Building South Africa’s digital financial rails
The emergence of tokenised assets raises the question whether SA can develop trusted local infrastructure rather than rely on systems built elsewhere.
#FinancialSectorConductAuthority
COFI turns regulatory information into a supervisory tool
COFI would require FSPs to have systems capable of producing reliable, regulator-ready information when the FSCA requires it.
Unpaid contributions: what ‘doing enough’ looks like for trustees
An IRFA panel says trustees need clear escalation processes and persistent oversight to turn section 13A compliance into meaningful recovery action.
Standards will usher in fuller reporting on fund finances, investments, and ESG
Retirement funds will face expanded annual and quarterly reporting, while boards remain responsible for setting ESG mandates and overseeing how asset managers implement them.
FSCA flags unauthorised operators and impostors
The latest batch of public warnings covers investment solicitations, unauthorised financial services, and alleged false claims of association with legitimate firms.
FSCA explores value-for-money framework for retirement funds
The regulator is looking to international models as it seeks a more consistent way to assess member outcomes, costs, and investment performance.
OPFA signals tougher action against non-compliance
The Pension Funds Adjudicator plans to use its powers more assertively against employers, funds, and responsible persons who ignore complaints or fail to co-operate.
Three FSPs sanctioned over FICA compliance failures
The sanctions cover a range of shortcomings, from deficient RMCPs and customer checks to sanctions screening, registration, and failures to provide information.
FSCA withdraws My Wealth Dias penalty and Coetzee debarment
The regulator will refer Banks Act findings to the Prudential Authority and reconsider action against Charl Coetzee in light of additional information.
UPDATED | FSCA details basis for debarments of Africa Bitcoin officers
The regulator says its investigation into September 2022 share transactions found contraventions of the Financial Markets Act.
New IT and cyber incident reporting template now in effect
The reporting framework requires financial institutions to assess materiality promptly and provide regulators with information even while an incident is being investigated.
Treasury’s strategy for unclaimed benefits ‘conflates two separate issues’
The industry broadly supports centralising tracing and administration but questions whether moving assets to the CPD is necessary, appropriate, or in members’ interests.
A paradigm, not an upgrade: Understanding the socio-technical shift of agentic AI
The emergence of AI systems capable of planning and acting autonomously presents a governance challenge that cannot be addressed simply by treating them as more advanced technological tools.
FSCA warns: Check who is behind the FSP name
Recent cases show how legitimate company names and representative details can be misused, while other warnings concern unlicensed investment and trading activities.
Treasury holds largely firm on AML Bill after public submissions
Two limited FICA changes were indicated, while the FSCA explained why the financial-sector provisions would not be amended.
Treasury’s proposed unclaimed-assets model revives central fund debate
The framework separates administration from custody and investment and introduces a possible time limit on owners’ and beneficiaries’ claims.
Responsible investment: South Africa has the policies, but can it prove they work?
Most asset owners say they are responsible investors, but 43% have no independent way to assess whether their managers are delivering on their ESG commitments.
