The Electronic Money Regulations 2011

• Citation: S.I. 2011/99
• Sections: 183

Section 1 Citation and commencement

(1) These Regulations may be cited as the Electronic Money Regulations 2011.

(2) These Regulations come into force on—

(a) 9th February 2011 for the purposes of—

(i) enabling applications to become an authorised electronic money institution and for the variation of an authorisation to be made under regulation 5 and the Authority to determine such applications in accordance with regulations 6 to 9;

(ii) enabling applications for registration as a small electronic money institution and the variation of a registration to be made under regulation 12 and the Authority to determine such applications in accordance with regulation 13 and regulations 7 to 9 (as applied by regulation 15);

(iii) enabling applications for an agent to be included on the register under regulation 34 and the Authority to determine such applications in accordance with that regulation;

(iv) enabling the Authority to give directions as to the manner in which an application under regulation 5(1) or (2), 12(1) or (2) or 34(3) is to be made and enabling the Authority to require the applicant to provide further information in accordance with regulation 5(4), 12(4) or 34(3)(a)(iv), as the case may be;

(v) enabling the Authority to cancel an authorisation or registration or vary an authorisation or registration on its own initiative in accordance with regulation 10 or 11 (as applied, in the case of registration, by regulation 15);

(vi) requiring a person who has made an application under regulation 5(1) or (2) or 12(1) or (2) to provide information to the Authority in accordance with regulation 17 and enabling the Authority to give directions under that regulation;

(vii) enabling a person to make a reference to the Upper Tribunal under regulation 9(8), 10(6), 11(5), 29(4) or 34(11);

(viii) enabling an applicant for authorisation as an electronic money institution to give the Authority a notice of intention under regulation 28(2) and the Authority to give directions as to the manner in which such a notice is to be given and to inform the host state competent authority in accordance with regulation 28(3);

(ix) enabling the Authority to decide whether to register an EEA branch or to cancel such a registration under regulation 29(1);

(x) enabling the Authority to give directions under regulation 49 to a person whose application under regulation 5(1) or 12(1) has been granted before 30th April 2011 in respect of—

(aa) its provision as from that date of electronic money issuance or payment services; and

(bb) its compliance as from that date with requirements imposed by or under Parts 2 to 5 of these Regulations;

(xi) enabling the Authority to give directions under paragraph 8, 10, 13(a), 15 or 16 of Schedule 2 to a person whose application under regulation 5(1) or 12(1) has been granted before 30th April 2011;

(xii) requiring a person whose application under regulation 5(1), 12(1) or 34(3) has been granted before 30th April 2011 to provide information to the Authority in accordance with regulation 37 and enabling the Authority to give directions under that regulation;

(xiii) regulations 30, 47, 59 to 61, 66 to 71, 74 and 78;

(xiv) regulation 62 in respect of paragraphs 2, 6 and 8 to 11 of Schedule 3;

(xv) regulation 79 in respect of paragraphs 2, 18 and 19(g) of Schedule 4; and

(b) 30th April 2011 for all other purposes.

Section 2 Interpretation

(1) In these Regulations—

“ the 2000 Act ” means the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 ;

“ account information service ” means an online service to provide consolidated information on one or more payment accounts held by the payment service user with another payment service provider or with more than one payment service provider, and includes such a service whether information is provided—

in its original form or after processing;

only to the payment service user or to the payment service user and to another person in accordance with the payment service user's instructions;

“ agent ” means a person who provides payment services on behalf of an electronic money institution;

“ authorised electronic money institution ” means—

a person included by the Authority in the register as an authorised electronic money institution pursuant to regulation 4(1)(a); or

a person deemed to have been granted authorisation by the Authority by virtue of regulation 74;

“ the Authority ” means the Financial Conduct Authority ;

“ average outstanding electronic money ” means the average total amount of financial liabilities related to electronic money in issue at the end of each calendar day over the preceding six calendar months, calculated on the first calendar day of each calendar month and applied for that calendar month;

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“ the capital requirements regulation ” means Regulation (EU) No. 575/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 June 2013 on prudential requirements for credit institutions and investment firms;

“ consumer ” means an individual who is acting for purposes other than a trade, business or profession;

“ credit institution ” has the meaning given in Article 4(1)(1) of the capital requirements regulation and includes a branch of the credit institution within the meaning of Article 4(1)(17) of that regulation which is situated in the United Kingdom and which has its head office in a territory that is outside the United Kingdom ;

“ credit union ” means a credit union within the meaning of—

the Credit Unions Act 1979 ; or

the Credit Unions (Northern Ireland) Order 1985 ;

“ decision notice ” and “ warning notice ” have the same meaning as in the 2000 Act;

“ distributor ” means a person who distributes or redeems electronic money on behalf of an electronic money institution but who does not provide payment services on its behalf;

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“ electronic money ” means electronically (including magnetically) stored monetary value as represented by a claim on the electronic money issuer which—

is issued on receipt of funds for the purpose of making payment transactions;

is accepted by a person other than the electronic money issuer; and

is not excluded by regulation 3 or 3ZA ;

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“ electronic money institution ” means an authorised electronic money institution or a small electronic money institution;

“ electronic money issuer ” means any of the following persons when they issue electronic money—

authorised electronic money institutions;

small electronic money institutions;

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credit institutions;

the Post Office Limited;

the Bank of England, when not acting in its capacity as a monetary authority or other public authority;

government departments and local authorities when acting in their capacity as public authorities;

credit unions;

municipal banks;

the National Savings Bank;

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“ initial capital ” has the meaning given by paragraph 1 of Schedule 2;

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“ municipal bank ” means a company which, immediately before 1st December 2001, fell within the definition in section 103 of the Banking Act 1987 ;

“ own funds ” means own funds as defined in Article 4(1)(118) of the capital requirements regulation, and “ Common Equity Tier 1 capital ”, “ Tier 1 capital ” and “ Tier 2 capital ” have the same meanings as in that regulation;

“ parent undertaking ” has the same meaning as in the Companies Acts (see section 1162 of, and Schedule 7 to, the Companies Act 2006 );

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“ payment account ” means an account held in the name of one or more payment service users which is used for the execution of payment transactions;

“ payment initiation service ” means a service to initiate a payment order at the request of the payment service user with respect to a payment account held at another payment service provider;

“ payment instrument ” means any—

personalised device; or

personalised set of procedures agreed between the payment service user and the payment service provider;

“ payment services ” has the same meaning as in the Payment Services Regulations 2017 ;

“ payment service provider ” has the meaning given in regulation 2(1) of the Payment Services Regulations 2017;

“ payment service user ” means a person when making use of a payment service in the capacity of a payer or payee, or both;

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“ payment system ” means a funds transfer system with formal and standardised arrangements and common rules for processing, clearing and settlement of payment transactions;

“ payment transaction ” has the meaning given in regulation 2(1) of the Payment Services Regulations 2017 ;

“ qualifying holding ” has the meaning given in Article 4(1)(36) of the capital requirements regulation ;

“ the register ” means the register maintained by the Authority under regulation 4;

“ sensitive payment data ” means information, including personalised security credentials, which could be used to carry out fraud; but in relation to account information services and payment initiation services does not include the name of an account holder or an account number;

“ small electronic money institution ” means a person included by the Authority in the register pursuant to regulation 4(1)(b);

“ subsidiary undertaking ” has the same meaning as in the Companies Acts (see section 1162 of, and Schedule 7 to, the Companies Act 2006).

(2) In these Regulations references to amounts in euro include references to equivalent amounts in another currency.

(3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(4) Expressions used in a modification to a provision in primary or secondary legislation applied by these Regulations have the same meaning as in these Regulations.

