Banks defend lending criteria amid accusations of discrimination

The government takes banks to task over what it sees as unfair lending practices, proposing mandatory disclosures of declined home loans.

FAIS Act under Threat?

An extremely important court case, which could have severe implications for the FAIS Act, is currently under way in Pretoria. At stake is the FAIS Ombud’s jurisdiction to make determinations about investments in […]

NewGold Exchange Traded Fund (ETF)

Mike Brown, Managing Director, etfSA.co.za The NewGold ETF (GLD) issued by Absa Capital, is the most successful South African ETF measured by size. First listed on the JSE in November 2004, it now […]

Survey Assistance

ASISA’s Medical & Underwriting Standing Committee (MUSC) have requested our assistance in a survey of intermediaries on Standardised Critical Illness Definitions (SCIDEP). This applies to all advisors involved in life assurance. It aims […]

Reactions to article ''A matter of principle'''

Concerned Trainer writes It is encouraging to see representatives are questioning the legality of their actions, but should they not know this if they have passed the RE Level 1 exam? During the […]

Communicating with the Regulator

Callers to our offices sometimes express frustration trying to communicate with the FSB, and end up using us as a source of information. We obviously regard this as a major compliment, and try […]

Let the Master Beware

Is a bank liable when an employee gives misleading investment advice? A recent finding by the FSB’s Appeal Board indicates that this could in fact be the case. Space does not allow us […]

Harsher Measures for Non-Compliance

While this heading may initially raise a collective sigh of exasperation, those who operate within the law should actually heave a sigh of relief. At the FSB’s annual Conference in Cape Town yesterday, […]

FSB Broadcast on CIS and ETFs

The first telematic broadcast by the FSB in its new season of communications with the industry was broadcast last week on 18 July 2012. John Eksteen of Analytics Consult discussed investment management from […]

SAICA Information Circular on Audit Requirements

We publish below an information circular published by the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA) to assist readers in understanding how the new Companies Act affects their business in terms of audit […]

Clarity on Remuneration Practices

The Regulator published a guidance note last week on the payment of commission and fees in the financial services industry. It affects both short- and long-term insurers, and includes guidelines on practices which […]

If FAIS does not get you…

Many years ago, I was playing golf at Voortrekkerhoogte. At one stage, we walked past 1 Military Hospital, or 1 Mil, as it is better known. One of the players in our four […]

Professional Indemnity: Check the Fine Print

An article in Sunday’s Rapport (15/7/2012) discusses the upcoming High Court case where a broker is disputing the jurisdiction of the FAIS Ombud. What is of particular interest to our readers, is the […]

Save the Rhino

Creating awareness helps fight an atrocity which has taken on crisis proportions. Dr. William Fowlds, a wildlife veterinarian, tells the story of Geza, a white rhino, that was callously mutilated by poachers and […]

Shall the Twain ever meet?

This article concerns the difference between legislative requirements and practical reality. A recent conversation with a reader concerned the requirement that financial statements must be submitted within four months. Before, FSPs had six […]

Assistance with Licensing Requirements

In all endings, there is always a beginning. On 30 June, we submitted the last of our licence applications to the FSB as a “recognised licensing body”. This status was afforded to us […]

Training Re-Focus

The introduction of the level 1 regulatory examinations in November 2010 shifted the focus from product training to RE preparation. Up to the end of 2009, when FSPs and reps needed a minimum […]