Ombud Council to focus on making financial consumers more aware of their right to redress
The Council will use complaints data to spot systemic risks and harmonise complaint-handling across all financial ombuds, its five-year strategic plan shows.
Author: Moonstone Information Refinery
Adjudicator aligns with High Court’s ruling on the in duplum rule
The OPFA confirms that penalty interest on late employer contributions may not exceed the original capital owing – in line with the Full Bench’s judgment in March.
Fund loses bid to remove limit on interest on arrear contributions
The Full Bench affirms that interest under the Pension Funds Act is capped by the common law in duplum rule.
AI + empathy: why financial advice’s future is human at heart
Momentum CEO Jeanette Marais says the future of scalable, effective financial advice lies in blending smart tech with emotional intelligence.
FSCA imposes R3m fine on Ninety One for FICA lapses
An inspection identified inadequate implementation of the RMCP and deficient customer due diligence processes.
MBSE opens virtual doors to aspiring financial professionals
Moonstone Business School of Excellence is hosting Virtual Open Days from 13 to 15 May.
Most financial planners are positive about impact of AI – global survey
Research by the Financial Planning Standards Board finds 64% of advisers are already using or piloting AI tools to streamline client communications and workflows.
Ithala resumes operations – but still can’t take deposits
Ithala has been cleared to resume core operations – excluding deposit-taking – while legal battles over its liquidation and frozen R2.47bn in deposits continue.
Old Mutual’s new CEO will bring decades of financial sector experience to the role
Jurie Strydom, whose résumé includes leadership roles at Sanlam and Regent Insurance, will work alongside outgoing CEO Iain Williamson.
FSCA’s three-year regulatory strategy anchored in COFI roll-out
A revamped licensing schedule and an enhanced Integrated Regulatory Solution platform will form the backbone of COFI-aligned supervision.
FIC calls on businesses to take their RMCP obligations seriously
The Centre, through inspections and compliance monitoring, will test an RMCP against the legislative requirements.
Three-quarters of withdrawals in the new tax year are repeat claims
Many fund members are tapping into their savings components as soon as the tax window opens, data from the Actuarial Society indicates.
High Court orders Ramaphosa to disclose NHI signing record
The President must produce the full record of his decision-making when assenting to the NHI Bill after the court rejected arguments that such records fall outside judicial review.
Bank held liable for R2.1 million paid to fraudulent ‘executor’
A High Court ruling notes procedural failures at Standard Bank’s deceased estates department – highlighting that banks must verify and act only on valid letters of executorship.
FSCA investigating banks’ transaction fees
The Authority has found wide discrepancies in charges for similar services across banks, says Godongwana.
Retirement funds can’t use POPIA to withhold information from the Adjudicator
PAIA and POPIA should not be misused to hide inadequate investigations into dependants’ claims.
‘Little appetite’ for shift from asset-based charges and commission
The Adviser Barometer, based on the responses of nearly 600 financial advisers on the Allan Gray platform, sheds light on what’s driving fee structures, technology investments and client-engagement strategies in South Africa’s advice industry.
