This judgment reviewed a decision by the Financial Services Tribunal which had set aside the debarment of a former financial services representative of the financial services provider (FSP). Despite finding that the Tribunal failed to take relevant facts into consideration, and did not properly consider the fit and proper requirements for purposes of debarment, the
Finance
Multiple demands under on-demand guarantees
A May 2025 High Court judgment found that a guarantor who failed to reject a second call on an on-demand performance guarantee within five days was bound to honour the demand. The terms of the guarantee incorporated the Uniform Rules for Demand Guarantees (the URDG) which precluded the guarantor from later disputing the demand on…
South Africa’s draft framework for Alternative Remittance Providers: what you need to know
South Africa’s Financial Surveillance Department (FinSurv) has issued a draft framework to license and supervise Alternative Remittance Providers (ARPs) and is seeking public comment by 31 March 2026. The proposal delivers on the 2025 Budget Review and aligns with FATF standards (notably Recommendation 14, which deals with licensing and oversight of money or…
A pension fund has no locus standi to review an Adjudicator’s determination in respect of death benefit distribution where its legal rights have not been infringed
The Pretoria High Court held that a pension fund and its administrator lacked standing to seek the Financial Services Tribunal (FST) to reconsider a determination handed down by the Pension Fund’s Adjudicator’s (Adjudicator) , given that they do not fall within the ambit of “persons aggrieved by a decision” under section 230 of the Financial…
Is South Africa ready for a forward-looking ZARONIA term rate?
This blog is co-authored by Eric Geldenhuys, candidate attorney.
SARB’s Market Practitioners Group (MPG) has issued a request for proposals (RFP) to design the calculation and methodology for a forward-looking ZARONIA term rate. There is no commitment to launch. Publication will depend on a robust methodology and sufficient liquidity in ZAR derivatives markets. The MPG…
FSCA’s 2025 Crypto Information Request: What South African CASPs Need to Know
If you offer crypto-related financial services in South Africa, the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) has issued a request to which you are required to respond. The FSCA has issued a new information request to better understand the current crypto market, improve oversight, and protect consumers.
What is this request about?
In October…
Enforcement of special notarial bonds
The trust lent and advanced a R20 million loan to the company under a written loan agreement. To secure the loan, a special notarial bond (SNB) was registered over the company’s vehicles, machinery and equipment. The company fell in arrears with its loan repayments and remained in breach of the loan agreement. The trust sought…
Prescribed rate of interest is 10.5% from 1 October 2025
The prescribed rate of interest is 10.5% per annum with effect from 1 October 2025. The previous rate was 10.75% per annum.
According to the Prescribed Rate of Interest Act, interest on debts where no rate is prescribed is calculated at the repo rate plus 3.5%. The prescribed rate of interest applies to all debts…
Resolutions are not enough: court rejects loan claim against deceased’s estate
The liquidators of a company failed in a claim for a sum of money and interest thereon against the executor of the deceased’s estate arising from an alleged loan by the company to the deceased (who was a former director of the company) because there was no proof that the deceased agreed to be bound…
Misunderstanding no defence: guarantor bound by terms of guarantee
The bank brought a claim against the respondent based on a guarantee signed by him wherein he irrevocably and unconditionally guaranteed to pay any amount owing by the close corporation (the debtor) as if he was the principal debtor.
The respondent disputed the sum claimed by the bank in the certificate of balance alleging that…