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4 October 2024
Matters of Mind (MM) - Sep 2024 (2nd)
Welcome to Matters of Mind (MM) September 2024 second edition "Hope is like a road in the country; there was never a road, but when many people walk on…
4 October 2024
Financial Services Industry - Sep 2024 (2nd)
Investec closes accounts linked to South Africa's political elite Investec Bank closed the accounts of Deputy President Paul Mashatile’s associates after questioning transactions involving millions of rands linked to their company when…
4 October 2024
Diversity and Inclusion - Sep 2024 (2nd)
How fund groups rank on gender parity – and how they retain women LONDON: This year, Citywire’s Alpha Female report showed that women continue to make up a small percentage…
4 October 2024
General Insurance - Sep (2nd)
The ongoing digital transformation of insurance broking Artificial intelligence (AI) and big data are driving a shift from traditional broking methods towards dynamic, data-driven strategies aimed at enhancing customer experiences…
4 October 2024
Health Insurance - Sep 2024 (2nd)
AI and what it might mean for healthcare in SA With varying degrees of success, artificial intelligence (AI) has begun to play the role of research assistant, radiologist, health educator and…
4 October 2024
Banking - Sep 2024 (2nd)
Generative AI is ‘live’ in the bank, says FNB CEO The South African banking industry’s digitisation of financial services will sustain its trajectory, as more smartphones become readily available at…
4 October 2024
Retirement / Pensions - Sep 2024 (2nd)
Beating the Default Paradox: Better Support for Members nearing Retirement Benchmark research shows most retirees (61%) wish they’d had more support at retirement. The reality is that most members are…
4 October 2024
About YOU - Sep 2024 (2nd)
World Mental Health Day is an opportunity to raise awareness of mental health issues around the world and to mobilise efforts in support of mental health. Communities can play a part in bringing our lives…
22 September 2024
Matters of Mind (MM) - Sep 2024
Welcome to Matters of Mind (MM) September first edition To control the anxiety produced by moments of intense pressure, first step back and analyse the stakes. Theodore Kinne, contributing editor…
22 September 2024
Economic Matters - Sep 2024
Fed slashes interest rates by a half point, an aggressive start to its first easing campaign in four years The Federal Open Market Committee chose to lower its key overnight…
22 September 2024
Financial Services Industry - Sep 2024
ASISA appoints Kaizer Moyane as new CEO Moyane also chairs the Business Unity South Africa (BUSA) Standing Committee on Social and Transformation Policy and is the Overall Business Convenor at…
22 September 2024
Diversity and Inclusion - Sep 2024
Empowering The Marginalised Featuring Karabo Motaung In this episode, titled "Empowering the Marginalized featuring Karabo Motaung," we dive deep into Karabo’s inspiring journey from her early beginnings to her influential…
22 September 2024
Life Insurance - Sep 2024
The data on extreme human ageing is rotten from the inside out’ – Ig Nobel winner Saul Justin Newman Not to be confused with the actual Nobel prizes, the Ig…
22 September 2024
General Insurance - Sep 2024
Global Non-Life Reinsurer’s Profits to Peak in 2024: Fitch Rating’s Midyear Analysis Fitch Ratings published midyear underwriting results for 19 non-life reinsurers last week, finding that the group’s average first-half…
22 September 2024
Health Insurance - Sep 2024
Hope for Africa as WHO approves first mpox vaccine The vaccine from Danish pharmaceutical-maker Bavarian Nordic has been approved in Europe as well as the US and other high-income countries since a…
22 September 2024
Banking - Sep 2024
SA banks to issue new loss-absorbing debt to prevent bailouts South Africa’s largest banks will start issuing a new class of loss-absorbing debt, known as financial loss absorbing capacity (flac)…
22 September 2024
Investments - Sep 2024
Breaking News: SA Deputy Finance Minister explains why he opposes prescribed assets David Masondo said the National Treasury might announce measures during the Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement that will make…
22 September 2024
