FSCS rejects compensation claims for Arc, NDF and DRL investors

30 September 2010 0:00 am | Updated: 30 September 2010 1:50 pm | By Chris Salih

Investors in capital at risk products from NDF Administration, Defined Returns Limited (DRL) and Arc Capital and Income will not be able claim compensation from the Financial Services Compensation Scheme.

The FSCS says that following a review, the firm was satisfied that the relevant marketing materials provided had adequate and appropriate warnings that there was a risk to investors’ capital if the organisation backing these investments failed.

Products at risk included the NDF fixed income and growth February 2008, NDF fixed income plan June 2008, DRL kick out performance plan issue 1, Arc fixed income plan 6 and Arc stepped kick out plan 5.

The FSCS says that investors will not have claims arising from the materials and that it will not send application forms to all known investors with Capital at Risk products.

The statement says: “However, if any investor wishes to submit a claim to us, for any specific other reason, they can do so by contacting us to request an application form. When completing the application form, investors should provide us with as much information as possible about why they believe their claim is eligible for compensation. We will then assess claims for compensation on a case-by-case basis.

“By completing the application form, the investor will be able to set out why they believe they have a valid claim against NDF, DRL or Arc. Please be aware, however, that we can only accept a claim where a claimant can demonstrate to us that a legal liability is owed to him or her by one of the firms in default.”

The decision comes more than 10 months after the groups failed due to exposure to the collapse of Lehman Brothers.

The FSCS announced a £22m levy on intermediaries in March to cover losses from certain other products from NDFA, DRL and Arc. This was in addition to the £58m levy charged to cover client losses from the Keydata collapse.

The FSCS says: “There have been a number of complex issues to resolve which required detailed review and external advice.  Whilst we understand that investors will be disappointed by this news, we are grateful for the patience shown whilst we investigated the position.”

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