You are viewing GEN 4 Statutory status disclosure as of . GEN 4 Statutory status disclosure was last updated on 06/04/2026. Future Versions: 15/07/2026

GEN 4.1 Application

Who? What?

01/01/2021R

This chapter applies to every firm and with respect to every regulated activity, except that:

  1. (1)

    [deleted]

  2. (2)

    [deleted]

  3. (3)

    [deleted]

  4. (4)

    [deleted]

  5. (5)

    only GEN 4.1 (Application) and GEN 4.5 (Statements about authorisation and regulation by the appropriate regulator) apply in relation to MiFID or equivalent third country business and only where that MiFID or equivalent third country business is not business falling within paragraph 2 (Transactions between an MTF operator and its users), 3 (Transactions concluded on an MTF) or 4 (Transactions concluded on a regulated market) of Part 1 of COBS 1 Annex 1; and

  6. (6)

    only GEN 4.1 (Application) and GEN 4.5 (Statements about authorisation and regulation by the appropriate regulator) apply in relation to administering a benchmark.

Where?

01/04/2019R

GEN 4.3 (Letter disclosure) applies in relation to activities carried on from an establishment maintained by the firm (or by its appointed representative) in the United Kingdom, subject to GEN 4.3.4 R (Exception: insurers). In relation to regulated claims management activities, GEN 4.3 applies with respect to activity carried on in Great Britain, even if the establishment from which it is carried on is not located in the UK (see PERG 2.4A).

01/01/2021R

GEN 4.3 (Letter disclosure) applies to a TP firm in relation to activities carried on from an establishment maintained by the TP firm (or by its appointed representative) in the United Kingdom, or carried on by the TP firm (or its appointed representative) into the United Kingdom from an establishment that is not in the United Kingdom, subject to GEN 4.3.4R (Exception: insurers).

01/03/2003R

GEN 4.4 (Business for private customers from non-UK offices) applies in connection with a regulated activity carried on from an establishment of the firm (or its appointed representative) that is not in the United Kingdom.

01/01/2021R

GEN 4.5 (Statements about authorisation and regulation by the appropriate regulator) applies in relation to activities carried on from an establishment maintained by the firm (or by its appointed representative) in the United Kingdom.

01/01/2021R

GEN 4.5 (Statements about authorisation and regulation by the appropriate regulator) applies in relation to activities carried on from an establishment maintained by the TP firm (or by its appointed representative) in the United Kingdom or carried on by the TP firm (or its appointed representative) into the United Kingdom from an establishment that is not in the United Kingdom.

GEN 4.2 Purpose

01/04/2013G

This chapter requires the provision of appropriate minimum information about the identity of the regulator that authorised a firm. It also governs the way in which a firm may describe its regulation by the appropriate regulator.

01/04/2013G

This chapter builds upon Principle 7 (Communications with clients), which requires a firm to pay due regard to the information needs of its clients. This assists in the achievement of the statutory objectives, including the FCA's strategic objective of ensuring that relevant markets function well and the consumer protection and integrity objectives.

06/04/2026G

There are other pre-contract information requirements outside this chapter, including:

  1. (1)

     for financial promotions, inthe financial promotion rules;

  2. (2)

     for designated investment business, inCOBS 8 and COBS 8A (Client agreements), COBS 5 (Distance Communications), COBS 6 (Information about the firm, its services and remuneration), COBS 13 and 14 (which relate to product information) and CASS (Client assets);

  3. (2A)

     for consumer composite investments, a requirement under DISC to provide retail investors with a product summary;

  4. (3)

     for non-investment insurance contracts, distance communication requirements in ICOBS 3, initial disclosure requirements in ICOBS 4, disclosures relating to client needs and advice in ICOBS 5 and product information requirements in ICOBS 6;

  5. (4)

     for electronic commerce activities carried on from an establishment in the United Kingdom, in COBS 5.2, ICOBS 3.2 and MCOB 2.8;

  6. (5)

     for regulated mortgage contracts and home purchase plans, initial disclosure requirements in MCOB 4, pre-application disclosure requirements in MCOB 5, and disclosure at the offer stage in MCOB 6;