Retirement / Pensions - Sep 2024
GRANT BASE: Survey aims to quantify fees charged for two-pot withdrawals Withdrawal fees paid to administrators in the coming months could range from R640m to R1.25bn. Various commentators have focused…
22 September 2024
About YOU - Sep 2024
Leading under pressure Pressure is a goad. Whether it arrives in the guise of a burning platform or a project deadline, a strategic goal or a performance target, a high…
6 September 2024
Matters of Mind (MM) - Aug 2024 (2nd)
Welcome to Matters of Mind (MM) August 2024 Second Edition “No one ever made a decision because of a number. They need a story.” — Daniel Kahneman, Nobel Prize-winning…
6 September 2024
Economic Matters – Aug 2024 (2nd)
How inaccurate Census 2022 data from Stats SA is affecting towns & cities In July this year, Stats SA dismissed the Centre for Actuarial Research’s claim that Census 2022 figures…
6 September 2024
Financial Services Industry - Aug 2024 (2nd)
VBS-linked adviser still a key individual of FSP FSCA failed to issue a warning on several wealth firms associated with VBS. According to media reports, there were at least three…
6 September 2024
Diversity and Inclusion - Aug 2024 (2nd)
Meet Siphesihle Ngcingwana - one of the leading ladies in SA's reinsurance industry In this time and age, many women juggle workplace and homelife responsibilities. This "ability to wear many…
6 September 2024
General Insurance - Aug 2024 (2nd)
Peril Paralysis – Building Industry under the magnifying glass In George, thirty-four people died when a partially completed five storey residential building collapsed. This event is tragic, and albeit the…
6 September 2024
Health Insurance - Aug 2024 (2nd)
Liberty Health reaches the end of the road - Moneyweb This article requires a subscription to be read and is dated 13 August, but you may find the one below…
6 September 2024
Investments - Aug 2024 (2nd)
Markets may be turbulent, but stabilisation is ahead: Mike Dolan What looks like a financial market in disarray may instead just be normalization that will ultimately help insulate investment portfolios…
6 September 2024
Retirement / Pensions - Aug 2024 (2nd)
SA’s largest umbrella retirement fund expects two-pots to drive membership growth The R157bn Old Mutual SuperFund also sees further consolidation of standalone retirement funds in the future. 3min read FSCA…
6 September 2024
About YOU - Aug 2024 (2nd)
“So many advantages come from being willing to look like an idiot in the short term. You stay silent in an important meeting, afraid to voice your critical thoughts and…
19 August 2024
Matters of Mind (MM) - Aug 2024
Welcome to Matters of Mind (MM) August 2024 First Edition “The world needs amazing leaders, and unfortunately, there are not enough of those. It would be a major victory to…
19 August 2024
Economic Matters - Aug 2024
How the two-pot system may impact household income and inflation Retirement fund withdrawals could boost household’s disposable income this year and in 2025, but they may also contribute to higher…
19 August 2024
Financial Services Industry - Aug 2024
Podcast: SA fighting a losing battle against financial crime In this compelling episode of Money Markets and Masterminds, we delve into the complexities of white-collar crime in South Africa. Particularly,…
19 August 2024
Diversity and Inclusion - Aug 2024
Sanlam Foundation empowers women entrepreneurs with funding boost Women face significant barriers in the realm of entrepreneurship, including access to finance, networking opportunities, societal norms, and mentorship. A boost to…
19 August 2024
Life Insurance - Aug 2024
This is where SA’s 63-million inhabitants live SA’s population has surpassed the 63-million mark, and life expectancy in the country has improved significantly to 66.5 years, according to figures released…
19 August 2024
General Insurance - Aug 2024
Insurer flags AI as an increasing risk Despite the innumerable opportunities and efficiencies that AI is introducing to business, it is expected to have a medium to high impact on…
19 August 2024
Health Insurance - Aug 2024
Now medical professionals say they will not sign Ramaphosa’s health compact Health professionals in their thousands will not sign the president’s health compact, adding impetus to the flurry of objections…
