Home FCA Handbook COBS COBS 9B COBS 9B.1 Purpose
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COBS 9B.1 Purpose

06/04/2026G
  1. (1) This chapter sets out the framework for the provision of targeted support services.
  2. (2) The purpose of the framework for targeted support services is to enable firms to provide support to clients:
    1. (a) in relation to decisions about investments and pensions;
    2. (b) at scale;
    3. (c) on the basis of limited information and not a comprehensive consideration of a client’s characteristics or circumstances;
    4. (d) in situations involving a shared financial support need or objective;
    5. (e) through the delivery of a ready-made suggestion by reference to the client’s alignment with a pre-defined consumer segment; and
    6. (f) that is designed to put them in a better position than if they had not received a targeted support service from the firm.
  3. (2) A firm:
    1. (a) should design its targeted support service to be provided only where the firm has reasonable grounds to consider that the provision of such targeted support service would put individuals for whom that targeted support service is designed in a better position than if that support were not provided; and

    2. (b) is required to ensure that any ready-made suggestion developed to deliver on that purpose is suitable for an individual in the consumer segment for which is it developed (COBS 9B.4.20R).

       

06/04/2026G

The cross-cutting obligations under Principle 12 (Consumer Duty) do not require a firm to provide a targeted support service (whether reactively or proactively).

06/04/2026G

Notwithstanding the more limited nature of a targeted support service, as compared with other types of advice, firms are reminded of their obligation not to seek to exclude or restrict any duty or liability they may have to a client under the regulatory system (COBS 2.1.2R).