the Financial Services Authority’s handbook of rules and guidance which contains regulatory material relating to the financial services industry.

Presents and gives guidance on rules made under FSMA. Each of five blocks contains sections dealing with all aspects of financial services authorisation, compliance and enforcement, market structure, operation and oversight by the FSA. Block 1 sets out High Level Standards, applicable to firms and approved persons. Block 2 covers Business Standards applicable to firms. Block 3 covers Regulatory Processes, i.e. authorisation; supervision; enforcement; and decision-making. Block 4 deals with redress, i.e. particularly, compensation for investors, depositors and policyholders. Block 5 covers Specialist Sourcebooks, containing specialist information on areas such as: insurance; collective investment schemes; recognised exchange and clearing houses.

Regulatory returns sent annually to the FSA and prepared for each regulated operating insurance company. FSA returns comprise detailed financial information on solvency, investments, business mix, claims and premiums, etc., and are publicly available. The FSA returns are prepared differently from the reports and accounts filed with Companies House.