
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.

A 2021 inspection found late submission of suspicious activity reports, inadequate staff training, delayed monitoring responses, and shortcomings in the bank’s RMCP.

The authorities say that supervision, prosecutions, and measurable outcomes must continue to avoid re-listing as the next mutual evaluation starts in 2026.

The FSCA identified serious lapses in Harith General Partners’ risk management, client due diligence, sanctions screening, and employee vetting.

Despite the FSCA’s findings of RMCP gaps, SCI confirms that client funds remain secure and no money laundering or terrorist financing was detected.

MBSE’s first CPD course in isiXhosa makes compliance training more accessible with translated material, subtitles, and assessments.

New criteria require closer supervisory scrutiny of DNFBPs on market entry, ongoing oversight, and high-quality suspicious-transaction reporting.

As South Africa prepares for a tougher FATF evaluation, FSPs must master risk-based compliance – balancing security, cost, and strong partnerships to target real threats and protect legitimate customers.

As regulatory enforcement escalates, MBSE’s specialised FICA, POPIA and NCA short courses provide financial professionals with the most practical way to stay compliant, avoid costly penalties, and build lasting client trust.

The Financial Action Task Force’s Plenary in October will decide whether to remove South Africa from the grey list.

The FSCA’s success in collecting penalties remains uneven because of several structural and legal challenges.

From funeral policy breaches to crypto non-compliance and weak AML measures, the regulator’s latest report outlines its key priorities – with online harm topping the list.

The owner of MIKA Finansiële Dienste shares four key takeaways after successfully remediating the deficiencies in its RMCP.

The FATF’s mutual evaluation in April 2027 will drill down into how well AML/CFT measures work in practice rather than just ticking technical boxes.

South Africa now awaits an on-site visit by the FATF Africa Joint Group – paving the way for an anticipated exit from the grey list at the October plenary.

What the Authority expects from financial services providers when it conducts Financial Intelligence Centre Act inspections.

An RMCP must set out the processes for identifying, investigating, and reporting suspicious transactions, and for screening clients against the sanctions lists.

An inspection identified inadequate implementation of the RMCP and deficient customer due diligence processes.