Section 3 Electronic money: exclusions

For the purposes of these Regulations electronic money does not include—

(a) monetary value stored on specific payment instruments that can be used only in a limited way and meet one of the following conditions—

(i) allow the holder to acquire goods or services only in the issuer's premises;

(ii) are issued by a professional issuer and allow the holder to acquire goods or services only within a limited network of service providers which have direct commercial agreements with the issuer;

(iii) may be used only to acquire a very limited range of goods or services; or

(iv) are valid only in the United Kingdom , are provided at the request of an undertaking or a public sector entity, and are regulated by a national or regional public authority for specific social or tax purposes to acquire specific goods or services from suppliers which have a commercial agreement with the issuer;

(b) monetary value that is used to make payment transactions resulting from services provided by a provider of electronic communications networks or services, including transactions between persons other than that provider and a subscriber, where those services are provided in addition to electronic communications services for a subscriber to the network or service, and where the additional service is—

(i) for purchase of digital content and voice-based services, regardless of the device used for the purchase or consumption of the digital content, and charged to the related bill; or

(ii) performed from or via an electronic device and charged to the related bill for the purchase of tickets or for donations to organisations which are registered or recognised as charities by public authorities, whether in the United Kingdom or elsewhere,

provided that the value of any single payment transaction does not exceed £40, and the cumulative value of payment transactions for an individual subscriber in a month does not exceed £240.

Section 3A Notification of use of limited network exclusion

(1) If, in any period of 12 months, the total value of payment transactions made with monetary value falling within regulation 3(a)(i) to (iii) issued by a person (“issuer”) exceeds 1 million euros, the issuer must notify the Authority.

(2) The period of 12 months referred to in paragraph (1) does not include any period in respect of which a notification has already been made under paragraph (1).

(3) A notification under paragraph (1) must—

(a) include a description of the transactions made; and

(b) specify the exclusion by virtue of which the monetary value is not electronic money.

(4) Notifications and information provided to the Authority under this regulation must be given—

(a) within such time as the Authority may direct after the end of the period of 12 months referred to in paragraph (1); and

(b) in such form or verified in such manner as the Authority may direct,

and different directions may be given in relation to different notifications or information or categories of notification or information.

(5) When the Authority receives a notification under this regulation, the Authority must assess whether the notified monetary value falls within regulation 3(a)(i) to (iii).

(6) If the Authority considers that any part of the notified monetary value does not fall within regulation 3(a)(i) to (iii)—

(a) the Authority must notify the issuer, and

(b) the issuer may refer the matter to the Upper Tribunal.

Section 3B Notification of use of electronic communications exclusion

(1) If a person (“issuer”) issues, or intends to issue, monetary value falling within regulation 3(b), the service provider must—

(a) notify the Authority, and

(b) include with such notification a description of the transactions for which the monetary value is intended to be used.

(2) The issuer must provide a notification under paragraph (1)—

(a) if the issuer started to issue the monetary value before 13th January 2018, on or before that date, or

(b) otherwise, before the issuer starts to issue the monetary value.

(3) The issuer must also provide to the Authority, at such times as the Authority may direct, an annual audit opinion testifying that the transactions for which the monetary value is used comply with the limits mentioned in regulation 3(b).

(4) Information provided to the Authority under this regulation must be in such form or verified in such manner as the Authority may direct.

(5) Different directions may be given under paragraph (3) and (4) in relation to different issuers or different categories of issuers.

Section 3ZA Electronic money: further exclusions

(1) For the purposes of the definition of “electronic money” in regulation 2 (interpretation), “ monetary value ” does not include—

(a) a stablecoin;

(b) money or an asset held for the stabilisation or backing of a stablecoin.

(2) Nothing in this regulation affects whether electronic money held for the stabilisation or backing of a stablecoin is considered electronic money, as defined by regulation 2 (interpretation).

(3) In this regulation, “ stablecoin ” means a cryptoasset that—

(a) meets the following two conditions—

(i) it seeks or purports to maintain a stable value in relation to a particular fiat currency (“the referenced fiat currency”), and

(ii) fiat currency (which may be that referenced fiat currency) or other assets are held for the purpose of maintaining its stable value in relation to the referenced fiat currency, in accordance with paragraph (i),

(b) is fungible,

(c) is transferable,

(d) is not solely a record of value or contractual rights, including another cryptoasset, and

(e) is not excluded by paragraph (6).

(4) Where a cryptoasset seeks or purports to maintain a stable value in relation to an asset other than a fiat currency, the cryptoasset is not to be regarded as falling within paragraph (3)(a)(i) even if the asset is expressed in terms of a fiat currency.

(5) For the purposes of paragraph (3)(a)(ii)—

(a) other assets do not include the cryptoasset itself;

(b) the holding of fiat currency or another asset for the purpose of maintaining a stable value does not include the holding of assets by a person carrying on the activity described in article 5 of the Regulated Activities Order (accepting deposits), whether authorised or not, for the purpose of complying with its general prudential requirements or meeting its liabilities generally.

(6) The following are excluded from being a stablecoin—

(a) a specified investment cryptoasset, other than one specified by the following articles of the Regulated Activities Order—

(i) article 74A (electronic money);

(ii) article 88F (qualifying cryptoassets);

(b) electronic money;

(c) currency of the United Kingdom or any other country or territory, including a central bank digital currency;

(d) a cryptoasset that—

(i) cannot be transferred or sold in exchange for money or other cryptoassets, except by way of redemption with the issuer, and

(ii) can only be used by the holder—

(aa) to acquire goods or services from the issuer, or

(bb) to acquire goods or services within a limited network of service providers, which have direct commercial agreements with the issuer.

(7) For the purposes of paragraphs (1)(b) and (2), money or an asset is held for the stabilisation of a stablecoin if it is held for the purpose mentioned in paragraph (3)(a)(ii).

(8) For the purposes of paragraph (3)(c), the circumstances in which a cryptoasset is to be treated as “transferable” include where it confers transferable rights.

(9) In this regulation—

“ cryptoasset ” has the meaning given by section 417(1) (definitions) of the 2000 Act;

“ fiat currency ” means the currency of the United Kingdom or any other country or territory, unless that currency is solely a cryptoasset;

“ money ” includes electronic money;

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

“ specified investment cryptoasset ” has the meaning given by article 3 (interpretation) of the Regulated Activities Order.

Section 4 The register of certain electronic money issuers

(1) The Authority must maintain a register of—

(a) authorised electronic money institutions ...

(b) small electronic money institutions;

(ba) persons who have notified the Authority in accordance with regulation 3A or 3B;

(c) agents of electronic money institutions required to be registered under regulation 34; and

(d) the National Savings Bank where it issues electronic money.

(2) The Authority may include on the register any of the persons mentioned in paragraphs ... (e), (f) and (g) of the definition of electronic money issuer in regulation 2(1) where such persons issue electronic money.

(3) Where a person mentioned in paragraph (e), (f), (g) or (j) of the definition of an electronic money issuer in regulation 2(1)—

(a) is not included on the register; and

(b) issues, or proposes to issue, electronic money,

the person must give notice to the Authority.

(4) A notice under paragraph (3) must be given in such manner as the Authority may direct.

(5) The Authority may—

(a) keep the register in any form it thinks fit;

(b) include on the register such information as the Authority considers appropriate, provided that the register identifies the electronic money issuance for which the institution is authorised or registered under this Part; and

(c) exploit commercially the information contained in the register, or any part of that information.

(6) The Authority must—

(a) publish the register online and make it available for public inspection;

(aa) enter in the register any cancellation of an authorisation or registration;

(ab) enter in the register a description of the service provided by a person included on the register by virtue of paragraph (1)(ba);

(b) update the register on a regular basis; and

(c) provide a certified copy of the register, or any part of it, to any person who asks for it—

(i) on payment of the fee (if any) fixed by the Authority; and

(ii) in a form (either written or electronic) in which it is legible to the person asking for it.