  7. (6)

     for equity release transactions, initial disclosure requirements in MCOB 8.4, pre-application disclosure requirements in MCOB 9.4 and disclosure at the offer stage in MCOB 9.5;

  8. (7)

     for regulated sale and rent back agreements, initial disclosure requirements in MCOB 4.11, pre-sale disclosure requirements in MCOB 5.9 and disclosure at the offer stage requirements in MCOB 6.9;

  9. (8)

     for regulated credit agreements, the pre-contract information requirements in the Consumer Credit (Disclosure of Information) Regulations 2010 (SI 2010/1013) and in the Consumer Credit (Disclosure of Information) Regulations 2004 (SI 2004/1481); and

  10. (9)

     for regulated claims management activities, the pre-contract information and other requirements in CMCOB 4.2 and CMCOB 4.3.

GEN 4.3 Letter disclosure

Disclosure in letters to retail clients

01/04/2013R

A firm must take reasonable care to ensure that every letter (or electronic equivalent) which it or its employees send to a retail client, with a view to or in connection with the firm carrying on a regulated activity, includes the disclosure in GEN 4 Annex 1 R (firms that are not PRA-authorised persons) or GEN 4 Annex 1AR (PRA-authorised persons) as applicable.

04/10/2024R

A TP firm must take reasonable care to ensure that every letter (or electronic equivalent) which it or its employees send to a retail client, with a view to or in connection with the TP firm carrying on a regulated activity, includes the disclosure in, as the case may be:

  1. (1)

    [deleted]

  2. (2)

    for a TP firm under Part 6 of the EU Exit Passport Regulations, GEN 4 Annex 1C 1.1R or 1.2R (firms that are not PRA-authorised persons) or GEN 4 Annex 1C 2.1R or 2.2R (PRA-authorised persons).

01/04/2013G

Where a letter covers both activities to which this sectionapplies and activities to which this sectiondoes not apply, the firm should comply with the rules in this chapter in relation to the business to which it applies.

01/01/2021G

An example for GEN 4.3.1A G would be where a letter covers business for which the FCA is the competent authority under the the UK provisions which implemented IDD and under the UK provisions which implemented MiFID.

01/04/2013G

For a UK domestic firm that is not a PRA-authorised person, the required disclosure in GEN 4 Annex 1 R is "Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority".

04/10/2013G

For a UK domestic firm that is a PRA-authorised person, the required disclosure in GEN 4 Annex 1AR is "Authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority".

01/11/2007G
  1. (1)

    GEN 4.3.1 R (Disclosure in letters to retail clients) covers letters delivered by hand, sent by post and sent by fax and also electronic mail, but not text messages, account statements, business cards or compliment slips (used as such).

  2. (2)

    GEN 4.3.1 R (Disclosure in letters to retail clients) applies in relation to letters sent by any of the firm's employees, which includes its appointed representatives and their employees.

  3. (3)

    Firms are likely to find it convenient to include the required disclosure in their letterhead.

Exception: insurers

01/01/2021R

GEN 4.3.1 R (Disclosure in letters to retail clients) does not apply in relation to:

  1. (1)

    general insurance business if the State of the risk is outside the United Kingdom and the client is not in the United Kingdom when the contract of insurance is entered into; or

  2. (2)

    long-term insurance business if the client is habitually resident outside the United Kingdom and is not present in the United Kingdom when the contract of insurance is entered into.

Exception: authorised professional firms

01/11/2007R

For an authorised professional firm, GEN 4.3.1 R (Disclosure in letters to retail clients) does not apply with respect to its non-mainstream regulated activities.

Exception: use of third party processors in home finance and insurance distribution activities

01/10/2018R
  1. (1)

    Where a firm has outsourced activities to a third party processor other than advising on life policies, GEN 4.3.1 R does not apply to that third party processor when acting as such, so long as the outsourcing firm ensures that the third party processor and its employees comply with that rule as if it was the firm and they were employees of the firm.

