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How we keep your money safe_Jan2024
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How we keep your money safe

January 2024

A message from Modulr: How we keep customer funds safe

At Modulr, we work hard to ensure that all our customer communications are clear and  we’re committed to playing our part in increasing standards across the industry. So, we  welcome the chance to offer further clarity around the differences in protections  

between our services and traditional banking, and answer some frequently asked  questions.

Who is Modulr?

Modulr provides regulated software-driven payment services. We help hundreds of  enterprise customers and thousands of SMEs to process and reconcile large amounts  of payments automatically and in real time.

Is Modulr a bank?

Modulr is not a bank, we’re an Electronic Money Institution (EMI).

An EMI is an organisation that has been authorised by the regulator to issue e-money  accounts and provide payment services. In the UK, we're authorised and regulated by  the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and in the EU we're regulated by De  

Nederlandsche Bank.

Our payment accounts come with sort codes or Euro IBANs, access to payment  

schemes and everything you would expect, but all in a faster, easier and more reliable  way.

How is Modulr different from a bank?

One of the main differences between Modulr, an EMI, and a bank is that banks lend  money, whereas EMIs are prohibited from lending money. Specifically, banks receive  deposits from customers that they use to lend money out and make a profit on the  difference. By contrast, an EMI such as Modulr does not lend any customer funds or  offer interest on balances.

Our payment services however are regulated by the same payments regulations that  apply to banks.

How does Modulr protect customer funds?

Modulr is required by law to use a process called Safeguarding to protect customer  money. This means we ensure that the funds we receive in exchange for e-money are  safeguarded on receipt, meaning that these are segregated from all other funds that we  hold and they cannot be used for any other purposes. This is completely separate from  the additional funds that Modulr holds to meet its corporate obligations and run its  business. The funds we safeguard must be held in specially designated client accounts  at credit institutions (banks) or the Bank of England (see ‘Where is my money  

safeguarded?’ below).

Furthermore, as an EMI, we must also hold an additional 2% of the total value of  

safeguarded client funds in our own funds, which are held separately to those client  funds. The purpose of the additional 2% funds is to ensure that, in the case of any  problems with our business, there are enough funds to support an orderly business  wind-down and the process of returning of client funds. Combining this ‘2%’  

requirement with safeguarding means that there is a protection mechanism to help  ensure an orderly wind down and return customer funds if ever required.

So, while the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) is not applicable to e money, the regulatory requirements outlined above are designed to protect the balance  of customer funds, as opposed to only compensating up to a limit as is the case with  the FSCS.

What is the FSCS and is it applicable to Modulr?

The FSCS offers consumers protection of their bank deposits up to £85,000 maximum,  or £170,000 for a joint account, in the event of a bank failure. The FSCS scheme only  applies to banks, and therefore is not relevant to an EMI such as Modulr. However, as  mentioned, Safeguarding means that all customer money held at Modulr, regardless of  the amount, is segregated from all other funds that we hold and cannot be used for any  other purpose.

What would happen in the event of Modulr’s insolvency?

In addition to the safeguarding and further ‘2%’ requirements we’re also required to  prepare orderly wind down planning. These plans include the early identification of a  potential insolvency event and the return of your funds before an insolvency process if  possible. These plans are subject to external audit review. This further reduces the  unlikely event of your funds having to be returned during our insolvency. In the event  that Modulr becomes insolvent, your funds are separate from the funds of Modulr and  therefore the creditors of Modulr (other third parties that are owed money from Modulr)  are not able to make a claim or have effect on your funds.

An independent insolvency professional (referred to as an ‘insolvency practitioner’) will  be appointed to return your funds to you. However, where an insolvency practitioner is  unable to take their costs of sending the funds to you from elsewhere (for example, the  

general pot of Modulr funds remaining or from the additional 2% own funds described  above) they are entitled to take their costs from your funds. In this unlikely  

circumstance, while you’ll likely receive most of your funds you may not receive the  total value if costs are deducted. The process of returning your funds by an insolvency  practitioner is likely to take longer than if you were making a claim in the FSCS.

Where is money safeguarded?

Modulr must deposit the value of all the e-money it has issued to customers at a credit  institution (banks) or the Bank of England. Modulr uses a range of clearing banks to  safeguard funds but, with our direct access to Faster Payments and Bacs, Modulr is one  of a few non-bank Payment Service Providers to also be able to hold funds associated  with GBP domestic flows directly at the Bank of England. Our safeguarding processes  are subject to independent yearly external audit, providing further confidence that we  adhere to the regulations required for safeguarding.

Who regulates Modulr in the UK?

Modulr FS Ltd (FRN: 900573) is licensed as an authorised E-Money Institution (EMI) and  regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). This enables Modulr to issue e money to its customers, hold customer funds in safeguarded accounts and provide  related payment services to customers. Modulr Finance Limited (FRN: 900699) is  registered with the Financial Conduct Authority as an EMD Agent of Modulr FS Limited.

Who regulates Modulr in the EU?

Modulr Finance B.V. is licensed and regulated by De Nederlandsche Bank  

(Relatienummer R182870) as an Electronic Money Institution.

Yours faithfully

Modulr

© 2024 Modulr Finance Limited. All rights reserved.

Modulr FS Limited is a company registered in England with company number 09897919 and ICO registration: ZA183098, authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority as an Electronic Money  Institution for the issuance of electronic money and payment services (Firm Reference Number: 900573). You can check the Financial Services Register here. Modulr Finance B.V. is licensed and regulated by De  Nederlandsche Bank (Relatienummer R182870) as an Electronic Money Institution. Modulr Finance Limited (Firm Reference Number: 900699) is a company registered in England with company number  09897957 and ICO registration: ZA183068. Modulr Finance Limited is a registered EMD agent of Modulr FS Limited. Your account and related payment services are provided by Modulr FS Limited. Whilst  Electronic Money products are not covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) your funds will be held in one or more segregated accounts and safeguarded in line with the Electronic  Money Regulations 2011.