FIC invites comment on proposed risk and compliance returns
The draft directive requires certain accountable institutions to submit RCR questionnaires covering information from 2023 to 2026.
#accountableinstitutions
Six key themes from the FSCA’s FICA compliance inspections
Moonstone Compliance’s analysis identifies recurring shortcomings that FSPs should fix to avoid enforcement action.
FIC publishes draft communication on travel rule compliance for CASPs
The draft PCC reinforces zero-threshold travel rule application, mandatory real-time monitoring, enhanced controls for unhosted wallets, and strict freezing obligations.
Draft PCC 122 clarifies FICA obligations for special purpose vehicles
SPVs designated as accountable institutions must comply with FICA in full, including independent registration and adherence to RMCP and reporting requirements.
Draft FIC directive proposes detailed location reporting
Accountable institutions will have to provide comprehensive information on the location of their operations when registering with the Financial Intelligence Centre.
FIC urges businesses to simplify compliance: ‘focus on risks, not paperwork’
Accountable institutions should adopt practical, risk-based RMCPs tailored to their operations, rather than relying on lengthy templates.
FICA compliance webinars for crypto firms
The FSCA has uploaded recordings of its five-part webinar series aimed at helping CASPs meet their FICA obligations.
Ii-FSPs ezigwetyelwe ukusilela kwe-FICA – zohlwaywe zonke imali engange-R700 000
I-FSCA ifumanise ukuba zombini iifemu azinabuchule bokulawula umngcipheko, kubandakanywa ii-RMCPs ezinqongopheleyo, inkuthalo ephantsi yabathengi, kunye nokusilela ukuhlola ngokuchasene noluhlu lwezohlwayo.
PA fines Discovery Bank R3m for FICA compliance failures
A 2021 inspection found late submission of suspicious activity reports, inadequate staff training, delayed monitoring responses, and shortcomings in the bank’s RMCP.
Infrastructure investor fined R1.7 million for FICA breaches
The FSCA identified serious lapses in Harith General Partners’ risk management, client due diligence, sanctions screening, and employee vetting.
SARB sanctions money transfer service for FICA non-compliance
The South African Reserve Bank cites deficiencies in Access Forex’s RMCP, customer verification, and staff training.
FSPs sanctioned for FICA failures – fines totalling R700 000
The FSCA found both firms lacked effective risk management capabilities, including deficient RMCPs, poor customer due diligence, and failures to screen against the sanctions lists.
FIC publishes Revised Guidance Note 7A
The updated guidance gives concrete examples of compliance failures and explicitly states that poorly documented RMCPs may be treated as non-compliant.
FIC’s goAML will be offline from 8 to 14 September for upgrade
Ensure registrations and filings are finalised by 5pm on 8 September and back up all records – the old system will be retired after the upgrade.
Free FIC webinars for accountable institutions in August
The sessions will cover institutions’ regulatory reporting obligations and establishing beneficial ownership.
Accountable institutions must ensure they are correctly registered
Institutions that are wrongly registered as ‘business entities with a reporting obligation’ face being sanctioned by the FIC.
Prudential Authority sanctions three banks for FICA breaches
HBZ was fined an effective R7.5m, Citibank’s fine was fully suspended, and Bank of Taiwan was reprimanded.
