Source: https://www.readkong.com/page/bermuda-monetary-authority-consultation-paper-8104130
Timestamp: 2020-05-24 21:59:18
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BERMUDA MONETARY AUTHORITY - CONSULTATION PAPER
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BERMUDA MONETARY AUTHORITY CONSULTATION PAPER New Legislative Framework for Fund Administrators; “Fund Administration Provider Business Act 2019” April 2019
2 TABLE OF CONTENTS I. BACKGROUND 3 II. NEW LEGISLATIVE FRAMEWORK FOR FUND ADMINISTRATORS 3 III. PROPOSED FUND ADMINISTRATION PROVIDER BUSINESS ACT 2019 4 IV. THE FUTURE OF THE CURRENT INVESTMENT FUNDS ACT 2006 8 V. CONCLUSION 9 The financial services industry and other interested parties are invited to submit their views on the proposals set out in this Consultation Paper. Comments should be addressed to the Bermuda Monetary Authority and sent to policy@bma.bm no later than 23 May 2019.
3 I. BACKGROUND 1. In March 2018, the Bermuda Monetary Authority (BMA or Authority) issued a Discussion Paper entitled “Proposed Enhancements to Investment Business, Investment Funds and Fund Administration Regimes” (the Discussion Paper) in which the Authority sought input from stakeholders regarding the suite of investment legislation under the BMA’s remit. In keeping with its regulatory responsibilities, the Authority reviewed: (i) Potential “gaps” between existing legislative/regulatory provisions and international standards/expectations; and (ii) Emerging expectations and trends with respect to the appropriate oversight of investment businesses, investment funds and fund administrators.
2. In the Discussion Paper, the Authority made specific reference to introducing separate legislation focused exclusively on fund administrators to enhance the Authority’s supervisory and regulatory oversight of this important sector. 3. Based in part on feedback received from the Discussion Paper, and the commitment made by the Authority in its 2018 Business Plan to support the introduction of legislative proposals in respect of fund administration business to Parliament, the Authority confirms that its proposed approach will involve enacting a new stand-alone fund administration act, being the “Fund Administration Provider Business Act 2019” (the Act).
A draft version of the Act accompanies this Consultation Paper (CP). 4. Although this CP focuses exclusively on the fund administration business regime, the Authority confirms that it is committed to progressing enhancements to the investment business and investment funds regimes proposed within the March 2018 Discussion Paper and will solicit industry feedback in this regard in due course. II. NEW LEGISLATIVE FRAMEWORK FOR FUND ADMINISTRATORS 5. The Investment Funds Act 2006 (IFA) provides the legislative basis for Bermuda’s investment fund and fund administration business regimes. While the IFA has been subject to amendments over time, these amendments have tended to be ad hoc in nature, addressing specific issues and particular circumstances related to investment fund vehicles.
6. As noted in the Discussion Paper, notwithstanding the existence of precedents elsewhere for such dual-focused legislation for fund administrators and investment fund vehicles, the Authority is of the view that oversight of fund administration business and investment fund products will each be better accomplished via separate legislative frameworks. Furthermore, introducing a legislative regime that is specific to fund administrators will put this sector on the same footing as other regulated financial institutions in Bermuda.
4 7. As suggested in the Discussion Paper, the Authority proposes that a majority of the existing provisions within the IFA related to fund administration business, predominantly found within Part III, be incorporated within the Act.
When developing the accompanying draft version of the Act, the Authority sought to ensure that relevant provisions were updated, where appropriate, so as to be consistent with how comparable provisions are presented within recently adopted legislation covering other regulated financial institutions. 8. Particulars regarding existing provisions to be adopted from the IFA, either as is, or in an enhanced form, and any new provisions which the Authority proposes be introduced, are covered in the next section.
III. PROPOSED FUND ADMINISTRATION PROVIDER BUSINESS ACT 2019 9. As noted above, the Fund Administration Provider Business Act 2019 will be built upon a foundation of provisions from Part III of the existing IFA. These provisions are designed to provide consistency and clarity in respect of how fund administrators exercise their functions and how the Authority supervises them. It is also proposed, however, that the Act include new provisions and enhancements, which will facilitate a supervisory and regulatory approach to the sector that is fit for purpose in the current environment.
To reiterate, it is essential that the Authority’s mandate and specific powers keep pace with the rapid changes occurring in the various financial services sectors for which it is responsible, allowing it to provide consistently appropriate ongoing oversight and to respond promptly when circumstances warrant. The new standalone legislation will be responsive to this need. Proposed modifications to key areas of Fund Administration Business currently addressed in the IFA Carrying on Fund Administration business in or from within Bermuda 11. Section 41, Part III of the IFA is a core element of the current fund administration business regime.
