2020-02-19
Issued by the Financial Sector Conduct Authority, this agenda outlines mandatory compliance obligations for small financial services providers under the FAIS Act and General Code of Conduct. Financial services providers must maintain valid licenses, appoint qualified key individuals and compliance officers, implement rigorous suitability analyses, and ensure transparent client disclosures regarding product replacements, fees, and ongoing obligations. The guidelines further mandate strict recordkeeping, annual financial reporting to the FSCA within four months of year-end, continuous professional development for representatives, and robust risk management to preserve financial soundness and business continuity.
SMME Support Workshops 2019/2020
Agenda 08:00- 08:45 Registration 08:45 Introduction 09:00 Client Interaction 10:15 Tea 10:30 Client Interaction 12:15 Lunch 13:00 Maintaining your license 16:00 Close
Client Interaction
Applicability of Act, Codes and other legislation • Operate ito license • Every action is governed by a Code of Conduct • If the FSCA or Ombud scrutinises the actions of a FSP, KI or representative – will do this against the requirements of the Act and the relevant Code of Conduct
Authorisation of FSPS - Sections 7, 8 & 11 • Licensing requirements; Application form; Fit and Proper requirements; Approval of key individuals Lapsing of a licence Duties on FSPs - Sections 17 to 19 • Approval of compliance officers ; Compliance reports; Audit reports; Recordkeeping requirements Codes of Conduct - Sections 15 & 16 • General Code of Conduct Supervision of FSPs - Section 4 Ombud - Sections 20 to 31 Regulatory action - Sections 9 & 14A (S153 of FSRA) • Suspension of a licence ; Withdrawal of a licence; Debarment of persons other than representatives;
GCOC • All FSPs must comply with the General Code of Conduct – Recordkeeping – Complaints – Advertising – Client funds – Advice: • Suitability analysis • Record of advice • Single needs analysis • Replacement of financial products – Disclosure requirements
Relationships (1) With Clients Section 2 At all times render financial services honestly, fairly, with due skill, care and diligence, and in the interests of clients and the integrity of the financial services industry Section 3: Specific duties of a provider Representations to clients Record Keeping Conflict of interests: Mitigate & disclose Confidential information Section 6 • Act honourably, professionally and with due regard to the convenience of the client • At the commencement of any contact, visit or call initiated by the provider, explain the purpose thereof
Specific duties of the FSP • Factually correct • Avoid uncertainty/ confusion • Not misleading • Plain language • Easy to read if in writing • Adequate & appropriate to circumstance • Provided timeously • In accordance with contractual relationship, reasonable requests, instructions of client • Executed as soon as possible, with interest of client in mind
Relationships (3) • There is an agreement to form a relationship • You need to make disclosures (S5): – The FSP – You and your role & nature of mandate with FSP – Details of service provided – Details of product suppliers
Relationships (4) • The FSP has the relationship with the client • The representatives represent the FSP
Relationships (5) • Continuous relationship: – Give regular feedback to clients • Termination of relationship (S20) – Inform the client – Inform the product supplier • After termination of relationship – record keeping for 5 years
Disclosure requirements (1) Rep Financial services Product Supplier Financial product FSP
Disclosure requirements (2) • Name, location • Address & telephone numbers • Registration details Details of FSP • Name • Contact details Compliance Officer • Advice/ Intermediary services • Products Authorised to offer • PI • Fidelity, IGF Insurance held • Appointment mandate • Services under supervision Representatives • Any exemptions granted Exemptions • Contracts • Contact details • +30% remuneration • +10% shares Product suppliers
Disclosure requirements (3) when, how, what? FSP’s •Establishing relationship •Provide disclosure upfront FSPs = Direct marketer •Include in script •Record
Disclosure requirements (4) The Representative • Written certificate – FSP has contract/ mandate with representative • Name & contact details of representative • Type of financial services & products the representative may render obo the FSP • Type of relationship FSP & representative • The FSP takes responsibility for actions of representative
Disclosure requirements (5) The Financial Services • Full disclosure of all information needed to let client make informed decision • What requirements must be met for transaction to be completed/ submitted: – Client disclose all material facts related to transaction – – All information supplied in application form is client’s responsibility
Disclosure requirements (6) The Financial Products • Name, class & type of product • Details of benefits provided by the product • Guarantees provided by the product supplier • Details of limitations, terms etc • Extent the product is realisable/ accessibility of funds • Early termination/ withdrawal • Tax implications • Cooling-off periods • Risks
Disclosure requirements (7) Client Obligations • Obligations assumed by client on behalf of: – The product supplier – The FSP
Disclosure requirements (8) Investments • Value of investment • Fees & charges against product • Past investment performance • Rebate arrangements • Platform fees
Disclosure requirements (9) Replacement Products • Financial implications • Costs • Comparison “old” & replacement product • Insurance products – age & health impact • Record of advice – specific requirements
Disclosure requirements (10) Replacement Products Guiding principle: • … must at all times render financial services honestly, fairly, with due skill, care and diligence, and in the interests of clients and the integrity of the financial services industry. • Therefore, where a replacement is done, evidence the fact that it was done in the client’s interest.