(7) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Section 5 Application to become an authorised electronic money institution or variation of an existing authorisation

(1) An application to become an authorised electronic money institution must contain or be accompanied by the information specified in Schedule 1.

(2) An application for the variation of an authorisation must—

(a) contain a statement of the proposed variation;

(b) contain a statement of the electronic money issuance and payment services business which the applicant proposes to carry on if the authorisation is varied; and

(c) contain, or be accompanied by, such other information as the Authority may reasonably require.

(3) An application under paragraph (1) or (2) must be made in such manner as the Authority may direct.

(4) At any time after receiving an application and before determining it, the Authority may require the applicant to provide it with such further information as it reasonably considers necessary to enable it to determine the application.

(5) Different directions may be given, and different requirements imposed, in relation to different applications or categories of application.

Section 6 Conditions for authorisation

(1) The Authority may refuse to grant an application for authorisation only if any of the conditions set out in paragraphs (2) to (8) is not met.

(2) The application must comply with the requirements of, and any requirements imposed under, regulations 5 and 20 .

(3) The applicant must immediately before the time of authorisation hold the amount of initial capital required in accordance with Part 1 of Schedule 2.

(4) The applicant must be either—

(a) a body corporate constituted under the law of a part of the United Kingdom having—

(i) its head office; and

(ii) if it has a registered office, that office,

in the United Kingdom; or

(b) a body corporate which has a branch that is located in the United Kingdom and whose head office is situated in a territory that is outside the United Kingdom .

(4A) The applicant carries on, or will carry on, at least part of its electronic money and payment service business in the United Kingdom.

(5) The applicant must satisfy the Authority that, taking into account the need to ensure the sound and prudent conduct of the affairs of the institution, it has—

(a) robust governance arrangements for its electronic money issuance and payment service business, including a clear organisational structure with well-defined, transparent and consistent lines of responsibility;

(b) effective procedures to identify, manage, monitor and report any risks to which it might be exposed; and

(c) adequate internal control mechanisms, including sound administrative, risk management and accounting procedures,

which are comprehensive and proportionate to the nature, scale and complexity of electronic money to be issued and payment services to be provided by the institution.

(6) The applicant must satisfy the Authority that—

(a) having regard to the need to ensure the sound and prudent conduct of the affairs of an authorised electronic money institution, any persons having a qualifying holding in the institution are fit and proper persons;

(b) the directors and persons responsible for the management of its electronic money and payment services business are of good repute and possess appropriate knowledge and experience to issue electronic money and provide payment services;

(c) it has a business plan (including for the first three years, a forecast budget calculation) under which appropriate and proportionate systems, resources and procedures will be employed by the institution to operate soundly;

(d) it has taken adequate measures for the purpose of safeguarding electronic money holders' funds in accordance with regulation 20;

(e) in the case of an applicant which proposes to carry on payment initiation services, it holds professional indemnity insurance or a comparable guarantee, which covers—

(i) the territories in which the applicant proposes to offer payment initiation services; and

(ii) the applicant's potential liability under regulations 76 and 91 to 95 of the Payment Services Regulations 2017, up to such amount as the Authority may direct; and

(f) in the case of an applicant which proposes to carry on account information services, it holds professional indemnity insurance or a comparable guarantee, which covers—

(i) the territories in which the applicant proposes to offer account information services; and

(ii) the applicant's potential liability to account servicing payment service providers and payment service users resulting from unauthorised or fraudulent access to, or use of, payment account information, up to such amount as the Authority may direct.

(7) The applicant must comply with a requirement of the Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing and Transfer of Funds (Information on the Payer) Regulations 2017 to be included in a register maintained under those Regulations where such a requirement applies to the applicant.

(8) If the applicant has close links with another person (“CL”) the applicant must satisfy the Authority—

(a) that those links are not likely to prevent the Authority's effective supervision of the applicant; and

(b) if it appears to the Authority that CL is subject to the laws, regulations or administrative provisions of a territory which is outside the United Kingdom (“ the foreign provisions ”), that neither the foreign provisions, nor any deficiency in their enforcement, would prevent the Authority's effective supervision of the applicant.

(9) For the purposes of paragraph (8), an applicant has close links with CL if—

(a) CL is a parent undertaking of the applicant;

(b) CL is a subsidiary undertaking of the applicant;

(c) CL is a parent undertaking of a subsidiary undertaking of the applicant;

(d) CL is a subsidiary undertaking of a parent undertaking of the applicant;

(e) CL owns or controls 20% or more of the voting rights or capital of the applicant; or

(f) the applicant owns or controls 20% or more of the voting rights or capital of CL.

Section 7 Imposition of requirements

(1) The Authority may include in an authorisation such requirements as it considers appropriate.

(2) A requirement may, in particular, be imposed so as to require the person concerned to—

(a) take a specified action;

(b) refrain from taking a specified action.

(3) A requirement may be imposed by reference to the person's relationship with its group or other members of its group.

(4) Where—

(a) an applicant intends to carry on business activities other than the issuance of electronic money and provision of payment services; and

(b) the Authority considers that the carrying on of such other business activities will impair, or is likely to impair—

(i) the financial soundness of the applicant; or

(ii) the Authority's effective supervision of the applicant,

the Authority may require the applicant to establish a separate body corporate to carry on the issuance of electronic money and provision of payment services.

(5) A requirement expires at the end of such period as the Authority may specify in the authorisation.

(6) Paragraph (5) does not affect the Authority's powers under regulation 8 or 11.

Section 8 Variation etc at request of an authorised electronic money institution

The Authority may, on the application of an authorised electronic money institution, vary the person's authorisation by—

(a) imposing a requirement such as may, under regulation 7, be included in an authorisation;

(b) cancelling a requirement included in the authorisation or previously imposed under paragraph (a); or

(c) varying such a requirement,

provided that the Authority is satisfied that the conditions set out in regulation 6(4) to (8), and the requirement in regulation 19(1) to maintain own funds, are being or are likely to be met .

Section 9 Determination of application for authorisation or variation of authorisation

(1) The Authority must determine an application for authorisation or for variation of an authorisation within three months beginning with the date on which it received the completed application.

(2) The Authority may determine an incomplete application if it considers it appropriate to do so, and it must in any event determine any such application within 12 months beginning with the date on which it received the application.

(3) The applicant may withdraw its application, by giving the Authority notice, at any time before the Authority determines it.

(4) If the Authority decides to grant an application for authorisation, or for variation of an authorisation, it must give the applicant notice of its decision stating—

(a) that authorisation has been granted to carry out electronic money issuance; or

(b) that the variation has been granted,

described in such manner as the Authority considers appropriate.

(5) The notice must state the date on which the authorisation or variation takes effect.

(6) If the Authority proposes to refuse an application or to impose a requirement it must give the applicant a warning notice.

(7) The Authority must, having considered any representations made in response to the warning notice—

(a) if it decides to refuse the application or to impose a requirement, give the applicant a decision notice; or

(b) if it grants the application without imposing a requirement, give the applicant notice of its decision, stating the date on which the authorisation or variation takes effect.

(8) If the Authority decides to refuse the application or to impose a requirement the applicant may refer the matter to the Upper Tribunal.

(9) If the Authority decides to authorise the applicant, or vary its authorisation, it must update the register as soon as practicable.