This section prohibits a person from carrying on the business of a fund administrator in or from within Bermuda without a licence. Whilst this restriction is generally clear, the Authority believes that additional certainty is required with regard to when one would be considered to “carry on, or purport to carry on, the business of a fund administrator in or from Bermuda.” 12. In order to provide the additional certainty referenced above, while ensuring that the scope of the regime is sufficiently broad, the Authority proposes that the Act address what constitutes carrying on fund administrator business in or from within Bermuda.
Specifically, it is proposed that the legislation require that fund administrators will fall within scope if they occupy premises in Bermuda, or make known by way of websites, promotional materials, legal documents or letterheads
5 that they may be contacted at a particular address in Bermuda or are otherwise seen to be holding themselves out as engaging in or carrying on fund administrator business in or from within Bermuda. 13. In addition to the above, the Authority proposes that the Act make clear that a company incorporated in Bermuda shall not carry on the business of a fund administrator anywhere in the world without being licensed by the Authority. Safekeeping of Client Assets 14. In response to the European Union’s Alternative Investment Fund Managers Directive (AIFMD), and its accompanying “passporting” provisions that contemplated the basis on which non-EU managers and funds would have the right to market to EU investors, in 2016 Bermuda began to prepare an appropriate optin regime via amendments to the Investment Business Act 2003 and the issuance of the (yet to be brought into force) Investment Business (Alternative Investment Fund Managers) Rules 2016 (2016 Rules).
15. Under the AIMFD regime, and the above-noted 2016 Rules, depositaries are under a responsibility to ensure the safekeeping of all assets, including financial instruments and other assets, of an Alternative Investment Fund (AIF) through specific legal requirements. 16. The Authority is aware of other jurisdictions that have, in part prompted by the AIFMD, taken steps to expand the range of entities that can function as depositaries or custodians (the term used under Bermuda law) in respect of the safekeeping of financial instruments or other assets. In some instances, fund administrators have been included within this expansion.
17. Given the above international developments and following industry dialogue in the context of the proposed AIFM regime for Bermuda (as noted in the Discussion Paper), the Authority is open to the possibility of Bermuda-licensed fund administrators being authorised to provide certain safekeeping services, subject to a specific application process.
18. To be clear, the Authority does not contemplate fund administrators being permitted to provide safekeeping services in respect of financial instruments, or to hold client monies, but rather being able to provide safekeeping for other assets. It is intended that a fund administrator providing any such safekeeping services be subject to additional obligations, primarily to be contained within regulations to be made by the Minister of Finance pursuant to the Act and an updated code of practice, which the Authority will have the ability to issue. 19. It is expected that above-noted obligations would relate, but not be limited to, additional insurance coverage requirements as well as additional capital and liquidity requirements, specific expectations in respect of outsourcing
6 arrangements (a matter that is addressed in general terms later in this CP) and provisions regarding the management of conflicts of interest. It is also intended that licensees who are granted permission to provide safekeeping services in respect of their clients’ other assets be subject to additional reporting and disclosure obligations, including the requirement to prepare audited financial statements submitted to the Authority on an annual basis. 20. In connection with the foregoing, the Authority requests that industry provide specific feedback as to their interest in fund administrators having the option, subject to a specific application process, to provide safekeeping services in respect of their clients’ “other assets.” Minimum Criteria for Licensing 21.
The minimum criteria for licensing of fund administrators are set out in the Schedule to the IFA. As is the case with all financial service providers under the Authority’s supervisory remit, the Authority must be satisfied that the minimum criteria are met, and continue to be met, by entities seeking to be licensed, or are currently licensed, as fund administrators.
22. In this regard, the Authority proposes to update the existing minimum criteria for licensing of fund administrators to ensure that the provisions contained therein are consistent, where appropriate, with those reflected within recently adopted legislation covering other regulated financial institutions. 23. In the above context, the Authority intends to strengthen the existing requirement for “business to be conducted in a prudent manner” by adding a provision specific to maintaining adequate accounting and other records, along with accompanying systems of control and associated policies and procedures.
Separately, further emphasis will be given to “corporate governance” obligations by reflecting these independently, rather than as a sub-set of the “fit and proper persons” criteria. Outsourcing 24. Closely aligned with enhancements proposed in respect of the minimum criteria for licensing, and specifically the requirement for “business to be conducted in a prudent manner”, another area which the Authority intends to clarify within the new regime is the proposed outsourcing of certain fund administration functions to any other service provider or person, whether within or outside of Bermuda.
25. The Authority is aware that use of outsourcing arrangements has become commonplace within the financial services sector in recent years, in Bermuda and globally. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the issue of outsourcing be more fully addressed within the new supervisory and regulatory framework being introduced specifically for fund administrators.
7 26. The Authority must ensure that fund administrators utilising an outsourcing arrangement have systems and policies in place to provide the necessary level of oversight over their outsourced arrangements. This is particularly relevant when fund administration services are to be outsourced to service providers outside of Bermuda, which presents the potential for reputational risk to Bermuda and can disrupt the Authority’s ability to efficiently regulate the sector. 27. While the Authority’s oversight of outsourcing arrangements within the sector will be built upon the foundation of legislative provisions, it is contemplated that these provisions may be supplemented by relevant code of practice provisions and regulatory guidance.
