Crime and Terrorist Financing (“Handbook”) issued by the Guernsey Financial Services Commission, as updated from time to time. The information disclosed for this account by the Introducer accurately reflects the information held and is being given for account opening and maintenance purposes only. The Introducer undertakes to supply certified copies or originals of the verification documentation upon request without delay. Please identify the number of supplementary pages being submitted:
Signature:
Full Name:
Official Position:
Date:
FIC2 FIC3 FIC4
APPENDIX B (CONTINUED)
GUERNSEY FIDUCIARY INTRODUCER CERTIFICATE FIC2 IDENTIFICATION INFORMATION Name of Introducer:
Account name (in full):
To be completed for applicants for business who are companies, partnerships, trusts or foundations Date of incorporation or registration (if applicable) Registration number Place of incorporation or registration (if applicable) Current registered office address (if applicable) Date of establishment (if unincorporated/unregistered) legal jurisdiction (if unincorporated /unregistered) Type of trust/foundation/company Is it a trading entity Yes No Are bearer shares currently in issue? Yes No If no, can bearer shares be issued? Yes No To be completed for all applicants for business Nature of activities or purpose and intended nature of business relationship (please provide full description):
(for all PEP relationships and, where appropriate, for high risk relationships):
Source of wealth (and identify the period over which this has been derived) Account activity Should the space provided be insufficient, please continue using FIC4. Initial of signatory /ies completing FIC1
APPENDIX B (CONTINUED)
GUERNSEY FIDUCIARY INTRODUCER CERTIFICATE FIC3 RELATED PARTIES Name of Introducer:
Account name (in full):
Details of all principal(s) (see FIC5 for definition) including beneficial owners and excluding officers of the Introducer (Please complete the section below and attach additional copies of this sheet as required) 1 2 Full Name Nationality, date and place of birth Current residential address (please include postcode). Note: A PO Box only address is insufficient Role of principal and date relationship commenced Does the Introducer consider the related party to be, or to be associated with a PEP? Yes No Yes No 3 4 Full Name Nationality, date and place of birth Current residential address (please include postcode). Note: A PO Box only address is insufficient Role of principal and date relationship commenced Does the Introducer consider the related party to be, or to be associated with a PEP? Yes No Yes No Initial of signatory /ies completing FIC1
APPENDIX B (CONTINUED)
GUERNSEY FIDUCIARY INTRODUCER CERTIFICATE FIC4 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Name of Introducer:
Account name (in full):
This section is to be used by the bank/deposit taker to identify any additional information or documentation that they require over and above the stated minimum and/or for the Introducer to provide additional information to supplement the details contained in FIC1, FIC2 and/or FIC3. Initial of signatory /ies completing FIC1
APPENDIX B (CONTINUED)
GUERNSEY FIDUCIARY INTRODUCER CERTIFICATE FIC5 NOTES AND GUIDANCE These notes and the definitions below are intended to assist the Introducer in completing the required forms and to enable greater consistency to be achieved. “Associated accounts” Refers to an account with the same financial services business where any of the principals are connected with an account in the same group or structure. “Account activity” An estimate of the total flow of funds in and out of the account should be provided. An estimated maximum account turnover should also be provided. For a trading operation, the scale and volume of transactions should be explained. “Bearer shares” Should bearer shares be subsequently issued (after the opening of the account) such that the “Yes” box needs ticking in FIC2, an updated form should be supplied to the accepting financial services business without delay. “Certified copy” An officer or authorised signatory of a regulated financial services business will be an acceptable certifier. An acceptable “certified copy” document should be an accurate and complete copy of the original such that the certifier will sign and date the copy document printing his position, capacity and company name. “Introducer” Is a local regulated financial services business as defined in the Handbook. “Nature of activities or purpose and intended nature of business relationship” A sufficient description should be provided to enable the accepting financial services business to properly categorise the underlying nature of the arrangements. If the activity is of a commercial nature, then additional information may be required. “PEP” Politically exposed person as defined in the Handbook. “Principal” Includes any person or other entity that has or is likely to receive a benefit in the foreseeable future or who the Introducer customarily treats as having an economic interest. “Role” This might include, for example, a beneficial owner, a shareholder, beneficiary, settlor, partner, etc. “Signatory” The Introducer’s Certificate will need to be signed or initialled (where appropriate) in line with the Introducer’s current mandate/authorised signatory list held with the accepting financial services business. “Source of wealth” The origins of the wealth of the principal/s (and over what period) should be identified. Generally, simple one word answers will be unacceptable, for example, “income”, “dividends”, “Bill Smith”, or “work”. A brief description to give a fuller picture is expected, for example, “sale of UK private company in 1997”, “life time savings of settler who was a doctor”, “inheritance from parents’ UK estate” and “UK property development over the last 10 years”. “Trading” Implies commercial activity which may include a business, invoicing or re-invoicing operations. For clarity, a “trading company” does not include a personal service/employment company. Please refer to the accepting financial services business should you have any doubt or queries about
completing the Introducer
APPENDIX C
COUNTRIES OR TERRITORIES WHOSE REGULATED FINANCIAL SERVICES BUSINESSES MAY BE TREATED AS IF THEY WERE LOCAL FINANCIAL SERVICES BUSINESSES Australia Italy Austria Japan Belgium Jersey Bermuda Latvia Bulgaria Liechtenstein Canada Lithuania Cayman Islands Luxembourg Cyprus Malta Denmark Netherlands Estonia New Zealand Finland Norway France Portugal Germany Singapore Gibraltar Slovenia Greece South Africa Hong Kong Spain Hungary Sweden Iceland Switzerland Ireland United Kingdom Isle of Man United States of America
Appendix C to the Handbook was established to reflect those countries or territories which the
Commission considers require regulated financial services businesses to have in place standards to combat money laundering and terrorist financing consistent with the FATF Recommendations and where such financial services businesses are supervised for compliance with those requirements. It was also designed as a mechanism to recognise the geographic spread of the customers of the Guernsey finance sector and is reviewed periodically with countries or territories being added as appropriate. The fact that a country or territory has requirements to combat money laundering and terrorist financing that are consistent with the FATF Recommendations means only that the necessary legislation and other means of ensuring compliance with the Recommendations is in force in that country or territory. It does not provide assurance that a particular overseas financial services business is subject to that legislation, or that it has implemented the necessary measures to ensure compliance with that legislation. Guernsey financial services businesses are not obliged to deal with regulated financial services businesses in the jurisdictions listed above as if they were local, notwithstanding that they meet the requirements identified in this Appendix. Guernsey financial services businesses should use their commercial judgement in considering whether or not to deal with a regulated financial services business and may, if they wish, impose higher standards than the minimum standards identified in the Handbook. In accordance with the definition provided for in the Regulations an “Appendix C business” means –
APPENDIX C (CONTINUED)
(a) a financial services business supervised by the Commission; or (b) a business which is carried on from - (i) a country or territory listed in Appendix C to the Handbook and which would, if it were carried on in the Bailiwick, be a financial services business; or (ii) the United Kingdom, the Bailiwick of Jersey, the Bailiwick of Guernsey or the Isle of Man by a lawyer or accountant; and, in either case is a business – (A) which may only be carried on in that country or territory by a person regulated for that purpose under the law of that country or territory; (B) the conduct of which is subject to requirements to forestall, prevent and detect money laundering and terrorist financing that are consistent with those in the Financial Action Task Force Recommendations on Money Laundering in respect of such a business; and (C) the conduct of which is supervised for compliance with the requirements referred to in subparagraph (B), by the Commission or an overseas regulatory authority. The absence of a country or territory from the above list does not prevent the application of
section 4.10.1 of the Handbook (reliable introductions by an overseas branch or member of the
same group, subject to satisfactory terms of business).
APPENDIX D1
INTERNAL REPORT FORM
Name of Customer
Full account name(s)
Account/product number(s)
Date(s) of opening
Date of customer’s birth
Nationality
Passport number
Identification and reference
Customer’s address
Details arousing suspicion
As relevant: Amount (currency) Date of receipt Source of funds Other relevant information Money Laundering Reporting Officer * Name of Employee Date of Report
APPENDIX D2
DISCLOSURE FORM
STRICTLY PRIVATE AND CONFIDENTIAL
Please forward with covering letter to:
The Guernsey Border Agency, Financial Investigation Unit:
Financial Intelligence Service,
Ozanne Hall,
Mignot Plateau,
Cornet Street,
St Peter Port,
GY1 1LF
Tel: 714081 Fax: 710466 E-mail: fiu@gba.gov.gg Reporting MLRO:
Tel: Email:
Your reference
FIS reference
Date Consent request? Yes/No
APPENDIX D2 (CONTINUED)
Employer
Address(es) including postal codes
Country of Residence
Contact details, e.g. telephone, fax, email
Passport number(s) and dates
Passport issuing country(ies)
Other identification numbers and dates, e.g. national identity card, driving licence etc. (please specify type) Any other relevant information and/or Organisation Type of Organisation i.e. company, trust, non-profit organisation or other Name (please include former and other names) Legal registration / identification number Address(es) including postal codes Contact details, e.g. telephone, fax, email Place of incorporation / date Country registered / established Date registered / established Any other relevant information (Trust) Country of Administration Country Settled (non-profit organisation) Area of Benefit Area of Operation
APPENDIX D2 (CONTINUED)
2. ASSOCIATED SUBJECTS (including organisation officials)
Official Type
Title
Full name (please include former and other names Date of birth Address(es) including postal codes For further associated subjects, please copy the formats used above
3. RELEVANT ACCOUNTS
Account Name
Account Holder(s)
Financial Institution/
SWIFT/BIC address
Account / product type, e.g. investment, company etc.
Account number and sort code
Date account opened
Date account closed
Account balance / value
Balance / value date
For additional accounts or products, please copy the format used above.
4. RELEVANT TRANSACTIONS
Please note that the obligation to report suspicion applies to all types of transaction and attempted transaction, including attempted transactions in circumstances where there is no existing business relationship with the disclosure subject and no such business relationship is subsequently established. Transaction date Transaction amount Transaction type / method Transaction parties (please use person / organisation format as above where more detailed information is available) Was the transaction carried out?
APPENDIX D2 (CONTINUED)
Was the transaction made in the context of an existing business relationship? If not, was a business relationship then established? For additional transactions, please copy the format used above.
5. CLIENT RELATIONSHIP
Current status of relationship
Date relationship commenced
Date relationship ended
6. REASONS FOR SUSPICION
Please give full account of circumstances and grounds for suspicion Suspected Underlying Offences Please specify where possible the nature of the offences which you suspect may underlie or otherwise be relevant to the transaction, for example fraud or corruption, (whether carried out or not), together with the grounds for that suspicion. This disclosure is made under the (please delete as appropriate) Terrorism and Crime (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 2002 Disclosure (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 2007
7. DETAILS OF ANY REQUEST FOR CONSENT
Please specify the act or transaction for which consent is sought
8. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION (including explanation of any attachments)
NB - Please also provide as much information and documentation as possible to demonstrate why suspicion has been raised and to enable the FIS to fully understand the purpose and intended nature of the business relationship, e.g. copy identification and account opening documents, account statements, contract notes, minutes, correspondence, structure charts, transcripts, etc.