19 August 2024
Banking - Aug 2024
Nedbank achieves 8% earnings growth amid economic turmoil Nedbank’s strong H1 2024 performance, with headline earnings up 8% to R7.9bn, reflects tight cost control and robust digital growth amid challenging…
19 August 2024
Investments - Aug 2024
A behavioural finance lens on the question: Are women really better investors? Barber and Odean, published a paper in 2001 entitled Boys will be boys that ruffled a few feathers. Not only…
19 August 2024
Retirement / Pensions - Aug 2024
South Africa is changing its retirement rules to help boost country savings: how it will work For many the two-pot system is just about retirement, but it is also about saving.…
19 August 2024
About YOU - Aug 2024
The Turing Test and our shifting conceptions of intelligence I believe that you will value this piece of writing as it takes us into the last century when computers were…
29 July 2024
Matters of Mind (MM) - Jul 2024
Welcome to Matters of Mind (MM) July 2024 Edition "You have to find that balance between taking care of your body, taking care of your mind, and taking care of…
29 July 2024
Economic Matters - Jul 2024
Ditch this dangerous mindset Many affluent South Africans believe anyone with a job is lucky to have one. But such an attitude damages our chances of creating a more just…
29 July 2024
Financial Services Industry - Jul 2024
A long time coming – the Insurance Capital Standard Following the 2008 global financial crisis, the International Association of Insurance Supervisors (IAIS) received a mandate from the Financial Stability Board…
29 July 2024
Life Insurance - Jul 2024
No annual premium increases on our new life product, says Capitec Life insurance without automatic annual premium increases was one of the selling points touted by Capitec Bank when it…
29 July 2024
General Insurance - Jul 2024
Net zero: whose job is it anyway? It looks increasingly unlikely that net-zero carbon budgets will limit Earth’s temperature rise to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels and we may already be…
29 July 2024
Health Insurance - Jul 2024
National Health Insurance: Eight things Motsoaledi and Phaahla have in common Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi faces a massive challenge: preparing to roll out a controversial NHI Act by a government of which only…
29 July 2024
Banking - Jul 2024
Banks ramp up spending on artificial intelligence to boost efficiency Banking institutions have been big spenders on tech and they are seeing the results of employing artificial intelligence not only to…
29 July 2024
Investments - Jul 2024
South African bonds lead global returns amid political stability South Africa’s local-currency bonds have outperformed global peers, returning 9.3% in dollar terms this year. The success is driven by political…
29 July 2024
Retirement / Pensions - Jul 2024
Two-Pot legal hurdle crossed, now the race to prepare is on - Pension Funds Amendment Bill signed into law today 21 July 2024 … “while providing welcome relief for those…
29 July 2024
About YOU - Jul 2024
Transactional vs. Transformational Leaders These divergent approaches can enhance leadership effectiveness if they are both used appropriately but not exclusively. This heads up is not only for those in leadership,…
5 July 2024
Matters of Mind (MM) - Jun 2024
Welcome to Matters of Mind (MM) June 2024 Edition Pass the Baton “The idiom ‘pass the baton’ resonates beyond its athletic origins, symbolizing the universal human experience of transition and…
5 July 2024
Economic Matters - Jun 2024
Markets rally on Ramaphosa 2.0 with Cabinet Announcement as the next key event The week in perspective (ending 21 June) Following some hesitant gains ahead of the election and then…
5 July 2024
Financial Services Industry – Jun 2024
Constitutional Court’s ruling in tax dispute a relief for SA multinationals Coronation Fund Managers on Friday withdrew its cautionary announcement to shareholders after the Constitutional Court ruled in its favour…
5 July 2024
Life Insurance - Jun 2024
Advisers, planners should know their worth The day-to-day compliance and operational challenges that modern financial advice practices have to overcome can make it difficult for financial advisers and financial planners…