28. In addition to the guidance issued by the Authority in 2016 about the outsourcing of AML activities, on 5 November 2018 the Authority issued a CP on proposed new outsourcing guidance for regulated service providers. The CP entitled, “New Outsourcing Guidance for Banks, Credit Unions, Trust Companies, Bermuda Stock Exchange, Corporate Service Providers, Money Service Businesses, Investment Firms & Fund Administrators,” set out proposed policies and procedures of the Authority to manage and monitor existing activities that have been outsourced, as well as assess the risks arising from outsourcing new activities.
29. In connection with the foregoing, the Authority’s oversight of outsourcing arrangements in the fund administration sector will be supported by the guidance ultimately finalised as a result of the above-noted CP and the existing AML outsourcing guidance.
Proposed New Provisions to be included in the Fund Administration Provider Business Act 2019 Statement of Principles 30. It is intended that the new Act shall, consistent with other BMA supervisory Acts for financial service providers, include a provision for a Statement of Principles to be published by the Authority in respect of fund administrators which identifies the manner in which the Authority proposes to act in: a. interpreting the minimum criteria specified in the Schedule to the Act and the grounds for revocation; b. exercising its power to grant, revoke or restrict a licence; c.
exercising its power to obtain information, reports and to require production of documents; and d. exercising its powers to impose a civil penalty, censure publicly, make a prohibition order and publish information about any matter to which a decision notice relates.
8 Reporting Requirements 31. Section 47 of the IFA requires fund administrators to submit an annual statement of compliance to the Authority. However, the information to be included in the statement is general in nature. Given this, based on its supervisory experience, and in order to achieve better alignment with international best practice in this area, the Authority proposes to expand, and specify the requirements of, the statement of compliance. The proposed enhancements include: a. Requiring that the statement of compliance be signed by two directors, one of whom must be the chief executive or equivalent officer b.
Introducing more extensive confirmation requirements c. Providing the Authority with power to, upon application, grant an extension in relation to the filing of an annual statement of compliance 32. Separately, with regard to the enhancement of reporting obligations, it is proposed that fund administrators be subject to new requirements with respect to the filing of annual financial statements, including a requirement for the appointment of an auditor and the filing of annual audited financials in instances where the fund administrator has been approved to provide safekeeping services for its clients’ other assets.
Proposed enhancement to the Fund Administrators Code of Conduct 33. The Authority proposes to revise the existing Code of Conduct for fund administrators to achieve alignment with, inter alia, the revisions to be made to the minimum criteria for licensing. Specifically, as highlighted in the Discussion Paper, the Authority is aware of instances where the handover of information to new fund administrators, pursuant to the Code of Conduct, has not taken place in an efficient or timely manner. Paragraph 10 of the Code of Conduct requires a fund administrator to cooperate in ensuring a smooth and timely transition of records or other relevant information after termination of its services.
To address the challenges that have sometimes been experienced in this area, the Authority proposes that the new Code of Practice will revise the language in the existing Code of Conduct to specifically state that the records or other relevant information pertaining to a fund should be transferred to new fund administrators as soon as practicable, but no later than 30 days from the date of the termination of the previous administrator’s services, unless agreed otherwise. IV. THE FUTURE OF THE CURRENT INVESTMENT FUNDS ACT 2006 34. The remaining provisions in the IFA will focus exclusively on the oversight of investment fund products.
As noted in paragraph 4, the Authority will in 2019
9 continue its review of the IFA, making necessary modifications in line with international standards, emerging expectations and trends. V. CONCLUSION 35. As previously stated, the Authority is committed to enhancing its supervision and regulation of fund administrators, distinct from its responsibilities in respect of the product of investment funds, via a stand-alone legislative regime. The proposed Fund Administration Provider Business Act 2019 will contain similar regulatory and supervisory powers, duties, functions and obligations of the Authority to those contained within other recently adopted supervisory Acts covering financial institutions.
36. It is proposed that existing Bermuda licensed fund administrators will be “grandfathered in,” and deemed to be licensed under the new Act. Additionally, such existing licence holders will be given one year to comply with all requisite provisions of the new Act. Other entities which may not have required a licence per the provisions pertaining to fund administrators in the existing IFA will need to review their business practices in light of the proposed new legislation to ensure that they can continue to legitimately carry on business in or from within Bermuda. 37. The Authority is of the view that the approach proposed in this CP will bring the Bermuda fund administration provider business regime up-to-date with current international standards, expectations and emerging trends and, in so doing, position the jurisdiction effectively for the future.
