Gambling surges as cash-strapped workers bet to make ends meet
Old Mutual warns that an increasing reliance on betting to pay bills or settle debt is eroding financial well-being.
Industry News
FATF completes on-site assessment of SA’s anti-money laundering reforms
The Financial Action Task Force’s Plenary in October will decide whether to remove South Africa from the grey list.
Global investors shifting back to equities, survey finds
Investors are shifting away from US-heavy passive strategies towards active, globally diversified portfolios, according to Schroders’ Global Investor Insights Survey.
Medical schemes call on Parliament to order RAF to settle claims
The Health Funders Association asks the Standing Committee on Public Accounts to direct the Fund to cease legal action relating to its directives.
Fraud’s global toll rivals national economies, report finds
Financial fraud drained $485.6 billion from the global economy in 2023 – an amount so large, it would place fraud among the world’s top 35 economies if it were a country.
How US trade policy is reshaping global investment strategy
Sanlam Investments says rising protectionism may accelerate global economic fragmentation and force equity investors to rethink traditional strategies.
GNU secures first Budget as NCOP passes Appropriation Bill
Government departments can now implement their spending plans for services, infrastructure, and social programmes.
How FSPs and consumers can fortify against online risks
Nine steps financial services and crypto asset providers can take to curb the deceptive use of their name and branding.
The case for blending traditional and self-insurance
By combining traditional cover for catastrophic losses with self-insured retention for routine claims, businesses can transform a ‘grudge purchase’ into a source of financial control.
SARS: Almost 100% of its auto assessments are accurate
Tax practitioners say the headline statistic may obscure the true extent of incomplete auto assessments.
Increase in cases of fraud and dishonesty detected by ASISA members
There was a significant decrease in actual losses involving fraudulent and dishonest life insurance claims compared with 2023.
Ithala warns court ruling could shut bank before liquidation appeal
The repayment administrator and the Prudential Authority appealed a High Court ruling that allowed Ithala to continue operating while liquidation proceedings are pending.
SARB and Ibex Holdings reach settlement ending R6.3bn forfeiture dispute
The settlement agreement lifts restrictions on Ibex’s Pepkor shares, enabling the group to drastically reduce its stake.
Why I am shy of the copper market and base metals
Traders left holding the world’s priciest copper could struggle to offload the metal if premiums erode – potentially triggering a broader base metals slump.
New Sygnia fund offers crypto exposure in a life insurance structure
The Life Bitcoin Plus Fund uses a ‘portable alpha’ strategy to generate returns beyond the performance of the iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF.
Five long-term trends shaping the investment landscape
Allan Gray identifies five secular shifts – including the reshuffling of global consumption, booming reduced harm nicotine, and the next generation obesity-wellness wave – that savvy investors should heed.
Majority back mandatory sustainability reporting, but few feel ready
Despite high voluntary disclosure, challenges such as resource constraints and complex standards highlight the need for government-led guidance and skills development.