Section 10 Cancellation of authorisation

(1) The Authority may cancel a person's authorisation and remove the person from the register where—

(a) the person does not issue electronic money within 12 months beginning with the date on which the authorisation took effect;

(b) the person requests, or consents to, the cancellation of the authorisation;

(c) the person ceases to engage in business activity for more than six months;

(d) the person has obtained authorisation through false statements or any other irregular means;

(e) the person no longer meets, or is unlikely to meet, any of the conditions set out in regulation 6(4) to (8) or the requirement in regulation 19(1) to maintain own funds , or does not inform the Authority of a major change in circumstances which is relevant to its meeting those conditions or that requirement, as required by regulation 37 ;

(f) the person has issued electronic money or provided payment services other than in accordance with the authorisation granted to it;

(g) the person would constitute a threat to the stability of , or trust in, a payment system by continuing its electronic money or payment services business;

(h) the cancellation is desirable in order to protect the interests of consumers; or

(i) the person's issuance of electronic money or provision of payment services is otherwise unlawful , including where such provision of services is unlawful because the person's registration in a register maintained under regulation 54 or 55 of the Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing and Transfer of Funds (Information on the Payer) Regulations 2017 has been cancelled under regulation 60 of those Regulations .

(2) A request for cancellation of a person's authorisation under paragraph (1)(b) must be made in such manner as the Authority may direct.

(3) At any time after receiving a request under paragraph (1)(b) and before determining it, the Authority may require the person making the request to provide it with such further information as it reasonably considers necessary to enable it to determine the request.

(4) Where the Authority proposes to cancel a person's authorisation, other than at the person's request, it must give the person a warning notice.

(5) The Authority must, having considered any representations made in response to the warning notice—

(a) if it decides to cancel the authorisation, give the person a decision notice; or

(b) if it decides not to cancel the authorisation, give the person notice of its decision.

(6) If the Authority decides to cancel the authorisation, other than at the person's request, the person may refer the matter to the Upper Tribunal.

(7) Where the period for a reference to the Upper Tribunal has expired without a reference being made, the Authority must as soon as practicable update the register accordingly.

Section 11 Variation of authorisation on Authority's own initiative

(1) The Authority may vary a person's authorisation in any of the ways mentioned in regulation 8 if it appears to the Authority that—

(a) the person no longer meets, or is unlikely to continue to meet, any of the conditions set out in regulation 6(4) to (8) or the requirement in regulation 19(1) to maintain own funds , or does not inform the Authority of a major change in circumstances which is relevant to its meeting those conditions or that requirement, as required by regulation 37 ;

(b) the person has issued electronic money or provided a payment service other than in accordance with the authorisation granted to it;

(c) the person would constitute a threat to the stability of , or trust in, a payment system by continuing to issue electronic money or provide payment services;

(d) the variation is desirable in order to protect the interests of consumers; or

(e) the person's issuance of electronic money or provision of payment services is otherwise unlawful , including where such provision of services is unlawful because the person's registration in a register maintained under regulation 54 or 55 of the Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing and Transfer of Funds (Information on the Payer) Regulations 2017 has been cancelled under regulation 60 of those Regulations .

(2) A variation under this regulation takes effect—

(a) immediately, if the notice given under paragraph (6) states that this is the case;

(b) on such date as may be specified in the notice; or

(c) if no date is specified in the notice, when the matter to which the notice relates is no longer open to review (see paragraph 13).

(3) A variation may be expressed to take effect immediately or on a specified date only if the Authority, having regard to the ground on which it is exercising the power under paragraph (1), reasonably considers that it is necessary for the variation to take effect immediately or, as the case may be, on that date.

(4) The Authority must as soon as practicable after the variation takes effect update the register accordingly.

(5) A person who is aggrieved by the variation of their authorisation under this regulation may refer the matter to the Upper Tribunal.

(6) Where the Authority proposes to vary a person's authorisation under this regulation, it must give the person notice.

(7) The notice must—

(a) give details of the variation;

(b) state the Authority's reasons for the variation and its determination as to when the variation takes effect;

(c) inform the person that they may make representations to the Authority within such period as may be specified in the notice (whether or not the person has referred the matter to the Upper Tribunal);

(d) inform the person of the date on which the variation takes effect; and

(e) inform the person of their right to refer the matter to the Upper Tribunal and the procedure for such a reference.

(8) The Authority may extend the period allowed under the notice for making representations.

(9) If, having considered any representations made by the person, the Authority decides—

(a) to vary the authorisation in the way proposed; or

(b) if the authorisation has been varied, not to rescind the variation,

it must give the person notice.

(10) If, having considered any representations made by the person, the Authority decides—

(a) not to vary the authorisation in the way proposed;

(b) to vary the authorisation in a different way; or

(c) to rescind a variation which has taken effect,

it must give the person notice.

(11) A notice given under paragraph (9) must inform the person of their right to refer the matter to the Upper Tribunal and the procedure for such a reference.

(12) A notice under paragraph (10)(b) must comply with paragraph (7).

(13) For the purposes of paragraph (2)(c), paragraphs (a) to (d) of section 391(8) of the 2000 Act (publication) apply to determine whether a matter is open to review.

Section 12 Application for registration as a small electronic money institution or variation of an existing registration

(1) An application for registration as a small electronic money institution must contain, or be accompanied by, such information as the Authority may reasonably require.

(2) An application for the variation of a registration must—

(a) contain a statement of the proposed variation;

(b) contain a statement of the electronic money issuance and payment services business which the applicant proposes to carry on if the registration is varied; and

(c) contain, or be accompanied by, such other information as the Authority may reasonably require.

(3) An application under paragraph (1) or (2) must be made in such manner as the Authority may direct.

(4) At any time after receiving an application and before determining it, the Authority may require the applicant to provide it with such further information as it reasonably considers necessary to enable it to determine the application.

(5) Different directions may be given, and different requirements imposed, in relation to different applications or categories of application.

Section 13 Conditions for registration

(1) The Authority may refuse to register an applicant as a small electronic money institution only if any of the conditions set out in paragraphs (2) to (10) is not met.

(2) The application must comply with the requirements of, and any requirements imposed under, regulations 12 and 20 .

(3) The total business activities of the applicant immediately before the time of registration must not generate average outstanding electronic money that exceeds 5,000,000 euro.

(4) The monthly average over the period of 12 months preceding the application of the total amount of relevant payment transactions must not exceed 3,000,000 euro.

(4A) The business to which the application relates must not include the provision of account information services or payment initiation services.

(5) The applicant must immediately before the time of registration hold such amount, if any, of initial capital as is required in accordance with Part 1 of Schedule 2.

(6) The applicant must satisfy the Authority that, taking into account the need to ensure the sound and prudent conduct of the affairs of the institution, it has—

(a) robust governance arrangements for its electronic money and payment services business, including a clear organisational structure with well-defined, transparent and consistent lines of responsibility; and

(b) effective procedures to identify, manage, monitor and report any risks to which it might be exposed,

which are comprehensive and proportionate to the nature, scale and complexity of electronic money to be issued and payment services to be provided by the institution.

(7) The applicant must satisfy the Authority that—

(a) the directors and persons responsible for the management of its electronic money and payment services business are of good repute and possess appropriate knowledge and experience to issue electronic money and provide payment services;

(b) it has a business plan (including for the first three years, a forecast budget calculation) under which appropriate and proportionate systems, resources and procedures will be employed by the institution to operate soundly; and

(c) it has taken adequate measures for the purpose of safeguarding electronic money holders' funds in accordance with regulation 20.

(8) None of the individuals responsible for the management or operation of the business has been convicted of—

(a) an offence under Part 7 of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (money laundering) or under the Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing and Transfer of Funds (Information on the Payer) Regulations 2017 ;

(b) an offence under section 15 (fund-raising), 16 (use and possession), 17 (funding arrangements), 18 (money laundering) or 63 (terrorist finance: jurisdiction) of the Terrorism Act 2000 ;

(c) an offence under the 2000 Act;

(ca) an offence under Part 3, 4 or 5 of the Counter-Terrorism (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019;

(d) an offence under the Terrorist Asset-Freezing etc. Act 2010 , the Al-Qaida and Taliban (Asset-Freezing) Regulations 2010 or the ISIL (Da’esh) and Al-Qaida (Asset-Freezing) Regulations 2011 ( S.I. 2011/2742 as renamed by S.I. 2016/937 ) ;

(da) an offence under Part 3, 5, 6 or 7 of the ISIL (Da'esh) and Al-Qaida (United Nations Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 or Part 3, 6 or 7 of the Counter-Terrorism (International Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019;

(e) an offence under these Regulations or the Payment Services Regulations 2017 ; or

(f) any other financial crime.