1 A BILL entitled FUND ADMINISTRATION PROVIDER BUSINESS ACT 2019 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1 Citation 2 Interpretation PART 1 PRELIMINARY 3 Meaning of "director", "controller", "senior executive" and "associate” 4 Carrying on fund administration provider business in Bermuda 5 Annual reports 6 Authority’s statement of principles and guidance provision 7 Codes of practice PART 2
2 LICENSING 8 Restriction on carrying on fund administration provider business without a licence 9 Fund Administration Provider Business Licence 10 Grant and refusal of applications 11 Display and registration of licence 12 Annual licence fee 13 Restriction of licence 14 Revocation of licence 15 Winding up on petition from the Authority 16 Notice of restriction or revocation of licence 17 Restriction in cases of urgency 18 Directions to protect interests of clients 19 Notification and confirmation of directions 20 Surrender of licence PART 3 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, ACCOUNTS AND AUDITOR 21 Duty to prepare annual financial statements 22 Appointment of Auditors 23 Auditor to communicate certain matters to Authority PART 4 OBJECTIONS TO SHAREHOLDER CONTROLLERS 24 Notification of new or increased control 25 Objection to new or increased control 26 Objection to existing controller 27 Contraventions by controller 28 Restriction on sale of shares PART 5 CHANGE OF CONTROLLER OR OFFICER 29 Notification of change of controller or officer PART 6 STATEMENT OF COMPLIANCE 30 Statements of Compliance PART 7
3 DISCIPLINARY MEASURES 31 Power to impose civil penalties for breach of requirements 32 Civil penalties procedures 33 Public censure 34 Public censure procedure 35 Prohibition orders 36 Prohibition orders: procedures 37 Applications relating to prohibition orders: procedures 38 Determination of applications for variation, etc. 39 Injunctions PART 8 RIGHTS OF APPEAL 40 Rights of Appeal 41 Constitution of tribunals 42 Determination of appeals 43 Costs, procedure and evidence 44 Further appeals on a point of law PART 9 NOTICES AND INFORMATION 45 Warning notices 46 Decision notices 47 Notices of discontinuance 48 Publication 49 Power to obtain information and reports 50 General power to require production of documents 51 Right of entry to obtain information and documents PART 10 INVESTIGATIONS 52 Investigations on behalf of the Authority 53 Investigations of suspected contraventions 54 Power to require production of documents during investigation 55 Powers of entry 56 Obstruction of investigations
4 PART 11 57 SAFE-KEEPING OF OTHER ASSETS PART 12 RESTRICTION ON DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION 58 Restricted information 59 Disclosure for facilitating the discharge of functions of the Authority 60 Disclosure for facilitating the discharge of functions by other authorities 61 Information supplied to the Authority by relevant overseas authority PART 13 MISCELLANEOUS AND SUPPLEMENTAL 62 False documents or information 63 Offences by licensed undertaking 64 Restriction on use of words "Fund Administration Provider" 65 Notices 66 Service of notice on Authority 67 Civil debt and civil penalties 68 Consequential amendments 69 Transitional 70 Commencement SCHEDULE 1 Minimum Criteria For Licensing SCHEDULE 2 Amendment to Bermuda Monetary Authority Act 1969 SCHEDULE 3 Amendment to Investment Funds Act 2006 WHEREAS it is expedient to make new provision for regulating fund
5 administration provider business; for the protection of the interests of clients or potential clients of persons carrying on fund administration provider business; and for purposes connected with those matters: Be it enacted by The Queen’s Most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate and the House of Assembly of Bermuda, and by the authority of the same, as follows: PART 1 PRELIMINARY Citation 1 This Act may be cited as the Fund Administration Provider Business Act 2019. Interpretation 2 (1) In this Act, unless the context requires otherwise— “the Authority ”means the Bermuda Monetary Authority established under the Bermuda Monetary Authority Act 1969; “auditor” means a person approved by the Authority to audit the financial statements of a licensed undertaking under section 22.
code of practice” means a code of practice issued by the Authority pursuant to section 7; “company” means a body corporate wherever incorporated; “controller” has the meaning given in section 3(3); “Court” means the Supreme Court; “decision notice” means a notice prepared in accordance with section 46; “director” has the meaning given in section 3(2); “documents” includes information recorded in any form; and in relation to information recorded otherwise than in legible form, references to its production include references to producing a copy of the information in legible form; “financial instrument” means an investment as prescribed by Part 1 of the First Schedule to the Investment Business Act 2003.