APPENDIX D3
SPECIMEN CONSENT NOT REQUIRED OF THE FIS
MLRO Your Ref :
FIS Ref :
PRIVATE & CONFIDENTIAL - ADDRESSEE ONLY
Dear
Thank you for the disclosure of information you have provided under the provisions of the Disclosure (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 2007 concerning:- XXXXXXXXX Your suspicions have been noted. Based upon the information provided please note that this is not a consent issue. This does not release you from your obligation in respect of all future transactions on the account or arising from the relationship to comply with the relevant anti money laundering legislation and to have due regard to the Guernsey Financial Services Commission Handbook on countering financial crime and terrorist financing. Thank-you for your continued co-operation. Yours sincerely
APPENDIX D4
SPECIMEN CONSENT OF THE FIS
MLRO Your Ref :
FIS Ref :
PRIVATE & CONFIDENTIAL - ADDRESSEE ONLY
Dear
Thank you for the disclosure of information you have provided under the provisions of the Disclosure (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 2007 concerning [insert subject here] Your suspicions have been noted. Based upon the information provided you have consent to continue or maintain the account(s) or other relationship. This does not release you from your obligation in respect of all future transactions on the account or arising from the relationship to comply with the relevant anti money laundering legislation and to have due regard to the Guernsey Financial Services Commission Handbook on countering financial crime and terrorist financing. Thank you for your continued co-operation. Yours sincerely
APPENDIX D5
SPECIMEN CONSENT REFUSED OF THE FIS
MLRO Your Ref :
FIS Ref :
PRIVATE & CONFIDENTIAL - ADDRESSEE ONLY
Dear
Thank you for the disclosure of information you have provided under the provisions of the Disclosure (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 2007 concerning: - XXXXXXXXX Your suspicions have been noted. Based upon the information provided you do not have consent to: XXXXXXXXX This does not release you from your obligation in respect of all future transactions on the account or arising from the relationship to comply with the relevant anti money laundering legislation and to have due regard to the Guernsey Financial Services Commission Handbook on countering financial crime and terrorist financing. Thank-you for your continued co-operation. Yours sincerely
APPENDIX D6
SPECIMEN ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF THE FIS
MLRO Your Ref :
FIS Ref :
PRIVATE & CONFIDENTIAL - ADDRESSEE ONLY
Dear
Thank you for the disclosure of information you have provided concerning:
XXXXXXXXXX
The information has been noted.
Thank you for your continued co-operation.
Yours sincerely
APPENDIX E
GUIDANCE ON PROSECUTION FOR TIPPING OFF
This guidance is issued by HM Procureur in his capacity as the prosecuting authority within the Bailiwick and it does not constitute legal advice. Anyone who has concerns about any of the matters covered in this guidance should obtain independent legal advice. A glossary of terms used in this document is set out at the end. BACKGROUND It has come to the attention of the Bailiwick authorities that the finance industry and others would welcome clarification of the reach of the tipping off offences. Amendments to the Disclosure Law and the Terrorism Law are under consideration. In the meantime, this guidance is issued to clarify the circumstances in which prosecution will be pursued. It may be revoked or amended at any time. THE TIPPING OFF OFFENCES The tipping off offences were introduced to underpin the regime for making SARS (that is, required disclosures) under the Disclosure Law and the Terrorism Law. Their purpose is to prevent the subject of a SAR or other person from causing prejudice to ongoing or future investigations into money laundering or terrorist financing as the case may be. In order to achieve this, it is important that as few people as possible are aware that a SAR has been made. For this reason the scope of the offences is necessarily very wide, with a correspondingly narrow range of exemptions, and the offences carry substantial penalties. However, it was not and is not the intention of the Bailiwick authorities that the tipping off offences should forestall legitimate attempts to prevent money laundering and terrorist financing. It is extremely important that those working in the finance sector and other affected industries are content that they are able to communicate concerns if they are to discharge their AML/CFT responsibilities effectively. PROSECUTION For the avoidance of doubt it is confirmed that no prosecutions will be brought against persons who disclose the fact that a SAR has been or will be made, if the disclosure is made by one member of an organisation to another for the purposes of discharging AML/CFT responsibilities and functions. This will also be the case in respect of a disclosure made to linked organisations such as head offices or other branches of the same institution, again providing that it is made to discharge AML/CFT responsibilities and functions. However, this will not apply if the disclosure is made in circumstances where there are grounds to believe that it may prejudice an investigation. HM Procureur October 2011
APPENDIX E (CONTINUED)
GLOSSARY
AML/CFT Anti –Money Laundering/Countering the Financing of Terrorism Disclosure Law Disclosure (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law 2007 MLRO Money Laundering Reporting Officer SAR Suspicious Activity Report Terrorism Law Terrorism and Crime (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law 2002 Tipping Off Offences Offences at section 4 of the Disclosure Law and section 40 of the Terrorism Law
APPENDIX F
GUERNSEY STATUTORY INSTRUMENT
2007 No.33
The Criminal Justice (Proceeds of Crime) (Financial Services Businesses) (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Regulations, 2007a [CONSOLIDATED TEXT] NOTE This consolidated version of the enactment incorporates all amendments listed in the footnote below. However, while it is believed to be accurate and up to date, it is not authoritative and has no legal effect, having been prepared in-house for the assistance of the Law Officers. No warranty is given that the text is free of errors and omissions, and no liability is accepted for any loss arising from its use. The authoritative text of the enactment and of the amending instruments may be obtained from Her Majesty's Greffier, Royal Court House, Guernsey, GY1 2PB.
a
Amended by Order in Council No. XV of 2008 (Registration of Non-Regulated Financial Services Businesses (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 2008); G.S.I. No. 48 of 2008 (The Criminal Justice (Proceeds of Crime) (Financial Services Businesses) (Bailiwick of Guernsey) (Amendment) Regulations, 2008); G.S.I. No. 73 of 2008 (The Criminal Justice (Proceeds of Crime) (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 1999 (Amendment of Schedules 1 and 2) Regulations, 2008; and G.S.I. No. 30 of 2009 (The Criminal Justice (Proceeds of Crime) (Financial Services Businesses) (Bailiwick of Guernsey) (Amendment) Regulations, 2009); G.S.I. No. 12 of 2010 (The Criminal Justice (Proceeds of Crime) (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 1999 (Amendment of Schedules 1 and 2) Regulations, 2010; and G.S.I. No. 13 of 2010 (The Criminal Justice (Proceeds of Crime) (Financial Services Businesses) (Bailiwick of Guernsey) (Amendment) Regulations, 2010); G.S.I. No. 58 of 2010 (The Criminal Justice (Proceeds of Crime) (Financial Services Businesses) (Bailiwick of Guernsey) (Amendment) (No.2) Regulations, 2010); the Terrorist Asset-Freezing (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 2011 (No. XI of 2011); G.S.I. No. of 2013 (The Criminal Justice (Proceeds of Crime) (Financial Services Businesses) (Bailiwick of Guernsey) (Amendment) Regulations, 2013).
GUERNSEY STATUTORY INSTRUMENT
2007 No.33
The Criminal Justice (Proceeds of Crime) (Financial Services Businesses) (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Regulations, 2007 ARRANGEMENT OF REGULATIONS
PART I
INTRODUCTORY PROVISIONS AND RISK ASSESSMENT
PART IIIA
REQUIREMENT TO REGISTER IN CERTAIN CASES
15A. Application of Part.
15B. Requirement to register.
15C. Application for registration.
15D. General requirements.
15E. List of, and information as to, financial services businesses registered under Part IIIA.
PART IIIB
DESIGNATION OF SUPERVISORY AUTHORITY
15F. Guernsey Financial Services Commission.
PART IV
MISCELLANEOUS
16. Notification etc.
16A. Offences as to false and misleading information.
17. Offences.
18. Amendment to the Law.
19. Interpretation.
20. Revocation.
Schedule Amendment to the Law.
GUERNSEY STATUTORY INSTRUMENT
2007 No.33
The Criminal Justice (Proceeds of Crime) (Financial Services Businesses) (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Regulations, 2007 Made 10th December, 2007 Coming into operation 15th December, 2007 Laid before the States 30th January, 2008 THE POLICY COUNCIL, in exercise of the powers conferred upon it by section 49 and 54 of the Criminal Justice (Proceeds of Crime) (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 1999b and of all other powers enabling it in that behalf, hereby makes the following Regulations:-
PART I
INTRODUCTORY PROVISIONS AND RISK ASSESSMENT
Citation.
b
Order in Council No. VIII of 1999, as amended by Order in Council No. II of 2005 and No. XV of 2007, Ordinance XXVIII of 1999, Ordinance XII of 2002, G.S.I. No. 27 of 2002 and certain sections of the Law are modified in their application to external confiscation orders by Ordinance XXXIII of 1999.
Risk assessment and mitigation.
3. (1) A financial services business must-
(a) carry out and document a suitable and sufficient money laundering and terrorist financing business risk assessment which is specific to the financial services business- (i) as soon as reasonably practicable after these Regulations come into force, or (ii) in the case of a financial services business which only becomes such on or after the date these Regulations come into force, as soon as reasonably practicable after it becomes such a business, and (b) regularly review its business risk assessment, at a minimum annually, so as to keep it up to date and, where, as a result of that review, changes to the business risk assessment are required, it must make those changes, (2) A financial services business must- (a) prior to the establishment of a business relationship or the carrying out of an occasional transaction, undertake a risk assessment of that proposed business relationship or occasional transaction, (b) regularly review any risk assessment carried out under subparagraph (a) so as to keep it up to date and, where changes to that risk assessment are required, it must make those changes, and (c) ensure that its policies, procedures and controls on forestalling,
preventing and detecting money laundering and terrorist financing are appropriate and effective, having regard to the assessed risk. (3) A financial services business must have regard to – (a) any relevant rules and guidance in the Handbook; and (b) any notice or instruction issued by the Commission under the Law, in determining, for the purposes of these Regulations, what constitutes a high or low risk.
PART II
CUSTOMER DUE DILIGENCE ETC.
Customer due diligence.
4. (1) A financial services business shall, subject to the following provisions of
these Regulations, ensure that the steps in paragraph (3) are carried out - (a) when carrying out the activities in paragraphs (2)(a) and (b) and in the circumstances in paragraphs (2)(c) and (d), and (b) in relation to a business relationship established prior to the coming into force of these Regulations - (i) in respect of which there is maintained an anonymous account or an account in a fictitious name, as soon as possible after the coming into force of these Regulations and in any event before such account is used again in any way, and
(ii) where it does not fall within subparagraph (i) and to the extent that such steps have not already been carried out, at appropriate times on a risk-sensitive basis. (2) The activities and circumstances referred to in paragraph (1) are - (a) establishing a business relationship, (b) carrying out an occasional transaction, (c) where the financial services business knows or suspects or has reasonable grounds for knowing or suspecting - (i) that, notwithstanding any exemptions or thresholds pursuant to these Regulations, any party to a business relationship is engaged in money laundering or terrorist financing, or (ii) that it is carrying out a transaction on behalf of a person, including a beneficial owner or underlying principal, who is engaged in money laundering or terrorist financing, and (d) where the financial services business has doubts about the veracity or adequacy of previously obtained identification data. (3) The steps referred to in paragraph (1) are that - (a) the customer shall be identified and his identity verified using identification data,
(b) any person purporting to act on behalf of the customer shall be identified and his identity and his authority to so act shall be verified, (c) the beneficial owner and underlying principal shall be identified and reasonable measures shall be taken to verify such identity using identification data and such measures shall include, in the case of a legal person or legal arrangement, measures to understand the ownership and control structure of the customer, (d) a determination shall be made as to whether the customer is acting on behalf of another person and, if the customer is so acting, reasonable measures shall be taken to obtain sufficient identification data to identify and verify the identity of that other person, (e) information shall be obtained on the purpose and intended nature of each business relationship, and (f) a determination shall be made as to whether the customer, beneficial owner and any underlying principal is a politically exposed person. (4) A financial services business must have regard to any relevant rules and guidance in the Handbook in determining, for the purposes of this regulation and regulation 5, what constitutes reasonable measures. Additional customer due diligence.
