2018 Disclosure Log

I’m just following up on an FOI response dating from November 2017 confirming that at that point the FCA had 9 spoofing investigations open.

I was wondering if you could confirm whether that is still the case or if more have been opened and/or closed?

1. How many financial advisers there are in the UK?
2. How many of these are female?
3. How many financial advisers specialise in Equity Release?
4. How many of these are female?

A copy of the report about British Steel Pension Scheme (BSPS) following its restructure.

FOI6007[4]

FOI6007 - Information Provided[5]

1. Please clarify how the FCA determines what an investigation should be named?
2. What was the process in 2014-2018? 
3. Does different departments name their investigations differently?

1. I would like to know how and by whom a name for an investigation is given or arrived at. 
2. What are the criteria for coming up with a specific name?

December 2018

1. How was the FCA notified of the activity of Freddy David?
2. How was the FCA made aware of dubious activity carried out by HBFS?
3. How does the FCA usually become aware of fraudulent activity of financial advisers?
4. During 2016, how many financial advisers were found to be not complying with FCA regulations?
5. During 2017, how many financial advisers were found to be not complying with FCA regulations?
6. So far during 2018, how many financial advisers have been found to be not complying with FCA regulations?

FOI5999[8]

Please provide figures for the following in 2016, 2017 and 2018:

1. The total number of candidates who applied for an approved person role
2. The total number of female candidates who applied for an approved person role
3. The total number of candidates who undertook a second interview as part of that process
4. The total number of female candidates who undertook a second interview as part of that process
5. The total number of candidates who were approved following an interview process
6. The total number of female candidates who were approved following an interview process
7. The total number of candidates who withdrew their application, or were refused
8. The total number of female candidates who withdrew their application, or were refused.
9. The number of current CF3 (chief executive) controlled-function holders who undertook a second interview as part of their approval process, OR had a referral in front of the Regulatory Transactions Committee

Please also provide the average number of panellists, and the gender balance, of the regulatory panels at first interview and second interview for those years.

FOI6090[9]

1. How many CASS audit opinions were received by the Financial Conduct Authority between 1st November 2016 and 31st December 2016? 
2. How many CASS audit opinions received by the Financial Conduct Authority between 1st November 2016 and 31st December 2016 were qualified? 
3. How many CASS audit opinions received by the Financial Conduct Authority between 1st November 2016 and 31st December 2016 were adverse? 
4. How many CASS audit opinions received by the Financial Conduct Authority between 1st November 2016 and 31st December 2016 were clean?

1. The number of current investigations or enquiries (as the term "enquiry" is used in the response to FOI5673 - https://www.fca.org.uk/publication/foi/foi5673-response.pdf) relating to whether firms that are involved in some form of cryptoasset business might be carrying on regulated activities that require FCA authorisation
2. In relation to any investigations or enquiries falling within the scope of 1, a brief description of the activities which are the subject of investigation or enquiry.
3. The number of current investigations concerning cryptoassets relating to issues other than whether firms might be carrying on regulated activities that require FCA authorisation.
4. In relation to any investigations or enquiries falling within the scope of 3, a brief description of the activities which are the subject of investigation or enquiry
5. The number of authorised firms are subject to investigation in relation to activities relating to cryptoassets
6. In relation to any investigations or enquiries falling within the scope of 5, a brief description of the activities which are the subject of investigation or enquiry
7.  Investigations or enquiries not falling within the scope of 5 into authorised firms relating to use of distributed ledger technology
8. The number of investigations or enquiries relating to the money laundering risks associated with cryptoassets
9.  The number of market abuse or market misconduct investigations relating to:

a. Derivative instruments referencing cryptoassets

b. Investment assets in cryptoassets

c. Tokens representing transferable securities

    10. The number of STORs concerning financial instruments linked to cryptoassets received during each of the last 8 quarters.

1. I would like to know when the FCA first made contact with the following firms with concerns relating to their pension advice processes:
   • Retirement & Pensions Planning Services
   • Active Wealth UK
   • Acklam Financial
   • Pembrokeshire Mortgage Centre
   • West Wales Financial Services
   • Bartholomew Hawkins
   • County Capital Wealth Management
   • Inspirational Financial Management
   • Mansion Park
   • Vintage Investment Services
2. Next, I’d like to know if that contact was a part of the FCA’s multi-firm supervision exercise into pension transfers?

• The number of sales of new mortgages for which the value of the mortgage is over £1m
• I would also like the know the total value of these mortgages

I would like the data to refer to mortgages for a residential property purchase.  I would like the data exclude re-mortgages.

I would like this information broken down by quarter, with the most recent quarter-end date as possible.  September 30 would be preferred, if not then June 30 2018 would be great. If this is not possible please use March 31 2018.

If this is not possible, please provide the information broken down by quarter with the most recent year end date that you have available.

I would like the data for the last five years.  If five years is not possible, please provide the last three.

FOI6043[13]

1. How many whistle blower reports have been received so far in 2018?
2. What is the company that is the subject of the whistle blower report?
3. What cryptocurrencies are associated with each whistle blower report?

FOI6082[14]

1. Please could you provide me with the overall number of mutual society applications for authorisations received per year without a breakdown of types of mutual societies, for the last two years.
2. Please could you also indicate how you hold application data? For example, are applications digitised, and what fields does any database contain?

I am seeking information for the number of Financial Adviser firms with the CF30 function who requested discretionary investment management permissions and the Retail (Investment) customer type, for the calendar years 2015, 2016 and 2017

Please provide me with the cost of investigations taken by the Financial Conduct Authority into actions taken by Royal Bank of Scotland's global restructuring group (RBS GRG) since (but not including) the report conducted by Promontory on the FCA's behalf.

