Conveying Material Terms to Clients
There is more to conveying changes in material terms to clients than simply dropping them a note to that effect. The Khoza determination by the FAIS Ombud provides guidelines in this regard. The […]
Compliance and Legislation
FAIS Ombud – Loss assessment disputed
The recent Cornelissen determination by the FAIS Ombud provided insight into a number of very interesting aspects not previously covered in her determinations. The eventual finding is also something new for us. Overcharging […]
Updated FSB views on Phase 1 Proposals
The following updates were provided at the recent FSB FAIS Conference. Fourteen RDR proposals were proposed to be implemented before implementation of the Financial Sector Regulation Act (FSRA), which was tabled in Parliament […]
Appeal Board finds against ex-Compliance Practitioner
A respondent’s appeal against a FAIS Ombud determination was recently dismissed by the Appeal Board. The Appeal Board decision states that, in the original determination, the Ombud found that the appellant, “… in […]
Direct Insurer found wanting by Ombud
Masimdumise Gabriel Bhengu (the complainant) referred a declined claim by Outsurance Insurance Company Limited (the respondent) to the FAIS Ombud. The complaint stems from the complainant’s view that Outsurance failed to ensure that […]
FICA Inspection Feedback
In 2014, the four major banks were fined a collective R125 million for failing to implement adequate anti-money laundering controls. The Financial Intelligence Centre does not only focus on them, though. FAIS Newsletter […]
Compliance is no longer about “Ticking the Box”
FAIS Newsletter 19 contains an article on this subject: During November 2015, the Registrar imposed a fine of R150 000 against a FSP for failure to observe section 2 of the Code. The FSP kept […]
Discount for Burglar Alarm
An interesting case was published in the December Short-term Ombud’s Briefcase. Mr. J submitted a claim against his insurer for contents stolen from his home during a burglary. The insurer rejected the claim […]
Provident Fund Decision Overturned
An apparently hastily scribbled note from National Treasury titled, Proposal on Postponing the Annuitisation Requirement for Provident Funds for Two Years, confirmed industry concerns that the Taxation Laws Amendment Act, which was promulgated […]
Notes on Due Diligence
Failure to conduct a proper due diligence procedure is often used by the FAIS Ombud to find against financial advisers. Advisers involved in property syndications and Ponzi schemes, in particular, often felt the […]
FSB 2015 Annual Report
In response to media speculation about possible reasons for the delay in the publication of its 2015 Annual Report, the Regulator published the following press release: The Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) requires […]
The Importance of Material Disclosures
In a determination dated 18 December 2015, the Ombud ordered the Respondents to pay R273 715 to a complainant for “…failure by the financial services provider to update the sum insured under the business […]
Turn a Deaf Ear
There appears to be two kinds of respondents involved in FAIS Ombud determinations: those who attempt to defend themselves, and those who follow a strategy akin to the Lindesfarne song from which the […]
Appeal Board Halves Debarment Period
An appellant received an early Christmas box on 24 December when he appealed successfully against a five year debarment for failing to meet the personal character qualities of honesty and integrity. The FSB debarred […]
Actions flowing from Binder Thematic Review findings
The review focused on 4 main areas: Compliance of binder agreements with regulatory requirements Governance and oversight of binder arrangements Reporting systems and access to information; and Binder fees paid to non-mandated intermediaries […]
The importance of proper record keeping
The Buthelezi determination by the FAIS Ombud, signed on 12 January 2016, highlights again the need for accurate record keeping and the dangers inherent in not completing an application form fully whilst at the client. […]
Debarment of Representatives – now and post FSRA
The current provisions in the FAIS Act, 2002 and the procedures that have been adopted and applied by FSPs, and to some extent by the FSB, regarding the debarment of representatives have led, […]