5. (1) Where a financial services business is required to carry out customer due
diligence, it must also carry out enhanced customer due diligence in relation to the following business relationships or occasional transactions -
(a) a business relationship or occasional transaction in which the customer or any beneficial owner or underlying principal is a politically exposed person, (b) a business relationship which is- (i) a correspondent banking relationship, or (ii) similar to such a relationship in that it involves the provision of services, which themselves amount to financial services business or facilitate the carrying on of such business, by one financial services business to another, (c) a business relationship or an occasional transaction - (i) where the customer is established or situated in a country or territory that does not apply or insufficiently applies the Financial Action Task Force Recommendations on Money Laundering, or (ii) which the financial services business considers to be a high risk relationship, taking into account any notices, instructions or warnings issued from time to time by the Commission, and (d) a business relationship or an occasional transaction which has been assessed as a high risk relationship pursuant to regulation 3(2)(a). (2) In paragraph (1) –
(a) "enhanced customer due diligence" means
(i) obtaining senior management approval for establishing a business relationship or undertaking an occasional transaction, (ii) obtaining senior management approval for, in the case of an existing business relationship with a politically exposed person, continuing that relationship, (iii) taking reasonable measures to establish the source of any funds and of the wealth of the customer and beneficial owner and underlying principal, (iv) carrying out more frequent and more extensive ongoing monitoring in accordance with regulation 11, and (v) taking one or more of the following steps as would be appropriate to the particular business relationship or occasional transaction – (A) obtaining additional identification data, (B) verifying additional aspects of the customer’s identity, and (C) obtaining additional information to understand the purpose and intended nature of each business relationship. (b) "politically exposed person" means -
(i) a person who has, or has had at any time, a prominent public function or who has been elected or appointed to such a function in a country or territory other than the Bailiwick including, without limitation - (A) heads of state or heads of government, (B) senior politicians and other important officials of political parties, (C) senior government officials, (D) senior members of the judiciary, (E) senior military officers, and (F) senior executives of state owned body corporates, (ii) an immediate family member of such a person including, without limitation, a spouse, partner, parent, child, sibling, parent-in-law or grandchild of such a person and in this subparagraph "partner" means a person who is considered by the law of the country or territory in which the relevant public function is held as being equivalent to a spouse, or (iii) a close associate of such a person, including, without limitation - (A) a person who is widely known to maintain a close business relationship with such a person, or
(B) a person who is in a position to conduct substantial financial transactions on behalf of such a person. (3) [Deleted by the Criminal Justice (Proceeds of Crime) (Financial Services Businesses) (Bailiwick of Guernsey) (Amendment) Regulations, 2009] (4) Where the customer was not a Guernsey resident when a financial services business carried out an activity set out in regulation 4(2)(a) or (b), a financial services business must take adequate measures to compensate for the specific risk arising as a result - (a) when carrying out customer due diligence, and (b) where the activity was establishing a business relationship, when carrying out monitoring of that relationship pursuant to regulation 11. Customer due diligence for low risk relationships.
6. (1) Where a financial services business is required to carry out customer due
diligence in relation to a business relationship or occasional transaction which has been assessed as a low risk relationship pursuant to regulation 3(2)(a), it may, subject to the following provisions of this regulation - (a) apply reduced or simplified customer due diligence measures, or (b) treat an intermediary as if it were the customer. (2) The discretion in paragraph (1) may only be exercised -
in accordance with the requirements set out in chapter 6 of the Handbook. (3) For the avoidance of doubt, the discretion in paragraph (1) shall not be exercised - (a) where the financial services business knows or suspects or has reasonable grounds for knowing or suspecting that any party to a business relationship or any beneficial owner or underlying principal is engaged in money laundering or terrorist financing, or (b) in relation to business relationships or occasional transactions where the risk is other than low. Timing of identification and verification.
7. (1) Identification and verification of the identity of any person or legal
arrangement pursuant to regulations 4 to 6 must, subject to paragraph (2) and regulation 4(1)(b), be carried out before or during the course of establishing a business relationship or before carrying out an occasional transaction. (2) Verification of the identity of the customer and of any beneficial owners and underlying principals may be completed following the establishment of a business relationship provided that - (a) it is completed as soon as reasonably practicable thereafter, (b) the need to do so is essential not to interrupt the normal conduct of business, and (c) appropriate and effective policies, procedures and controls are in place which operate so as to manage risk.
Accounts and shell banks.
8. (1) A financial services business must, in relation to all customers-
(a) not set up anonymous accounts or accounts in fictitious names, and (b) maintain accounts in a manner which facilitates the meeting of the requirements of these Regulations. (2) A financial services business must - (a) not enter into, or continue, a correspondent banking relationship with a shell bank, and (b) take appropriate measures to ensure that it does not enter into, or continue, a correspondent banking relationship where the respondent bank is known to permit its accounts to be used by a shell bank. (3) In this regulation - (a) "consolidated supervision" means supervision by a regulatory authority of all aspects of the business of a group of bodies corporate carried on worldwide, to ensure compliance with- (i) the Financial Action Task Force Recommendations on Money Laundering; and (ii) other international requirements,
and in accordance with the Core Principles of Effective Banking Supervision issued by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision as revised or reissued from time to time, (b) "physical presence" means the presence of persons involved in a meaningful way in the running and management of the bank which, for the avoidance of doubt, is not satisfied by the presence of a local agent or junior staff, and (c) "shell bank" means a bank that has no physical presence in the country or territory in which it is incorporated and licensed and which is not a member of a group of bodies corporate which is subject to effective consolidated supervision. Non-compliance with customer due diligence measures etc.
9. Where a financial services business can not comply with any of regulation
4(3)(a) to (d) it must -
(a) in the case of an existing business relationship, terminate that business relationship, (b) in the case of a proposed business relationship or occasional transaction, not enter into that business relationship or carry out that occasional transaction with the customer, and (c) consider whether a disclosure must be made pursuant to Part I of the Disclosure Lawc or section 15 or 15A of the Terrorism Lawd .
c
Approved by resolution of the States on 30th May 2007. d Order in Council No. XVI of 2002 as amended by Order in Council No. XIII of 2006 and Ordinance No. XLVI of 2007.
Introduced business.
10. (1) In the circumstances set out in paragraph (2), a financial services
business may accept a written confirmation of identity and other matters from an introducer in relation to the requirements of regulation 4(3)(a) to (e) provided that - (a) the financial services business also requires copies of identification data and any other relevant documentation to be made available by the introducer to the financial services business upon request and without delay, and (b) the introducer […] keeps such identification data and documents. (2) The circumstances referred to in paragraph (1) are that the introducer - (a) is an Appendix C business, or (b) is either an overseas branch of, or a member of the same group of bodies corporate as, the financial services business with which it is entering into the business relationship ("receiving financial services business"), and - (i) the ultimate parent body corporate of the group of bodies corporate of which both the introducer and the receiving financial services business are members, falls within paragraph (2)(a), and (ii) the conduct of the introducer is subject to requirements to forestall, prevent and detect money laundering and terrorist financing that are consistent with those in the Financial Action Task Force Recommendations on Money Laundering in respect of such a business, and
(iii) the conduct of which is supervised for compliance with the requirements referred to in subparagraph (ii), by the Commission or an overseas regulatory authority. (3) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), where reliance is placed upon the introducer the responsibility for complying with the relevant provisions of regulation 4 remains with the receiving financial services business.
PART III
ENSURING COMPLIANCE AND RECORD KEEPING
Monitoring transactions and other activity.
11. (1) A financial services business shall perform ongoing and effective
monitoring of any existing business relationship, which shall include- (a) reviewing identification data to ensure it is kept up to date and relevant in particular for high risk relationships or customers in respect of whom there is a high risk, (b) scrutiny of any transactions or other activity, paying particular attention to all - (i) complex transactions, (ii) transactions which are both large and unusual, and (iii) unusual patterns of transactions, which have no apparent economic purpose or no apparent lawful purpose, and
(c) ensuring that the way in which identification data is recorded and stored is such as to facilitate the ongoing monitoring of each business relationship. (2) The extent of any monitoring carried out under this regulation and the frequency at which it is carried out shall be determined on a risk sensitive basis including whether or not the business relationship is a high risk relationship. Reporting suspicion.
12. A financial services business shall -
(a) appoint a person of at least management level as the money laundering reporting officer and provide the name and title of that person to the Commission and the Financial Intelligence Service as soon as is reasonably practicable and, in any event, within fourteen days starting from the date of that person’s appointment, (b) nominate another person to receive disclosures, under Part I of the Disclosure Law and section 15 of the Terrorism Law ("nominated officer"), in the absence of the money laundering reporting officer, and ensure that any relevant employee is aware of the name of that nominated officer, (c) ensure that where a relevant employee, other than the money laundering reporting officer, is required to make a disclosure under Part I of the Disclosure Law or section 15 of the Terrorism Law, that this is done by way of a report to the money laundering reporting officer, or, in his absence, to a nominated officer, (d) ensure that the money laundering reporting officer, or in his absence a nominated officer, in determining whether or not he is
required to make a disclosure under Part I of the Disclosure Law or section 15A of the Terrorism Law, takes into account all relevant information, (e) ensure that the money laundering reporting officer, or, in his absence, a nominated officer, is given prompt access to any other information which may be of assistance to him in considering any report, and (f) ensure that it establishes and maintains such other appropriate and effective procedures and controls as are necessary to ensure compliance with requirements to make disclosures under Part I of the Disclosure Law and sections 15 and 15A of the Terrorism Law. Employee screening and training.
13. (1) A financial services business shall maintain appropriate and effective
procedures, when hiring employees, for the purpose of ensuring high standards of employee probity and competence. (2) A financial services business shall ensure that relevant employees receive comprehensive ongoing training in - (a) the relevant enactments, these Regulations and the Handbook, (b) the personal obligations of employees and their potential criminal liability under these Regulations and the relevant enactments, (c) the implications of non-compliance by employees with any rules, guidance, instructions, notices or other similar instruments made for the purposes of these Regulations, and
(d) its policies, procedures and controls for the purposes of forestalling, preventing and detecting money laundering and terrorist financing. (3) A financial services business shall identify relevant employees who, in view of their particular responsibilities, should receive additional and ongoing training, appropriate to their roles, in the matters set out in paragraph (2) and must provide such additional training. Record-keeping.
14. (1) A financial services business shall keep-
(a) a transaction document and any customer due diligence information, or (b) a copy thereof, for the minimum retention period. (2) Where a financial services business is required by any enactment, rule of law or court order to provide a transaction document or any customer due diligence information to any person before the end of the minimum retention period, the financial services business shall- (a) keep a copy of the transaction document or customer due diligence information until the period has ended or the original is returned, whichever occurs first, and (b) maintain a register of transaction documents and customer due diligence information so provided.
