Brokers / Retail Intermediaries

A broker / retail intermediary is a regulated firm that engages in intermediation activities relating to certain financial products and/or provides advice in relation to those products and can be:

Industry Notices

Handbook of Prudential Requirements for Investment Intermediaries

This Handbook is effective from 1 October 2014 and replaces the Handbook of Prudential Requirements for Authorised Advisors and Restricted Intermediaries introduced in July 2006.

Newsletter

The Brokers/Retail Intermediaries section of the Bank is now publishing a newsletter entitled Intermediary Times three times a year. It will contain news, useful information on regulatory issues, and highlight recently-published documents of interest. Read more about the Intermediary Times.

Report on the Retail Intermediary Sector in Ireland

The Report on the Retail Intermediary Sector in Ireland, published on 28 February 2013, is now available to view here: Report on Retail Intermediary Sector in Ireland - February 2013.

Retail Intermediary Roadshow

The Presentations from the Retail Intermediary Roadshows are available to view: Retail Intermediaries Roadshows

Annual Online Return

Annual Online Return - To allow the Central Bank of Ireland to carry out its supervisory functions, all broker/intermediary firms are requested to submit an Annual Online Return. This section provides guidance for firms who are completing their return.

Useful Information

Authorisation - Under the provisions of the above legislation, firms are required to apply to the Central Bank of Ireland for authorisation or registration. It is an offence to engage in insurance/investment/mortgage intermediation without authorisation or registration. As well as completing an application form, applicants must complete an online Individual Questionnaire (IQ) to comply with Fitness and Probity requirements. Industry Funding Levy - All authorised firms must pay an annual industry levy to the Central Bank of Ireland.

Changes/amendments after Authorisation - Firms must inform the Central Bank of Ireland about any changes or amendments that may affect their authorisation e.g. change of address / trading name / Director or shareholding etc.

Reporting Requirements - In addition to completing an annual online return, please refer to the additional reporting requirements that your firm may be required to comply with.

Codes of Conduct and Regulatory Guidance - For further information on our Codes of Conduct and the regulatory requirements you are required to comply with.

Revocation - If you are considering cancelling your authorisation or registration, you will need to provide at least two months' notice to affected consumers to enable them to make alternative arrangements and to follow the voluntary revocation process.

Registers - If you wish to check if a firm is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland. Complaints against a financial services provider are handled by the Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman (FSPO) and not the Central Bank of Ireland.