Please include:

• the cost of external legal counsel
• the cost of external consultants
•  internal scoping exercises
•  the oversight of reviews.”

Request Clarified:

• By ‘internal scoping exercises’ you mean “the cost of work done by FCA staff to determine the scope of investigations by external and internal parties, before they are officially commissioned”.
• By ‘oversight of reviews’ you mean “the cost of work done by FCA staff overseeing or participating in reviews of RBS GRG's activities such as November 2017's "A report on an independent review of Royal Bank of Scotland Group’s treatment of small and medium-sized enterprise customers referred to the Global Restructuring Group".

A1 Financial Solutions ref 304068 & A1 Financial Solutions Limited ref 647921.

We are advised that in order for A1 Financial Solutions Limited to register with the FCA they require to take over the legal obligations and liabilities of the former partnership and that a document known as a deed poll is completed and lodged with the FCA.

Please confirm that the position we have narrated above is correct and let us have a copy of the deed poll undertaken given by A1 Financial Solutions Limited.”

FOI6071[19]

FOI6071 - Information Provided[20]

Whistleblowing champions and ET1 forms sent to the FCA as a Prescribed Persons

1. Has the FCA received any whistleblowing disclosures or complaints about whistleblowing Champions not responding appropriately to finance sector staff who have raised concerns with them?
2. Please advise how many ET1 forms the FCA has been sent by the Employment Tribunal, in its capacity as a Prescribed Person under the Public Interest Disclosure Act (and not as an employer) in the years 2016/17 and 2017/18.
3. Please advise what data the FCA collates and holds centrally about ET1 forms that the FCA has received in this manner.
4. Please advise if as a result of being sent ET1 forms by the Employment Tribunal in the two years 2016/17 and 2017/18, the FCA contacted any of the relevant claimants who filed claims to the Employment Tribunal under the Public Interest Disclosure Act, to follow up the public interest matters, and if so, how many claimants did FCA contact?”

1. The number of whistleblower reports received in the previous 12 months;
2. The number of whistleblower reports received in the previous 12 months that instigated investigations; and
3. The number of whistleblower reports received in the previous 12 months that required no further action.
4. The number of whistleblower reports received in the previous 24 months;
5. The number of whistleblower reports received in the previous 24 months that instigated investigations; and
6. The number of whistleblower reports received in the previous 24 months that required no further action.

1. What is the FCA's estimate of how many PPI policies were sold by UK retail banks?
2. How much interest (on average) is paid for each compensation claim that is accepted?
3. What is the FCA's estimate of how many PPI claims that are yet to be considered (ie. how many PPI policyholders are yet to bring a claim at all)?
4.  What is the total value of all PPI policies that were sold to consumers in the UK? 
5. What is the FCA's estimate of how many claims are rejected by UK banks and Claims Management Companies?

The Research commissioned by the FCA on the currency exchange transfer market [referred to in footnote 35 of CP18/21]

FOI6033[24]

FOI6033 - information provided annex A[25]

FOI6033 - information provided annex B[26]

In each of the last 24 months, how many applications has the FCA received in relation to the following:

• New Authorisations

• Changes of address, contact details etc

• Variations of Permissions

• Cancellations

• Requests to add or change Appointed Representatives; add or remove approved persons.

FOI5952[28]

FOI5952 - Information Provided[29]

In reference to a previous FOI response (your ref: FOI5673), please see below.

Under the Freedom of Information Act, I would like to know:

1. How many investigations has the FCA opened relating to cryptocurrencies in the last 5 years?
2. How many whistleblower reports related to cryptocurrencies has the FCA received in the last 5 years?”

1. In 2018, how many whistleblowing reports have you received from financial advisers (those with CF30 permissions)?
2.  How does this compare with previous years? Information on whistleblowing numbers from 2015, 16 and 17 would be great for a comparison.
3. Do you have any data on the subject of the whistleblowing? For example, poor DB transfer practice, poor consumer outcomes, etc. Any information in terms of what that might be and number of times the various subjects have been brought to your attention would be appreciated.
4.  As a result of whistleblowing, how many times has the FCA intervened and how so? Eg. A firm visit.
5. As a result of whistleblowing, how many firms has the FCA removed permissions from?”

The number of FCA investigations linked to cryptocurrencies that have been launched;

• Can this information be divided into the year that each investigation was launched
• If possible can details be provided about the type of investigation
• Please can the information be provided in Excel format.

1. Internal legal staff costs incurred during the case and the number of man hours spent on the case.  [Clarified:‘Legal staff’ in the context of my initial correspondence meaning both lawyers in the Enforcement Division and the General Counsel’s Division split into separate costs.]
2. The name of any external law firm or firms instructed by the FCA on the case, the number of man hours billed and the cost of these.  [Clarified:  The aforementioned ‘external law firm or firms’ to mean both barristers’ chambers and firms of solicitors, also split into separate costs.]
3. The split of the cost incurred in bringing the case, and then the additional costs incurred during the appeal.  [Clarified:  The request is for total costs from the start of the investigation, including Tribunal costs, with Tribunal proceedings costs listed separately.]

[…] how many Private Warnings per year have been issued since January 2014 to date and in turn how many successful applications have there been in that same period to date for approved person status following the issue of a Private Warning.

Information regarding the FCA’s supervision of high-risk investments, as detailed on page 66 of the recently released 2017/18 Annual Report.

The report reads: “We requested details on the high-risk investment activity of 152 firms and analysed their responses. This work also assessed what product disclosures firms provided to consumers before investment. We will continue this work in 2018 and use the results to shape our future supervision activity for these types of investments.”

