- (1)
The purpose of REC 3.18 is to enable the FCA to monitor changes in the types of member admitted by UK recognised bodies and to ensure that the FCA has notice of foreign jurisdictions in which the members of UK recognised bodies are based. UK recognised bodies may admit persons who are not authorised persons or persons who are not located in the United Kingdom, provided that the recognition requirements or (for RAPs) RAP recognition requirements continue to be met.
- (2)
REC 3.18.2 R focuses on the admission of persons who are not authorised persons (whether or not they are located in the United Kingdom) and on whether the specific recognition requirement or (for a RAP) RAP recognition requirement relating to access to facilities can still be met. REC 3.18.3 R focuses on the admission of members from outside the UK and whether all relevant recognition requirements or (for a RAP) RAP recognition requirements can be met. In the case of investment firms and credit institutions, only UK entities will be eligible to bid on a RAP.
- (3)
The information required under REC 3.18 is relevant to the FCA's supervision of the UK recognised body's obligations in relation to the enforceability of compliance with the UK recognised body's rules. It is also relevant to the FCA's broader responsibilities concerning integrity of the UK financial system and, in particular, its functions in relation to market abuse and financial crime. It may also be necessary in the case of members based outside the United Kingdom to examine the implications for the enforceability of default rules or collateral and the settlement of transactions, and thus the ability of the UK RIE to continue to meet the recognition requirements. It follows that the admission of a member from outside the United Kingdom who is not an authorised person could require notification under both REC 3.18.2 R and REC 3.18.3 R, although a single report from the UK recognised body covering both notifications would be acceptable to the FCA.
[Note: Paragraph 3A of the Schedule to the Recognition Requirements Regulations (REC 2.5.1UK) requires a UK RIE to inform the FCA about the content of a written agreement entered into with a member investment firm pursuing a market making strategy on a trading venue operated by the UK RIE]