Suitability Analysis (1) • Section 8(1) –(4) of GCOC • In simple form it is the matching of clients NEEDS to advice given together with products recommended • It is more than an affordability test
Suitability Analysis (2) Before giving advice: • Seek appropriate and available information regarding the client’s financial situation, financial product experience and objectives • Conduct Analysis • Identify financial products appropriate to clients’ risk profile and financial needs No analysis conducted due to:
Suitability Analysis (3) • Recommendations must be appropriate and address client needs • Documenting advice given • Ensuring clients understand risks • Avoid unsuitable advice – replacement of products • Single needs client
Suitability Analysis (4) • Use plain language and avoid jargon • Analyse the information which the client has provided, in order to conduct a needs analysis – What they need (Now, future) – Affordability • Use this to base recommendations on • If no needs analysis/ limited needs analysis done: – Selection of product is client’s responsibility
Suitability Analysis (5) TCF perspective • Target products to the right clients • Appropriateness, fairness and reasonable pricing of their financial products • Contractual terms should be fair • The rendering of financial services should be done in a fair, efficient and transparent manner • Provide information before, during & after sale • Assist with complaints & where allowed to, claims
Suitability Analysis (6) • Take reasonable steps to: – ensure that the client understands the advice – that the client can make an informed decision. – establish if the proposed financial product will replace an existing financial product of the client
Suitability Analysis (7) • If client chooses to: • conclude a transaction that differs from that recommended by the provider, • not to follow the advice furnished, or • receive more limited information or advice than the provider is able to provide • the provider must make the client aware of: • the clear existence of any risk to the client, • the need to take particular care to consider whether any product selected is appropriate to the client’s needs, objectives and circumstances.
Suitability Analysis (8) No suitability analysis •No analysis done •Appropriateness of advice is limited •Client must consider if advice appropriate Advice not taken/ different decision than recommended action taken •Alert client to any risks that may exist •Advise client to take care to consider whether product selected is appropriate
Suitability Analysis (9) “Single Needs” • If the client has not provided all information requested by a FSP furnishing advice, as part of the analysis or • where the FSP was unable to conduct such an analysis because there was not reasonably sufficient time to do so, • the FSP must fully inform the client thereof and ensure that the client clearly understands that- • a full analysis in respect of the client could not be undertaken; • there may be limitations on the appropriateness of the advice provided; and • the client should take particular care to consider on its own whether the advice is appropriate considering the client’s objectives, financial situation and particular needs
Suitability Analysis (10) Replacements • If a financial product replaces another product (total/ partial) then: • Fully disclose to the client the actual and potential financial implications, costs and consequences of such a replacement
Record of Advice (1) • A provider must maintain a record of the advice furnished to a client • Documentation or record of: – Client needs – the advice given – Issues considered – Recommendations & reasons – Final decision & reasons • The record of advice is only required to be kept where client entered into a transaction as a result of the advice given to the client • Must provide a client with a copy of the record in writing.