(9) The applicant must be a body corporate whose head office is situated in the United Kingdom.

(10) The applicant must comply with a requirement of the Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing and Transfer of Funds (Information on the Payer) Regulations 2017 to be included in a register maintained under those Regulations where such a requirement applies to the applicant.

(11) For the purposes of paragraph (4), where the applicant has yet to commence the provision of payment services which are not related to the issuance of electronic money, or has been providing such payment services for less than 12 months, the monthly average may be based on the projected total amount of relevant payment transactions over a 12 month period.

(12) In paragraph (4) “relevant payment transactions” in respect of a small electronic money institution means payment transactions which—

(a) are not related to the issuance of electronic money; and

(b) are executed by the institution, including any of its agents who are in the United Kingdom.

(13) In paragraph (8) “ financial crime ” includes any offence involving fraud or dishonesty and, for this purpose, “ offence ” includes any act or omission which would be an offence if it had taken place in the United Kingdom.

Section 14 Average outstanding electronic money

(1) Where—

(a) an applicant provides payment services that are not related to the issuance of electronic money or carries out any of the activities referred to in regulation 32(1)(b) to (d) and (2); and

(b) the amount of outstanding electronic money is unknown in advance,

the applicant may make an assessment for the purposes of regulation 13(3) on the basis of a representative portion assumed to be used for the issuance of electronic money, provided that the representative portion can be reasonably estimated on the basis of historical data and to the satisfaction of the Authority.

(2) Where an applicant has not completed a sufficiently long period of business to compile historical data adequate to make the assessment under paragraph (1), the applicant must make the assessment on the basis of projected outstanding electronic money as evidenced by its business plan, subject to any adjustments to that plan which are, or have been, required by the Authority.

Section 15 Supplementary provisions

Regulations 7 to 11 apply to registration as a small electronic money institution as they apply to authorisation as an authorised electronic money institution with the following modifications—

(a) references to authorisation are to be treated as references to registration;

(b) for regulation 8 substitute—

(8)

(1) The Authority may, on the application of a small electronic money institution, vary the person's registration by—

(a) imposing a requirement such as may, under regulation 7, be included in a registration;

(b) cancelling a requirement included in the registration or previously imposed under paragraph (a); or

(c) varying such a requirement,

provided that the Authority is satisfied that the conditions set out in paragraph (2) are being or are likely to be met .

(2) The conditions ... are—

(a) the conditions in regulation 13(6) to (10);

(b) where applicable, compliance with the requirement in regulation 19(2) to maintain own funds;

(c) the condition that the total business activities of the applicant generate average outstanding electronic money that does not exceed 5,000,000 euro; and

(d) the condition that the monthly average over any period of 12 months of the total amount of relevant payment transactions does not exceed 3,000,000 euro.

(3) In paragraph (2)(d) “ relevant payment transactions ” has the same meaning as in regulation 13.

(c) in regulation 10 for paragraph (1)(e) substitute—

(e) the person no longer complies with, or is unlikely to continue to comply with, any of the conditions mentioned in regulation 8(2)(a), (b), (c) and (d) , or does not inform the Authority of a major change in circumstances which is relevant to its meeting those conditions, as required by regulation 37 ;

(d) in regulation 11 for paragraph (1)(a) substitute—

(a) the person no longer complies with, or is unlikely to continue to comply with, any of the conditions mentioned in regulation 8(2)(a), (b), (c) and (d);

Section 16 Application for authorisation if requirements cease to be met

Where a small electronic money institution ceases to comply with a condition in regulation 13(3), (4), (8) or (9) , the institution concerned must, within 30 days of becoming aware of the change in circumstances, apply to become an authorised electronic money institution under regulation 5 if it intends to continue issuing electronic money in the United Kingdom.

Section 17 Duty to notify changes

(1) If at any time after an applicant has provided the Authority with any information under regulation 5(1), (2) or (4) or 12(1), (2) or (4) and before the Authority has determined the application—

(a) there is, or is likely to be, a material change affecting any matter contained in that information; or

(b) it becomes apparent to the applicant that the information is incomplete or contains a material inaccuracy,

the applicant must provide the Authority with details of the change, the complete information or a correction of the inaccuracy (as the case may be) without undue delay, or, in the case of a material change which has not yet taken place, the applicant must provide details of the likely change as soon as the applicant is aware of such change.

(2) The obligation in paragraph (1) also applies to material changes or significant inaccuracies affecting any matter contained in any supplementary information provided pursuant to that paragraph.

(3) Any information to be provided to the Authority under this regulation must be in such form or verified in such manner as it may direct.

Section 18 Electronic money institutions acting without permission

If an electronic money institution issues electronic money or carries on a payment service in the United Kingdom, or purports to do so, other than in accordance with an authorisation or registration granted to it by the Authority under these Regulations, or deemed to be so granted under regulation 74, it is to be taken to have contravened a requirement imposed on it under these Regulations.

Section 19 Capital requirements

(1) An authorised electronic money institution must maintain at all times own funds equal to or in excess of—

(a) 350,000 euro; or

(b) the amount of the own funds requirement calculated in accordance with paragraph 13 of Schedule 2 subject to any adjustment directed by the Authority under paragraph 15 of that Schedule,

whichever is the greater.

(2) Where the business activities of a small electronic money institution generate average outstanding electronic money of 500,000 euro or more, it must maintain at all times own funds equal to or in excess of the amount of the own funds requirement calculated in accordance with paragraph 14 of Schedule 2, subject to any adjustment directed by the Authority under paragraph 16 of that Schedule.

(3) Where a small electronic money institution has not completed a sufficiently long period of business to calculate the amount of average outstanding electronic money for the purposes of paragraph (2), it must make an estimate on the basis of projected outstanding electronic money as evidenced by its business plan, subject to any adjustments to that plan which are, or have been, required by the Authority.

Section 20 Safeguarding requirements

(1) Electronic money institutions must safeguard funds that have been received in exchange for electronic money that has been issued (referred to in this regulation and regulations 21 and 22 as “relevant funds”).

(2) Relevant funds must be safeguarded in accordance with either regulation 21 or regulation 22.

(2A) An electronic money institution may safeguard certain relevant funds in accordance with regulation 21 and the remaining relevant funds in accordance with regulation 22.

(3) Where—

(a) only a proportion of the funds that have been received are to be used for the execution of a payment transaction (with the remainder being used for non-payment services); and

(b) the precise portion attributable to the execution of the payment transaction is variable or unknown in advance,

the relevant funds are such amount as may be reasonably estimated, on the basis of historical data and to the satisfaction of the Authority, to be representative of the portion attributable to the execution of the payment transaction.

(4) Funds received in the form of payment by payment instrument need not be safeguarded until they—

(a) are credited to the electronic money institution's payment account; or

(b) are otherwise made available to the electronic money institution,

provided that such funds must be safeguarded by the end of five business days after the date on which the electronic money has been issued.

(5) In paragraphs (1) to (4) and in regulations 21 to 24 references to an electronic money institution include references to a credit union.

