Day 1 Highlights from the FSCA Industry Conference 2026
Day 1 highlights from the FSCA Industry Conference 2026, presented by Mark Bechard. View the full video on our YouTube channel via the link below and subscribe for ongoing updates:
Author: Moonstone Information Refinery
FSCA discloses approach to regulating a rapidly changing financial sector
Unathi Kamlana says the Authority will support the integration of advanced technologies and strengthen frameworks for consumer protection, cyber resilience, and financial inclusion.
Customer complaints: FSCA tells banks to raise their game
A review finds significant lapses in the banks’ complaint management – from inconsistent categorisation to poor record-keeping and communication.
Old Mutual’s operating profit up 4%, led by Insure and Investments
Exceptional underwriting in Old Mutual Insure and a 37% jump in Investments drive overall strength, but Corporate’s life insurance sales slumped 42%.
Enhanced underwriting and pricing drive Old Mutual Insure’s performance
The operating profit more than doubled in 2024, while gross written premiums increased by 9%.
Steinhoff’s shadow still looms over Pepkor as SARB freezes shares
The SARB freezes 506 million Pepkor shares held by Ainsley, a subsidiary of Ibex, which took over Steinhoff’s assets and liabilities following its liquidation.
High Court upholds Discovery Life’s decision to void policy
The policyholder inflated her earnings and failed to disclose a simultaneous application with another insurer, materially affecting the risk assessment.
FSCA ponders regulatory enhancements for ESG investing
A survey indicates that while a majority of investment providers incorporate ESG considerations, hurdles such as inconsistent ratings and greenwashing remain.
FIC opens consultation on updated IFTR guidelines
The Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC) has issued published Draft Directive 3A and Draft Public Compliance Communication 50A for public consultation.
Life insurer debars rep who ‘went off-script’ during sales call
The agent repeatedly deviated from the approved product script. Previous warnings and documented missteps played a key role in the decision.
Retail hedge funds surge as industry hits record growth
A decade after the introduction of hedge fund regulations, retail investors are driving strong growth, with RHFs attracting R11.84 billion in net inflows in 2024.
How SARS arrives at R800bn in uncollected tax
Commissioner Edward Kieswetter explains to Parliament why ‘between R700bn and R800bn is not an unreasonable amount’.
South Africa already has wealth taxes, says Kieswetter
Almost half the revenue from personal taxes is derived from people who earn more than R1 million.
Bonitas celebrates brokers for driving the scheme’s growth
Industry leaders such as AlexForbes, Avoir Corporate Healthcare, and Hippo Advisory shone bright at the third annual Top Broker Awards.
Budget: higher taxes, rising costs, and no relief for households
A phased VAT increase and frozen tax brackets mean South Africans will pay more, while concerns grow over government spending and economic stagnation.
KZN Treasury’s R2.4bn loan request raises more questions than answers
As the KwaZulu-Natal government scrambles to keep Ithala afloat, its urgent request for a R2.4 billion loan from National Treasury sparks confusion – especially given an earlier government guarantee.
Debarment set aside as Tribunal distinguishes negligence from dishonesty
The case highlights that debarment is reserved for instances of clear, intentional breaches of integrity, not mere negligence.