(3) A financial services business shall also keep records of - (a) any reports made to a money laundering reporting officer as referred to in regulation 12 and of any disclosure made under Part I of the Disclosure Law or section 15 or 15A of the Terrorism Law made other than by way of a report to the money laundering reporting officer, for five years starting from- (i) in the case of a report or a disclosure in relation to a business relationship, the date the business relationship ceased, or (ii) in the case of a report or a disclosure in relation to an occasional transaction, the date that transaction was completed, (b) any training carried out under regulation 13 for five years starting from the date the training was carried out, (c) any minutes or other documents prepared pursuant to regulation 15(c) until - (i) the expiry of a period of five years starting from the date they were finalised, or (ii) they are superseded by later minutes or other documents prepared under that regulation, whichever occurs later, and (d) its policies, procedures and controls which it is required to establish and maintain pursuant to these Regulations, until the
expiry of a period of five years starting from the date that they ceased to be operative. (4) Documents and customer due diligence information, including any copies thereof, kept under this regulation - (a) may be kept in any manner or form, provided that they are readily retrievable, and (b) must be made available promptly – (i) to an auditor, and (ii) to any police officer, the Financial Intelligence Service, the Commission or any other person, where such documents or customer due diligence information are requested pursuant to these Regulations or any relevant enactment. Ensuring compliance, corporate responsibility and related requirements.
15. (1) A financial services business must, in addition to complying with the
preceding requirements of these Regulations - (a) establish such other policies, procedures and controls as may be appropriate and effective for the purposes of forestalling, preventing and detecting money laundering and terrorist financing, (b) establish and maintain an effective policy, for which responsibility must be taken by the board, for the review of its compliance with the requirements of these Regulations and such policy shall
include provision as to the extent and frequency of such reviews, (c) ensure that a review of its compliance with these Regulations is discussed and minuted at a meeting of the board at appropriate intervals, and in considering what is appropriate a financial services business must have regard to the risk taking into account - (i) the size, nature and complexity of the financial services business, (ii) its customers, products and services, and (iii) the ways in which it provides those products and services, (d) subject to paragraph (2) ensure that any of its branch offices and, where it is a body corporate, any body corporate of which it is the majority shareholder, which, in either case, is a financial services business in any country or territory outside the Bailiwick, complies there with - (i) the requirements of these Regulations, and (ii) any requirements under the law applicable in that country or territory which are consistent with the Financial Action Task Force Recommendations on Money Laundering, provided that, where requirements under subparagraphs (i) and (ii) differ, a financial services business must ensure that the requirement which provides the highest standard of compliance, by reference to the Financial Action Task Force Recommendations on Money Laundering, is complied with.
(2) The obligation under paragraph (1)(d) applies to the extent that the law of the relevant country or territory allows and if the law of the that country or territory does not so allow in relation to any requirement of these Regulations, the financial services business must notify the Commission accordingly.
PART IIIA
REQUIREMENT TO REGISTER IN CERTAIN CASES
Application of Part.
15A. This Part applies to those persons who are financial services businesses by virtue of falling within paragraphs 20 to 23 of Part I of Schedule 1 to the Law and who are also financial services businesses by virtue of falling within paragraphs 4 or 5 ("money or value transfer services") or 12 or 13 ("money or currency changing services") of the said Part I. Requirement to register. 15B. (1) Subject to paragraph (2), a financial services business to which this Part applies must be registered by the Commission for the purposes of this Part. (2) A financial services business which, immediately prior to the commencement of this Part, is carrying on, and continues to carry on, money or value transfer services or money or currency changing services, shall not, during a period of one month immediately following the commencement of this Part, be guilty of an offence under regulation 17(1) provided that an application for registration in accordance with regulation 15C is submitted before the expiration of that period. Application for registration. 15C. A financial services business to which this Part applies shall apply to the Commission in such form and manner as the Commission may determine; and such application shall be accompanied by a statement of- (a) the legal name and any trading names of the applicant,
(b) its principal place of business and any other business addresses in the Bailiwick, and (c) details of the type of money or value transfer services or money or currency changing services provided. General requirements. 15D. A financial services business which has been registered under this Part must inform the Commission of any change to the information given to the Commission for the purposes of its application for registration under Regulation 15C, or to any information given to the Commission thereafter – (a) prior to making such a change, or (b) where a change is sudden or unexpected, promptly after such change is made, and for the purposes of this paragraph a change to such information shall include the intention to cease providing money or value transfer services or money currency or changing services. List of, and information as to, financial services businesses registered under Part IIIA. 15E. (1) The Commission shall – (a) establish and maintain, in such form as the Commission may determine, a list of all financial services businesses which are for the time being registered under this Part, (b) make available to any person, on request and on payment of such charge (if any) as the Commission may reasonably demand to cover the cost of preparation, a copy of that list, and
(c) publish a copy of the list on the Commission's official website. (2) The list maintained under paragraph (1) shall contain, in relation to each financial services business registered under this Part - (a) a statement of - (i) the legal name and any trading names of the business, (ii) its principal place of business and any other business addresses in the Bailiwick, and (iii) details of the type or types of financial services business falling within paragraph 4 or 5 ("money or value transfer services") or 12 or 13 ("money or currency changing services") by virtue of which it is a financial services business, and (b) such other particulars as the Commission may determine. (3) If at any time it appears to the Commission that the list maintained under paragraph (1), or any particular contained in an entry in that list, is, for any reason, inaccurate, the Commission shall make such addition, erasure or other alteration to that list or entry as the Commission considers necessary. (4) The Commission may give public notice of the fact that a particular financial services business has been registered, or has ceased to be registered, under this Part.
PART IIIB
DESIGNATION OF SUPERVISORY AUTHORITY
Guernsey Financial Services Commission.
15F. (1) The Commission is prescribed as the supervisory authority with responsibility for monitoring and enforcing compliance by financial services businesses with regulations and other measures made or issued under the Law, or any other enactment, for the purpose of forestalling, preventing or detecting money laundering and terrorist financing. (2) The Commission is also designated as the competent authority– (a) to register financial service businesses under Part IIIA, and (b) to register financial businesses under section 2 of the Registration of Non-Regulated Financial Services Businesses (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 2008. (3) For the purpose of paragraph (1), "measures" includes rules, guidance, instructions, notices and other similar instruments.
PART IV
MISCELLANEOUS
Notification etc.
16. (1) [Repealed by the Registration of Non-Regulated Financial Services
Businesses (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 2008] (2) [Repealed by the Registration of Non-Regulated Financial Services Businesses (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 2008] (3) [Repealed by the Registration of Non-Regulated Financial Services Businesses (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 2008]
(4) [Repealed by the Registration of Non-Regulated Financial Services Businesses (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 2008] (5) Any person who is a financial services business by virtue of providing money or value transmission services shall maintain a current list of its agents for such services, which shall be made available to the Commission on demand. Offences as to false and misleading information. 16A. If a person - (a) in connection with an application for, or for the purposes of obtaining, a registration under Part IIIA of these Regulations, (b) in purported compliance with a requirement imposed by these Regulations, or (c) otherwise than as mentioned in paragraph (a) or (b) but in circumstances in which that person intends, or could reasonably be expected to know, that any statement, information or document provided by him would or might be used by the Commission for the purpose of exercising its functions conferred by these Regulations, does any of the following - (i) makes a statement which he knows or has reasonable cause to believe to be false, deceptive or misleading in a material particular, (ii) dishonestly or otherwise, recklessly makes a statement which is false, deceptive or misleading in a material particular,
(iii) produces or furnishes or causes or permits to be produced or furnished any information or document which he knows or has reasonable cause to believe to be false, deceptive or misleading in a material particular, or (iv) dishonestly or otherwise, recklessly produces or furnishes or recklessly causes or permits to be produced or furnished any information or document which is false, deceptive or misleading in a material particular, he is guilty of an offence and liable on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment not exceeding a term of five years or a fine or both or on summary conviction, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or a fine not exceeding level 5 on the uniform scale or both. Offences.
17. (1) Any person who contravenes any requirement of these
Regulations shall be guilty of an offence and liable - (a) on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment not exceeding a term of five years or a fine or both, (b) on summary conviction, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or a fine not exceeding level 5 on the Uniform Scale or both. (2) [Omitted by The Criminal Justice (Proceeds of Crime) (Financial Services Businesses) (Bailiwick of Guernsey) (Amendment) Regulations, 2008] (3) [Omitted by The Criminal Justice (Proceeds of Crime) (Financial Services Businesses) (Bailiwick of Guernsey) (Amendment) Regulations, 2008] (4) [Omitted by The Criminal Justice (Proceeds of Crime) (Financial Services Businesses) (Bailiwick of Guernsey) (Amendment) Regulations, 2008]
Amendment to the Law.
18. (1) The Law shall be amended as follows.
(2) For Schedule 1 to the Law substitute the Schedule 1 set out in the
Schedule to these Regulations.
Interpretation.
19. (1) In these Regulations, unless the context otherwise requires -
"2002 Regulations" means the Criminal Justice (Proceeds of Crime) (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Regulations, 2002, "account" means a bank account and any other business relationship between a financial services business and a customer which is of a similar nature having regard to the services offered by the financial services business, "appendix C business" means - (a) a financial services business supervised by the Commission, or (b) a business which is carried on from - (i) a country or territory listed in Appendix C to the Handbook and which would, if it were carried on in the Bailiwick, be a financial services business, or (ii) the United Kingdom, the Bailiwick of Jersey, the Bailiwick of Guernsey or the Isle of Man by a lawyer or an accountant, and, in either case, is a business - (A) which may only be carried on in that
country or territory by a person regulated for that purpose under the law of that country or territory, (B) the conduct of which is subject to requirements to forestall, prevent and detect money laundering and terrorist financing that are consistent with those in the Financial Action Task Force Recommendations on Money Laundering in respect of such a business, and (C) the conduct of which is supervised for compliance with the requirements referred to in subparagraph (B), by the Commission or an overseas regulatory authority, "Bailiwick" means the Bailiwick of Guernsey, "bank" means a person who accepts deposits, including a person who does so in a country or territory outside the Bailiwick, in the course of carrying on a deposit-taking business within the meaning of the Banking Supervision (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 1994e and related expressions shall be construed accordingly, "beneficial owner" means, in relation to a business relationship or occasional transaction - (a) the natural person who ultimately owns or controls the customer, and
e
No. XIII of 1994 as amended by No. XVII and XXI of 2002, No. XVI of 2003 and [No of 2007 and Guernsey S.I. No. of 2007.]