5 July 2024
General Insurance - Jun 2024
Beyond the Usual Suspects While cyber threats, climate change, and pandemics are critical emerging risks, have they captured too much of our collective attention? Insurers must be aware of many…
5 July 2024
Health Insurance - Jun 2024
Investigation calls into question the narratives used to support NHI The BHF’s managing director, Dr Katlego Mothudi, says healthcare is more accurately described as a “social good”. A public good,…
5 July 2024
Banking - Jun 2024
Banking jobs bloodbath: Why South Africa isn’t too fussed A new Citigroup report shows that around half of all banking jobs are at risk of being lost to automation and…
5 July 2024
Investments - Jun 2024
Summarised responses to the FSCA’s Discussion Paper on a Framework for Unclaimed Financial Assets in South Africa. In 2022, the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) published the Discussion Paper on…
5 July 2024
Retirement / Pensions - Jun 2024
Failure to act timeously over arrear contributions places members’ benefits at risk Addressing the Pension Lawyers Association conference in Cape Town in early April, Lukhaimane said about 83% of the…
5 July 2024
About YOU - Jun 2024
Creative flow: what’s going on inside the brain when everything just clicks – podcast If you’ve ever experienced a state of creative flow, perhaps when writing, playing music, or even…
31 May 2024
Matters of Mind (MM) - May 2024 (2nd)
Welcome to Matters of Mind (MM) May 2024, Second Edition The ability to destroy your ideas rapidly instead of slowly when the occasion is right is one of the…
31 May 2024
Economic Matters - May 2024 (2nd)
Reserve Bank charts illustrate South Africa’s economic and social woes At the heart of South Africa’s economic and social crises are two worrying trends: slowing economic growth and rising inequality. In…
31 May 2024
Financial Services Industry - May 2024 (2nd)
Dis-Chem Acquires 50% Stake in OneSpark for R155.9 Million in Strategic Healthcare Deal This article delves into the details, rationale, and implications of this transaction, which marks a notable development…
31 May 2024
Life Insurance - May 2024 (2nd)
Experiencing financial pressure? Do not cancel life insurance and retirement savings As the cost of living continues to soar, many South Africans are struggling under the financial pressure of rising…
31 May 2024
General Insurance - May 2024 (2nd)
How to protect your business income in South Africa’s tough economic climate In the current volatile economic conditions, South African businesses, whether they are an SME, mid-market or a multinational…
31 May 2024
Health Insurance - May 2024 (2nd)
Government open to more talks and 'collaboration' on NHI After taking many by surprise with the signing of the NHI Bill last week, President Cyril Ramaphosa and government Ministers adopted…
31 May 2024
Banking - May 2024 (2nd)
Fintech group Lesaka buys Adumo for R1.59bn Dual-listed fintech firm Lesaka Technologies has signed a definitive agreement to acquire payments services provider Adumo in a R1.59 billion ($85.9 million) deal.…
31 May 2024
Investments - May 2024 (2nd)
Economist: ‘The election result was a shock to investors’ Citywire South Africa speaks to six investment professionals about the 2024 elections results and the coalitions that could emerge to govern. 5min…
31 May 2024
Retirement / Pensions - May 2024 (2nd)
ASSA Retirement Matters: Two Pots and DB Funds Sessional 27 May 2024 This was an online sessional, highly rated and informative which you can access by clicking on the title above…
31 May 2024
About YOU - May 2024 (2nd)
Much of What You’re Going to Do or Say Today is Not Essential If we can’t work smarter, we resort to working harder. We cut out lunch, skip the gym,…
17 May 2024
Matters of Mind (MM) – May 2024
Welcome to Matters of Mind (MM) May 2024, First Edition “I think one thing that is a really important thing to strive for is being internally driven, being driven to…
17 May 2024
Economic Matters - May 2024
McKinsey: Global Economics Intelligence executive summary, March 2024 Fair analysis which offers insight from the recent past; however, it is not a forecast of economic or geopolitical events. 8min read
17 May 2024
