Loading…

Statutory Instruments

2001 No. 1177

FINANCIAL SERVICES AND MARKETS

The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Carrying on Regulated Activities by Way of Business) Order 2001

Made

26th March 2001

Coming into force in accordance with article 1

Whereas a draft of this Order has been approved by a resolution of each House of Parliament pursuant to section 429(1) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000(1);

Now, therefore, the Treasury, in exercise of the powers conferred on them by sections 419 and 428(3) of that Act, hereby make the following Order:

Citation, commencement and interpretationI1

1.—(1) This Order may be cited as the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Carrying on Regulated Activities by Way of Business) Order 2001, and comes into force on the day on which section 19 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 comes into force.

(2) In this Order—

(a) the “Regulated Activities Order” means the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Regulated Activities) Order 2001 ( 2 );

(b) [F1contract of insurance”, F1]contractually based investment”, “deposit”, “overseas person” and “security” have the same meaning as in that Order;

(c) shares” and “debentures” mean any investment of the kind specified by article 76 [F2 , 77 or 77A F2] of that Order;

(d) units in a collective investment scheme” means any investment of the kind specified by article 81 of that Order;

(e) warrants” means any investment of the kind specified by article 79 of that Order.

Deposit taking businessI2

2.—(1) A person who carries on an activity of the kind specified by article 5 of the Regulated Activities Order (accepting deposits) is not to be regarded as doing so by way of business if—

(a)he does not hold himself out as accepting deposits on a day to day basis; and

(b)any deposits which he accepts are accepted only on particular occasions, whether or not involving the issue of any securities.

(2) In determining for the purposes of paragraph (1)(b) whether deposits are accepted only on particular occasions, regard is to be had to the frequency of those occasions and to any characteristics distinguishing them from each other.

[F3 (3) A person (“B”) who carries on an activity of the kind specified by article 5(1)(b) of the Regulated Activities Order (accepting deposits) is not to be regarded as doing so by way of business if—

(a) the activity is facilitated by a person (“A”);

(b)in facilitating the activity, A was operating an electronic system in relation to lending;

(c)B is not a credit institution or an authorised person;

(d)B is not carrying on the business of accepting deposits;

(e)B does not hold themselves out as accepting deposits on a day to day basis, other than where the holding-out is facilitated by persons engaged in operating an electronic system in relation to lending.

(4) For the purposes of paragraph (3)(d), if B uses the capital of, or interest on, money received by way of deposit solely to finance other business activity carried on by B, this is to be regarded as evidence indicating that B is not carrying on the business of accepting deposits.

(5) In this article—

article 36H agreement” has the meaning given in article 36H(4) of the Regulated Activities Order;

assignment”, in relation to Scotland, means assignation;

borrower” means—

(a)

a person who receives credit under an agreement that is not an article 36H agreement only because it does not satisfy the conditions in article 36H(5) and (6) of the Regulated Activities Order; or

(b)

a person to whom the rights and duties of a borrower under such an agreement have passed by assignment or operation of law;

credit institution” means an undertaking the business of which is to take deposits or other repayable funds from the public and to grant credits for its own account;

lender” means—

(a)

a person providing credit under an agreement that is not an article 36H agreement only because it does not satisfy the conditions in article 36H(5) and (6) of the Regulated Activities Order; or

(b)

a person who by assignment or operation of law has assumed the rights and duties of a lender under such an agreement;

operating an electronic system in relation to lending” means carrying on an activity—

(a)

of the kind specified by article 36H of the Regulated Activities Order (operating an electronic system in relation to lending), or

(b)

that would be of the kind specified by article 36H but for the fact that the activity does not concern facilitating an article 36H agreement, but concerns facilitating persons becoming the lender and borrower under an agreement that is not an article 36H agreement only because it does not satisfy the conditions in article 36H(5) and (6) of the Regulated Activities Order;F3]

Investment businessI3

3.—(1) A person is not to be regarded as carrying on by way of business an activity to which [F4paragraph (2) appliesF4] , unless he carries on the business of engaging in one or more such activities.