(b) a person on whose behalf the business relationship or occasional transaction is to be or is being conducted and, in the case of a foundation or trust or other legal arrangement, this shall mean - (i) any beneficiary in whom an interest has vested, and (ii) any other person who benefits from that foundation or trust or other legal arrangement, "board" means - (a) the board of directors of a financial services business, where it is a body corporate, or (b) the senior management of a financial services business, where it is not a body corporate, "business relationship" means a business, professional or commercial relationship between a financial services business and a customer which is expected by the financial services business, at the time when contact is established, to have an element of duration. "business risk assessment" means an assessment which documents the exposure of a business to money laundering and terrorist financing risks, and vulnerabilities, taking into account its - (a) size, nature and complexity, and (b) customers, products and services and the ways in which it provides those services,
"the Commission" means the Guernsey Financial Services Commission established by the Financial Services Commission (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 1987f , "correspondent banking relationship" means a business relationship which involves the provision of banking services by one bank ("the correspondent bank") to another bank ("the respondent bank"), "customer" means a person or legal arrangement who is seeking - (a) to establish or has established, a business relationship with a financial services business, or (b) to carry out, or has carried out, an occasional transaction with a financial services business, except that where such a person or legal arrangement is an introducer, the customer is the person or legal arrangement on whose behalf the introducer is seeking to establish or has established the business relationship, "customer due diligence" means the steps which a financial services business is required to carry out pursuant to regulation 4(3), "customer due diligence information" means - (a) identification data, and (b) any account files and correspondence relating to the business relationship or occasional transaction,
f
Ordres en Conseil Vol. XXX, p. 243, Orders in Council No. XX of 1991, No. XIII of 1994, No. II of 1997, No. II of 1998 and Nos. XVII and XXI of 2002, No. XXII of 2003 and Ordinance No. XXXIV of 2005.
"Disclosure Law" means the Disclosure (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 2007, "document" includes information recorded in any form (including, without limitation, in electronic form), "employee" means an individual working, including on a temporary basis, for a financial services business whether under a contract of employment, a contract for services or otherwise, "enactment" includes a Law, an Ordinance or any subordinate legislation and any provision or portion of a Law, an Ordinance or any subordinate legislation, "enhanced customer due diligence" shall be construed in accordance with regulation 5(2)(a), "Financial Action Task Force Recommendations on Money Laundering" means the International Standards on Combating Money Laundering and the Financing of Terrorism & Proliferation issued by the Financial Action Task Force as revised or reissued from time to time, "Financial Intelligence Service" means the division of the Financial Investigation Unit, comprising those police officers and other persons assigned to the division for the purpose of the receipt, analysis and dissemination within the Bailiwick, and elsewhere, of disclosures which are more commonly known or referred to as suspicious transaction reports or suspicious activity reports, "Financial Investigation Unit" means that branch of the Customs and Immigration Service responsible for the investigation of financial and economic crime,
"financial services business" means any business specified in Schedule 1 to the Law and includes, unless the context otherwise requires, a person carrying on such a business, “foundation” means – (a) a foundation created under the Foundations (Guernsey) Law, 2012 or (b) an equivalent or similar body created or established under the law of another jurisdiction (and howsoever named), “foundation official” means - (a) in relation to a foundation created under the Foundations (Guernsey) Law, 2012, a foundation official within the meaning of that Law, or (b) in relation to an equivalent or similar body created or established under the law of another jurisdiction, a person with functions corresponding to those of a foundation official described in subparagraph (a). "founder" means - (a) in relation to a foundation created under the Foundations (Guernsey) Law, 2012, a founder within the meaning of that Law, and (b) in relation to an equivalent or similar body created or established under the law of another jurisdiction, a person corresponding to a founder described in subparagraph (a).
"Handbook" means the Handbook for Financial Services Businesses on Countering Financial Crime and Terrorist Financing as revised or re-issued from time to time by the Commission, "high risk relationship" means a business relationship or an occasional transaction which has a high risk of involving money laundering or terrorist financing and related terms shall be construed accordingly, "identification data" means documents which are from a reliable and independent source, "intermediary" means - (a) a financial services business, or (b) a firm of lawyers, or estate agents, operating in Guernsey, which is considered as being the customer of a financial services business when establishing a business relationship, or undertaking an occasional transaction, in accordance with chapter 6 of the Handbook, "introducer" means a financial services business, lawyer or accountant who is seeking to establish or has established, on behalf of another person or legal arrangement who is its customer, a business relationship with a financial services business, "the law" means the Criminal Justice (Proceeds of Crime) (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 1999, "legal arrangement" means an express trust or any other vehicle whatsoever which has a similar legal effect,
"low risk relationship" means a business relationship or an occasional transaction which has a low risk of involving money laundering or terrorist financing and related terms shall be construed accordingly, "minimum retention period" means- (a) in the case of any customer due diligence information - (i) a period of five years starting from the date- (A) where the customer has established a business relationship with the financial services business, that relationship ceased, (B) where the customer has carried out an occasional transaction with the financial services business, that transaction was completed, or (ii) such other longer period as the Commission may direct, (b) in the case of a transaction document - (i) a period of five years starting from the date that both the transaction and any related transaction were completed, or (ii) such other longer period as the Commission may direct,
"money laundering" is any act which -
(a) constitutes an offence under section 38, 39 or 40 of the Law, (b) constitutes an offence under section 57, 58 or 59 of the Drug Trafficking (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 2000g , (c) constitutes an attempt, conspiracy or incitement to commit an offence specified in paragraph (a) or (b), (d) constitutes aiding, abetting, counselling or procuring the commission of an offence specified in paragraph (a) or (b), or (e) would constitute an offence specified in paragraph (a), (b), (c) or (d) if done in the Bailiwick, irrespective of the value of the property involved and for the purposes of this definition having possession of any property shall be taken to be doing an act in relation to it, "money laundering reporting officer" means a manager, partner or director - (a) appointed by a financial services business to have responsibility for compliance with policies, procedures and controls to forestall, prevent and detect money laundering and terrorist financing, and
g
Order in Council No. VII of 2000 as amended by Order in Council No. II of 2005.
(b) nominated by a financial services business to receive disclosures under Part I of the Disclosure Law and section 15 of the Terrorism Law, "notify" means notify in writing, "occasional transaction" means any transaction involving more than £10,000, carried out by the financial services business in question in the course of that business, where no business relationship has been proposed or established and includes such transactions carried out in a single operation or two or more operations that appear to be linked, "police officer" has the meaning in section 51(1) of the Law, "politically exposed person" shall be construed in accordance with regulation 5(2)(b), "relevant employees" means any - (a) member of the board, (b) member of the management of the financial services business, and (c) employees whose duties relate to the financial services business, "relevant enactments" means - (a) [Revoked by the Criminal Justice (Proceeds of Crime) (Financial Services Businesses) (Bailiwick of Guernsey) (Amendment) (No.2) Regulations, 2010]
(b) [Revoked by the Criminal Justice (Proceeds of Crime) (Financial Services Businesses) (Bailiwick of Guernsey) (Amendment) (No.2) Regulations, 2010] (c) the Law, (d) the Drug Trafficking (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 2000, (e) [Revoked by the Criminal Justice (Proceeds of Crime) (Financial Services Businesses) (Bailiwick of Guernsey) (Amendment) (No.2) Regulations, 2010] (f) the Terrorist Asset-Freezing (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 2011, (g) the Al-Qaida and Taliban (Freezing of Funds) (Guernsey) Ordinance, 2011, (h) the Terrorism Law, (i) the Disclosure Law, (j) the Transfer of Funds (Guernsey) Ordinance, 2007h , (k) the Transfer of Funds (Alderney) Ordinance, 2007i , (l) the Transfer of Funds (Sark) Ordinance, 2007,
h
Ordinance No. XIX of 2007. i
Alderney Ordinance No. of 2007.
(m) the Disclosure (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Regulations, 2007, (n) the Terrorism and Crime (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Regulations, 2007, (o) the Registration of Non-Regulated Financial Services Businesses (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 2008, and such enactments relating to money laundering and terrorist financing as may be enacted from time to time in the Bailiwick, "risk" means a risk of money laundering or terrorist financing occurring and "risk assessment" shall be construed accordingly, "subordinate legislation" means any ordinance, statutory instrument, regulation, rule, order, notice, rule of court, resolution, scheme, warrant, byelaw or other instrument made under any enactment and having legislative effect, "Terrorism Law" means the Terrorism and Crime (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 2002, "terrorist financing" means doing any act which - (a) constitutes an offence under section 8, 9, 10 or 11 of the Terrorism Law, or section 9, 10, 11, 12 or 13 of the Terrorist Asset-Freezing (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 2011, or section 2 or 3 of the Al-Qaida and Taliban (Freezing of Funds) (Guernsey) Ordinance, 2011 and, for the purposes of this definition, the "purposes of terrorism" shall include, to the extent that they do not already do so -
(i) any attempt, conspiracy or incitement to carry out terrorism within the meaning of section 1 of the Terrorism Law, or (ii) aiding, abetting, counselling or procuring the carrying out of such terrorism, (b) constitutes an attempt, conspiracy or incitement to commit an offence specified in paragraph (a), (c) constitutes aiding, abetting, counselling or procuring the commission of an offence specified in paragraph (a), or (d) would, in the case of an act done otherwise than in the Bailiwick, constitute an offence specified in paragraph (a), (b) or (c) if done in the Bailiwick, irrespective of the value of the property involved, and for the purposes of this definition having possession of any property shall be taken to be doing an act in relation to it, "transaction document" means a document which is a record of a transaction carried out by a financial services business with a customer or an introducer, "underlying principal" means, in relation to a business relationship or occasional transaction, any person who is not a beneficial owner but who- (a) is a settlor, trustee, protector or enforcer of a trust, or a founder or foundation official of a foundation which is the customer or the beneficiaries of which are the beneficial owners, or
(b) exercises ultimate effective control over the customer or exercises or is to exercise such control over the business relationship or occasional transaction, and in this definition "protector" has the meaning in section 58 of the Regulation of Fiduciaries, Administration Businesses and Company Directors, etc. (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 2000j . (2) A reference to an enactment is to that enactment as from time to time amended, repealed and replaced, extended or applied by or under any other enactment. (3) The Interpretation (Guernsey) Law, 1948k applies to the interpretation of these Regulations. NOTES In section 19, the words in square brackets in subparagraph (a) of the definition of terrorist financing were inserted by the Terrorist Asset-Freezing (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 2011,
section 36, Schedule, paragraph 6, with effect from 26th January, 2012.
Revocation.
20. The 2002 Regulations and the Criminal Justice (Proceeds of Crime) (Bailiwick
of Guernsey) (Amendment) Regulations, 2006l are hereby revoked.
Dated this 10th day of December, 2007
M.W. TORODE
Chief Minister
For and on behalf of the Policy Council
j
Order in Council No. I of 2001, amended by No. XIV of 2003 and No. XVI of 2007 and Guernsey S.I. No. [ ] of 2007]. k Ordres en Conseil Vol. XIII, p. 355. l Guernsey S. I. No. 43 of 2006.
SCHEDULE
regulation 18
AMENDMENT TO THE LAW
"SCHEDULE 1m
section 49
FINANCIAL SERVICES BUSINESSES
m
Please note that amendments have been made to this schedule to reflect changes subsequently made to the Criminal Justice (Proceeds of Crime) (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 1999 by G.S.I. No. 48 of 2008 (The Criminal Justice (Proceeds of Crime) (Financial Services Businesses) (Bailiwick of Guernsey) (Amendment) Regulations, 2008); G.S.I. No. 73 of 2008 (The Criminal Justice (Proceeds of Crime) (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 1999 (Amendment of Schedules 1 and 2) Regulations, 2008; G.S.I. No. 12 of 2010 (The Criminal Justice (Proceeds of Crime) (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 1999 (Amendment of Schedules 1 and 2) Regulations, 2010; and G.S.I. No. of 2013 (The Criminal Justice (Proceeds of Crime) (Bailiwick of Guernsey) law, 1999 (Amendment of Schedules 1 and 2) Regulations, 2013).
authority of a licence granted under the Post Office (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 2001, or (B) a business authorized to sell postage stamps by the holder of a licence under that Law.