Please provide the following information:

1. A copy of the request sent to firms regarding their high-risk investment activity.
2. A breakdown of the type of firms included in the sample of 152 (i.e the number of financial advisers, fund managers, platforms etc that were included).
3.  In an aggregated or anonymised format, the responses to the request.
4. In an aggregated or anonymised format, details of any enforcement or further supervision activities (e.g Section 166 reviews) that were conducted on the basis of the results provided.
5. Details of any future supervision works (e.g market studies, thematic reviews, further data requests) that have been scheduled by the FCA based on the results provided.

I would like to request a renewed and up-to-date list of all the FCA-authorised Payment Institutions, authorised or registered Small Payment Institutions, and authorised E-Money Institutions.

Would it be possible to have the information/data in Table 2.2: Case movements from your Enforcement annual performance report 2017/2018 for firms only without individuals?

Would it be possible to have Figure 2.2: Enforcement case movements (2015-2018) from your Enforcement annual performance report 2017/18 for firms only without the data for individuals? Or could I have the data for firms only please?

Please advise of the following in relation to the FCA Mutuals Public Register:

1. Total number of individual requests made for documentation
2. Number of requests set out separately for the following:

a. building societies;

b. credit unions;

c. friendly societies; and

d. registered societies

    3. Total amount of fees/costs recovered from requests for documentation

    4. Amount of fees/costs recovered from requests for documentation for the following:

a. building societies;

b. credit unions;

c. friendly societies; and

d. registered societies

The number of “prohibition orders” issued by the FCA (as detailed here: https://www.handbook.fca.org.uk/handbook/glossary/G917.html[40]).

I would like the data for the most recent five years, broken down by quarter, with the most recent quarter-end date possible.

If it is not possible to break the data down by quarter for the last five years, please tell me the number of prohibition orders issued by the FCA for the calendar year 2017.

Following the recent start of the Scam Smart marketing campaign to advise people on how to look after themselves in regards to a scammer, I'm looking for some campaign details as per below if possible:

Campaign dates and Period

Total Spend on the Campaign

Media Chosen For The Campaign

Key Metrics You Are Using to Evaluate the Success of the campaign

How many individuals have transferred defined benefit [DB] pension holdings to defined contribution [DC] pensions.

Please provide data for each quarter from 2016 to present up to, and including, Q2 2018.

The number of ‘Unexplained Wealth Orders’ issued by you since 31st   January 2018.

Please also provide:

a) The city in which the property is located

b) The nationality of the person/s of interest associated with each property”

Section REC 3.16 of the FCA Handbook outlines the responsibilities of regulated firms in respect of Information Technology. It states that:

“Where a UK recognised body changes any of its plans for action in the event of a failure of any of its information technology systems resulting in disruption to the operation of its facilities, it must immediately give the FCA notice of that event, and a copy of the new plan."

Please could you advise of the number of such notifications received from regulated bodies pursuant to that clause in each of the past 24 months?

Currently, how many CF30 holders are women, how many are men, how many did not disclose?

Currently, how many CF1 holders are women, how many are men, how many did not disclose?”

1. how many individuals/people are currently registered (active) under the FCA register as of today.

2. In the last 2 years how many individuals have been refused approval due to having a criminal conviction.

3. Do you have any detail on types of convictions listed”

An update on FOI5616:

• An estimate of the number of individuals who currently come under the Senior Managers’ Regime.
• An estimate of the number of individuals who will come under the Senior Managers' Regime extension upon its implementation on the 10th December 2018 (i.e. the extension to insurance firms as you specified in the previous FOI response).

Further information on letters sent by the FCA investigating adviser training, competence and recruitment records for staff at financial advice firms.

These letters were sent around March, as confirmed by the FCA and referenced in the following article.

https://www.moneymarketing.co.uk/fca-probes-adviser-training-competence-letter-firms/

Please provide the following information:

1. A copy of the letter sent by the FCA on adviser training, competence and recruitment records for staff.
2. The number of letters that were sent to financial advice firms with these questions.
3. How the FCA identified the firms it would send the letters to.
4. Any deadlines for returning the information, and how many advice firms met and missed these deadlines respectively.
5. Any results, in an anonymised format, gained from the response.
6. Any additional work the FCA has or will be conducting on the basis of these results.”.

I would be grateful if you are able to answer the following:

1. Of those organisations who have to have a living will / standby service in place – how many have had to call upon the service in the last 6, 12, 18 & 24 months?

2. Of those P2P lenders who have a standby in place, how many have full permissions and how many have part permissions?

3. Of those who have a standby service in place, how many of those who provide the standby service have been pre-approved to complete the administration should the lender fail?

How many firms applied for permissions to carry out regulated bridging activities between 30th June 2017 and 30th June 2018?

How many firms applied for permissions to carry out regulated bridging activities between the same dates over the past three years?

How many enforcement investigations the FCA has open as at this date in respect of:

1) Senior Managers;

2) Certified Persons; and

3) staff subject to the Conduct Rules.

With reference to a previous Freedom of Information request (your ref: FOI5130), I would like to know the average value of a new mortgage for a residential property purchase. We would like the data to exclude remortgages.

I would like the data broken down by postcode area (e.g. SE1, M16, G40) on an annual basis, for the year ending December 31 2017 or whichever year end date is most convenient.

I would like this data for each of the most recent five years, broken down by equal twelve-month periods.

If you are unable to provide five years of data, please provide three years of data, otherwise please provide data for the last year.”