(6) Regulation 23 of the Payment Services Regulations 2017 applies in relation to funds received by electronic money institutions and credit unions for the execution of payment transactions that are not related to the issuance of electronic money with the following modifications—

(a) references to an “authorised payment institution” are to be treated as references to an authorised electronic money institution;

(b) references to a “small payment institution” are to be treated as references to—

(i) a small electronic money institution; and

(ii) a credit union; and

(c) references to a “payment transaction” are to be treated as references to a payment transaction that is not related to the issuance of electronic money.

Section 21 Safeguarding option 1

(1) An electronic money institution must keep relevant funds segregated from any other funds that it holds.

(2) Where the institution continues to hold the relevant funds at the end of the business day following the day on which they were received it must—

(a) place them in a separate account that it holds with an authorised credit institution or the Bank of England ; or

(b) invest the relevant funds in secure, liquid, low-risk assets (“relevant assets”) and place those assets in a separate account with an authorised custodian.

(3) An account in which relevant funds or relevant assets are placed under paragraph (2) must—

(a) be designated in such a way as to show that it is an account which is held for the purpose of safeguarding relevant funds or relevant assets in accordance with this regulation; and

(b) be used only for holding those funds or assets , or for holding those funds or assets together with proceeds of an insurance policy or guarantee held in accordance with regulation 22(1)(b) .

(4) No person other than the electronic money institution may have any interest in or right over the relevant funds or the relevant assets placed in an account in accordance with paragraph (2)(a) or (b) except as provided by this regulation.

(4A) Notwithstanding paragraphs (1), (2), (3)(b) and (4), where an electronic money institution is a participant in a designated system and the institution holds an account at the Bank of England for the purposes of completing the settlement of transfer orders that have been entered into the designated system on behalf of electronic money holders—

(a) funds held in the account pending settlement in accordance with the rules or default arrangements of the designated system, in respect of transfer orders that have been entered into the designated system on behalf of electronic money holders, may continue to be held in the account with relevant funds;

(b) the account, or a specified amount of funds in the account, may be subject to an interest or right in favour of the Bank of England in order to ensure the availability of funds to complete the settlement of transfer orders in accordance with the rules or default arrangements of the designated system;

(c) subject to paragraph (4B), funds received into the account by the electronic money institution upon settlement are to be considered as having been appropriately safeguarded in accordance with this regulation from the time of receipt in the designated system until the time of receipt into the account.

(4B) The Authority may direct that paragraph (4A)(c) does not apply in relation to a designated system if, in the Authority's view, the rules and default arrangements of that system do not adequately insulate the funds of electronic money holders from the claims of other creditors of electronic money institutions which are participants in the system.

(5) The institution must keep a record of—

(a) any relevant funds segregated in accordance with paragraph (1);

(b) any relevant funds placed in an account in accordance with paragraph (2)(a); ...

(c) any relevant assets placed in an account in accordance with paragraph (2)(b);

(d) any funds held in an account as permitted by paragraph (4A)(a);

(e) any funds expected to be received into an account as described in paragraph (4A)(c) in respect of transfer orders that have been entered into the designated system; and

(f) any funds received into an account as described in paragraph (4A)(c).

(6) For the purposes of this regulation—

(a) assets are both “secure” and “low risk” if they are—

(i) asset items falling into one of the categories set out in Article 336(1) of the capital requirements regulation, for which the specific risk capital charge is no higher than 1.6% but excluding other qualifying items as defined in Article 336(4); or

(ii) units in an undertaking for collective investment in transferable securities which invests solely in the assets mentioned in paragraph (i); and

(b) assets are “liquid” if they are approved as such by the Authority.

(7) In this regulation—

“ authorised credit institution ” means a person authorised for the purposes of the 2000 Act to accept deposits or an approved foreign credit institution (see paragraph (8)), but does not include a person in the same group as the electronic money institution;

“ authorised custodian ” means a person authorised for the purposes of the 2000 Act to safeguard and administer investments ...

“ default arrangements ”, “ designated system ”, “ rules ”, “ settlement ”, “ system ” and “ transfer order ” have the same meanings as in the Financial Markets and Insolvency (Settlement Finality) Regulations 1999.

(8) In paragraph (7), “ approved foreign credit institution ” means—

(a) the central bank of a State that is a member of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (“an OECD state”),

(b) a credit institution that is supervised by the central bank or other banking regulator of an OECD state,

(c) any credit institution that—

(i) is subject to regulation by the banking regulator of a State that is not an OECD state,

(ii) is required by the law of the country or territory in which it is established to provide audited accounts,

(iii) has minimum net assets of £5 million (or its equivalent in any other currency at the relevant time),

(iv) has a surplus of revenue over expenditure for the last two financial years, and

(v) has an annual report which is not materially qualified.

Section 22 Safeguarding option 2

(1) An electronic money institution must ensure that—

(a) any relevant funds are covered by—

(i) an insurance policy with an authorised insurer;

(ii) a comparable guarantee from an authorised insurer; or

(iii) a comparable guarantee from an authorised credit institution; and

(b) the proceeds of any such insurance policy or guarantee are payable upon an insolvency event into a separate account held by the electronic money institution which must—

(i) be designated in such a way as to show that it is an account which is held for the purpose of safeguarding relevant funds in accordance with this regulation; and

(ii) be used only for holding such proceeds , or for holding those proceeds together with funds or assets held in accordance with regulation 21(3) .

(2) No person other than the electronic money institution may have any interest or right over the proceeds placed in an account in accordance with paragraph (1)(b) except as provided by this regulation.

(3) In this regulation—

“ authorised credit institution ” has the same meaning as in regulation 21;

“ authorised insurer ” means a person authorised for the purposes of the 2000 Act to effect and carry out a contract of general insurance as principal ... , other than a person in the same group as the electronic money institution;

“electronic money institution special administration” has the same meaning as in the Payment and Electronic Money Institution Insolvency Regulations 2021 (see regulation 4(3) );

“ insolvency event ” means any of the following procedures in relation to an electronic money institution—

the making of a winding-up order;

the passing of a resolution for voluntary winding-up;

the entry of the institution into administration;

the appointment of a receiver or manager of the institution's property;

the approval of a proposed voluntary arrangement (being a composition in satisfaction of debts or a scheme of arrangement);

the making of a bankruptcy order;

in Scotland, the award of sequestration;

the making of any deed of arrangement for the benefit of creditors or, in Scotland, the execution of a trust deed for creditors;

the conclusion of any composition contract with creditors;

the making of an insolvency administration order or, in Scotland, the execution of a trust deed for creditors;

the conclusion of any composition contract with creditors; ...

the making of an insolvency administration order or, in Scotland, sequestration, in respect of the estate of a deceased person ;

the entry of the institution into payment institution special administration; or

the entry of the institution into investment bank special administration.

“investment bank special administration” has the same meaning as in the Investment Bank Special Administration Regulations 2011 (see regulation 3(1) of those Regulations).

Section 23 Power of the Authority to exclude assets

In exceptional circumstances the Authority may determine that an asset that would otherwise be secure and low-risk for the purposes of paragraph (2) of regulation 21 by virtue of paragraph (6) of that regulation is not such an asset provided that—

(a) the determination is based on an evaluation of the risks associated with the asset, including any risk arising from the security, maturity or value of the asset; and

(b) there is adequate justification for the determination.

Section 24 Insolvency events (except electronic money institution special administration)

(1) Subject to paragraph (2), where there is an insolvency event (except electronic money institution special administration) —

(a) the claims of electronic money holders are to be paid from the asset pool in priority to all other creditors; and

(b) until all the claims of electronic money holders have been paid, no right of set-off or security right may be exercised in respect of the asset pool except to the extent that the right of set-off relates to fees and expenses in relation to operating an account held in accordance with regulation 21(2)(a) or (b) or (4A), or 22(1)(b).

(2) The claims referred to in paragraph (1)(a) shall not be subject to the priority of expenses of an insolvency proceeding except in respect of the costs of distributing the asset pool.

