Budget gap widens as revenue projections slide
The revised Budget reveals the hard truth: with limited borrowing room and rising demands, Treasury must make tough calls on what to fund – and what to cut.
Author: Nettalie Viljoen
Restarting Ithala: inside the legal tug-of-war over SA’s ‘state bank’
After months in limbo, Ithala resumes limited operations – but its revival faces steep legal and regulatory challenges as the battle over its liquidation and banking status intensifies.
Funds ‘must do more’ to hold employers accountable for arrear contributions
The OPFA on how retirement funds should address non-compliant employers, death benefit allocations, and requests to withhold benefits.
When passive meets disruption: unearthing alpha in a market-cap world
With passive assets now eclipsing active globally, Coronation’s Peter Kempen argues that momentum-driven capital flows create fertile ground for fundamental research – and for active managers who can spot value that index trackers miss.
Equity targets spark fears of ‘unjust’ penalties for employers
The DA’s court challenge to the Employment Equity Amendment Act highlights not only constitutional questions but also the risk that inflexible sectoral targets and under-resourced bureaucracy will penalise even deserving employers.
Future-proof cover critical as multiple illness claims climb
Discovery Life’s claims report reveals a sharp rise in repeat severe illness claims and a growing need to factor child protection into long-term insurance strategies.
Suicide-related life claims surge by 62% over five years
Discovery Life’s claims data reveals rising risks, with increasing concerns about mental health and skin cancer.
Groceries, gadgets and gaps: where two-pot savings are really going
Sanlam reports that most withdrawals came from financially strained members in mid-life, with little evidence that funds were used to reduce debt. Instead, spending patterns suggest pressure to cover everyday expenses.
Retirement pot withdrawals could undermine long-term savings
Danie van Zyl of Sanlam Corporate Investments warns that allowing access to retirement components in retrenchment cases might jeopardise long-term savings and place added pressure on trustees.
Financial institutions urged to prioritise cyber resilience as Joint Standard takes effect
With Joint Standard 2 on cybersecurity coming into force on 1 June, the Prudential Authority emphasises the need for financial institutions to bolster resilience, share intelligence, and prepare for inevitable cyberattacks.
New website will change the way FSPs interact with the FSCA
The revamped website will centralise all regulatory tools and services into one easy-to-navigate platform, making it simpler for FSPs to locate compliance information, verify credentials, and track enforcement actions.
AML/CFT | Strict enforcement will be the new normal
The need to get South Africa off the grey list has seen the FSCA beefing up its supervisory and licensing capacities.
FSCA says new digital platform will streamline compliance and regulation
IRS, which is set to go live in 2026, will leverage smart analytics to automate risk assessments and provide a comprehensive view of regulated entities.
FSCA’s contingency plan: navigating COFI delays and licensing overhaul
The FSCA is preparing for the massive task of migrating about 12 500 financial services providers into the new COFI framework.
Levies and fees weighed as PA prepares to regulate CISs and retirement funds
The PA shared an update on the six workstreams focused on the transition, confirming that they will be ready to regulate CISs and retirement funds by 1 April 2026.
Godongwana reassures Ithala’s depositors with R2bn guarantee
The minister’s address to the FSCA conference also touched on regulation, South Africa’s G20 presidency, political tensions over the Budget, and economic growth.
SA’s path beyond the grey list: key challenges and opportunities ahead
While South Africa is on track to exit the grey list by October, National Treasury emphasises the importance of long-term improvements and continuous progress in financial regulation.