financial statements” in relation to the business of an undertaking which is
6 a company, means the statements specified in subsection (1)(a) and the notes mentioned in subsection (1A) of section 84 of the Companies Act 1981; “financial year” means the period not exceeding 53 weeks at the end of which the balance of an undertaking’s accounts is struck or, if no such balance is struck or a period of more than 53 weeks is employed for that purpose, then calendar year; “fit and proper person” has the meaning assigned to the term in Schedule 1; “fund administrator” means a person licensed to carry on fund administration provider business; “fund administration provider business” has the meaning given in subsection (2); “investment fund” has the meaning given in section 2 of the Investment Funds Act 2006; “licence” means a licence granted by the Authority under section 10 (1) and "licensee" and "licensed" shall be construed accordingly; “Minister” means the Minister of Finance; “minimum criteria” means the minimum criteria for licensing specified in the Schedule 1; “officer”, in relation to an undertaking, includes director, secretary or senior executive of the undertaking by whatever name called; “other assets” means those assets of an investment fund or a fund manager acting behalf of an investment fund; which are not financial instruments; “senior executive” has the meaning given in section 3 (6); “share” has the meaning given in section 2 of the Companies Act 1981; “shareholder controller” has the meaning given in section 3(4); “subsidiary” has the meaning given in section 86 of the Companies Act 1981; “undertaking” means— (a) a company; (b) a partnership; (c) or an individual.
warning notice” means a notice prepared in accordance with section 45. (2) In this Act, “fund administration provider business” means the business of
7 providing one or more of the following services to an investment fund— (a) applying the subscription monies received by a fund in accordance with its constitution and its prospectus; (i) processing the issue, conversion and redemption of units of a fund; (ii) applying the income of a fund in accordance with its constitution and its prospectus; (iii) calculating the net asset value of the units, and their issue, conversion and redemption price; (iv) maintaining the accounts of a fund; (v) distributing to the participants of a fund all dividends or other distributions which may from time to time be declared and paid by it on units in a fund; (vi) any other services or activities the Minister, acting on the advice of the Authority, may specify by notice published in the Gazette.
Meaning of "director", "controller", "senior executive" and "associate" 3 (1) In this Act “director”, “controller”, “senior executive” and “associate” shall be construed in accordance with the provisions of this section.
(2) “Director” in relation to an undertaking— (a) includes an alternate director and any person who occupies the position of director, by whatever name called; and (b) where it is used in subsections (6) and (7), includes a partner of a partnership. (3) “Controller” in relation to an undertaking, means— (a) a managing director of the undertaking or of another company of which the undertaking is a subsidiary; (b) in the case of an undertaking which is a partnership, a partner; (c) in the case of an undertaking which is neither a company nor a
8 partnership, a sole proprietor; (d) a chief executive of the undertaking or of another company of which the undertaking is a subsidiary; (e) a person who satisfies the requirements of this paragraph; (f) a person in accordance with whose directions or instructions the directors of the undertaking or of another company of which the undertaking is a subsidiary or persons who are controllers of the undertaking by virtue of paragraph (e) (or any of them) are accustomed to act.
(4) For the purpose of subsection (3)(e), a person is a shareholder controller in relation to an undertaking if, either alone or with any associate or associates— (a) he holds 10% or more of the shares in the undertaking or another company of which it is a subsidiary company; (b) he is entitled to exercise or control the exercise of 10% or more of the voting power at any general meeting of the undertaking or another company of which it is such a subsidiary; or (c) he is able to exercise a significant influence over the management of the undertaking or another company of which the undertaking is such a subsidiary by virtue of— (i) a holding of shares in; or (ii) an entitlement to exercise, or control the exercise of, the voting power at any general meeting of the undertaking, or as the case may be, the other company concerned.
(5) In this Act "majority shareholder controller" means a shareholder controller in whose case the percentage referred to in subsection 4(a) or (b) is 50 or more. (6) “Senior executive”, in relation to an undertaking, means a person (other than a chief executive) who, under the immediate authority of a director or chief executive of the undertaking— (a) exercises managerial functions; or
9 (b) is responsible for maintaining accounts or other records of the undertaking. (7) In this section “chief executive” in relation to an undertaking, means a person who, either alone or jointly with one or more persons, is responsible under the immediate authority of the directors for the conduct of the business of the undertaking.
(8) In this Act “associate” in relation to a person entitled to exercise or control the exercise of voting power in a company, or in relation to a person holding shares in a company, means— (a) if that person is an individual— (i) the spouse, child, step-child or parent of that person; (ii) the trustees of any settlement under which that person has a life interest in possession; (iii) any company of which that person is a director; (iv) any person who is an employee or partner of that person; (b) if that person is a company— (i) any director of that company; (ii) any subsidiary of that company; (ii) any director or employee of any such subsidiary company; (c) if that person has with any other person an agreement or arrangement with respect to the acquisition, holding or disposal of shares or other interests in that company or under which they undertake to act together in exercising their voting power in relation to it, that other person.
(9) For the purpose of subsection (8), “settlement” includes any disposition or arrangement under which property is held in trust. Carrying on fund administration provider business in Bermuda 4 (1) A person carries on fund administration provider business in or from within
10 Bermuda where that person provides any of the services under section 2 (2) to an investment fund and — (a) occupies a place of business in Bermuda; (b) makes it known that it may be contacted at an address in Bermuda — (i) through promotional or marketing materials or information; (ii) by way of advertising; (iii) by use of letterhead or website; or (iv) through contractual or other legal arrangements; (c) otherwise is determined by the Authority to be holding themselves out to the public as engaging in or carrying on fund administration provider business in Bermuda on a continuing basis; or (d) discharges in Bermuda the duties of a fund administrator, the discharge of which constitutes the carrying on by such person of fund administration provider business in Bermuda under an order made under subsection (2).