5. Facilitating or transmitting money or value through an informal money or value
transfer system or network.
6. Issuing, redeeming, managing or administering means of payment, means of
payment includes, without limitation, credit, charge and debit cards, cheques, travellers’ cheques, money orders and bankers’ drafts and electronic money.
7. Providing financial guarantees or commitments.
8. Trading (by way of spot, forward, swaps, futures, options, etc.) in -
(a) money market instruments (including, without limitation, cheques, bills and certificates of deposit), (b) foreign exchange, exchange, interest rate or index instruments, and (c) commodity futures, transferable securities or other negotiable instruments or financial assets.
9. Participating in securities issues and the provision of financial services related to
such issues, including, without limitation, underwriting or placement as agent (whether publicly or privately).
10. Providing settlement or clearing services for financial assets including, without
limitation, securities, derivative products or other negotiable instruments.
Providing advice to undertakings on capital structure, industrial strategy or
related questions, on mergers or the purchase of undertakings, except where the advice is provided in the course of carrying on the business of a lawyer or accountant.
Money broking.
Money changing.
Providing individual or collective portfolio management services or advice.
Providing safe custody services.
Providing services for the safekeeping or administration of cash or liquid
securities on behalf of clients.
Carrying on the business of a credit union.
Accepting repayable funds other than deposits.
18A. Otherwise investing, administering or managing funds or money on behalf of other persons.
[Omitted by an amendment to Schedule 1 to the Criminal Justice (Proceeds of
Crime) (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 1999 as made by the Criminal Justice (Proceeds of Crime) (Financial Services Businesses) (Bailiwick of Guernsey) (Amendment) Regulations, 2008]
Accepting deposits in the course of carrying on "deposit-taking business" as
defined in the Banking Supervision (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 1994.
Carrying on "controlled investment business" as defined in the Protection of
Investors (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 1987.
Carrying on “long term business” as defined in the Insurance Business
(Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 2002, carrying on business as an “insurance intermediary” in respect of “long term business”, both phrases as defined in the Insurance Managers and Insurance Intermediaries (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 2002 or acting as an insurance manager under the authority of a licence under the Insurance Managers and Insurance Intermediaries (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 2002.
Carrying on "regulated activities" as defined in the Regulation of Fiduciaries,
Administration Businesses and Company Directors, etc. (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 2000, in circumstances where the activity is prohibited except under the authority and in accordance with the conditions of a licence granted by the Commission under section 6 of that Law (a “fiduciary licence”), or carrying on by way of business the activities described in sections 3(1)(g) or (x) of that Law.
PART II
INCIDENTAL AND OTHER ACTIVITIES
(1) Any business falling within paragraphs 2 to 18A carried out in the course
of carrying on the profession of -
(a) [Omitted by an amendment to Schedule 1 to the Criminal Justice (Proceeds of Crime) (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 1999 as made by the Criminal Justice (Proceeds of Crime) (Financial Services Businesses) (Bailiwick of Guernsey) (Amendment) Regulations, 2008] (b) [Omitted by an amendment to Schedule 1 to the Criminal Justice (Proceeds of Crime) (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 1999 as made by the Criminal Justice (Proceeds of Crime) (Financial Services Businesses) (Bailiwick of Guernsey) (Amendment) Regulations, 2008]
(c) an actuary where such business is incidental to the provision of actuarial advice or services. (2) For the purposes of this paragraph, business is incidental to the provision of such advice or services, if - (a) separate remuneration is not being given for the business as well as for such advice or services, (b) such advice or services is not itself business falling within paragraphs 2 to 18A, and (c) the business being carried out is incidental to the main purpose for which that advice or services is provided.
25. The carrying on of any business in Part I -
(a) by way of the provision of in-house legal, accountancy or actuarial advice or services to any business referred to in paragraphs 2 to 23, or (b) in the course of carrying on the profession (respectively) of a lawyer, accountant or actuary for any client carrying on such a business.
26. [Repealed by an amendment to Schedule 1 to the Criminal Justice (Proceeds of
Crime) (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 1999 as made by the Criminal Justice (Proceeds of Crime) (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 1999 (Amendment of Schedules 1 and 2) Regulations, 2010]
Activities constituting the restricted activities of dealing, advising and promotion
for the purposes of Schedule 2 to the Protection of Investors (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 1987 provided that – (a) such activities are carried on by a person who is not incorporated or registered in the Bailiwick, (b) such activities are carried on by a person who does not maintain a physical presence in the Bailiwick, (c) such activities are carried on from a country or territory listed in
Appendix C to the Handbook,
(d) the conduct of such activities is subject to requirements to forestall, prevent and detect money laundering and terrorist financing that are consistent with those in the Financial Action Task Force Recommendations on Money Laundering in respect of such activities, and (e) the conduct of such activities is supervised for compliance with the requirements referred to in item (d), by an overseas regulatory authority.
Any business falling within paragraph 22 which is -
(a) carried on by a person who is licensed in the Bailiwick solely to carry on general insurance business under the Insurance Business (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 2002, (b) carried on by a person who is not incorporated or registered in the Bailiwick, (c) carried on by a person who does not maintain a physical presence in the Bailiwick, (d) not managed in or from within the Bailiwick, and (e) subject to authorisation and supervision by the United Kingdom Financial Services Authority.
A business falling within paragraphs 2 to 18A of Part I provided that-
(a) the total turnover of that business, plus that of any other business falling within Part I carried on by the same person, does not exceed £50,000 per annum, (b) no occasional transactions are carried out in the course of such business, that is to say, any transaction involving more than £10,000, where no business relationship has been proposed or established, including such transactions carried out in a single operation or two or more operations that appear to be linked, (c) the turnover of such business does not exceed 5% of the total turnover of the person carrying on such business,
(d) the business is ancillary, and directly related, to the main activity of the person carrying on the business, (e) in the course of such business, money or value is not transmitted or such transmission is not facilitated by any means, (f) the main activity of the person carrying on the business is not that of a business falling within Part I, (g) the business is provided only to customers of the main activity of the person carrying on the business and is not offered to the public, and (h) the business is not carried on by a person who also carries on a business falling within paragraphs 20 to 23 of Part I.". EXPLANATORY NOTE (This note is not part of the Regulations) These Regulations impose requirements on financial services businesses for the purpose of forestalling and preventing money laundering and terrorist financing. They revoke and replace the Criminal Justice (Proceeds of Crime) (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Regulations, 2002 ("2002 Regulations") which also imposed such requirements. The new Regulations contain significant differences to the 2002 Regulations to reflect revised international recommendations relating to money laundering and terrorist financing. In particular they contain new obligations relating to carrying out risk assessments in relation to a financial service business as a whole and each business relationship it has with a
customer (regulation 3), more precise requirements relating to the identification of persons on whose behalf transactions are carried out or who have effective control over customers (regulation 4), the timing of customer due diligence (regulation 7), provisions relating to the maintenance of customer accounts and carrying on business with shell banks (regulation 8), the monitoring of business relationships (regulation 11) and ensuring compliance and corporate responsibility for compliance (regulation 15). The Regulations also substitute the definition of "financial services business" in
Schedule 1 to the Criminal Justice (Proceeds of Crime) (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 1999
(regulation 18 and the Schedule). The main changes of principle to that definition include that there is an express reference to anything that can only lawfully be done by licence or is exempted from that requirement under the Insurance Managers and Insurance Intermediaries (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 2002. The provisions excluding certain incidental and other activities carried on by lawyers, accountants, actuaries and within a group of companies have been reworded and included in a new Part II to the Schedule.
Part I of the Regulations contains the requirements relating to risk assessment, Part II
the requirements relating to customer due diligence including where enhanced due diligence must be carried out or where reduced or simplified due diligence may be carried out. Part III contains the requirements on financial services businesses to ensure their compliance with the Regulations, on record keeping and on internal reporting of suspicious transactions and employee training. Part IV provides for offences and penalties and makes similar provision to the 2002 Regulations by requiring specified financial services businesses, not licensed under the main financial services regulatory legislation, to notify certain information to the Guernsey Financial Services Commission; it also contains a new obligation on persons providing money or value transmission services to maintain a list of agents. A Court must take into account rules and guidance contained in the Guernsey Financial Services Commission's Handbook for Financial Services Businesses on Countering Financial Crime and Terrorist Financing in determining whether a financial services business has complied with these Regulations.
APPENDIX G
Please note that there are separate Ordinances in respect of Guernsey, Alderney and Sark. The text of the Transfer of Funds (Guernsey) Ordinance, 2007 is set out below, the Ordinances in respect of Alderney and Sark are in virtually the same terms. The Transfer of Funds (Guernsey) Ordinance, 2007 ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS
PART I
INFORMATION TO ACCOMPANY TRANSFERS OF FUNDS
PART III
GENERAL
15. Power for Commission to make rules, instructions and guidance.
16. Regulations, orders, rules, instructions and guidance.
17. Interpretation.
18. Extent.
19. Citation.
20. Commencement.
SCHEDULE: Transfers of funds to which Ordinance does not apply.
The Transfer of Funds (Guernsey) Ordinance, 2007 THE STATES, in pursuance of their Resolution of the 28th day of September 2005a , and in exercise of the powers conferred upon them by sections 1 and 4 of the European Communities (Implementation) (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 1994b and of all other powers enabling them in that behalf, hereby order:-
PART I
INFORMATION TO ACCOMPANY TRANSFERS OF FUNDS
Application.
a
Article XI of Billet d’État No. XIV of 2005.
b Order in Council No. III of 1994.
(a) the address of the payer may be substituted with his date and place of birth (where relevant), his customer identification number or national identity number, and (b) where the payer does not have an account number, the payment service provider of the payer shall substitute it with a unique identifier, which allows the transaction in question to be traced back to that payer. (3) Subject to the following provisions of this section, the payment service provider of the payer must, before transferring any funds, verify the complete information on the payer and such verification must be on the basis of documents, data or other information obtained from a reliable and independent source. (4) In the case of transfers of funds from an account, the payment service provider of the payer may deem verification to have taken place if - (a) it has complied with any relevant requirements in regulations for the time being in force under section 49 of the Proceeds of Crime Lawc relating to the verification of the identity of the payer in connection with the opening of that account and the keeping of information obtained by that verification, or (b) the payer is an existing customer and it is appropriate to do so taking into account the risk of money laundering or terrorist financing occurring. (5) Where a transfer of funds is not made from an account, the payment service provider of the payer must verify the information on the payer only where – (a) the amount transferred exceeds 1000 Euros, or (b) the transaction is carried out in two or more operations- (i) that appear to the payment service provider of the payer to be linked, and (ii) which together exceed 1000 Euros. (6) The payment service provider of the payer shall keep records of the complete information on the payer for five years from the date of the transfer of funds in question. Transfers of funds within the British Islands.
3. (1) Subject to subsection (2), where both the payment service provider of the payer and the
payment service provider of the payee are situated in the British Islands, a transfer of funds need only be accompanied by - (a) the account number of the payer, or
c Order in Council No. VIII of 1999; as amended by Order in Council No. II of 2005; Ordinance XXVIII of 1999; Ordinance XII of 2002; Ordinance XXXIII of 2003; G.S.I. No. 27 of 2002; and certain sections of the Law are modified in their application to external confiscation orders by Ordinance XXXIII of 1999.