  2. (2)

    Where an appointed representative has outsourced insurance distribution activities other than advising on life policies or home finance mediation activities to a third party processor, GEN 4.3.1 R does not apply to that third party processor when acting as such, so long as the appointed representative's principal ensures that the third party processor and its employees comply with that rule as if it was the appointed representative and they were the employees of the appointed representative.

  3. (3)

    Where an appointed representative of a firm is carrying on:

    1. (a)

      insurance distribution activities other than advising on life policies; or

    2. (b)

      home finance mediation activities;

    which have been outsourced to it by the firm, GEN 4.3.1 R does not apply to the firm when the appointed representative is carrying on the outsourced activities, so long as the firm ensures that the appointed representative and its employees comply with that rule as if it was the firm and they were employees of the firm.

Exception: credit firms

01/01/2021R

GEN 4.3.1 R (Disclosure in letters to retail clients) does not apply to a credit firm (other than a firm with a limited permission) with respect to the activity of entering into a regulated credit agreement as lender to which the Consumer Credit Directive would have applied if the activity had been carried on immediately before IP completion day.

01/01/2021G

A credit firm which carries on the activity of entering into a regulated credit agreement as lender, in respect of an agreement to which GEN 4.3.1R (Disclosure in letters to retail clients) does not apply as a result of GEN 4.3.7R is under an obligation to disclose pre-contract information in the form and to the extent required by the Consumer Credit (Disclosure of Information) Regulations 2010 (SI 2010/1013). Firms which carry on credit broking may take on the same obligation. A credit firm must also ensure specified information is included in credit agreements to which GEN 4.3.1R (Disclosure in letters to retail clients) does not apply as a result of GEN 4.3.7R in the form and to the extent required by the Consumer Credit (Agreements) Regulations 2010 (SI 2010/1014).

01/01/2021G

The effect of GEN 4.3.7 R is that a credit firm in relation to a regulated credit agreement which would have been covered by the Consumer Credit Directive if the activity had been carried on immediately before IP completion day does not need to comply with GEN 4.3.1 R in relation to those letters (or electronic equivalents) that accompany the information required under the Regulations referred to in GEN 4.3.8 G.

01/01/2021G

GEN 4.3.7R and the guidance related to it are not relevant to regulated activities covered by a limited permission (see the "relevant credit activities" set out in paragraph 2G of Schedule 6 to the Act).

GEN 4.4 Business for retail clients from non-UK offices

01/11/2007R
  1. (1)

    If, in any communication:

    1. (a)

      made to:

      1. (i)

        (in relation to a non-investment insurance contract) aconsumer;

      2. (ii)

        (in relation to a home finance transaction) a customer; or

      3. (iii)

        (in all other cases) a retail client; and

    2. (b)

      in connection with a regulated activity carried on from an establishment of the firm (or its appointed representative) that is not in the United Kingdom;

    the firm indicates that it is an authorised person, it must also, where relevant, and with equal prominence, give the information in (2) in writing.

  2. (2)

    The information required is that in some or all respects the regulatory system applying will be different from that of the United Kingdom. The firm may also indicate the protections and complaints or compensation arrangements available under another relevant system of regulation.

  3. (3)

    A firm need not provide the information required by (1) if it has already provided it in writing to the customer to whom the communication is made.

Exception

01/04/2019R

This section does not apply in relation to regulated claims management activities (but firms carrying on such activities in Great Britain will be subject to GEN 4.3: see GEN 4.1.2R).

GEN 4.5 Statements about authorisation and regulation by the appropriate regulator

Application

31/10/2008R

This section applies to a firm:

  1. (1)

    communicating with a customer; or

  2. (2)

    communicating or approving a financial promotion other than:

    1. (a)

      a financial promotion that would benefit from an exemption in the Financial Promotion Order if it were communicated by an unauthorised person;

    2. (b)

      a promotion of an unregulated collective investment scheme that would breach section 238(1) of the Act if made by an authorised person (firms may not communicate or approve such promotions).