FOI5867[57]

FOI5867 - information provided[58]

1) How many insider dealing investigations has the FCA opened in each of the past three financial years, 2014/15, 2015/16, 2016/17, 2017/18.

2) How many of these insider dealing investigations resulted in:

a) No further action being taken

b) Regulatory sanctions

c) Criminal prosecution

Please could we have the numbers for questions 1 and 2 broken down by financial year ie: 2014/15, 2015/16, 2016/17, 2017/18.

FOI5846[59]

Updated information from FOI5430:

I am working on a report around defined benefit transfers and wanted to see if there was a further disclosure in relation to the above FOI request. It seems some data on Q4 2017 transfer volumes was made available under FOI to FT Adviser but I can’t see that on your site. Are you able to provide that data please?”

FOI5862[60]

Updated information from FOI5430:

Do you also have the data below for Q4 2017 and Q1 2018?”

FOI5861[61]

I am conducting a market research study on retirement income products in the UK and I would like to obtain data on the value of income drawdown premiums over the past several years.

Would it possible for someone to send me this information? From what I understand this isn’t published in the product sales data.

FOI5858[62]

In Nov 2017 you provided an answer to the following question below which was listed as request FOI5409 - please can you send me an updated to list to May 2018 of the same request.

Please provide me with a list of all authorised fund manager (AFMs).”

The request for FOI5409:

• Please provide me with a list of all authorised fund manager (AFMs).
• If the list is different please also provide a separate list of all firms ‘Managing a UCITS’ and /or ‘Managing an authorised AIF’.

FOI5842[63]

Could you please either give us:

- 2016 data (and if possible 2015 data) in the same format as table 13 from DB13, or

- 2017 data (and if possible 2016 data) in the same format as table 8 from DB7.

Could you please either give us:

- 2016 data (and if possible 2015 data) in the same format as table 14 from DB13, or

- 2017 data (and if possible 2016 data) in the same format as table 9 from DB7.

Could you please give us table 19 from DB13, further split by type of advice as you did in table 12 in DB9.

FOI5831[64]

FOI5831 - information provided[65]

Have there been any cryptocurrency - or crypto asset - exchanges or trading venues which have applied for an MTF license under MiFID II?”

FOI5824[66]

How many financial advisers have the required permissions to conduct DB transfers?  Please list this figure as at the end of each month from January 2018 to June 2018.

In June 2015 the FCA issued Policy Statement PS15/12 to clarify that the Advising on pension transfers and pension opt outs regulated activity could be restricted by way of a Limitation, allowing firms to carry out certain activities that would not need involvement of a pension transfer specialist.  A significant number of firms requested this limited version of the activity.

For the purposes of my request I require details of firms with the full, unrestricted activity, not the limited version referred to above

FOI5819[67]

We should be grateful if you could provide the following information to us, as at (or as close to) the date of your response to this request:
1. How many enforcement investigations does the FCA currently have open?

2. How many of the enforcement investigations identified in response to Item 1 concern: 
a. Individuals.
b. Firms (i.e. those which are authorised by the FCA and/or the PRA).
c. Listed companies.

3. To the extent that the FCA has current enforcement investigations which do not fall within Item 2a.-c. above, please provide:
a. The number of these investigations that are currently open; and
b. A general description of the categories of persons these investigations concern.

4. Of the investigations into individuals identified in response to Item 2a. above:
a. How many of those investigations are into individuals who hold Senior Management Functions?
b. How many of those investigations are into individuals who are classified by their firms as Certified Persons (i.e. they perform a Significant Harm Function)?
c. How many of those investigations are into individuals are not Senior Managers or Certified Persons but are subject to the FCA’s Code of Conduct and the FCA’s investigation into them concerns alleged breaches of the FCA’s Code of Conduct?
d. How many of those investigations are into individuals who are approved persons?
e. How many of those investigations are into current/former ‘relevant officers’ (as defined in FSMA) of listed companies in connection with market announcement obligations (i.e. investigators have been appointed under section 97 and/or 168 FSMA).

5. To the extent that any of the FCA’s current investigations into individuals are not covered by Items 3.a-e. above, please provide:
a. The number of these investigations that are currently open; and
b. A general description of the nature of these investigations (e.g. market abuse). 

FOI5805[68]

Breaches of Money Laundering Regulations 2007 and 2017:
 

1.  A list of regulated bodies or firms that the FCA a) prosecuted or b) took alternative action since 2008 for breaches of anti-money laundering rules other than the Money Laundering Regulations 2007 and 2017, including the FCA's rules on required anti-money laundering systems.
 

2.  The number of criminal investigations opened by the FCA in each year since February 2014 into breaches of anti-money laundering rules by regulated bodies or firms other than the Money Laundering Regulations 2007 and 2017, and the number closed.
 

3.  The number of criminal investigations currently underway by the FCA into breaches of anti-money laundering rules by regulated bodies or firms.

FOI5745[69]

FOI5745 - information provided[70] 

Under the Freedom of Information Act request, I would like to know how many whistleblowing reports the FCA received over the past five years. I would like this information broken down by year, with the year end March 31st

Under the Freedom of Information Act, I would like to know:

1.  The total value of Small Self-Administered Schemes (SSASs) reported in submissions by FCA regulated firms made to Gabriel in each of the last five years;

2.   The total number of SSASs reported in submissions by FCA regulated firms made to Gabriel in each of the last five years;

3.   A breakdown of the value of SSASs and the total number of SSASs broken down by age group (using whichever age brackets are most convenient)

Please provide the data for each of the last five years with a year-end 31st March or whichever year-end date is most convenient. If you cannot provide data for each of the last five years, then please data for each of the last three years. If that is not possible, then please data for each of the most recent two years.