(2) The Minister acting on the advice of the Authority may make an order specifying the circumstances in which a person is to be regarded for the purpose of this section as— (a) carrying on fund administration provider business in Bermuda; (b) not carrying on fund administration provider business in Bermuda. (3) An order made under this section is subject to the negative resolution procedure. Annual reports 5 The Authority shall as soon as practicable after the end of each of its financial years, make to the Minister and publish in such manner as it thinks appropriate an annual report on its activities under this Act in that year.
Authority’s statement of principles and guidance provision 6 (1) The Authority shall as soon as practicable after the coming into force of this Act, publish in such manner as it thinks fit a statement of principles in accordance with which it is acting or proposing to act—
11 (a) in interpreting the minimum criteria and the grounds for revocation specified in section 14; (b) in exercising its power to grant, revoke or restrict a licence; (c) in exercising its power to obtain information, reports and to require production of documents; (d) in exercising its powers— (i) under section 31 to impose a civil penalty; (ii) under section 33 to censure publicly; (iii) under section 35 to make a prohibition order; and (iv) under section 34 to publish information about any matter to which a decision notice relates.
(2) If the Authority makes a material change to the principles it shall publish a statement of the change or the revised statement of principles in the same manner as it published the statement under subsection (1). (3) The Authority may from time to time give guidance on the application of this Act and regulations made under it. (4) The Authority may publish such guidance (which may be in the form of information and advice) in such manner as it thinks fit. Codes of practice 7 (1) The Authority may issue codes of practice in connection with the manner by which licensed undertakings shall carry on fund administration provider business.
(2) Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1), the Authority may issue codes of practice for the purpose of providing guidance as to the duties, requirements and standards to be complied with, and the procedures (whether as to identification, recordkeeping, internal reporting and training or otherwise) and sound principles to be observed by persons carrying on fund administration provider business.
(3) Before issuing a code of practice, the Authority shall publish a draft of that
12 code in such manner as it thinks fit and shall consider any representations made to it about the draft. (4) Every licensed undertaking shall in the conduct of its business have regard to any code of practice issued by the Authority. (5) A failure on the part of a licensed undertaking to comply with the provisions of such a code shall be taken into account by the Authority in determining whether the business is being conducted in a prudent manner as required by paragraph 2 of Schedule 1 (Minimum Criteria for Licensing).
PART 2 LICENSING Restriction on carrying on fund administration provider business without a licence 8 (1) Subject to section 9, a person shall not carry on or purport to carry on fund administration provider business in or from within Bermuda unless that person is for the time being is licensed by the Authority. (2) A person who contravenes this section is guilty of an offence and liable— (a) on summary conviction, to a fine of $50,000 or to imprisonment for one year or to both such fine and imprisonment; (b) on conviction on indictment, to a fine of $100,000 or to imprisonment for five years or to both such fine and imprisonment.
(3) The Minister may by regulations subject to negative resolution procedure, make provision for the regulation by the Authority of fund administration provider businesses. (4) Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (3), regulations may in particular provide with respect to any of the following matters— (a) any matter relating to the conduct of a fund administration provider business; (b) the requirement for any additional service or services to be deemed a fund administration provider business activity; (c) the preparation, adoption and implementation of processes or procedures relating to a fund administration provider business;
13 (d) the safe-keeping of other assets. (5) Regulations made under subsection (3) may make such transitional, incidental or supplementary provision as appears to the Minister to be necessary or expedient. (6) “Persons” for the purposes of subsection (1), include companies registered or partnerships formed, in Bermuda. Fund Administration Provider Business Licence 9 (1) A person may apply to the Authority for a fund administration provider business licence. (2) An application shall be made in such manner as the Authority may direct and shall be accompanied by— (a) a business plan setting out the nature and scale of the fund administration provider business activity which is to be carried on by the applicant; (b) particulars of the applicant’s arrangements for the management of the business; (c) policies and procedures to be adopted by the applicant to meet the obligations under this Act and the Proceeds of Crime (Anti-Money Laundering and Anti-Terrorist Financing) Regulations 2008; (d) such other information and documents as the Authority may reasonably require for the purpose of determining the application; and (e) an application fee of such amount as may be prescribed under the Bermuda Monetary Authority Act 1969.
(3) An application may be withdrawn by notice in writing to the Authority at any time before it has determined the application, but in any such case no application fee shall be refunded to the applicant. Grant and refusal of applications
14 10 (1) Subject to this section, the Authority may on an application duly made in accordance with section 10, and after being provided with all such information, documents and reports as it may reasonably require under that section, grant or refuse the application for a licence. (2) The Authority shall not grant an application unless it is satisfied that the minimum criteria are fulfilled with respect to the applicant.