08/10/2023R
  1. (1)

    This section also applies to a registered person communicating a financial promotion relating to one or more qualifying cryptoassets (in reliance on the exemption in article 73ZA of the Financial Promotion Order).

  2. (2)

    For the purpose of (1), references in this section to a firm include reference to a registered person.

08/10/2023G

As unauthorised persons, registered persons must also ensure that they do not contravene section 24 of the Act (False claims to be authorised or exempt).

01/04/2013G

GEN 4.5.1 R (1) does not apply to a firm when communicating with an eligible counterparty.

01/04/2013G

However, misleading statements by a firm when communicated with an eligible counterparty may involve a breach of Principle 7 (Communications with clients) or Part 7 (Offences relating to financial services) of the Financial Services Act 2012, as well as giving rise to private law actions for misrepresentation.

The duty

01/04/2013R

A firm must not indicate or imply that it is authorised by the FCA in respect of business for which it is not so authorised.

01/04/2013R

A firm must not indicate or imply that it is authorised by the PRA in respect of business for which it is not so authorised.

01/04/2013R

A firm must not indicate or imply that it is regulated or otherwise supervised by the FCA in respect of business for which it is not regulated by the FCA.

01/04/2013R

A firm must not indicate or imply that it is regulated or otherwise supervised by the PRA in respect of business for which it is not regulated by the PRA.

01/01/2021G

It is likely to be misleading for a firm that is not authorised by the FCA or PRA to state or imply that it is so authorised. It is also likely to be misleading for a firm to state or imply that a client will have recourse to the Financial Ombudsman Service or the FSCS where this is not the case.

  1. (3)

    [deleted]

01/04/2013G

As well as potentially breaching the requirements in this section, misleading statements by a firm may involve a breach of Principle 7 (Communications with clients) or section Part 7 (Offences relating to financial services) of the Financial Services Act 2012, as well as giving rise to private law actions for misrepresentation.

GEN 4 Annex 1 Statutory status disclosure

01/01/2021R

This rule applies to firms that are not PRA-authorised persons:

 Type of firmRequired disclosure (Note 5)
(1)UK domestic firm; or overseas firm"Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority" (Note 1)
(2)[deleted] 
(3)[deleted] 
(4)Appointed representative of a firm

"[Name ofappointed representative] is an appointed representative of [name of firm] which is [then continue with the required disclosure of the firm]"

(Note 4)

   

Note 1 = A firm must use the formulation "Financial Conduct Authority" and not the abbreviated formulation "FCA".

 

Note 2 [deleted]

 

Note 2a [deleted] FCA, in which case it must make disclosure (b).

 

Note 3 = If a firm offers to make details about the extent of its authorisation or regulation by the FCA available on request and a customer requests such details, it must provide those details in a way that is clear, fair and not misleading.

 

Note 4 = If the appointed representative has more than oneprincipal, the disclosure must relate to the principal or principals responsible for the regulated activity or activities concerned. The required disclosure of the firm is that which would apply were the firm to make the disclosure under the rules applicable to it.

 

Note 5 = Any firm listed in this table is permitted to add words to the relevant required disclosure statement but only if the firm has taken reasonable steps to satisfy itself that the presentation of its statutory status will, as a consequence, be fair, clear and not misleading and be likely to be understood by the average member of the group to whom it is directed or by whom it is likely to be received. For example, an authorised professional firm may wish to make it clear that it is also regulated by its professional body.

GEN 4 Annex 1A Statutory status disclosure (PRA-authorised persons)

01/01/2021R

This rule applies to firms that are PRA-authorised persons:

 Type of firmRequired disclosure (Note 5)
(1)UK domestic firm

"Authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority"

(Note 1)

(2)overseas firm

"[Authorised and regulated by [name of the overseas regulator of the overseas firm in the jurisdiction of that overseas firm's registered office (or, if it has no registered office, its head office)]]. Authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority. Subject to regulation by the Financial Conduct Authority and limited regulation by the Prudential Regulation Authority. Details about the extent of our regulation by the Prudential Regulation Authority are available from us on request."