If it looks like this request will not be possible under the time restrictions of the FOIA, then please prioritise question 1.

FOI5793[72]

FOI5793 - information provided[73]

a) How many P2P firms have submitted applications to be authorised to the FCA

b) How many P2P firms have had their applications rejected by the FCA

c) How many P2P firms have withdrawn their application

June 2018

Since the introduction of Regulations (EU) No 596/2014, please could you tell us:

Firms subject to FCA investigations or enforcement actions concerning systems and controls for automated trade surveillance:

As at the date of your response to this request, how many of the following types of firm have been the subject of an FCA investigation concerning issues around systems and controls for automated trade surveillance, which has been discontinued:

(a) AIFM investment firms;

(b) BIPRU firms;

(c) IFPRU 125k firms;

(d) IFPRU 50k firms;

(e) IFPRU 730k firms;

(f) IFPRU firms separated out between:

(i) Significant IFPRU firm; and

(ii) Other IFPRU firms.

2. As at the date of your response to this request, how many of the following types of firm are currently subject to an FCA investigation concerning issues around systems and controls for automated trade surveillance:

(a) AIFM investment firms;

(b) BIPRU firms;

(c) IFPRU 125k firms;

(d) IFPRU 50k firms;

(e) IFPRU 730k firms;

(f) IFPRU firms separated out between:

(i) Significant IFPRU firm; and

(ii) Other IFPRU firms.

3. As at the date of your response to this request, how many of the following types of firm have been the subject of FCA enforcement actions or enforcement proceedings concerning issues around systems and controls for automated trade surveillance, which resulted in no further action, fine or censure:

(a) AIFM investment firms;

(b) BIPRU firms;

(c) IFPRU 125k firms;

(d) IFPRU 50k firms;

(e) IFPRU 730k firms;

(f) IFPRU firms separated out between:

(i) Significant IFPRU firm; and

(ii) Other IFPRU firms.

4. As at the date of your response to this request, how many of the following types of firm are currently subject to FCA enforcement actions or enforcement proceedings concerning issues around systems and controls for automated trade surveillance:

(a) AIFM investment firms;

(b) BIPRU firms;

(c) IFPRU 125k firms;

(d) IFPRU 50k firms;

(e) IFPRU 730k firms;

(f) IFPRU firms separated out between:

(i) Significant IFPRU firm; and

(ii) Other IFPRU firms.

Could you please provide me with:

- The number of investigations commenced by the Financial Conduct Authority in each year calendar year from 2012 to 2017.

- The number of investigations that had an outcome of “no action” in each of the above years.

- The external cost of investigations closed as “no action” in each of the above years.

How many individuals have transferred defined benefit pension holdings to defined contribution pensions.

Please provide data for each quarter from 2017 to present, up to and including Q1 2018.

FOI5760[77]

FOI5760 - information provided[78]

I am seeking information on the number of personal investment firms (PIFs) which have told the FCA they have not been able to meet the new capital adequacy rules which came into place from 30 June 2017.

Please respond to the following:

- Since 30 June 2017 to present date (30 April 2018) how many PIFs have told the FCA they do not have the requisite capital to meet their capital adequacy requirements?

- Out of these firms how many have applied to cancel their FCA permissions?

- For the 12 months prior to 30 June 2017 how many PIFs have told the FCA they do not have the requisite capital to meet their capital adequacy requirements?

- Out of these firms how many have applied to cancel their FCA permissions?

1. How many authorised payment institutions submitted the necessary documentation to the FCA, or notified the FCA they have already provided such documentation, before the 13th April 2018 deadline, in order to continue providing services after July 13th 2018;

2. How many authorised e-money institutions submitted the necessary documentation to the FCA, or notified the FCA they have already provided such documentation, before the 13th April 2018 deadline, in order to continue providing services after July 13th 2018;

3. How many authorised payment institutions and e-money institutions submitted the necessary documentation, or notified the FCA that they have already provided such documentation, after the 13th April 2018 deadline until the date of receipt of this request.

I have previously requested information relating to the sex of CF10 and CF 11 holders over the years.

Please can I request an update of this for the last five years – with the addition of columns now for SMF16 and 17 holders.

I would like to know the breakdown of sex by function.

Please provide details of all individuals and companies removed from the FCA Register as a result of crimes committed, between 20 April 2017 and 20 April 2018.

The answer should include:

1. Number and breakdown of names of companies

2. Number and breakdown of names of individuals

3. Details of offences (if known)

Under the Freedom of Information Act, and in reference to a previous FOI request (FOI4956), please could you tell me the following:

- How many “dawn raids” did the FCA carry out in 2017?

By “dawn raids,” I mean: searches of businesses’ and individuals’ premises by the FCA under warrant and in the presence of a police officer.

1. The total value of Executive Pension Plans reported in submissions by FCA regulated firms made to Gabriel in each of the last five years;

2. The total number of Executive Pension Plans reported in submissions by FCA regulated firms made to Gabriel in each of the last five years;

3. A breakdown of the value of Executive Pension Plans and the total number of Executive Pension Plans broken down by age group (using whichever age brackets are most convenient)

Please provide the data for each of the last five years with a year-end 31st March or whichever year-end date is most convenient. If you cannot provide data for each of the last five years, then please data for each of the last three years. If that is not possible, then please data for each of the most recent two years.

If it looks like this request will not be possible under the time restrictions of the FOIA, then please prioritise question 1.

If it looks like the work involved with responding to this FOI is going to exceed the time permitted under the FOIA, or you need clarification, then please contact me.

