Affected Clients of Bankrupt Alpari UK Updated on Compensation Payments

The special administrators of bankrupt brokerage firm, Alpari (UK) Limited (Alpari), today announced that claimants awaiting payment under the UK Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) will have to wait until later in the month to receive Payments Payments One of the bases of mediums of exchange in the modern world, a payment constitutes the transfer of a legal currency or equivalent from one party in exchange for goods or services to another entity. The payments industry has become a fixture of modern commerce, though the players involved and means of exchange have dramatically shifted over time.In particular, a party making a payment is referred to as a payer, with the payee reflecting the individual or entity receiving the payment. Most commonly the basis of exchange involves fiat currency or legal tender, be it in the form of cash, credit or bank transfers, debit, or checks. While typically associated with cash transfers, payments can also be made in anything of perceived value, be it stock or bartering – though this is far more limited today than it has been in the past.The Largest Players in the Payments IndustryFor most individuals, the payments industry is dominated currently by card companies such as Visa or Mastercard, which facilitate the use of credit or debit expenditures. More recently, this industry has seen the rise of Peer-to-Peer (P2P) payments services, which have gained tremendous traction in Europe, the United States, and Asia, among other continents.One of the biggest parameters for payments is timing, which looms as a crucial element for execution. By this metric, consumer demand incentivizes technology that prioritizes the fastest payment execution.This can help explain the preference for debit and credit payments overtaking check or money orders, which in previous decades were much more commonly utilized. A multi-billion-dollar industry, the payments space has seen some of the most innovation and advances in recent years as companies look to push contactless technology with faster execution times. One of the bases of mediums of exchange in the modern world, a payment constitutes the transfer of a legal currency or equivalent from one party in exchange for goods or services to another entity. The payments industry has become a fixture of modern commerce, though the players involved and means of exchange have dramatically shifted over time.In particular, a party making a payment is referred to as a payer, with the payee reflecting the individual or entity receiving the payment. Most commonly the basis of exchange involves fiat currency or legal tender, be it in the form of cash, credit or bank transfers, debit, or checks. While typically associated with cash transfers, payments can also be made in anything of perceived value, be it stock or bartering – though this is far more limited today than it has been in the past.The Largest Players in the Payments IndustryFor most individuals, the payments industry is dominated currently by card companies such as Visa or Mastercard, which facilitate the use of credit or debit expenditures. More recently, this industry has seen the rise of Peer-to-Peer (P2P) payments services, which have gained tremendous traction in Europe, the United States, and Asia, among other continents.One of the biggest parameters for payments is timing, which looms as a crucial element for execution. By this metric, consumer demand incentivizes technology that prioritizes the fastest payment execution.This can help explain the preference for debit and credit payments overtaking check or money orders, which in previous decades were much more commonly utilized. A multi-billion-dollar industry, the payments space has seen some of the most innovation and advances in recent years as companies look to push contactless technology with faster execution times. Read this Term. KPMG, who were appointed receivers in January 2015, note that they are “not yet in a position to proceed with the next batch of compensation payments."

However, those claimants that have already agreed to their Client Money Client Money Client money refers to the money or margin – which may be any currency in the form of cash, check, draft, or electronic transfer – that a firm receives or holds for a client. Money held by a firm in the form of a stakeholder, which is are not payable on demand or immediately due, also refers to client money. The definition of client money does not apply to money held by businesses that operate in its own name on behalf of a client. Although the client does have to be in agreement before this arrangement is made. Who Owns Client’s Money?When clients transfer complete ownership of money to a firm with the intention of covering present or future, contingent or actual or prospective obligations, that money is no longer seen as client money once it is transferred out of the account to the firm. When a firm acquires full ownership of money through a collateral agreement, the firm has also taken an obligation to repay the client although distributed funds upon agreement completion are not considered to be client money. This transfer of full ownership of money is an example of a title transfer financial collateral arrangement under the Financial Collateral Directive, were once transferred that client’s money is no longer considered client money.Should a firm enter an arrangement with a client where a commission is rebated, those rebates are not considered client money until they become due with the terms of the agreements set forth between both parties. Firms are required to operate with the client’s best interest rule, which means that they are required to act professionally, honestly, and fairly. Client money refers to the money or margin – which may be any currency in the form of cash, check, draft, or electronic transfer – that a firm receives or holds for a client. Money held by a firm in the form of a stakeholder, which is are not payable on demand or immediately due, also refers to client money. The definition of client money does not apply to money held by businesses that operate in its own name on behalf of a client. Although the client does have to be in agreement before this arrangement is made. Who Owns Client’s Money?When clients transfer complete ownership of money to a firm with the intention of covering present or future, contingent or actual or prospective obligations, that money is no longer seen as client money once it is transferred out of the account to the firm. When a firm acquires full ownership of money through a collateral agreement, the firm has also taken an obligation to repay the client although distributed funds upon agreement completion are not considered to be client money. This transfer of full ownership of money is an example of a title transfer financial collateral arrangement under the Financial Collateral Directive, were once transferred that client’s money is no longer considered client money.Should a firm enter an arrangement with a client where a commission is rebated, those rebates are not considered client money until they become due with the terms of the agreements set forth between both parties. Firms are required to operate with the client’s best interest rule, which means that they are required to act professionally, honestly, and fairly. Read this Term entitlement and contractual claim can expect notification from KPMG confirming payment in late July, and payment should be received within 10 working days from the notification.

There are also a number of accounts with a status of ‘pending’; specifically, those claimant accounts with information still outstanding. According to the update, “clients likely to be affected are those that are holding joint accounts, those that are holding accounts in the name of a company, or those accounts with a non-residential address.”

Nonetheless, many of those affected by a 'pending' status should have received a distribution from the administrators of 55 cents in the dollar on June 24.

Back in March, the FSCS reassured Alpari clients that they would be fully compensated for up to £50,000 of deposits at the brokerage. Since then, delays have frustrated claimants, with FSCS even issuing an apology in April.

Consequently, the administrators have been rushing to ensure that claims are being managed efficiently. KPMG have set up a Claims Portal, through which claims are managed. Claimants who are covered by FSCS have therefore been required to submit their information via this portal, except those accounts held in joint names or in a trust or corporate entity, who were required to complete a FSCS claims form.

Alpari was placed under special administration in January following the Swiss National Bank’s decision that resulted in deep losses for the broker.

Enquiries regarding a ‘pending’ status can be sent to enquiries@fscs.org.uk, while those who may not receive payment within 10 days of notification can email alpariukclaims@kpmg.co.uk.