(2)[F5 This paragraphF5] applies to an activity of the kind specified by any of the following provisions of the Regulated Activities Order, namely—

(a)article 14 (dealing in investments as principal);

(b)article 21 (dealing in investments as agent);

(c)article 25 (arranging deals in investments), except in so far as that activity relates to an investment of the kind specified by article 86 of that Order (Lloyd’s syndicate capacity and syndicate membership), or article 89 of that Order (rights and interests) so far as relevant to that article;

[F6 (ca)article 25D (operating a multilateral trading facility);F6]

[F7 (cb)article 25DA (operating an organised trading facility);F7]

[F8 (cc)article 25DB (operating an electronic system for public offers of relevant securities);F8]

(d)article 37 (managing investments);

(e)article 40 (safeguarding and administering investments);

(f)article 45 (sending dematerialised instructions);

[F9 (ga)article 51ZA (managing a UCITS);

(gb)article 51ZB (acting as a trustee or depositary of a UCITS);

(gc)article 51ZC (managing an AIF);

(gd)article 51ZD (acting as a trustee or depositary of an AIF);

(ge)article 51ZE (establishing etc. a collective investment scheme);F9]

(h)F10article 52 (establishing etc. a ... pension scheme);

(i)article 53 (advising on investments); and

[F11 (j)article 64 (agreeing) so far as relevant to any of the articles mentioned in sub-paragraphs (a) to (i),

but does not apply to any insurance mediation activity.F11]

(3)[F12 Paragraph (1)F12] is without prejudice to article 4 of this Order.

[F13 (4) A person is not to be regarded as carrying on by way of business any insurance [F14 distributionF14] activity unless he takes up or pursues that activity for remuneration.

(5) In this article, “insurance [F15 distribution F15] activity” means any activity of the kind specified by article 21, 25(1) or (2), 39A or 53 of the Regulated Activities Order, or, so far as relevant to any of those articles, article 64 of that Order, which is carried on in relation to a contract of insurance. F13]

[F16Arranging and advising on regulated mortgage contracts

3A. A person is not to be regarded as carrying on by way of business an activity of the kind specified by—

(a)article 25A of the Regulated Activities Order (arranging regulated mortgage contracts);

(b)article 53A of that Order (advising on regulated mortgage contracts); or

(c)article 64 of that Order (agreeing), so far as relevant to any of the articles mentioned in sub-paragraphs (a) and (b),

unless he carries on the business of engaging in that activity.F16]

[F17Arranging and advising on regulated home reversion plans

3B. A person is not to be regarded as carrying on by way of business an activity specified by—

(a)article 25B of the Regulated Activities Order (arranging regulated home reversion plans);

(b)article 53B of that Order (advising on regulated home reversion plans); or

(c)article 64 of that Order (agreeing), so far as relevant to either of the articles mentioned in sub-paragraphs (a) and (b),

unless he carries on the business of engaging in that activity.F17]

[F17Arranging and advising on regulated home purchase plans

3C. A person is not to be regarded as carrying on by way of business an activity specified by—

(a)article 25C of the Regulated Activities Order (arranging regulated home purchase plans);

(b)article 53C of that Order (advising on regulated home purchase plans); or

(c)article 64 of that Order (agreeing), so far as relevant to either of the articles mentioned in sub-paragraphs (a) and (b),

unless he carries on the business of engaging in that activity.F17]

[F18Arranging and advising on regulated sale and rent back agreements

3D. A person is not to be regarded as carrying on by way of business an activity specified by—

(a)article 25E of the Regulated Activities Order (arranging regulated sale and rent back agreements);

(b)article 53D of that Order (advising on regulated sale and rent back agreements); or

(c)article 64 of that Order (agreeing), so far as relevant to either of the articles mentioned in sub-paragraphs (a) and (b),

unless that person carries on the business of engaging in that activity.F18]

[F19Debt adjusting, debt-counselling etc. by not-for-profit bodies

3E.—(1) A not-for-profit body which carries on an activity of the kind specified by article 39D (debt adjusting), 39E (debt-counselling) or 89A (providing credit information services) of the Regulated Activities Order or article 64 of that Order (agreeing to carry on specified kinds of activity) so far as relevant to any of those activities is to be regarded as carrying on that activity by way of business if the activities being carried on by that body consist of, or relate to, that activity.