(3) An electronic money institution must maintain organisational arrangements sufficient to minimise the risk of the loss or diminution of relevant funds or relevant assets through fraud, misuse, negligence or poor administration.

(4) In this regulation—

“ asset pool ” means—

any relevant funds segregated in accordance with regulation 21(1);

any relevant funds held in an account accordance with regulation 21(2)(a);

where regulation 21(4A) applies, any funds that are received into the account held at the Bank of England upon settlement in respect of transfer orders that have been entered into the designated system on behalf of electronic money holders, whether settlement occurs before or after the insolvency event;

any relevant assets held in an account in accordance with regulation 21(2)(b);

any proceeds of an insurance policy or guarantee held in an account in accordance with regulation 22(1)(b);

“ insolvency event ” has the same meaning as in regulation 22;

“ insolvency proceeding ” means—

winding-up, administration, receivership, bankruptcy or, in Scotland, sequestration;

a voluntary arrangement, deed of arrangement or trust deed for the benefit of creditors; or

the administration of the insolvent estate of a deceased person;

“ security right ” means—

security for a debt owed by an electronic money institution and includes any charge, lien, mortgage or other security over the asset pool or any part of the asset pool; and

any charge arising in respect of the expenses of a voluntary arrangement.

(5) In paragraph (4) “ designated system ”, “ settlement ” and “ transfer order ” have the same meanings as in the Financial Markets and Insolvency (Settlement Finality) Regulations 1999.

Section 24A Insolvency Regulations

Sections 93(4) and 233 to 236 of the Banking Act 2009 apply to authorised electronic money institutions and small electronic money institutions with the modifications set out in Schedule 2ZA.

Section 25 Accounting and statutory audit

(1) An electronic money institution which carries on activities other than the issuance of electronic money and the provision of payment services, must provide to the Authority separate accounting information in respect of its issuance of electronic money and provision of payment services.

(2) Such accounting information must be subject, where relevant, to an auditor's report prepared by the institution's statutory auditor .

(3) A statutory auditor ... (“the auditor”) must, in any of the circumstances referred to in paragraph (4), communicate to the Authority information on, or its opinion on, matters—

(a) of which it has become aware in its capacity as an auditor of an electronic money institution or of a person with close links to an electronic money institution; and

(b) which relate to the electronic money issued and payment services provided by that institution.

(4) The circumstances are that—

(a) the auditor reasonably believes that—

(i) there is or has been, or may be or may have been, a contravention of any requirement imposed on the electronic money institution by or under these Regulations; and

(ii) the contravention may be of material significance to the Authority in determining whether to exercise, in relation to that institution, any functions conferred on the Authority by these Regulations;

(b) the auditor reasonably believes that the information on, or the auditor's opinion on, those matters may be of material significance to the Authority in determining whether the institution meets or will continue to meet—

(i) in the case of an authorised electronic money institution, the conditions set out in regulation 6(4) to (8) or the requirement in regulation 19(1) to maintain own funds; or

(ii) in the case of a small electronic money institution, the conditions set out in regulation 13(6) to (10) or the requirement in regulation 19(2) to maintain own funds;

(c) the auditor reasonably believes that the institution is not, may not be or may cease to be, a going concern;

(d) the auditor is precluded from stating in the auditor's report that the annual accounts have been properly prepared in accordance with the Companies Act 2006;

(e) the auditor is precluded from stating in the auditor's report, where applicable, that the annual accounts give a true and fair view of the matters referred to in section 495 of the Companies Act 2006 (auditor's report on company's annual accounts) including as that section is applied and modified by regulation 39 of the Limited Liability Partnerships (Accounts and Audit) (Application of Companies Act 2006) Regulations 2008 (“ the LLP Regulations ”); or

(f) the auditor is required to state in the auditor's report in relation to the person concerned any of the facts referred to in subsection (2), (3) or (5) of section 498 of the Companies Act 2006 (duties of auditor) or, in the case of limited liability partnerships, subsection (2), (3) or (4) of section 498 as applied and modified by regulation 40 of the LLP Regulations.

(5) In this regulation a person has close links with an authorised electronic money institution (“A”) if that person is—

(a) a parent undertaking of A;

(b) a subsidiary undertaking of A;

(c) a parent undertaking of a subsidiary undertaking of A; or

(d) a subsidiary undertaking of a parent undertaking of A.

(6) In this regulation “ statutory auditor ” has the same meaning as in Part 42 of the Companies Act 2006 (see section 1210 of that Act).

Section 26 Outsourcing

(1) An authorised electronic money institution must notify the Authority of its intention to enter into a contract with another person under which that person will carry out any operational function relating to the issuance, distribution or redemption of electronic money or the provision of payment services (“outsourcing”).

(2) Where the institution intends to outsource any important operational function , including provision of an information technology system , all of the following conditions must be met—

(a) the outsourcing is not undertaken in such a way as to impair—

(i) the quality of the institution's internal control; or

(ii) the ability of the Authority to monitor and retrace the authorised electronic money institution's compliance with these Regulations or the Payment Services Regulations 2017 ;

(b) the outsourcing does not result in any delegation by the senior management of the institution of responsibility for complying with the requirements imposed by or under these Regulations or the Payment Services Regulations 2017 ;

(c) the relationship and obligations of the institution towards its electronic money holders under these Regulations or the Payment Services Regulations 2017 is not substantially altered;

(d) compliance with the conditions which the institution must observe in order to become an authorised electronic money institution and remain so is not adversely affected; and

(e) none of the conditions of the institution's authorisation requires removal or variation.

(3) For the purposes of paragraph (2), an operational function is important if a defect or failure in its performance would materially impair—

(a) compliance by the institution with these Regulations or the Payment Services Regulations 2017 and any requirement of its authorisation under these Regulations;

(b) the financial performance of the institution; or

(c) the soundness or continuity of the institution's electronic money issuance or provision of payment services.

(4) An authorised electronic money institution must notify the Authority without undue delay of any change in outsourced functions or the persons to which functions are outsourced.

Section 27 Record keeping

(1) Electronic money institutions must maintain relevant records and keep them for at least five years from the date on which the record was created.

(2) For the purposes of paragraph (1), records are relevant where they relate to the institution's compliance with this Part and, in particular, would enable the Authority to supervise effectively such compliance.

Section 28 Notice of intention

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Section 29 Decision following notice of intention

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Section 29A Notice of intention from an EEA authorised payment institution

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Section 30 Supervision of firms exercising passport rights

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Section 31 Carrying on of Consumer Credit Act business by an EEA authorised electronic money institution

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Section 31A Record keeping

(1) An electronic money institution must maintain relevant records and keep them for at least five years from the date on which the record was created.

(2) For the purposes of paragraph (1), records are relevant where they relate to compliance with obligations imposed by or under Parts 2 to 4 and, in particular, would enable the Authority to supervise effectively such compliance.

Section 32 Additional activities

(1) Subject to paragraphs (2), (3) and (4), electronic money institutions may, in addition to issuing electronic money, engage in the following activities—

(a) the provision of payment services;

(b) the provision of operational and closely related ancillary services, including—

(i) ensuring the execution of payment transactions;

(ii) foreign exchange services;

(iii) safe-keeping activities; and

(iv) the storage and processing of data;

(c) the operation of payment systems; and

(d) business activities other than the issuance of electronic money, subject to any relevant ... national law.

(2) Electronic money institutions may grant credit subject to the same conditions as apply to authorised payment institutions by virtue of regulation 32(2) of the Payment Services Regulations 2017 provided that such credit is not granted from funds safeguarded in accordance with regulation 20.

(3) Any payment account held by an electronic money institution which is used for payment transactions which are not related to the issuance of electronic money must be used only in relation to such payment transactions.