FOI5730[84]

FOI5730 - information provided[85]

Transfer of Defined Benefit pension holdings to Defined Contribution pensions:

In reference to a previous FOI response (your ref: FOI5430).

Https://www.fca.org.uk/publication/foi/foi5430-response.pdf

https://www.fca.org.uk/publication/foi/foi5430-information-provided.pdf

Under the Freedom of Information Act, I would like to know:

1.  The number of individuals electing to transfer Defined Benefit pension holdings to Defined Contribution pensions.

2.  If possible, can you also confirm the combined value of these transfers.

In your previous response, you provided data up until Q3 2017.  I am looking for an update on this data for Q4 2017 and Q1 2018.

If it looks like this request will not be possible under the time restrictions of the FOIA, or if any aspect of my request is unclear, then please do contact me.

2.  The conclusion of all whistleblowing cases in each of the above years.

3.  The number of “forwarded items” - whistleblower information the FCA passed to external agencies - in each of the above years.

4.  If held, could you please also break all of the above down by the type of wrongdoing alleged.

The number of investigations into individuals relating to misconduct under the Senior Managers Regime opened by the FCA for the period 01.03.16 - 28.02.18

Please could I request updated figure for FOI5558 relating to the period 01.03.16 - 28.02.18

In addition please could you provide the following info:

How many applications to perform approved person functions has the FCA received from men (Mr) and how many from Women (Ms/Mrs/Miss) in the period from 01.03.14 - 29.02.16

How many applications to perform approved person functions has the FCA received from men (Mr) and how many from Women (Ms/Mrs/Miss) in the period from 01.03.16 - 28.02.18

As at 1st April 2018, how many firms have been fully authorised by the FCA to offer High-Cost Short-Term Credit, and how many firms are currently able to offer High-Cost Short-Term Credit, but have only Interim Permission from the FCA?

CASS Audit Opinions:

1.  How many CASS audit opinions were received by the Financial Conduct Authority between 1st November 2017 and 31st December 2017?

2.  How many CASS audit opinions received by the Financial Conduct Authority between 1st November 2017 and 31st December 2017 were qualified?

3.  How many CASS audit opinions received by the Financial Conduct Authority between 1st November 2017 and 31st December 2017 were adverse?

4.  How many CASS audit opinions received by the Financial Conduct Authority between 1st November 2017 and 31st December 2017 were clean?

FOI5707[91]

As such, I would like a year on year breakdown of information on financial advice firms voluntarily giving up pension transfer permissions since the pension freedoms.

To be clear, I would like to know how many financial advice firms gave up pension transfer permissions in 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018 so far.

Furthermore, I would like a breakdown as to how many of these changes in permissions were VVOP or VREQ.

FOI5692[92]

Pension transfers/opt-outs/ Defined Benefit transfers

1) According to the data held on the Financial Services Register on the 1st of January 2010, how many regulated firms were there at that date that had the permission to advise on pension transfers/opt-outs ie the permission required to conduct Defined Benefit transfers?

2) According to the data held on the Financial Services Register on the 1st of January 2013, how many regulated firms were there at that date that had the permission to advise on pension transfers/opt-outs ie the permission required to conduct Defined Benefit transfers?

FOI5689[93]

Please provide a breakdown of firms and individuals by firm who currently have the permission to advise on occupational pension transfers or opt-outs.

FOI5685[94]

Under the Freedom of Information Act, and with reference to a previous FOI (FOI5284), I would like an update on the table provided in the aforementioned FOI.

To explain:

1. A full and complete list of Primary Categories, along with definitions as to what each Primary Category includes.

2. The number of regulated firms in each Primary Category

Please could you let me know the date to which the data you provide is accurate.

FOI5682[95]

FOI5682 - information provided[96]

How many requests for assistance from foreign enforcement agencies did the FCA receive from: 1st January 2017 to 31st December 2017

Of these, how many requests did the FCA receive from US enforcement agencies?
 

If possible, please provide the information on a quarterly basis. If this is not possible, please provide it on an annual basis.

FOI5680[97]

FCA’s onsite visits as part of its AML/CTF supervision of regulated firms:

I would like to request further information on the outcomes of the FCA’s onsite visits as part of its AML/CTF supervision of regulated firms in the past two financial years.

Please refer to Table 3B on p.15-16 (as numbered) in HM Treasury’s "Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorist Financing: Supervision Report 2015-17", published here: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/685248/PU2146_AML_web.pdf

1.  Following the FCA’s onsite supervisory visits in 2015/16 and 2016/17, there were numerous FCA visits for which the report said "final assessments are unavailable" at the time data was supplied to HM Treasury.

a)  How many final assessments of compliance with the Money Laundering Regulations 2007 are still pending?

b)  How many firms were ultimately deemed non-compliant and how many non-compliant firms were issued fines?

c)  How many civil and/or criminal investigations were opened for breaches of the Money Laundering Regulations 2007?

2.  How long following an onsite visit does the FCA typically take to reach a final assessment of a firm’s compliance with the Money Laundering Regulations?

3.  What is the frequency of onsite visits for AML supervision? (i.e. are they staggered throughout the year or conducted biannually/annually?)

For the answers to question 1, please could we have the numbers broken down by financial year (i.e. April 2015 to March 2016, and April 2016 to March 2017).

FOI5678[98]

(i) AISPs (account information services providers)

(ii) PISPs (payment initiation services providers)

FOI5675[99]

1) The total number of whistleblowing reports into the FCA every quarter since Q1 2013.

2a) The number that relate to asset management every quarter since Q4 2013.

2b) The number that relate to financial advice every quarter since Q4 2013.