(2) Paragraph (1) does not apply if the body carries on that activity only on an occasional basis.

(3) It is immaterial for the purposes of paragraph (1) if the activities being carried on by the body also consist of, or relates to, other activities.

(4) In this article, a “ not-for-profit body ” means a body which, by virtue of its constitution or any enactment—

(a)is required (after payment of outgoings) to apply the whole of its income and any capital it expends for charitable or public purposes, and

(b)is prohibited from directly or indirectly distributing amongst its members any part of its assets (otherwise than for charitable or public purposes).F19]

Managing investments: occupational pension schemesI4

4.—(1) A person who carries on an activity of the kind specified by article 37 of the Regulated Activities Order (managing investments), where the assets in question are held for the purposes of an occupational pension scheme, is to be regarded as carrying on that activity by way of business, except where—

(a)he is a person to whom paragraph (2) applies; or

(b)F20all ... day to day decisions in the carrying on of that activity (other than decisions falling within paragraph (6)), so far as relating to relevant assets, are taken on his behalf by—

(i)an authorised person who has permission to carry on activities of the kind specified by article 37 of the Regulated Activities Order;

(ii)a person who is an exempt person in relation to activities of that kind; or

(iii)an overseas person.

(2) This paragraph applies to—

(a)any trustee of a relevant scheme who is a beneficiary or potential beneficiary under the scheme; and

(b)F21any other trustee of a relevant scheme who takes no ... day to day decisions relating to the management of any relevant assets.

(3) In this article—

[F22occupational pension scheme” has the meaning given by section 1 of the Pension Schemes Act 1993 but with paragraph (b) of the definition omitted; F22]

relevant assets” means assets of the scheme in question which are securities or contractually based investments;

relevant scheme” means any occupational pension scheme of a kind falling within paragraph (4) or (5).

(4) A scheme falls within this paragraph if—

(a)it is constituted under an irrevocable trust:

(b)it has no more than twelve relevant members;

(c)all relevant members, other than any relevant member who is unfit to act, or is incapable of acting, as trustee of the scheme, are trustees of it; and

(d)F23all ... day to day decisions relating to the management of the assets of the scheme which are relevant assets are required to be taken by all, or a majority of, relevant members who are trustees of the scheme or by a person of a kind falling within paragraph (1)(b)(i) or (ii) acting alone or jointly with all, or a majority of, such relevant members;

and for these purposes a person is a relevant member of a scheme if he is an employee or former employee by or in respect of whom contributions to the scheme are being or have been made and to or in respect of whom benefits are or may become payable under the scheme.

(5) A scheme falls within this paragraph if—

(a)it has no more than fifty members;

(b)the contributions made by or in respect of each member of the scheme are used in the acquisition of a contract of insurance on the life of that member or in the acquisition of a contract to pay an annuity on that life;

(c)the only decision of a kind described in paragraph (1)(b) which may be taken in relation to the scheme is the selection of such contracts; and

(d)each member is given the opportunity to select the contract which the contributions made by or in respect of him will be used to acquire.

(6) A decision falls within this paragraph if—

[F24 (a)it is a decision by the trustees of an occupational pension scheme to buy, sell or subscribe for—

(i)units in a collective investment scheme;

(ii)shares or debentures (or warrants relating to such shares or debentures) issued by a body corporate having as its purpose the investment of its funds with the aim of spreading investment risk and giving its members the benefit of the results of the management of those funds by or on behalf of that body; or

(iii)rights under (or rights to or interests in) any contract of insurance;F24]

F25...

