Before you start – A health warning!

Promoting investment opportunities is a regulated activity. The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 sets out the regulatory framework governing the promotion of financial investment products, including community shares and bonds. These regulations are meant to prevent people making misleading claims to potential investors. The regulations cover all forms of communication with the public, including letters, emails, documents, websites, brochures and presentations at meetings.

It is very important that you fully understand the regulations governing financial promotions before you start communicating your ideas about community shares and bonds to others. The following factsheets will help you understand your responsibilities, but it may still be advisable to seek professional legal opinion, before promoting a community share or bond offer.