FOI5674[100]

Cryptocurrencies:

1.  How many investigations has the FCA opened relating to cryptocurrencies?

2.   How many whistleblower reports related to cryptocurrencies has the FCA received?

Under cryptocurrencies, I would also include all Initial Coin Offerings (ICOs).

Please provide the data by the year if possible, otherwise please provide whatever you can.

FOI5673[101]

I would like to know how many data breaches have been reported to you by companies you regulate for the calendar years 2015, 2016 and 2017.

If possible I would like the data split by month and sector. However, should this make the request difficult to the point that you refuse the request then don’t.

FOI5654[102]

FOI5654 - information provided[103]

How many companies have applied for new Open Banking regulations?

How many companies have been granted new Open Banking regulations?

How many companies have been denied new Open Banking regulations?

Request Clarified:

Info requested re: number of firms that 1) applied for, 2) were granted, or 3) were denied permission to operate as AISPs and PISPs

FOI5632[104]

Request clarified on 2 March 2018:

Please find more clarity to our request.

1) Whether you would like FCA controlled functions and SMR /SIMF functions?

Please can we have both FCA Controlled functions and AMR / SIMF functions.

2) Further, can you please specify the exact years that you require the data for?

Please can you provide the information for 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017

FOI5596[105]

I am seeking information on responses to the questionnaire on defined benefit pension transfer business sent out to up to 50 regulated firms in December (attached).

- How many firms returned a fully completed questionnaire by the 8 January 2018 deadline?

- How many firms did not return a questionnaire?

- How many returned partially completed questionnaires (with some questions omitted or not answered sufficiently)?

- How many firms requested more time to respond?

FOI5641[106]

Could you please provide a list of all complaints the FCA has received with regards to cryptocurrencies over the last 12 months.

In each case, could you provide details of - what cryptocurrency was involved, what the nature of the complaint was (i.e. scam, false advertising), and whether the complaint was lodged by an individual or a company.

FOI5636[107]

1. How many investigations does the FCA launch into company directors each year.

2. A breakdown of the types of investigations launched, using whichever categories are used internally.

Please provide the data for each of the last three years with a year-end 31st December or whichever year-end date is most convenient. If you cannot provide data for each of the last three years, then please provide data for each of the most recent two years.

FOI5640[108]

FOI5611[109]

Under the Freedom of Information Act, and in reference to a previous FOI5195, I would like to know:

• An estimate of the number of individuals who currently come under the Senior Managers’ Regime.
• If possible, an estimate of the number of individuals who will come under the Senior Managers' Regime extension upon its implementation on the 10th December 2018.

FOI5616[110]

1.

a) Total number of Sipps sold per quarter for 2016 and 2017 (separating out advised and unadvised sales)

b) What percentage of these advised sales were attributable to the top 5 providers

c) What percentage of these advised sales were attributable to the top 10 providers

2.

a) How many of Sipp providers are not currently meeting capital adequacy requirements

b) How many are using Tier 2 capital to meet these requirements

c) How many are using Tier 2 capital to meet more than 25% of these requirements.

FOI5615[111]

Senior Manager & Certification Regime

1. As at the date of your response to this request, how many enforcement investigations does the FCA have open into:

a. Individuals who hold Senior Management Functions (for the purposes of the Senior Managers Regime).

b. Individuals who are classified by their firms as falling within the Certification Regime?

c. Individuals who are neither Senior Managers or Certified Persons but fall within the approved persons regime.

d. Individuals who are not Senior Managers, Certified Persons or approved persons.

2. In relation to the request set out in 1(a) above, please can you provide a breakdown of the number provided to show which Senior Management Functions are held by individuals who are under investigation.

3. Please provide the total number of open enforcement cases as at the date of the FCA's response to this request.

FOI5613[112]

1. A list of the regulated bodies or firms that the FCA a) prosecuted and b) took alternative action against for breaches of the Money Laundering Regulations 2007 with a list of the outcome, penalty and case.

2. A list of regulated bodies or firms that the FCA has a) prosecuted and b) taken alternative action against for breaches of the Money Laundering Regulations 2017 with a list of the outcome, penalty and case.

3. The number of criminal investigations the FCA has opened into breaches of the Money Laundering Regulations 2017 since it came into force by a) individuals and b) regulated firms.

FOI5577[113]

FOI5590[114]

FOI5590 - information provided[115]

In 2016 how many FCA regulated firms that have permission to offer financial advice have voluntarily agreed with the FCA to an asset restriction sale, so they could not sell on their assets without the prior consent of the FCA?

In 2017 how many FCA regulated firms that have permission to offer financial advice have voluntarily agreed with the FCA to an asset restriction sale, so they could not sell on their assets without the prior consent of the FCA?

FOI5592[116]

FOI5513[112]

Under the Freedom of Information Act, 2000, with regards to a previous FOI (ref FOI5142) I would like to have the below functions split by gender where the applicants have stated Mr, Ms, Mrs and Miss in their application:

1. How many Control Function 1 Holders are women, how many are men?

2. How many Control Function 2 Holders are women, how many are men?

3. How many Control Function 3 Holders are women, how many are men?

4. How many Control Function 4 Holders are women, how many are men?

I would like this data for the Year 2017 (year-end 31st December.)

FOI5584[117]

I would like to know how many investigations the FCA currently has open into companies who are promoting contracts for difference on cryptocurrency prices to UK investors, also known as "leveraged cryptocurrency", "leveraged Bitcoin", "cryptocurrency spreadbetting", etc, without being authorised to offer contracts for difference in the UK.

I have noticed that these cryptocurrency CFDs are currently being heavily promoted to UK investors via UK local news sites, in much the same way as binary options platforms were prior to the last few months.