[F26 (b)the decision is taken after advice has been obtained and considered from a person who falls within any of the cases in paragraph (7);F26]

F27(c). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F28(d). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F29 (7) The cases are where the person is—

(a)an authorised person who has permission to carry on activities of the kind specified by article 53 of the Regulated Activities Order in relation to the decision in question;

(b)an exempt person in relation to such activities;

(c)exempt from the general prohibition by virtue of section 327 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000; or

(d)an overseas person..F29]

[F30Administering a benchmark

4A. A person who carries on an activity of the kind specified by article 63S of the Regulated Activities Order (administering a benchmark) is to be regarded as carrying on that activity by way of business.F30]

Entering into a sale and rent back agreement

F315. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

6.—(1) Article 5 ceases to have effect on [F321st January 2022F32] .

(2) Before the end of [F332017F33] , the Treasury must—

(a)carry out a review of article 5;

(b)set out the conclusions of the review in a report; and

(c)publish the report.

(3) The report must in particular—

(a)set out the objectives intended to be achieved by article 5;

(b)assess the extent to which those objectives are achieved; and

(c)assess whether those objectives remain appropriate and, if so, the extent to which they could be achieved with a scheme that imposes less regulation.

Greg Pope

Jim Dowd

Two of the Lords Commissioners of Her Majesty’s Treasury

26th March 2001

(2)

S.I. 2001/544.

Status: There are outstanding changes not yet made by the editorial team to The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Carrying on Regulated Activities by Way of Business) Order 2001. Any changes that have already been made by the team appear in the content and are referenced with annotations.
The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Carrying on Regulated Activities by Way of Business) Order 2001 (2001/1177)
Version from: [subject to the status notice] 19 January 2026