(Notes 1, 2, 3, and 3a)

(3)[deleted] 
(4)[deleted] 
(5)Appointed representative of a firm

"[Name of appointed representative] is an appointed representative of [name of firm] which is [then continue with the required disclosure of the firm]"

(Note 4)

(6)Society of Lloyd's"Authorised under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000"

Note 1 = A firm must use the formulation "Financial Conduct Authority" or "Prudential Regulation Authority" and not the abbreviated formulation "FCA" or "PRA" respectively.

Note 2 = An overseas firm is free to translate the name of its Home State regulator or overseas regulator into English if it wishes. In doing so, it must ensure that the State in which the regulator is based is clear.

Note 2a [deleted]

 

Note 3 = If a firm offers to make details about the extent of its authorisation by the PRA or regulation by the FCA or PRA available on request and a customer requests such details, it must provide those details in a way that is clear, fair and not misleading.

Note 3a = An overseas firm is only required to disclose its authorisation and/or regulated by an overseas regulator if it is so authorised and/or regulated.

Note 4 = If the appointed representative has more than one principal, the disclosure must relate to the principal or principals responsible for the regulated activity or activities concerned. The required disclosure of the firm is that which would apply were the firm to make the disclosure under the rules applicable to the firm.

Note 5 = Any firm listed in this table is permitted to add words to the relevant required disclosure statement but only if the firm has taken reasonable steps to satisfy itself that the presentation of its statutory status will, as a consequence, be fair, clear and not misleading and be likely to be understood by the average member of the group to whom it is directed or by whom it is likely to be received.

GEN 4 Annex 1C Statutory status disclosure (TP firms under Part 6 of the EU Exit Passport Regulations)

01/01/2021R

TP firms under Part 6 of the EU Exit Passport Regulations that are not PRA-authorised persons

01/01/2021R

This rule applies to TP firms under Part 6 of the EU Exit Passport Regulations that are not PRA-authorised persons in relation to activities carried on by them or their appointed representatives from establishments in the United Kingdom:

 Type of firmRequired disclosure (Note 2)
(1)A TP firm under Part 6 of the EU Exit Passport Regulations without a top-up permission

“Deemed authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Details of the Financial Services Contracts Regime, which allows EEA-based firms to operate in the UK for a limited period to carry on activities which are necessary for the performance of pre-existing contracts, are available on the Financial Conduct Authority’s website.”

(Notes 1, 3 and 4)

(2)A TP firm under Part 6 of the EU Exit Passport Regulations with a top-up permission

“Authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority and with deemed variation of permission. Subject to regulation by the Financial Conduct Authority. Details of the Financial Services Contracts Regime, which allows EEA-based firms to operate in the UK for a limited period to carry on activities which are necessary for the performance of pre-existing contracts, are available on the Financial Conduct Authority’s website.”

(Notes 1, 3 and 4)

01/01/2021R

This rule applies to TP firms under Part 6 of the EU Exit Passport Regulations that are not PRA-authorised persons in relation to activities carried on by them or their appointed representatives into the United Kingdom from an establishment that is not in the United Kingdom:

 Type of firmRequired disclosure (Note 2)
(1)A TP firm under Part 6 of the EU Exit Passport Regulations without a top-up permission

“Deemed authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. The nature and extent of consumer protections may differ from those for firms based in the UK. Details of the Financial Services Contracts Regime, which allows EEA-based firms to operate in the UK for a limited period to carry on activities which are necessary for the performance of pre-existing contracts, are available on the Financial Conduct Authority’s website.”

(Notes 1, 3 and 4)

(2)A TP firm under Part 6 of the EU Exit Passport Regulations with a top-up permission

“Authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority and with deemed variation of permission. Subject to regulation by the Financial Conduct Authority. The nature and extent of consumer protections may differ from those for firms based in the UK. Details of the Financial Services Contracts Regime, which allows EEA-based firms to operate in the UK for a limited period to carry on activities which are necessary for the performance of pre-existing contracts, are available on the Financial Conduct Authority’s website.”