FOI5555[118]

FOI5575[119]

FOI5575 - information provided[120]

The number of firms who have been authorised in 2015, 2016 & 2017 with the specific permissions you listed

The permissions being:

• firms which advise on investments
• firms which arrange deals in investments
• firms which manage investments
• firms which manage a Ucits and
• firms which manage an AIF

FOI5571[121]

I would like to know the total number of “Significant Influence Function” (SIF) interviews that have been conducted.

I would like this data for the last five years, broken down by year, using a year-end date of 31st December. If using a year-end of 31st December is not possible, please use a year end of 30th September.

If data for the last five years is not possible, I would like the data for the last three years also broken down by quarter.

FOI5560[122]

1. I'd like to know how many enquiries the FCA has received from financial advisers and financial planners regarding MiFID II implementation in the past six months.

2. More specifically, I'd like to know how many it has received since the MiFID II application date on 3 January 2018.

3. I'd also like to know if the FCA has a designated help line for advisers to enquire about MiFID, and if there is any way to have a breakdown of the subtopics of MiFID II advisers have most enquired about.

4. Finally, I'd like to know if the FCA has concerns about financial advice firms not being compliant with the MiFID II legislation. If so, how many firms is it concerned about?

5. Finally, has the FCA visited any firm regarding concern over MiFID compliance? If so, how many?

FOI5538[123]

Please could I have the following data split by gender where the applicant have stated Mr, Mrs, Ms and Miss in their application.

1) Since the introduction of the Senior Managers Regime (SMR), how many ‘Application to perform senior management functions’ has the FCA received from men (Mr) and how many from Women (Ms/Mrs/Miss)?

2) Of these applications how many were approved and how many were declined. Please could we have the stats broken down by gender (as above)

FOI5558[124]

1. Number of firms (in the UK) regulated by the FCA that are permitted to safeguard / administer assets and/or client money for the years 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017 [classified by Small, Medium, Large]

2. Value of client assets held by these firms for the years 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017 [classified by Small, Medium, Large]

3. Value of client money held by these firms for the years 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017 [classified by Small, Medium, Large]

4. Total Number of reported CASS breaches to the FCA for the years 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017 [classified by Small, Medium, Large]

FOI5548[125]

FOI5548 - information provided[126]

How many reportable cyber incidents have been reported to the FCA by authorised firms in 2015, 2016 and 2017 and can these be broken down by:

• type of incident and
• type of firm?

FOI5551[127]

FOI5540[128]

Follow-up to FOI5497 - Point 1.

In relation to all regulated individuals in the UK, the number of instances when an individual was disqualified, for providing wholly or partially false or misleading information to a regulator, tribunal or court.

In relation to Point 1: 14 instances. Please can you break this down between misleading information given to

(i) the regulator and

(ii) a Tribunal or court and

(iii) both.

Also can I just confirm the date range for the 14. Is this 14 ever or 14 from the start of 2017?

FOI5547[129]

1. How many firms currently have permission to advise on regulated mortgage contracts?

2. How many individuals are attached to those firms?

3. From the figures above can you provide the number of those which are appointed representatives vs directly authorised?

FOI5530[130]

FOI5516[131]

1. “The number of firms or individuals that the FCA has referred to the RDC

• Please specify the number of firms and individuals that have been referred (i.e. not a cumulative total of both).
• I would like the data for the last five years’, broken down by quarter. Please use the most recent quarter for which you have available data.
  • If data for the last five years is not possible, the last three years will suffice. If this is not possible then the last two years will be fine.

If time and cost allowances permit, please consider a second request, below. If time and cost allowances do not permit, then an answer to the above will be appreciated.

2. If possible, could you please also include how many of these cases resulted in sanctions, and what category of sanction was handed out in each instance.

I.e. if there were 15 referred instances in a quarter, how many of those resulted in sanctions (financial, bans, etc. or whichever categories you deem fit).”

How many complaints about SSAS have you received over:

Last 3 months
Last 6 months?
Last 12 months?

“For the time period August 2012 to present*:

1. In relation to all regulated individuals in the UK, the number of instances when an individual was disqualified, for providing wholly or partially false or misleading information to a regulator, tribunal or court.

2. In relation to all regulated individuals in the UK, the number of instances when an individual was disqualified for behaviour which may have been in breach of criminal law.

3. In relation to all regulated individuals in the UK, the number of instances when an individual was disqualified, after a finding of discriminatory conduct by an Employment Tribunal or Court

4. Any information pertaining to the policy of the FCA in respect of continued authorisation (or enforcement action including, inter alia, disqualification) of any individual who is found guilty by an Employment Tribunal or Court of behaviour that is a breach of the Equality Act 2010. In particular, conduct which is found to be seriously racist, sexist, homophobic or otherwise discriminatory.”

FOI5497[134]

“1. Transcripts of communications between the FCA and the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) from May to July 2016 which culminated in the handing over of complaints investigations in the payment services sector from the ASA to the FCA.

2. The updated MOU between the FCA and the ASA which includes the decision made in point 1. above

3. Clarification as to who is now the competent authority for investigating advertising complaints about the payment services sector.

4. A list of payment services firms which the FCA has investigated for misleading advertising and the results of those investigations.”

FOI5391[135]

FOI5391 - information provided[136]

FOI5391 - internal review[137]

FOI5391 - internal review information provided[138]

1. How many IFA firms in the UK currently have FCA permissions to act as pension transfer specialists – and

2. How many individuals ( if there are separate statistics) operating as independent IFA's with such permissions to act as transfer specialists. (I know some firms have recently had their permissions withdrawn because of the DB transfer problems).