(4) An authorised electronic money institution which has a branch which is located in the United Kingdom and whose head office is situated in a territory which is outside the United Kingdom may only provide payment services if those services are related to the issuance of electronic money.

Section 33 Use of distributors and agents

(1) An electronic money institution may distribute or redeem electronic money through a distributor or agent.

(2) An electronic money institution may not issue electronic money through a distributor, agent or any other entity acting on its behalf.

(3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Section 34 Requirement for agents to be registered

(1) An electronic money institution may provide payment services in the United Kingdom through an agent only if the agent is included on the register.

(2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(3) An application for an agent to be included on the register must—

(a) contain, or be accompanied by, the following information—

(i) the name and address of the agent;

(ii) where relevant, a description of the internal control mechanisms that will be used by the agent to comply with the Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing and Transfer of Funds (Information on the Payer) Regulations 2017

(iii) the identity of the directors and persons responsible for the management of the agent and , if the agent is not an electronic money institution ... or a payment service provider within the meaning of the Payment Services Regulations 2017, evidence that they are fit and proper persons; ...

(iiia) the services for which the agent is appointed;

(iiib) the unique identification code or number of the agent, if any; and

(iv) such other information as the Authority may reasonably require; and

(b) be made in such manner as the Authority may direct.

(4) Different directions may be given, and different requirements imposed, in relation to different applications or categories of application.

(5) At any time after receiving an application and before determining it, the Authority may require the applicant to provide it with such further information as it reasonably considers necessary to enable it to determine the application.

(5A) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(6) The Authority may refuse to include the agent on the register only if—

(a) it has not received the information referred to in paragraph (3)(a), or is not satisfied that such information is correct;

(b) it is not satisfied that the directors and persons responsible for the management of the agent are fit and proper persons;

(c) it has reasonable grounds to suspect that, in connection with the provision of services through the agent—

(i) money laundering or terrorist financing within the meaning of the Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing and Transfer of Funds (Information on the Payer) Regulations 2017 is taking place, has taken place, or has been attempted; or

(ii) the risk of such activities taking place would be increased.

(7) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(8) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(9) If the Authority proposes to refuse to include the agent on the register, it must give the applicant a warning notice.

(10) The Authority must, having considered any representations made in response to the warning notice—

(a) if it decides not to include the agent on the register, give the applicant a decision notice; or

(b) if it decides to include the agent on the register, give the applicant notice of its decision, stating the date on which the registration takes effect.

(10A) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(10B) The Authority must give notice under paragraph (10) within a period of two months beginning on the date on which the Authority received the completed application

(11) If the Authority decides not to include the agent on the register the applicant may refer the matter to the Upper Tribunal.

(12) If the Authority decides to include the agent on the register, it must update the register as soon as practicable.

(12A) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(13) An application under paragraph (3) may be combined with an application under regulation 5 or 12, in which case the application must be determined in the manner set out in regulation 9 (if relevant, as applied by regulation 15).

(14) An electronic money institution must ensure that an agent acting on its behalf informs payment service users of the agency arrangement.

(15) An authorised electronic money institution must notify the Authority without undue delay if there is any change in the information notified under paragraph (3) or (5).

Section 35 Removal of agents from the register

(1) The Authority may remove an agent of an electronic money institution from the register where—

(a) the institution requests, or consents to, the agent's removal from the register;

(b) the institution has obtained registration through false statements or any other irregular means;

(c) regulation 34(6)(b) or (c) applies;

(d) the removal is desirable in order to protect the interests of consumers; or

(e) the agent's provision of payment services is otherwise unlawful.

(2) Where the Authority proposes to remove an agent from the register, other than at the request of the institution, it must give the institution a warning notice.

(3) The Authority must, having considered any representations made in response to the warning notice—

(a) if it decides to remove the agent, give the institution a decision notice; or

(b) if it decides not to remove the agent, give the institution notice of its decision.

(4) If the Authority decides to remove the agent, other than at the request of the institution, the institution may refer the matter to the Upper Tribunal.

(5) Where the period for a reference to the Upper Tribunal has expired without a reference being made, the Authority must as soon as practicable update the register accordingly.

Section 36 Reliance

(1) Where an electronic money institution relies on a third party for the performance of operational functions it must take all reasonable steps to ensure that these Regulations and the Payment Services Regulations 2017 are complied with.

(2) Without prejudice to paragraph (1), an electronic money institution is responsible, to the same extent as if it had expressly permitted it, for anything done or omitted by any of its employees or by a distributor, agent, branch or any other entity issuing, distributing or redeeming electronic money, or providing payment services, on its behalf or to which activities are outsourced.

Section 37 Duty to notify change in circumstance

(1) Where it becomes apparent to an electronic money institution that there is, or is likely to be, a significant change in circumstances which is relevant to—

(a) in the case of an authorised electronic money institution, its fulfilment of any of the conditions set out in regulation 6(4) to (8) or the requirement in regulation 19(1) to maintain own funds ;

(b) in the case of a small electronic money institution, its fulfilment of any of the conditions set out in regulation 8(2) (as applied by regulation 15); or

(c) in the case of the use of an agent to provide payment services, the matters referred to in regulation 34(6)(b) and (c),

it must provide the Authority with details of the change without undue delay, or, in the case of a substantial change in circumstance which has not yet taken place, details of the likely change a reasonable period before it takes place.

(2) An electronic money institution must inform the Authority of any material change in the measures that it has taken in accordance with regulation 21 or 22 to safeguard funds that have been received in exchange for electronic money.

(3) Any information to be provided to the Authority under this regulation must be in such form or verified in such manner as it may direct.

Section 38 Application of Part 5

This Part applies to the issuance and redemption of electronic money where the issuance or redemption is carried on from an establishment maintained by an electronic money issuer or its agent in the United Kingdom.

Section 39 Issuance and redeemability

An electronic money issuer must—

(a) on receipt of funds, issue without delay electronic money at par value; and

(b) at the request of the electronic money holder, redeem—

(i) at any time; and

(ii) at par value,

the monetary value of the electronic money held.

Section 40 Conditions of redemption

An electronic money issuer must ensure—

(a) that the contract between the electronic money issuer and the electronic money holder clearly and prominently states the conditions of redemption, including any fees relating to redemption; and

(b) that the electronic money holder is informed of those conditions before being bound by any contract.

Section 41 Fees for redemption

(1) Redemption may be subject to a fee only where the fee is stated in the contract in accordance with regulation 40(a), and—

(a) redemption is requested before the termination of the contract;

(b) the contract provides for a termination date and the electronic money holder terminates the contract before that date; or

(c) redemption is requested more than one year after the date of termination of the contract.

(2) Any fees for redemption must be proportionate and commensurate with the costs actually incurred by the electronic money issuer.

Section 42 Amount of redemption

(1) Where before the termination of the contract an electronic money holder makes a request for redemption, the electronic money holder may request redemption of the monetary value of the electronic money in whole or in part, and the electronic money issuer must redeem the amount so requested subject to any fee imposed in accordance with regulation 41.

(2) Where an electronic money holder makes a request for redemption on, or up to one year after, the date of the termination of the contract, the electronic money issuer must redeem—

(a) the total monetary value of the electronic money held; or

(b) if the electronic money issuer carries out any business activities other than the issuance of electronic money and it is not known in advance what proportion of funds received by it is to be used for electronic money, all the funds requested by the electronic money holder.

Section 43 Requests for redemption

An electronic money issuer is not required under regulation 39(b) to redeem the monetary value of electronic money where the electronic money holder makes a request for redemption more than six years after the date of termination of the contract.

Section 44 Redemption rights of persons other than consumers

Regulations 41 and 42 shall not apply in the case of a person, other than a consumer, who accepts electronic money and, in such a case, the redemption rights of that person shall be subject to the contract between that person and the electronic money issuer.