(b) where there is no such account number, a unique identifier which allows the transaction in question to be traced back to the payer. (2) The payment service provider of the payer shall, upon request from the payment service provider of the payee, make available to the payment service provider of the payee complete information on the payer within 3 working days excluding the day on which the request was received. Batch file transfers from the British Islands to outside the British Islands.
4. Where there is a batch file transfer from a single payer where any payment service
provider of the payee is situated outside the British Islands, section 2(1) shall not apply to the individual transfer of funds which is bundled together for transmission, provided that - (a) the batch file contains the complete information on the payer in question, and (b) the individual transfer carries the account number of the payer or a unique identifier. Detection of missing information on the payer.
5. A payment service provider of a payee must -
(a) in the messaging or payment and settlement system used to effect a transfer of funds, detect whether the fields relating to information on the payer have been completed using the characters or inputs admissible within the conventions of that messaging or payment and settlement system, (b) have effective procedures in place to detect whether the following information on the payer is missing - (i) for transfers of funds where the payment service provider of the payer is situated in the British Islands, the information required under section 3, and (ii) subject to subparagraph (iii), for transfers of funds where the payment service provider of the payer is situated outside the British Islands- (A) complete information on the payer, or (B) where relevant, the information required under section 9, and (iii) for batch file transfers where the payment service provider of the payer is situated outside the British Islands, the complete information on the payer but only in the batch file and not in the individual transfers bundled therein.
Transfers of funds with missing or incomplete information on the payer.
6. (1) If a payment service provider of a payee becomes aware, when receiving transfers of
funds, that information on the payer required under this Ordinance, is missing or incomplete then, it must, subject to subsections (2) and (3)- (a) reject the transfer, (b) request from the payment service provider of the payer the complete information on the payer, or (c) take such other steps as the Commission may by order direct. (2) Notwithstanding the requirement in subsection (1), the payment service provider of the payee must comply with any relevant requirements of any other enactment relating to money laundering or terrorist financing. (3) The payment service provider of the payee, in deciding whether or not to reject the transfer or request complete information, must take into account any relevant guidance issued by the Commission. (4) Where a payment service provider of a payer regularly fails to supply information on the payer required under this Ordinance, the payment service provider of the payee must – (a) notify the Commission and a police officer of that fact, and (b) take steps to attempt to ensure that such information is supplied and such steps may initially include the issuing of written warnings and written deadlines regarding the supply of the required information. (5) If, following the taking of steps under subsection (4), a payment service provider service provider of the payee must – (a) reject any future transfers of funds from that payment service provider, or (b) decide whether or not to restrict or terminate its business relationship with that payment service provider. Risk-based assessment and record keeping.
7. (1) Where information on the payer accompanying a transfer of funds is missing or
incomplete, the payment service provider of the payee must take this into account in assessing whether the transfer of funds, or any related transaction, is suspicious, and whether, accordingly, a disclosure is required to be made by it or a nominated officer - (a) under Part I of the Disclosure Lawd, and
d Approved by resolution of the States on 30th May 2007.
(b) under Part III of the Terrorism Lawe.
(2) The payment service provider of the payee shall keep records of any information received by it on the payer for five years from the date of the transfer of funds in question. Keeping information on the payer with the transfer.
8. Subject to section 9, any intermediary payment service provider must ensure that any
information received by it on the payer that accompanies a transfer of funds is kept with that transfer. Technical limitations.
9. (1) This section applies where the payment service provider of a payer is situated outside
the British Islands and the intermediary payment service provider is situated within the British Islands. (2) An intermediary payment service provider may use a payment system with technical limitations to send a transfer of funds to a payment service provider of a payee except that where it is aware that information on the payer which is required under this Ordinance is missing or incomplete it must comply with subsection (3). (3) Where an intermediary payment service provider becomes aware, when receiving a transfer of funds, that information on the payer required under this Ordinance is missing or incomplete, it may only use a payment system with technical limitations if – (a) it notifies the payment service provider of the payee that the information is missing or incomplete through– (i) a payment or messaging system, or (ii) another procedure, and (b) the system or procedure is agreed between the intermediary payment service provider and the payment service provider of the payee. (4) Where an intermediary payment service provider uses a system with technical limitations, it shall, upon request from the payment service provider of the payee, make available to the payment service provider of the payee, all information on the payer which it has received, within 3 working days excluding the day on which the request was received. (5) Where an intermediary payment service provider uses a system with technical limitations it must keep records of any information on the payer received by it for five years from the date of the transfer in question.
e Order in Council No. XVI of 2002 as amended by Order in Council No. XIII of 2006.
(6) In this section "technical limitations" means technical limitations which prevent information on the payer accompanying transfers of funds. Cooperation obligations.
10. (1) Payment service providers shall comply fully and without delay with -
(a) any requirement or warrant to provide information or documents pursuant to
section 25, 26(1), 26(a) 28 or 29 of the Banking Law, 1994f as applied by
section 11,
(b) any requirement to provide information or documents, however expressed, under - (i) the Drug Trafficking (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 2000g, (ii) the Proceeds of Crime Law, (iii) the Terrorism Law, (iv) the Disclosure Law, (v) regulations, for the time being in force, under section 49 of the Proceeds of Crime Law, (vi) the Terrorism (United Nations Measures) (Channel Islands) Order 2001h, , […] (vii) the Al-Qa'ida and Taliban (United Nations Measures) (Channel Islands) Order 2002i, [or (viii) the Al-Qaida and Taliban (Freezing of Funds) (Guernsey) Ordinance, 2011, or (ix) the Terrorist Asset-Freezing (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 2001,] where such information or documents comprise information on the payer which accompanies any transfer of funds or corresponding records.
f No. XIII of 1994 as amended by No. XVII and XXI of 2002 and No. XVI of 2003. g Order in Council No. VII of 2000 as amended by Order in Council No. II of 2005. h S.I. 2001/3363 (registered on 11th October 2001) as amended by U.K. S.I. 2002/258 and the British Overseas Territories Act, s.2(3) an Act of Parliament. i S.I. 2002/258 (registered on 18th February 2002) as amended by the British Overseas Territories Act 2002, s.2(3) an Act of Parliament.
(2) Subject to any other enactment, any information or documents to which subsection (1) applies may only be used for the purposes of preventing, investigating, or detecting money laundering or terrorist financing. NOTES In section 10. the word, figures, parentheses and punctuation in square brackets in paragraph (a) of subsection (1) were substituted by the Transfer of Funds (Guernsey) (Amendment) Regulations, 2010, regulation 1 (2), with effect from 30th March, 2010. the word omitted in square brackets in paragraph (b) (vi) was repealed, and paragraph (viii), paragraph (ix) and the word immediately after paragraph (b) (vii) were inserted, by the Terrorist Asset-Freezing (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 2011,
section 36, Schedule, respectively paragraph 3(a) and paragraph 3(b), with effect from
25th January, 2012
PART II
ENFORCEMENT
Monitoring and enforcement-information seeking powers.
11. (1) The provisions of sections 25 (power to obtain information and documents) 26(1)
(power of Bailiff to grant warrant) and 26A (powers conferred by Bailiffs warrant granted under section 26) of the Banking Law shall apply – (a) to payment service providers who send or receive transfers of funds to which this Ordinance applies as they apply to licensed institutions within the meaning of that Law, (b) in relation to such information as the Commission may reasonably require for the purpose of effectively monitoring or ensuring compliance with the requirements of this Ordinance as they apply in relation to such information as the Commission may reasonably require for the performance of its functions under that Law, and (c) as if section 25(11) of that Law also allowed the powers referred to in that
section to be exercised if the Commission considers that it is desirable to do so in
the interests of effectively monitoring or ensuring compliance with the requirements of this Ordinance, except that section 25(10) (information required for determining whether person is a fit and proper person) of that Law shall not apply.
(2) Sections 28 (investigation of suspected offences) and 29 (power of entry in cases of suspected offences) of the Banking Law shall apply in relation to an offence under this Ordinance as they apply in relation to an offence under section 1 or 21 of that Law. (3) Section 44 (cases where disclosure is permitted) of the Banking Law shall apply as if it also permitted the disclosure of information in compliance with, or for the purposes of enabling or assisting a person to comply with, any requirement of this Ordinance. (4) References in any enactment to section 25, 26(1), 26(A) 28. 29 or 44 of the Banking Law shall be construed as including references to those sections as applied by this section. Offences.
12. (1) Any payment service provider who, without reasonable excuse, fails to comply with any
of the requirements of sections 2 to 11 of this Ordinance shall be guilty of an offence and on - (a) summary conviction be liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the uniform scale, or both, and (b) conviction on indictment be liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years, a fine, or both. Criminal proceedings against unincorporated bodies.
13. (1) Where an offence under this Ordinance is alleged to have been committed by an
unincorporated body, proceedings for the offence shall be brought in the name of that body and not in the name of any of its members. (2) A fine imposed on an unincorporated body on its conviction for an offence under this Ordinance shall be paid from the funds of that body. (3) Where an offence under this Ordinance is committed by an unincorporated body and is proved to have been committed with the consent or connivance of, or to be attributable to any neglect on the part of - (a) any director thereof or any other officer thereof who is bound to fulfil any duty whereof the offence is a breach, (b) any partner thereof (in the case of a partnership), or (c) any person purporting to act in any capacity described in paragraph (a) or (b), he as well as the unincorporated body is guilty of the offence and may be proceeded against and punished accordingly.
Criminal liability of directors, etc.
14. (1) Where an offence under this Ordinance is committed by a company and is proved to
have been committed with the consent or connivance of, or to be attributable to any neglect on the part of, any director, chief executive, controller, manager, secretary or other similar officer of the company or any person purporting to act in any such capacity, he as well as the company is guilty of the offence and may be proceeded against and punished accordingly. (2) Where the affairs of a company are managed by its members, subsection (1) applies to a member in connection with his functions of management as if he were a director.
PART III
GENERAL
Power for Commission to make rules, instructions and guidance.
15.(1) The Commission may make rules, instructions and guidance for the purposes of this Ordinance. (2) Any court shall take the rules, instructions and guidance into account in determining whether or not any person has complied with this Ordinance. Regulations, orders, rules, instructions and guidance.
16. (1) Any provision of this Ordinance may be amended by Regulations made by the States of
Guernsey Home Department.
(2) Any Regulations, order, rules, instructions or guidance under this Ordinance - (a) may be amended or repealed by subsequent Regulations, order, rules, instructions or guidance, as the case may be, (b) may contain consequential, incidental, supplemental and transitional provisions, and (c) in the case of Regulations or an order, shall be laid before a meeting of the States as soon as possible and shall, if at that or the next meeting the States resolve to annul them, cease to have effect, but without prejudice to anything done under the Regulations or order or to the making of new Regulations or a new order. (3) Any power conferred by this Ordinance to make Regulations, an order, rules, instructions or guidance may be exercised - (a) in relation to all cases to which the power extends, or in relation to all those cases subject to specified exceptions, or in relation to any specified cases or classes of cases, and (b) so as to make, as respects the cases in relation to which it is exercised -
(i) the full provision to which the power extends, or any lesser provision (whether by way of exception or otherwise), (ii) the same provision for all cases, or different provision for different cases or classes of cases, or different provision for the same case or class of case for different purposes, and (iii) any such provision either unconditionally or subject to any conditions specified in the Regulations, order, rules, instructions or guidance. Interpretation.