(3) It shall be a condition of every licence issued under this Act that a licensed undertaking shall not hold financial instruments or client monies. (4) A licence issued under this section may be subject to such limitations on the scope of the fund administration provider business activity or the manner of operating the fund administration provider business as the Authority may determine to be appropriate having regard to the nature and scale of the proposed business.
(5) The Authority may, on application made by a licensed undertaking, vary or remove any limitation imposed on the scope of its licence. (6) A licence issued to a partnership shall be issued in the partnership name, and shall not be affected by any change in the name of the partners. (7) The Minister acting on the advice of the Authority may by order amend Schedule 1 by adding new criteria or by amending or deleting the criteria for the time being specified in the Schedule. (8) An order made under subsection (7) shall be subject to the negative resolution procedure.
Display and registration of licence 11 (1) A licensed undertaking shall at all times keep the licence on display at its principal place of business in Bermuda.
(2) The Authority shall cause a notice of every licence issued under this Act to be published in the Gazette. (3) The Authority shall compile and maintain, in such manner as it thinks fit, a register containing, in respect of each licence, such particulars as may be prescribed. (4) The register referred to in subsection (3) shall, at all reasonable times, be available for inspection at the offices of the Authority by any person upon payment of the fee prescribed under the Bermuda Monetary Authority Act 1969 or the matters required to be set out in the register shall be posted by the Authority on its website.
15 Fees 12 (1) A licensed undertaking shall pay such fee as may be prescribed under the Bermuda Monetary Authority Act 1969— (a) on the grant of a licence; (b) on or before 31 March in every year after the year in which the licence was granted; (c) to extend the filing date of annual financial statements required under section 21; (2) For each week or part of a week that a licensed undertaking fails to comply with a requirement imposed on it by subsection (1), it shall be liable to a civil penalty not exceeding $5,000.
Restriction of licence 13 (1) Subject to section 17, the Authority may restrict a licence— (a) if it is satisfied of the matters specified in paragraph (a), (b), (d) or (e) of section 14, but it appears to the Authority that the circumstances are not such as to justify revocation; (b) if it is satisfied that a person has become a controller of an undertaking in contravention of section 24 or has become or remains a controller after being given a notice of objection pursuant to section 25 or 26; (c) in connection with the revocation of a licence— (i) when giving the undertaking notice that it proposes to revoke its licence; or (ii) at any time after such warning notice has been given to the undertaking; or (d) at any time after the undertaking has served a notice surrendering its licence with effect from a later date.
16 (2) The Authority may restrict a licence by imposing such conditions as it thinks desirable for the protection of the undertaking’s clients or potential clients, and may in particular— (a) require the undertaking to take certain steps or to refrain from adopting or pursuing a particular course of action or to restrict the scope of its business activities in a particular way; (b) impose limitations on the acceptance of fund administration provider business; (c) prohibit the undertaking from soliciting fund administration provider business either generally or from persons who are not already its clients; (d) prohibit the undertaking from accepting new fund administration provider business; (e) prohibit the undertaking from entering into any other transactions or class of transactions; (f) require the removal of any officer or controller; (g) specify requirements to be fulfilled otherwise than by action taken by the undertaking.
(3) Any condition imposed under this section may be varied or withdrawn by the Authority. (4) The Authority may on the application of an undertaking vary any condition imposed on its licence. (5) The fact that a condition imposed under this section has not been complied with shall, where the restriction has been imposed pursuant to paragraphs (a) or (b) of subsection (1), be a ground for the revocation of the licence in question but shall not invalidate any transaction. Revocation of licence 14 Subject to section 17, the Authority may revoke the licence of an undertaking if the Authority is satisfied that— (a) any of the minimum criteria is not or has not been fulfilled, or may not
17 be or may not have been fulfilled, in respect of the undertaking; (b) the undertaking has failed to comply with any obligation imposed on it by or under this Act or is carrying on business in a manner not authorised by its licence; (c) a person has become a majority shareholder controller of the undertaking in contravention of section 24 or has become or remains such a controller after being given a notice of objection pursuant to section 25 or 26; (d) the Authority has been provided with false, misleading or inaccurate information by or on behalf of the undertaking or, in connection with an application for a licence, by or on behalf of a person who is or is to be an officer or controller of the undertaking; or (e) the interests of the clients or potential clients of the undertaking are in any way threatened.
Winding up on petition from the Authority 15 (1) On a petition presented by the Authority by virtue of this section, the court may wind up an undertaking which is a company in respect of which a licence is revoked, if the court is of the opinion that it is just and equitable that the undertaking be wound up. (2) Part XIII (Winding Up) of the Companies Act 1981 shall apply to the winding up of an undertaking under this section. Notice of restriction or revocation of licence 16 (1) Where the Authority proposes to— (a) restrict a licence under section 13(1); (b) vary a restriction imposed on a licence otherwise than with the agreement of the undertaking concerned; or (c) revoke a licence under section 14, the Authority shall give to the undertaking concerned a warning notice under section 45.
