How long is the COBS Client Communications course?

It's made up of 8 microlessons, each under 5 minutes. Learners can finish it in one sitting or spread it over a few days, and 5Mins sends reminders until it is done.

Is there a certificate?

Yes. Learners get a certificate of completion once they finish every microlesson. The record is stored in 5Mins for audits.

What does fair, clear and not misleading mean?

It's the core COBS standard for client communications. Communications must be balanced, easy to understand and give a true picture, in proportion to the client and the channel. The second microlesson covers the common pitfalls.

Who should take this course?

Anyone who writes, approves or sends client communications or promotions, including marketing, advisers, client services and compliance.

Does it cover approving promotions for other firms?

Yes. The sixth microlesson covers section 21, the approver permission required since February 2024 and the ongoing duties of an approving firm.

Can I try the course first?

Yes. Request a free sample lesson and book a short demo with our team. After your demo, we'll share sample lessons with you so you can see the format for yourself.

COBS Client Communications Training Course (UK)

COBS Client Communications training

Eight microlessons on the FCA's COBS 4 rules for client communications and financial promotions: fair, clear and not misleading, past performance, direct offers, cold calls, approvals and record keeping, with a certificate of completion.

4.6

4.7

What the COBS Client Communications course covers

This course covers the FCA's COBS rules on client communications and financial promotions in eight microlessons. Every communication with a client is a regulatory event, and the course shows why. It covers when a communication is a financial promotion under section 21 of FSMA, the fair, clear and not misleading standard, how to present investment performance, direct offer promotions, cold calls and other real-time promotions, the rules on approving promotions, and the systems, controls and records that keep every client touchpoint compliant.

A certificate for every learner who completes it

Learners finish every microlesson. 5Mins then issues a certificate of completion for COBS Client Communications (UK).

Certificates and e-signatures stored against each learner

Audit-ready records, ready whenever an auditor asks

Completion shows on the Compliance Dashboard in real time

Laws covered

FCA Conduct of Business sourcebook (COBS 4). The rules on communicating with clients and financial promotions, including the fair, clear and not misleading rule, past performance (COBS 4.6) and cold calls and other unsolicited real-time promotions (COBS 4.8).

Financial Services and Markets Act 2000, sections 21 and 25. Only an authorized person may communicate, or approve, a financial promotion; breaching section 21 is a criminal offense. Since 7 February 2024, authorized firms need FCA permission to approve promotions for unauthorized persons.

ComplianceCompliance Training

Insurance, 205 colleagues 100%

compliance completion and pass rate since go-live

~1 day saved on each compliance course (HR estimate)
Automated reminders and reporting

Since go-live, our compliance completion and pass rates are 100%, and it's the quickest we've ever got there. Automated reminders and reporting save us about a day per course.

Laura ChappellHR Director, Collingwood

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ComplianceCompliance Training

Insurance and emergency accommodation 87%

less session time, from 2.5-3 hour sessions to modules of 25 minutes at most

12 monthly sessions a year, up from 3-4
95% content creation time saved

Our compliance sessions used to be two and a half to three hours in a room, and we could fit in three or four a year. Now we cover one topic a month, and I can see exactly what people are retaining.

Lucy WybornDirector of Learning and Development, ICAB

Read the ICAB story

ComplianceCompliance Training

Legal services 80%

completion on mandatory training, up from 20%

Mobile microlessons finished between calls
Manager view of each team's progress

We were sitting at 20% completion on our mandatory training. We're now at 80%. People finish short lessons between calls, on mobile, and managers can see where their teams are, so chasing completion is no longer a one-person job.

Jamie WaltonGroup Learning and Development Officer, Winn Solicitors

See more customer stories

ComplianceCompliance Training

Fintech and digital banking On demand

training log showing who did what, when, and the pass rate

Any device phone or laptop, at their own pace
Rolling refreshers through the year

When I engage with the FCA, I can show that every team has had training tailored to their role, that it's up to date, and that it runs throughout the year, with a full log of who's done what.

Abdul GofurHead of Compliance & Anti-Financial Crime, nsave

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COBS Client Communications training

What the COBS Client Communications course covers

What your people will be able to do

8 microlessons

A certificate for every learner who completes it

Who it's for and the law it covers

Who it's for

Laws covered

Assign it once, then let 5Mins do the chasing

Compliance teams that swapped chasing for results

See 5Mins in action with a free sample lesson

Get a free sample lesson

Take the catalogues with you

Global Financial Compliance Catalogue

UK Compliance Catalogue

Global Compliance Catalogue

Questions about COBS Client Communications training

How long is the COBS Client Communications course?

Is there a certificate?

What does fair, clear and not misleading mean?

Who should take this course?

Does it cover approving promotions for other firms?

Can I try the course first?

Related courses

COBS: Client Categorisation (UK)

COBS: Dealing & Managing (UK)

Financial Promotions (UK)

FCA Product Governance (UK)

Consumer Duty (UK)

Treating Customers Fairly (UK)

More free resources from 5Mins

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