Record of Advice (2) Gather Information Conduct a suitability analysis Identify the financial product/ service Provide disclosures about the financial service Provide a record of advice
Reporting (1) To clients • Statutory requirements • Section 7(4) of the General Code of Conduct for Authorised FSPs and Representatives (“General Code”) sets out the reporting requirements for FSP. • A financial services provider (“FSP”) is required by legislation to report to its clients at least once a year.
Reporting (2) To clients • At least annually • Written statement: – Products that still exist – Ongoing monetary obligations − the main benefits provided by the products; − investment /investment component: − value of the investment − amount of such value which is accessible to the client; − ongoing incentives, consideration, commission, fee or brokerage payable to the provider in respect of such products: − The statement is not required if: − the client is aware, or ought reasonably to be aware, − that the provider concerned does not render or has ceased rendering ongoing financial services in respect of the client or the products concerned.
Contacting clients • Act honourably, professionally and with due regard to the convenience of the client; and • When contacting the client: – Explain the purpose – As soon as possible provide the information about the FSP.
Intermediary services Receive an instruction from the client Disclose on the financial product and service Enter into a transaction obo the client or perform the intermediary service
Maintaining your license
License Certificate • Legal entity – Name on Certificate – Sole proprietor – Partnership – partners are key individuals – Juristic person – appoint key individuals • Close corporation • Company • Trust • Trade name on certificate • Annexure to licence certificate – Restrictions to licence – product categories – Conditions – what you must do – Exemptions
Important Obligations • Comply with the fit and proper requirements on an ongoing basis • Comply with Codes of Conduct applicable to FSP • Comply with Financial Intelligence Centre Act • Keep records • Submit the required reports • Prepare monthly accounts • Maintain financial soundness • Annual levies payable to the FSCA
Business Continuity and Succession Planning • Legislative requirements • Continuity of business when an emergency occurs • Plan for when the FSP is incapacitated • Making clients aware of who they can approach • Inform the product suppliers • Inform the FSCA
Insurance required (BN 123 of 2009) Protect if bad advice/ negligence Minimum of R1 million PI Cover Protect if fraud or theft of client assets/ money Minimum of R1 million FI
Risk Management • Identification of risks • Implementation of controls • Monitoring of risk • Good business practice – documenting a risk management plan – Consider all the risks the business face, not just the compliance risks
Conflict of Interest (S3A of the General Code) • Avoid conflict of interest • Develop conflict of interest management policy • Change disclosure documentation • Implement controls to ensure comply with prohibitions on financial interest • FSPs dealing with other FSPs • Financial interest • Immaterial interest • FSPs representatives • Compliance officer/ KI/ FSP must monitor the COI implementation
Competence requirements FAIS Act Fit and Proper Requirements for FSPs Honesty, Integrity and Good Standing Competence Experience Qualification Regulatory Examination Class of Business and Product Specific Training and Assessment Continuous Professional Development (CPD) Operational Ability Financial Soundness Services under Supervision
Regulatory Exams Category I Category IV FSP (sole proprietor – natural person) RE1 RE1 KI RE1 RE1 Representative RE5 RE5
Class of Business ❑ Content covered in class of business is generic in nature, and address the fundamental knowledge a person requires to identify a product in that particular class of business based on generic features, benefits, risks and principles. ❑ Class of Business training can be recognised for CPD purposes (if done to update skills and knowledge)
Product Specific Training ❑Must be assessed ❑Can be offered by the FSP, a product provider or any other person/ body ❑Must meet requirements of section 29(5) of Fit and Proper
Class of Business & Product Specific training Applies to Does not apply to Class of Business All KIs for the class of business approved/ seeking approval Cat 1.1 and 1.19 – FSP, KI & Rep All Reps Cat 1 Rep appointed to: • Execution of sales – Tier 1 products • Tier 2 financial products Product specific All Reps for cat I and IV Cat II, IIA, III FSP or Reps KI’s of all categories
