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.
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Exiting the grey list won’t relax oversight – regulators pledge continued enforcement
The authorities say that supervision, prosecutions, and measurable outcomes must continue to avoid re-listing as the next mutual evaluation starts in 2026.
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.
Slow RCR submissions highlight gaps in anti-money laundering compliance
While submissions of the mandatory Risk and Compliance Return improved over the past year, 30% of institutions targeted by the FIC’s directives had not complied by March 2025
Financial intelligence reports drive R144m in crime recoveries
Requests for reports from the FIC rose by 17% in 2024/25, reflecting the FATF’s pressure on South Africa to strengthen its anti-money laundering efforts.
‘Appropriate’ and ‘adequate’ – two words that will shape SA’s next FATF review
New criteria require closer supervisory scrutiny of DNFBPs on market entry, ongoing oversight, and high-quality suspicious-transaction reporting.
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.
Do fines deliver justice for victims of financial misconduct?
The FSCA’s success in collecting penalties remains uneven because of several structural and legal challenges.
FSP fined for inadequate client-screening processes
An RMCP must set out the processes for identifying, investigating, and reporting suspicious transactions, and for screening clients against the sanctions lists.
FIC calls on businesses to take their RMCP obligations seriously
The Centre, through inspections and compliance monitoring, will test an RMCP against the legislative requirements.
FICA non-compliance costs bank R10 million
Absa was fined R7m for inadequate customer due diligence and R3m for delays and closures of transaction monitoring alerts.
Under pressure: navigating the financial regulatory heat in 2025
Financial institutions that proactively embed governance, technology, and culture to meet evolving regulatory standards will not only avoid penalties but also strengthen credibility, build resilience, and drive long term value.
No exemptions: all CASPs must adopt ‘travel rule’ directive
The FSCA and the FIC remind CASPs and FSP CASPs of the compliance requirements that take effect on 30 April.
FIC demands full RCR compliance to aid exit from the grey list
The Financial Intelligence Centre issues a stern reminder to designated non-financial entities – particularly legal practitioners and estate agents – to file their overdue risk and compliance returns.