(Notes 1, 3 and 4)

01/01/2021R

TP firms that are PRA-authorised persons

01/01/2021R

This rule applies to TP firms under Part 6 of the EU Exit Passport Regulations that are PRA-authorised persons, in relation to activities carried on by them or their appointed representatives from establishments in the United Kingdom:

 Type of firmRequired disclosure (Note 2)
(1)A TP firm under Part 6 of the EU Exit Passport Regulations without a top-up permission

“Authorised and regulated by [name of the overseas regulator of the overseas firm in the jurisdiction of that overseas firm’s registered office (or, if it has no registered office, its head office)]. Deemed authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority. Subject to regulation by the Financial Conduct Authority and limited regulation by the Prudential Regulation Authority. Details of the Financial Services Contracts Regime, which allows EEA-based firms to operate in the UK for a limited period to carry on activities which are necessary for the performance of pre-existing contracts, are available on the Financial Conduct Authority’s website.”

(Notes 1, 3 and 4)

(2)A TP firm under Part 6 of the EU Exit Passport Regulations with a top-up permission

“Authorised and regulated by [name of the overseas regulator of the overseas firm in the jurisdiction of that overseas firm’s registered office (or, if it has no registered office, its head office)]. Authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and with deemed variation of permission. Subject to regulation by the Financial Conduct Authority and limited regulation by the Prudential Regulation Authority. Details of the Financial Services Contracts Regime, which allows EEA-based firms to operate in the UK for a limited period to carry on activities which are necessary for the performance of pre-existing contracts, are available on the Financial Conduct Authority’s website.”

(Notes 1, 3 and 4)

01/01/2021R

This rule applies to TP firms under Part 6 of the EU Exit Passport Regulations that are PRA-authorised persons in relation to activities carried on by them or their appointed representatives into the United Kingdom from an establishment that is not in the United Kingdom:

 Type of firmRequired disclosure (Note 2)
(1)A TP firm under Part 6 of the EU Exit Passport Regulations without a top-up permission

“Authorised and regulated by [name of the overseas regulator of the overseas firm in the jurisdiction of that overseas firm’s registered office (or, if it has no registered office, its head office)]. Deemed authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority. Subject to regulation by the Financial Conduct Authority and limited regulation by the Prudential Regulation Authority. The nature and extent of consumer protections may differ from those for firms based in the UK. Details of the Financial Services Contracts Regime, which allows EEA-based firms to operate in the UK for a limited period to carry on activities which are necessary for the performance of pre-existing contracts, are available on the Financial Conduct Authority’s website.”

(Notes 1, 3 and 4)

(2)A TP firm under Part 6 of the EU Exit Passport Regulations with a top-up permission

“Authorised and regulated by [name of the overseas regulator of the overseas firm in the jurisdiction of that overseas firm’s registered office (or, if it has no registered office, its head office)]. Deemed authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority. Subject to regulation by the Financial Conduct Authority and limited regulation by the Prudential Regulation Authority. The nature and extent of consumer protections may differ from those for firms based in the UK. Details of the Financial Services Contracts Regime, which allows EEA-based firms to operate in the UK for a limited period to carry on activities which are necessary for the performance of pre-existing contracts, are available on the Financial Conduct Authority’s website.”

(Notes 1, 3 and 4)

Note 1 = A firm must use the formulation "Financial Conduct Authority" or "Prudential Regulation Authority" and not the abbreviated formulation "FCA" or "PRA" respectively.

Note 2 = Any firm llisted in this table is permitted to add words to the relevant required disclosure statement but only if the firm has taken reasonable steps to satisfy itself that the presentation of its statutory status will, as a consequence, be fair, clear and not misleading and be likely to be understood by the average member of the group to whom it is directed or by whom it is likely to be received.

Note 3 = A “top-up permission” is a Part 4A permission granted to a firm which exercised passporting rights, but which activity was outside of the scope of its passport, i.e. where the regulated activity in question is not an activity which could be passported.

Note 4 = A firm is free to translate the name of its Home State regulator into English if it wishes. In doing so, it must ensure that the State in which the regulator is based is clear.