17. (1) In this Ordinance, unless the context otherwise requires -
"Banking Law" means the Banking Supervision (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 1994, "batch file transfer" means several individual transfers of funds which are bundled together for transmission, "British Islands" means the United Kingdom, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man, "Commission" means the Guernsey Financial Services Commission established by the Financial Services Commission (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 1987j, "complete information" shall be construed in accordance with section 2(2), "Department of the States" includes any council or committee (however called) thereof, "Disclosure Law" means the Disclosure (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 2007, "document" includes information recorded in any form (including, without limitation, in electronic form), "EC Regulation" means Regulation (EC) No. 1781/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council of the 15th November 2006 on information on the payer accompanying transfers of fundsk, "electronic money" means monetary value as represented by a claim on the issuer which is – (a) stored on an electronic device, (b) issued on receipt of funds of an amount not less in value than the monetary value issued, and
j Ordres en Conseil Vol. XXX, p. 243; Orders in Council No. XX of 1991; No. XIII of 1994; No. II of 1997; No. II of 1998 and Nos. XVII and XXI of 2002; No. XXII of 2003 and Ordinance No. XXXIV of 2005. k Official Journal No. L345 of 8.12.2006, p 1.
(c) accepted as means of payment by persons other than the issuer, "enactment" includes a Law, an Ordinance or any subordinate legislation and any provision or portion of a Law, an Ordinance or any subordinate legislation, "Guernsey" includes Herm and Jethou, "intermediary payment service provider" means a payment service provider, neither of the payer nor of the payee, that participates in the execution of transfers of funds, "money laundering" is doing any act which – (a) constitutes an offence under section 38, 39 or 40 of the Proceeds of Crime Law, (b) constitutes an offence under section 57, 58 or 59 of the Drug Trafficking (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 2000, (c) constitutes an attempt, conspiracy or incitement to commit an offence specified in paragraph (a) or (b), (d) constitutes aiding, abetting, counselling or procuring the commission of an offence specified in paragraph (a) or (b), or (e) would, in the case of an act done otherwise than in Guernsey, constitute an offence specified in paragraph (a), (b), (c) or (d) if done in Guernsey, irrespective of the value of the property involved, and for the purposes of this definition having possession of any property shall be taken to be doing an act in relation to it, "nominated officer" means a person nominated by a payment service provider to receive disclosures under Part I of the Disclosure Law and Part III of the Terrorism Law, "notify" means notify in writing, "payee" means a person who is the intended final recipient of transferred funds, "payer" means - (a) a person who holds an account and allows a transfer of funds from that account, or (b) where there is no account, a person who places an order for a transfer of funds, "payment service provider" means a person whose business includes the provision of transfer of funds services,
"police officer" means -
(a) a member of the salaried police force of the Island of Guernsey and, within the limits of his jurisdiction, a member of the special constabulary of the Island of Guernsey, and (b) an officer within the meaning of section 1(1) of the Customs and Excise (General Provisions) (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 1972l, "Proceeds of Crime Law" means the Criminal Justice (Proceeds of Crime) (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 1999, "States" means the States of Guernsey, "subordinate legislation" means any ordinance, statutory instrument, regulation, rule, order, notice, rule of court, resolution, scheme, warrant, byelaw or other instrument made under any enactment and having legislative effect, "Terrorism Law" means the Terrorism and Crime (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 2002, "terrorist financing" means doing any act which - (a) constitutes an offence under section 8, 9, 10 or 11 of the Terrorism Law and, for the purposes of this definition, in those sections the "purposes of terrorism" shall, include, to the extent that they do not already do so - (i) any attempt, conspiracy or incitement to carry out terrorism within the meaning of section 1 of the Terrorism Law, or (ii) aiding, abetting, counselling or procuring the carrying out of such terrorism, (b) constitutes an attempt, conspiracy or incitement to commit an offence specified in paragraph (a), (c) constitutes aiding, abetting, counselling or procuring the commission of an offence specified in paragraph (a), or (d) would, in the case of an act done otherwise than in Guernsey, constitute an offence specified in paragraph (a), (b) or (c) if done in Guernsey, irrespective of the value of the property involved, and for the purposes of this definition having possession of any property shall be taken to be doing an act in relation to it, "transfer of funds" means any transaction carried out on behalf of a payer through a payment service provider by electronic means, with a view to making funds available to a payee at a payment service provider, irrespective of whether the payer and the payee are the same person,
l Ordres en Conseil Vol. XXIII, p. 573 as amended by Vol. XXIV, p. 87 and Orders in Council No. XIII of 1991 and No. X of 2004 and Ordinance No. XXXII of 2005.
"uniform scale of fines" means the uniform scale of fines from time to time in force under the Uniform Scale of Fines (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 1987m, "unique identifier" means a combination of letters, numbers or symbols, determined by the payment service provider, in accordance with the protocols of the payment and settlement or messaging system used to effect the transfer of funds, and any other terms which are used in this Ordinance and which are also used in the EC Regulation shall have the same meaning as in the EC Regulation. (2) For the purposes of this Ordinance references to Euros shall be converted to pounds sterling or any other relevant currency at the relevant rate of conversion from time to time published in the “C” Series of the Official Journal of the European Communities. (3) In this Ordinance, words importing the neutral gender include the feminine and masculine gender and vice versa. (4)Any reference in this Ordinance to an enactment or to European Community legislation is a reference thereto as from time to time amended, re-enacted (with or without modification), extended or applied. Extent.
18. This Ordinance has effect in the islands of Guernsey, Herm and Jethou.
Citation.
19. This Ordinance may be cited as the Transfer of Funds (Guernsey) Ordinance, 2007.
Commencement.
20. This Ordinance shall come into force on the 15th December, 2007.
m Orders en Conseil Vol XXXI, p.278; the scale of fines was substituted by Ordinance No. XXIX of 2006.
Section 1(2)
SCHEDULE
TRANSFERS OF FUNDS TO WHICH ORDINANCE DOES NOT APPLY
or to similar obligations under the law of any part of the British Islands.
5. A transfer of funds –
(a) where the payer withdraws cash from his own account, (b) where there is authorisation for a debit transfer between two persons which permits payments between them through accounts, provided that a unique identifier accompanies the transfer of funds, which enables the transaction to be traced back to the payer, (c) where truncated cheques are used, (d) within the British Islands, to any public authorities, including any Department of the States or Parochial officers, in respect of any taxes, rates, fines or any other levies whatsoever, or (e) where both the payer and the payee are payment service providers acting on their own behalf.
APPENDIX H
MONEY LAUNDERING AND FINANCING OF TERRORISM TECHNIQUES AND METHODS What is Money Laundering? Deception is the heart of money laundering: at its most basic level money laundering is deception by attempting to make assets appear to have been obtained through legal means with legally-earned funds or to be owned by third parties who have no relationship to the true owner. The goal of a large number of criminal acts is to generate a profit for the individual or group that carries out the act. From the perspective of the criminal, it is no use making a profit from criminal activities if that profit cannot be put to use. A proportion of the profit will often be reinvested into further criminal ventures, but criminals will often wish to use the rest for other purposes. If this activity is to be achieved without being detected the money must be ‘laundered’. Money laundering can be described as the processing of criminal proceeds to disguise their illegal origin. Criminals seek to put their proceeds of crime into a state in which it appears to have an entirely respectable origin. If this act is carried out successfully it allows criminals to maintain control over their proceeds and ultimately to provide a legitimate cover for their source of income. Where criminals are allowed to use the proceeds of crime, the ability to launder such proceeds makes crime more attractive. However, this does not mean that all criminals need to resort to elaborate schemes in order to create the perception of legitimacy of the source and ownership of their assets. Small-time criminals rarely do; they deal in cash and avoid financial institutions as much as possible. Even with regard to larger criminal activities the need to launder money will vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. The money laundering process is generally made up of three stages:
The placement stage where illegitimate funds find their way into the financial system via payment into legitimate accounts. For example, depositing cash in banks which ask no questions, using business entities that are cash intensive in nature to commingle funds, buying precious metals/diamonds, or artwork/stamp collections; The layering stage which is used to disguise the audit trail between the funds and the original point of entry into the financial system. This is achieved by moving the funds around so that the origins of the money become obscured. For example, by transferring funds across borders, purchasing investment bonds, gambling at the race track or at casinos, and making use of foreign financial centres; The integration stage where funds are reintroduced as legitimate wealth to fund further activities or to acquire assets. What is Financing of Terrorism? For terrorists, the acquisition of funds is not an end in itself but a means of committing a terrorist attack. With terrorist financing, it does not matter whether the transmitted funds come from a legal or illegal source. Indeed, terrorist financing frequently involves funds that, prior to being remitted, are unconnected to any illegal activity. Examples have occurred when legitimate
funds have been donated to charities that, sometimes unknown to the donors, are actually fronts for terrorist organisations. Tracking terrorist financial transactions arising from legitimate sources is more difficult than following the money trails of the proceeds of crime because of the often relatively small amount of funds required for terrorist actions and the range of legitimate sources and uses of funds. While many organised crime groups are adept at concealing their wealth and cash flows for long periods of time, their involvement in the physical trade of illicit drugs, arms, and other commodities, often exposes the revenues and expenditures connected to these illegal dealings. In contrast, terrorist attacks are in many cases comparatively inexpensive, and their financing is often overshadowed by the larger financial resources allocated for the group’s political and social activities, making it more difficult to uncover the illicit nexus. Identifying and disrupting the mechanisms through which terrorism is financed are key elements in the overall efforts to combat terrorism. As well as reducing the financial flows to terrorists and disrupting their activities, action to counter terrorist financing can provide vital information on terrorists and their networks, which in turn improves law enforcement agencies’ ability to undertake successful investigations. Red Flags Much of the information in chapter 15 can be used for training purposes and to provide employees with examples of red flags. The case studies below can also be used for training purposes. Case Studies The following case studies demonstrate how financial products and services can be used to launder the proceeds of crime or to finance terrorism. Money Laundering Example 1 – Laundering through temporary bank accounts An investigation revealed that the proceeds of a value added tax evasion scheme were laundered through a series of bank accounts established for short term purposes. The launderer transferred the proceeds to a bank and requested that the funds be placed in an account for a short period because he had not decided in which account to place them. A few days later, he instructed the bank to return the money in cash or by cheque. The transaction was not registered in the books of the launderer. Investigators also discovered that the launderer used each bank account for more than one transaction. Afterwards, he sometimes asked the bank to transfer the funds to other accounts at the same bank or another bank, which had been opened on behalf of companies controlled by the launderer. False invoices for fictitious deliveries to these companies were used to justify the transfers.
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“Article 16 of Billet d'État No. XXVI of 2007.”
“The Registration of Non-Regulated Financial Services Businesses (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law 2008 (“NRFSB Law”) is to be repealed and replaced by a new Lending, Credit & Finance Law.”
“The FFB regime replaces registration under the existing Registration of Non-Regulated Financial Services Businesses (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 2008 (the “NRFSB Law”).”
“The Registration of Non-Regulated Financial Services Businesses (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 2008;”
“The Registration of Non-Regulated Financial Services Businesses (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 2008;”
“The Registration of Non-Regulated Financial Services Businesses (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 2008;”
“The Registration of Non-Regulated Financial Services Businesses (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 2008;”
“Provisions with the Law, the Registration of Non-Regulated Financial Services Businesses (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 2008”
“The Registration of Non-Regulated Financial Services Businesses (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 2008 as amended”
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