CPD Class / Subclass of Business CPD Hours Required Single subclass within a single class of business 6 hours per CPD cycle • e.g. Class of business: Health Services Benefits, no subclass • 6 hours of CPD required More than one subclass of business within a single class of business 12 hours per CPD cycle • e.g. Class of Business: Investments • Subclass: Shares • Subclass: Bonds • 12 hours of CPD required More than one class of business 18 hours per CPD cycle • e.g. Class of Business: Short –term Insurance Personal lines, and • Class of Business: Short-term Insurance Commercial lines • 18 hours of CPD required
Operational Ability (Ch 5 of Fit and Proper) ❑General Requirements: ▪ Financial products ▪ TCF framework ▪ Contact details ▪ Storage systems
Operational Ability (2) ❑Governance Requirements: ▪Business plan ▪Risk management policies ▪Accounting policies & procedures ▪Sound & sustainable remuneration policies ▪Regular monitoring & evaluation of the adequacy & effectiveness of systems
Operational Ability (3) ❑Appointment of representatives: ▪ Due diligence ▪ Remuneration ▪ Fit and proper
Representatives (1) In terms of section 13(1)(a)(b),no person may render the financial services for or on behalf of a person who: • is not authorised as an FSP • is not exempted from being an FSP
Representatives (2) • Nobody may act as a representative, unless such a person can provide information certified by the provider to the clients that: – a service contract to represent the FSP exists • The FSP must record the representative on the representative register: – FSCA register: • Manually: filling in form FSP 5 or • Electronically. – FSP’s register
Profile Changes What is a PFC? • A change of details (profile) that were given to the Authority. What can be changed? • Name of FSP • Addresses, telephone & cellphone contact numbers • Products & categories • Directors, Shareholders & CC member interest • Key Individuals, Representatives, Compliance Officers, Auditors • Mandates. • NB: If you change from a Sole Proprietor to a CC or a CC to a Company you have to apply again.
Licensing Condition 2.1 Condition 2.1 of the Licensing Conditions/ Restrictions determined under Sec 8(5) of the FAIS Act: • The FSP must inform the Authority in writing, within 15 days after the change has taken place, of any change in respect of business information of the FSP. • Profile changes: faispfc@fsca.co.za
Financial Soundness & Reporting to the FSCA Financial Statements: • Sec 19(2)(b)(iii) – – Submit Financial Statements within 4 months of the FSP’s year end on an annual basis. • Sec 19(1)(a) – A complete set of financial statements: ➢ balance sheet, ➢ income statement, ➢ cash flow statement and ➢ notes.
Financial Reporting to the FSCA (2) • Sec 19(2) Auditors’ report if required i.e.: – Public companies, – Private companies, • Sec 19(3) Auditors report on separate bank account if client funds are handled. • Sec 19( 4) Material irregularities report – supplied with the financial statements or at a later stage if the auditors identify any such irregularity.
Financial statements • Submit within 4 months of financial year-end • Audited financial statements if premiums collected • Separate bank account for premiums – audited • Annexure A
Financial soundness (Ch 6 of Fit and Proper) • Assets must exceed liabilities • Must always have enough resources to carry out activities & meet liabilities as they are due • Cannot become/ continue as FSP if: – Declared insolvent/ provisionally insolvent – Placed under liquidation/ provisional liquidation – Subject to proceedings that lead to above – Seriously & persistently fails to manage financial obligations • May not become a FSP or Juristic Rep if business rescue proceedings have commenced.
Premiums collected (S10 of General Code & S19.3 of Act) • Separate bank account • Only used for premiums • Pay the bank charges from FSP’s business account • Pay the premiums over timeously to product supplier • Submit a section 19(3) report for each separate bank account • If collect short term insurance premiums: – as from 28 September 2019, – FSP will have to have a separate bank account – will have to submit the 19(3) reports.
Compliance Function • If more than 1 KI or if KI + 1 Representative: – need a CO • The CO must monitor the compliance of the FSP and report: – To the FSP – To the FSCA
THANK YOU