Stirring the Pot
If you like listening to music while reading this column, click on this link to enjoy Billie Holiday singing “They can’t take that away from me”. Way back in 1996, the Crusaders became […]
Stricter reporting obligations for crypto-asset transactions
From 1 March, new frameworks will impose expanded due diligence and information-exchange obligations on exchanges, custodians and banks.
Kenya – Another bomb in Nairobi and the impact on Kenya’s political risk rating
Another bomb attack has taken place in Nairobi, three weeks after a night of grenade attacks. The incident on the night of Wednesday, April 23, killed two police officers and two other people […]
How Productive are you?
The results of two surveys in the financial services industry were recently published by CoreData, a firm who conducts research in banking, mortgages, retail saving, pensions, asset management and the financial advisory sector. […]
Power of Attorney and Mental Incapacity
What happens to a power of attorney when the principal’s mental capacity starts to diminish and he/she loses the capacity to act? This is not only important for your clients – many of […]
The Bigger Picture
The book, Slaughterhouse-5 by the renowned author Kurt Vonnegut, may as well have had the Super 15, rather than World War II, as background. Do yourself a favour and look at the official […]
Crime and Punishment
This article, by Paul Resnik, was published in the April edition of the FinaMetrica newsletter. UK regulator fine for unsuitable advice It seems to be inevitable that the past behaviour of banks raises […]
Draft Regulations on Hedge Funds
The National Treasury (“Treasury”) and Financial Services Board issued the following media release last week: In 2012, South Africa, as a committed member of the G20, embarked on a process to enhance and […]
What the Stats Reveal
If the current Super 15 log reflected target shooting, the SA sides would be stone last as far as grouping is concerned. The Sharks and Lions still have to tour, and with a […]
Namibia – Central bank keeps repo rate steady
The Bank of Namibia’s (BoN, the central bank) Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) held its latest meeting on April 16. The BoN decided to keep the repo rate unchanged at 5.5%. In justifying its […]
Client Care – how are we really doing?
Two conflicting headlines in recent industry newsletters raise the question whether clients are treated fairly by the industry. “Complaints to (Long-term) ombudsman reach record number.” “South African consumers are very satisfied with the […]
Ditch South African Teams says Mehrtens
When I read his article the first time, I got a little hot under the collar. Some of the following statements accounted for my agitation: I can’t help thinking we might have lost […]
Fraud knows no Boundaries
Consumers at the lower end of the market are often more vulnerable when it comes to being defrauded. The latest Ombud determination provides details of how the Reformed Christians for Truth Church became […]
New Financial Intelligence Centre Directives
The FIC issued two new directives applicable to all accountable and reporting institutions: Directive 1 stipulates that “All institutions registered with the FIC are required to update their registration details only via the […]
Fraudulent RE Certificates
Candidates who pass the level 1 regulatory examination are issued with certificates which record this fact. These documents contain a number of security features to avoid fraudulent use thereof. Details of this cannot, […]
Two Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest
For the second weekend running, South African sides threw away their chances of winning towards the end of the game. The Bulls and the Cheetahs had the beating of the opposition, only to […]
Malawi – May elections, the rock and the hard place
Malawi goes to the polls on May 20 in a series of elections that one way or another may well define the country’s medium to long-term future. Local authority, national legislative and presidential […]
FAIS Amendments
FAIS Circular 4 of 2014 will be of great value to regulatory exam (RE) candidates who need to take into account recent legislative changes. It is of equal importance to all FSPs who […]