18 (2) Where— (a) the ground for a proposal to impose or vary a restriction or for a proposed revocation is that it appears to the Authority that the criterion in paragraph 1 of the Schedule 1 is not or has not been fulfilled, or may not be or may not have been fulfilled, in the case of any person; or (b) a proposed restriction consists of or includes a condition requiring the removal of any person as a controller or an officer, the Authority shall give that person a copy of the warning notice but the Authority may omit from such copy any matter which does not relate to him. (3) After giving a notice under subsection (1) and taking into account any representations made under section 45(2), the Authority shall decide whether— (a) to proceed with the action proposed in the notice; (b) to take no further action; (c) if the proposed action was to revoke the undertaking’s licence, to restrict its licence instead; or (d) if the proposed action was to restrict the undertaking’s licence or to vary the restrictions on a licence, to restrict it or to vary the restrictions in a different manner.
(4) Once the Authority has made a decision under subsection (3) it shall forthwith provide either a decision notice under section 46 or a notice of discontinuance under section 47, as the case may be. (5) The Authority shall publish in the Gazette in such form as it thinks fit, notice of every revocation of a licence under the Act. Restriction in cases of urgency 17 (1) No notice need be given under section 13 in respect of the imposition or variation of a restriction on an undertaking’s licence in any case in which the Authority considers that the restriction should be imposed or varied as a matter of urgency.
19 (2) In any such case, the Authority may by written notice to the licensed undertaking impose or vary the restriction. (3) Any such notice shall state the reason for which the Authority has acted and particulars of the rights conferred by subsection (5) and section 40. (4) Section 13(2) shall apply to a notice under subsection (2) imposing or varying a restriction as it applies to a notice under section 14(1) in respect of a proposal to impose or vary a restriction; but the Authority may omit from a copy given to a person by virtue of this subsection any matter which does not relate to him.
(5) An undertaking to which a notice is given under this section of the imposition or variation of a restriction and a person who is given a copy of it by virtue of subsection (4) may within the period of 14 days beginning with the day on which the notice was given make representations to the Authority.
(6) After giving a notice under subsection (2) imposing or varying a restriction and taking into account any representations made in accordance with subsection (5), the Authority shall decide whether— (a) to confirm or rescind its original decision; or (b) to impose a different restriction or to vary the restriction in a different manner. (7) The Authority shall within the period of 28 days beginning with the day on which the notice was given under subsection (2) give the undertaking concerned written notice of its decision under subsection (6) and, except where the decision is to rescind the original decision, the notice shall state the reason for the decision.
(8) Where the notice under subsection (7) is of a decision to take the action specified in subsection (6)(b), the notice under subsection (7) shall have the effect of imposing the restriction or making the variation specified in the notice with effect from the date on which it is given. Directions to protect interests of clients 18 (1) The Authority may give a licensed undertaking directions under this section at any time after its licence is revoked or surrendered. (2) Directions under this section shall be such as appear to the Authority to be desirable for safeguarding the interests of the licensed undertaking’s clients.
20 (3) An undertaking which fails to comply with any requirement or contravenes any prohibition imposed on it by a direction under this section shall be guilty of an offence and liable— (a) on summary conviction to a fine of $25,000; (b) on conviction on indictment to a fine of $75,000. Notification and confirmation of directions 19 (1) A direction under section 18 shall be given by notice in writing and may be varied by a further direction; and a direction may be revoked by the Authority by a notice in writing to the licensed undertaking concerned.
(2) A direction under section 18(1), except one varying a previous direction with the agreement of the licensed undertaking concerned— (a) shall state the reasons for which it is given and give particulars of the licensed undertaking’s rights under subsection (3) and section 40; and (b) shall cease to have effect at the end of the period of 28 days beginning with the day on which it is given unless before the end of that period it is confirmed by a further written notice given by the Authority to the licensed undertaking concerned.
(3) A licensed undertaking to which a direction is given which requires confirmation under subsection (2) may, within the period of 14 days beginning with the day on which the direction is given, make written representations to the Authority; and the Authority shall take any such representations into account in deciding whether to confirm the direction. Surrender of licence 20 (1) A licensed undertaking may surrender its licence by written notice to the Authority. (2) A surrender shall take effect on the giving of the notice or, if a later date is specified in it, on that date; and where a later date is specified in the notice the licensed undertaking may by further written notice to the Authority substitute an earlier date, not being earlier than that on which the first notice was given.
(3) The surrender of a licence shall be irrevocable unless it is expressed to take effect at a later date and before that date the Authority by notice in writing allows it to be withdrawn. PART 3 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, ACCOUNTS AND AUDITOR