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{{a| | {{a|cass|{{image|CASS Garb|png|A [[CASS operational oversight function|CASS officer]]’s ceremonial [[mithril]] gown, yesterday.}} | ||
}}The [[FCA]]’s [[client money rules]] are designed to minimise credit exposure to firms which hold client funds, but who are not themselves regulated banks. Such firms must deposit client funds with an {{cassprov|approved bank}} which record the deposits in the firm’s name but belonging to the firm’s clients, so it is clear that the firm has no proprietary claim on the account. Therefore, the [[client money]] account is isolated the firm’s creditors on the firm’s insolvency (such a failure a “[[primary pooling event]]”). It is not isolated, however, from the [[client money bank]]’s creditors. | |||
===How is [[client money]] different to ordinary [[cash]]?=== | |||
It isn’t. [[Cash]] is [[cash]] is [[cash]]. “[[Client money]]” describes the relationship between the giver and the receiver of [[cash]], not the cash itself. The cash itself, as it moves around, is just [[cash]]. | It isn’t. [[Cash]] is [[cash]] is [[cash]]. “[[Client money]]” describes the relationship between the giver and the receiver of [[cash]], not the cash itself. The cash itself, as it moves around, is just [[cash]]. | ||
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*As between the local bank and the [[intermediary]] who is acting as trustee for the [[broker]] (who in turn is acting as [[trustee]] for the client) it is [[indebtedness]] | *As between the local bank and the [[intermediary]] who is acting as trustee for the [[broker]] (who in turn is acting as [[trustee]] for the client) it is [[indebtedness]] | ||
*In the local bank’s hands it is [[working capital]]. | *In the local bank’s hands it is [[working capital]]. | ||
===When do client money obligations arise?=== | ===When do client money obligations arise?=== | ||
Generally, there are two reasons you might pay money to someone else: <br> | |||
'''The general case''': ''Because you owe it under a contract.'' | '''The general case, where [[client money]] does ''not'' apply''': ''Because you owe it under a contract.'' | ||
*In some cases (for example a {{tag|CSA}} or even a [[loan]]) the payee might in turn have to pay some money back to you at a later date. But you are exposed to the payee’s credit risk in the mean time: you are a '''creditor'''. | *In some cases (for example a {{tag|CSA}} or even a [[loan]]) the payee might in turn have to pay some money back to you at a later date. But you are exposed to the payee’s credit risk in the mean time: you are a '''creditor'''. | ||
*This general case does '''not''' involve [[client money]] (see {{tag|CASS}} {{Cassprov|7.11.25}}). | *This general case does '''not''' involve [[client money]] (see {{tag|CASS}} {{Cassprov|7.11.25}}). | ||
*You could say this is “title transfer” of [[cash]], but you | *You could say this is “title transfer” of [[cash]], but you don’t need to, because all delivery of cash it title transfer. There ''is'' no title to cash. <br> | ||
'''The special case''': ''Because you want your counterparty to look after it for you, in connection with some other service it is providing you.'' | '''The special case where [[client money]] ''might'' apply''': ''Because you want your counterparty to look after it for you, in connection with some other service — {{fcaprov|designated investment business}} for example (there are many others) — it is providing you.'' As to this, see CASS {{cassprov|7.10.1}}, the applicability of the client money rules. The key phrase is not “in connection with designated investment business”, but “money received for and on behalf of a client”. That implies an agency, trust or banking kind of role, and is quite different from “money ''owed'' to a client”, which implies an outright contractual obligation. Agency, trust and banking doesn’t happen all that often in connection with designated investment business — ''unless you are acting as an [[agent]], [[trustee]] or [[bank]]''. | ||
*Here, you | *Here, you don’t owe the payee anything. The only contract you have arises because it has agreed to look after your money for you. | ||
*This special case is a sort of safekeeping: it is a regulated activity. In the UK it is regulated by the {{tag|FCA}} under the [[Client Asset Sourcebook]] (fondly known as the {{tag|CASS}} rules). | *This special case is a sort of safekeeping: it is a regulated activity. In the UK it is regulated by the {{tag|FCA}} under the [[Client Asset Sourcebook]] (fondly known as the {{tag|CASS}} rules). | ||
*Now this special case creates a [[Metaphysics|metaphysical]] problem, because when you look after something, you’re not meant to take ownership of it. | *Now this special case creates a [[Metaphysics|metaphysical]] problem, because when you look after something, you’re not meant to take ownership of it. You’re just a {{tag|custodian}}. But as noted above, you ''can’t'' “just look after” someone else’s cash. | ||
*This necessitates two things: | *This necessitates two things: | ||
**''First'': A person agreeing to look after your money can’t keep it: it must pass it on to someone else to look after, and since — hang on: that creates an infinite regression doesn’t it? — therefore... | **''First'': A person agreeing to look after your money can’t keep it: it must pass it on to someone else to look after, and since — hang on: that creates an infinite regression doesn’t it? — therefore... | ||
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**When you deposit your money with a bank you have its credit risk. But, as we all now know, banks are special: they’re carefully regulated, well capitalised and generally designed to be appropriate places to look after your money. | **When you deposit your money with a bank you have its credit risk. But, as we all now know, banks are special: they’re carefully regulated, well capitalised and generally designed to be appropriate places to look after your money. | ||
{{client money and banks}} | |||
{{client money and cash brokerage}} | |||
{{ | |||
===[[Delivery versus payment]]=== | ===[[Delivery versus payment]]=== | ||
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There are specific exemptions from the obligation to hold as client money relating to delivery versus payment transactions. | There are specific exemptions from the obligation to hold as client money relating to delivery versus payment transactions. | ||
{{sa}} | |||
*[[Mithril]] | |||
*[[Cash]] | |||
*[[Bitcoin]] | |||
{{ref}} | {{ref}} |