FSPs’ ‘growing vigilance’ sees debarments rise by over 40%
The FSCA records a marked increase in new investigations in 2024/25, particularly those related to unregistered insurance business.
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Tribunal sets aside broker’s debarment based on contractual grievances
The FSP’s allegations that the representative violated the terms of the settlement and service agreements did constitute a material breach of the FAIS Act.
Tribunal upholds strict timing for FSP debarments
Section 14(1)(b) of the FAIS Act cannot be stretched to catch misconduct discovered after a representative’s tenure.
Compliance trumps empowerment: decision to deregister co-operative bank upheld
The Tribunal agrees with the Prudential Authority that Women Building our Africa failed to meet the registration conditions and governance benchmarks.
Reappointment, not a stopwatch: Tribunal on FSP debarment durations
Unlike FSCA-imposed bans with fixed terms, debarments driven by an FSP stay in force until another FSP is convinced a rep is Fit and Proper.
Loans to settle divorce settlement sink microlender’s mutual bank application
The proposed CEO breached the Companies Act by allowing another company of which he was the sole shareholder to advance loans to him while it was insolvent.
FAIS Ombud finds broker negligent for failing to update client’s contact details
The material change from a co-policyholder to a sole policyholder should have alerted the FSP of the need to review the policy.
Former financial planner’s debarment over client loans upheld
The Tribunal confirmed Standard Bank’s decision to debar its representative for borrowing thousands of rands from his clients and failing to disclose his outside business activities.
FSCA overstepped its authority on retirement fund exemption time limit
The Tribunal finds the FSCA acted beyond its legal authority by imposing a three-year time limit on an exemption, reaffirming a key precedent on regulatory overreach.
Behind the scenes at OPFA: how pension complaints are investigated and resolved
Deputy Pension Funds Adjudicator Naheem Essop shares how OPFA’s inquisitorial process works, the challenges funds face with internal dispute resolution, and what happens when complaints escalate or are deemed frivolous.
Tribunal upholds funds’ broad discretion in death benefit allocation
A nominee who receives a dependency allocation can still claim a share of any surplus death benefit according to the deceased’s nominations.
Funds ‘must do more’ to hold employers accountable for arrear contributions
The OPFA on how retirement funds should address non-compliant employers, death benefit allocations, and requests to withhold benefits.
Retirement fund cannot withhold benefits without precise liability admission
The Tribunal says the Adjudicator should have addressed the fund’s reliance on two acknowledgements of debt stating different amounts.
Five years to finalise an investigation and impose a sanction is ‘unreasonable’
The Tribunal says individuals who are subject to administrative action are entitled to fair processes that include the speedy finalisation of their matter
Legally wed, financially left out: wife denied pension benefit
The FST has upheld a ruling that a legal spouse must still prove financial dependence or be nominated to receive a share of a deceased member’s pension benefit.
Judgment clarifies approval of director appointments under the Insurance Act
The High Court confirms a Tribunal decision that the appointment of directors of insurance companies can be regularised retrospectively. It underscores that section 14 of the Insurance Act does not require the Prudential Authority’s pre-approval.
Court backs FST’s decision to scale down penalty for insurance breach
The judgment confirms that the Tribunal acted within its authority when it reduced a penalty imposed by the Prudential Authority on two state-owned insurers.
