COBS - Appropriateness Course

The FCA's Conduct of Business Sourcebook (COBS) applies to financial firms that deal with customer investments on an execution-only basis. COBS rules cover assessing appropriateness of a product for a retail client.

An appropriateness test investigates a customer's experience and knowledge of a product or service. The purpose of which is to protect customers who have a poor understanding of financial products.

Our COBS for Appropriateness Course explains the FCA Conduct of Business Rules for financial firms, how to test appropriateness and when this test should be applied.

About this Course

This SCORM-compatible course is part of our FCA Compliance Library.

The library is available in the Skillcast Standard plan for larger companies or Skillcast Basic plan for those with under 50 learners.

Learning Objectives

This course will prepare you to:

Recognise what the appropriateness test is and when it should be applied
Understand how appropriateness is tested
Understand how to proceed when the appropriateness test passes and when it fails
Identify and apply the record-keeping requirements

Latest Course Updates

Course redesigned with a more modern feel
Full course review and update conducted by an FCA expert
Text & image updates throughout the course

Course Outline

Welcome

What is COBS - Appropriateness?

Introduction

What products are complex?

Exercise: Personalised communication

How is appropriateness tested?

What happens if the appropriateness test fails?

Record keeping

Customer scenario

- Customer scenario - 2
- Customer scenario - 3
- Customer scenario - 4
- Customer scenario - 5
- Customer scenario - 6

Practice scenarios

- Practice scenarios - 2
- Practice scenarios - 3
- Practice scenarios - 4

Summary

Affirmation

Assessment

Course Specifications

Structure

Approximately 20 minutes followed by a 10-question assessment.

Audience

Suitable for all staff - examples and interactivities designed for staff at all levels. No previous knowledge or experience is required.

Design

SHARD-compliant, responsive display on all devices, accessibility on screen readers, visual design controlled via client style sheet.

Compatibility

All Windows, Mac OSX, iOS, Android (Flash-free for mobile compatibility). AICC and SCORM 1.2-compliant, suitable for both hosted and deployed SCORM or AICC.