Displaying information

Status of this instrument

in force Provision is in force
in force* In force only for specified purposes (for detail about the purposes see/hover footnote)
not in force Not in force in England (may be in force in other geographies, see footnotes)
italics Defined term
dfn Defined term (alternative style)
gry bckgrd the in-force status of the provision is complex, check the footnotes
footnote commentary transitional and savings in force status related provisions geo extent insert/omit source count in force adj
F1 Words in art. 1(2)(b) inserted (31.10.2004 for specified purposes, 14.1.2005 in so far as not already in force) by The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Regulated Activities) (Amendment) (No. 2) Order 2003 (S.I. 2003/1476), arts. 1(3), 18(2) inserted
F2 Words in art. 1(2)(c) substituted (24.2.2010) by The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Regulated Activities) (Amendment) Order 2010 (S.I. 2010/86), art. 1(2), Sch. para. 6(2) substituted
F3 Art. 2(3)-(5) inserted (22.3.2018) by The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Carrying on Regulated Activities by Way of Business) (Amendment) Order 2018 (S.I. 2018/394), arts. 1, 2(2) inserted
F4 Words in art. 3(1) substituted (31.10.2004 for specified purposes, 14.1.2005 in so far as not already in force) by The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Regulated Activities) (Amendment) (No. 2) Order 2003 (S.I. 2003/1476), arts. 1(3), 18(3)(a) substituted
F5 Words in art. 3(2) substituted (31.10.2004 for specified purposes, 14.1.2005 in so far as not already in force) by The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Regulated Activities) (Amendment) (No. 2) Order 2003 (S.I. 2003/1476), arts. 1(3), 18(3)(b)(i) substituted
F6 Art. 3(2)(ca) inserted (1.4.2007 for specified purposes, 1.11.2007 in so far as not already in force) by The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Regulated Activities) (Amendment No. 3) Order 2006 (revoked) 2006 (S.I. 2006/3384), arts. 1(2), 37 inserted
F7 Art. 3(2)(cb) inserted (1.4.2017 for specified purposes, 3.1.2018 in so far as not already in force) by The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Regulated Activities) (Amendment) Order 2017 (S.I. 2017/488), art. 1(2), Sch. para. 5 inserted
F8 Art. 3(2)(cc) inserted (19.1.2026) by The Public Offers and Admissions to Trading (Amendment and Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Regulations 2025 (S.I. 2025/1076), reg. 1(3), Sch. para. 8; S.I. 2025/1078, reg. 5(b) inserted
F9 Art. 3(2)(ga)-(ge) substituted for art. 3(2)(g) (22.7.2013) by The Alternative Investment Fund Managers Regulations 2013 (S.I. 2013/1773), reg. 1, Sch. 2 para. 7 substituted
F10 Word in art. 3(2)(h) omitted (6.4.2007) by virtue of The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Regulated Activities) (Amendment) Order 2006 (S.I. 2006/1969), arts. 1(3), 9(2) omitted
F11 Art. 3(2)(j) substituted (31.10.2004 for specified purposes, 14.1.2005 in so far as not already in force) by The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Regulated Activities) (Amendment) (No. 2) Order 2003 (S.I. 2003/1476), arts. 1(3), 18(3)(b)(ii) substituted
F12 Words in art. 3(3) substituted (31.10.2004 for specified purpose, 14.1.2005 in so far as not already in force) by The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Regulated Activities) (Amendment) (No. 2) Order 2003 (S.I. 2003/1476), arts. 1(3), 18(3)(c) substituted
F13 Art. 3(4)(5) inserted (31.10.2004 for specified purposes, 14.1.2005 in so far as not already in force) by The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Regulated Activities) (Amendment) (No. 2) Order 2003 (S.I. 2003/1476), arts. 1(3), 18(3)(d) inserted
F14 Word in art. 3(4) substituted (1.10.2018) by The Insurance Distribution (Regulated Activities and Miscellaneous Amendments) Order 2018 (S.I. 2018/546), arts. 1(2), 19 substituted
F15 Word in art. 3(5) substituted (1.10.2018) by The Insurance Distribution (Regulated Activities and Miscellaneous Amendments) Order 2018 (S.I. 2018/546), arts. 1(2), 19 substituted
F16 Art. 3A inserted (31.10.2004) by The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Regulated Activities) (Amendment) (No. 1) Order 2003 (S.I. 2003/1475), arts. 1(3), 25 inserted
F17 Arts. 3B, 3C inserted (6.11.2006 for specified purposes, 6.4.2007 in so far as not already in force) by The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Regulated Activities) (Amendment) (No.2) Order 2006 (S.I. 2006/2383), arts. 1(2), 29 inserted
F17 Arts. 3B, 3C inserted (6.11.2006 for specified purposes, 6.4.2007 in so far as not already in force) by The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Regulated Activities) (Amendment) (No.2) Order 2006 (S.I. 2006/2383), arts. 1(2), 29 inserted
F18 Art. 3D inserted (1.7.2009 for specified purposes, 30.6.2010 in so far as not already in force) by The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Regulated Activities) (Amendment) Order 2009 (S.I. 2009/1342), arts. 1(2), 27 inserted
