Central Bank Announces New PCF-2 Roles

PUBLISHED: 13th April 2022

The Central Bank of Ireland (CBI) updated its list of Pre-Approval Controlled Functions (PCFs) in a  Feedback Statement published on 5 April 2022. 

Of particular note is the segregation of the role of PCF-2 (Non-Executive Director) into PCF-2A and PCF-2B, to reflect the distinction between non-executive directors and independent non-executive directors. 

Any individual currently occupying the role of a PCF-2 will be redesignated as a PCF-2A (Non-Executive Director) (NED).

Regulated financial service providers (RFSPs) are required to notify the CBI of any PCF-2B (Independent Non-Executive Director (INED) designations and confirm that they have undertaken the relevant due diligence to assess independence, by 3 June 2022. 

CBI’s Feedback Statement:  Amendments to the List of Pre-Approval Controlled Functions (PCFs)

The CBI published a Notice of Intention on 22 September 2021 to amend its list of PCFs. It is relevant to all RFSPs apart from credit unions.  This was in response to the CBI’s supervisory experience of PCFs and changing nature of the Irish financial services industry.  

In its Feedback Statement, following comments from stakeholders and pursuant to the Central Bank Reform Act 2010 (Sections 20 and 22) (Amendment) Regulations 2022, the CBI decided to proceed with the following amendments:

1. Splitting the existing PCF-2 into: PCF-2A (NED); and PCF-2B (INED), under the ‘General’ category.
2. Amending the titles of roles relating to the chairing of a board or committee, i.e. PCF-3-PCF-7, under the ‘General’ category.
3. Expanding PCF-16 (Branch Manager of branches in other EEA countries) to include branch managers in non-EEA countries, under the ‘General’ category.
4. Removal of PCF-31 (Head of Investment), under the ‘Investment Firms’ category.
5. Removal of PCF-15 (Head of Compliance with responsibility for Anti-Money Laundering and Counter Terrorist Financing Legislation), under the ‘General’ category.
6. Introducing  PCF-52 (Head of Anti-Money Laundering and Counter Terrorist Financing Compliance), under the ‘General’ category.

Splitting PCF-2: Assessment of Independence in PCF-2A and PCF-2B Roles

An assessment of the independence of directors within the new PCF-2A (NED) and PCF-2B (INED) roles will be required, in order to determine the correct designation. 

The CBI considers it best practice to use its Corporate Governance Requirements (for Credit Institutions, for Insurance Undertakings and for Investment Firms and Market Operators) (Corporate Governance Requirements) in this assessment.  Where an entity is not in scope of the Requirements, the CBI confirmed that the definition and criteria provided within the various sectoral requirements, codes and guidelines may be used. 

In the case of conflicts between the corporate governance obligations and fitness and probity standards, such as in the assessment of the suitability of members of the management body and key function holders, the stricter provisions should be met.

The CBI has helpfully confirmed that the changes have been introduced only to provide greater clarity and for record-keeping purposes, and that they will not result in additional or changed requirements for the appointments of INEDs.  Nor does the CBI envisage any impact on the functioning of the board or the interaction between the CBI’s Fitness and Probity Regime and Corporate Governance Requirements, and any Irish company law requirements.  It is worth noting that it is already existing practice to categorise directors as NEDs or INEDs.

What Next for In-Scope Boards?

1. Any individual currently occupying a PCF-2 will be redesignated by the CBI as a PCF-2A. 
2. Where an existing PCF-2 is categorised as an INED, the RFSP will be required to notify the CBI of that individual’s PCF-2B designation, and submit confirmation of the due diligence undertaken by the RFSP in its assessment of the independence of the individual, by 3 June 2022. 
3. An RFSP that is subject to Corporate Governance Requirements for Credit Institutions or for Insurance Undertakings is reminded that it must conduct a comprehensive review in respect any INED that has been appointed to its board for nine years or more.  This review must be carried out annually after the nine-year period.
4. New directorship appointments within RFSPs will need to be categorised as either PCF-2A or PCF-2B, subject to the assessment of independence.

Contact

For further information on this topic, please contact: Katrina Smyth at ksmyth@lkshields.ie or David Naughton at dnaughton@lkshields.ie.