F19 Art. 3E inserted (26.7.2013 for specified purposes, 1.4.2014 in so far as not already in force) by The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Regulated Activities) (Amendment) (No.2) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/1881), arts. 1(2)(6), 13 inserted
F20 Words in art. 4(1)(b) omitted (6.4.2005) by virtue of The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Carrying on Regulated Activities by Way of Business) (Amendment) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/922), arts. 1, 2(2) omitted
F21 Words in art. 4(2)(b) omitted (6.4.2005) by virtue of The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Carrying on Regulated Activities by Way of Business) (Amendment) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/922), arts. 1, 2(2) omitted
F22 Words in art. 4(3) substituted (6.4.2007) by The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Regulated Activities) (Amendment) Order 2006 (S.I. 2006/1969), arts. 1(3), 9(3) substituted
F23 Words in art. 4(4)(d) omitted (6.4.2005) by virtue of The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Carrying on Regulated Activities by Way of Business) (Amendment) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/922), arts. 1, 2(2) omitted
F24 Art. 4(6)(a) substituted (6.4.2005) by The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Carrying on Regulated Activities by Way of Business) (Amendment) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/922), arts. 1, 2(4) substituted
F25 Words in art. 4(6) omitted (6.4.2005) by virtue of The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Carrying on Regulated Activities by Way of Business) (Amendment) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/922), arts. 1, 2(5) omitted
F26 Art. 4(6)(b) substituted (6.4.2005) by The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Carrying on Regulated Activities by Way of Business) (Amendment) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/922), arts. 1, 2(6) substituted
F27 Art. 4(6)(c) omitted (6.4.2005) by virtue of The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Carrying on Regulated Activities by Way of Business) (Amendment) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/922), arts. 1, 2(7) omitted
F28 Art. 4(6)(d) omitted (6.4.2005) by virtue of The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Carrying on Regulated Activities by Way of Business) (Amendment) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/922), arts. 1, 2(7) omitted
F29 Art. 4(7) substituted (6.4.2005) by The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Carrying on Regulated Activities by Way of Business) (Amendment) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/922), arts. 1, 2(8) substituted
F30 Art. 4A inserted (11.7.2018) by The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Regulated Activities) (Amendment) Order 2018 (S.I. 2018/831), arts. 1(2), 3(2) inserted
F31 Art. 5 ceases to have effect (1.1.2015) by S.I. 2001/1177, art. 6 (as inserted by The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Carrying on Regulated Activities by Way of Business) (Amendment) Order 2011 (S.I. 2011/2304), art. 2) inserted, omitted
F32 Words in art. 6(1) substituted (31.12.2014) by The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Carrying on Regulated Activities by Way of Business) (Amendment) Order 2014 (S.I. 2014/3340), arts. 1, 2(2) substituted
F33 Word in art. 6(2) substituted (31.12.2014) by The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Carrying on Regulated Activities by Way of Business) (Amendment) Order 2014 (S.I. 2014/3340), arts. 1, 2(3) substituted
I1 Art. 1 in force at 1.12.2001 in accordance with art. 1(1)
I2 Art. 2 in force at 1.12.2001 in accordance with art. 1(1)
I3 Art. 3 in force at 1.12.2001 in accordance with art. 1(1)
I4 Art. 4 in force at 1.12.2001 in accordance with art. 1(1)
Defined Term Section/Article ID Scope of Application
article 36H agreement art. 2. def_cd5a70a219
assignment art. 2. def_b96acf593b
borrower art. 2. def_b25961854d
contract of insurance art. 1. def_3aa7a42c21
contractually based investment art. 1. def_0641514469
credit institution art. 2. def_79bde4c1ec
debentures art. 1. def_d5c9cb36ec
deposit art. 1. def_92464326a7
insurance distribution activity art. 3. def_af7023946d
lender art. 2. def_6b89b7cfcc
not-for-profit body art. 3E. def_a6ba688858
occupational pension scheme art. 4. def_605b5db383
operating an electronic system in relation to lending art. 2. def_5cc34b1693
overseas person art. 1. def_3a398763c2
Regulated Activities Order art. 1. def_6a635c5288
relevant assets art. 4. def_2d37f7f558
relevant scheme art. 4. def_5f0d8b8e4a
security art. 1. def_1b41eafd93
shares art. 1. def_d23984a906
units in a collective investment scheme art. 1. def_6c89aff406
warrants art. 1. def_c15113567d

Status of changes to instrument text

The list includes made instruments, both those in force and those yet to come into force. Typically, instruments that are not yet in force (hence their changes are not incorporated into the text above) are indicated by description 'not yet' in the changes made column.