Financial Services Industry - May 2024
That Insurance Talent Crisis? It’s a Global Knowledge Opportunity The article uses the USA labour market as its proxy but identifies global knowledge process management (KPM) as a potential stop…
17 May 2024
Diversity and Inclusion - May 2024
DEI: Redefining the Paradigm for the Property/Casualty Industry The recent billionaire back-and-forth about diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives is a great opportunity to look at why we’re doing DEI, how…
17 May 2024
Life Insurance - May 2024
Swiss Re launches Swiss Re Life Guide Scout, a Generative AI-powered underwriting assistant Swiss Re Life Guide Scout aims to help increase the efficiency and quality of underwriting by generating…
17 May 2024
General Insurance - May 2024
Climate crisis 'pressure pot' prompts insurers to rethink risk strategies Globally, weather-related events are threatening to cause an insurance crisis; in South Africa, insurers are bracing for impact. While the…
17 May 2024
Health Insurance - May 2024
Schemes get costlier as reform takes back seat to NHI In a long wait for National Health Insurance (NHI), medical scheme healthcare reform is in limbo, resulting in members paying…
17 May 2024
Banking - May 2024
Standard Bank sees clientele increasingly go digital Standard Bank’s digitally active clients in South Africa now stand at the 4.1 million mark out of an active base of 11.4 million.…
17 May 2024
Investments - May 2024
How much you would have if you invested R1,000 in Capitec, FirstRand, Nedbank, and more in January Capitec, South Africa’s biggest bank by customer numbers, is the best-performing JSE-listed banking…
17 May 2024
Retirement / Pensions - May 2024
Two Component Checklist for Retirement Funds The following are a few key aspects that need to be considered in ensuring a smooth transition that will serve the best interests of…
17 May 2024
About YOU - May 2024
It is now commonly believed that environment plays a huge part not only in surviving but in achieving success. "Species that are more responsive to change can gain a relative…
30 April 2024
Matters of Mind (MM) – April 2024 (2nd)
Welcome to Matters of Mind (MM) April 2024, Second Edition “Whichever route you take, expect a struggle. Finding work you love is very difficult. Most people fail. Even if you…
30 April 2024
Economic Matters - Apr 2024 (2nd)
Interest rate relief coming soon for South Africans – Alexforbes South Africans can expect interest rates to be cut in the coming months as inflation gradually nears the midpoint of the…
30 April 2024
Financial Services Industry - Apr (2nd)
Digital fraud surpasses physical fraud for first time The rapid adoption of digital technologies is fuelling the rise of fraud in South Africa, according to global data and analytics company…
30 April 2024
Life Insurance - Apr (2nd)
The hidden costs of being poor… An update by the Poverty Premium Working Group “In the extreme, the rich young woman gets almost 50 times more life cover than the…
30 April 2024
General Insurance - Apr (2nd)
2024 Insurance State of the Market This 16-page report is easy to read and well laid out for recall. For full value read it with an open mind and you…
30 April 2024
Health Insurance - Apr (2nd)
Market conduct in the medical schemes’ environment Medical schemes are regulated under the Medical Schemes Act 131 of 1998 which came into force in 2000 (McLeod, 2005). While medical schemes…
30 April 2024
Banking - Apr (2nd)
Making Banks Safer A very well thought through article by Dr John Young and Iain Allan which illustrates how banks can manage unknown risks better using the collapse of SVB…
30 April 2024
Investments - Apr (2nd)
SA crypto service provider licensing to stimulate market As the number of licensed crypto asset service providers climbs to 75, this trend is a sign that crypto will become more…
30 April 2024
About YOU - Apr (2nd)
How often do you feel that no matter how hard you work or refine your craft you seem to be in the same place? This is often referred to as…
12 April 2024
Matters of Mind (MM) – April 2024
Welcome to Matters of Mind (MM) April 2024, First Edition Thinking is all about the ability to look at complex situations and strip away things that don't count—the ability to…
12 April 2024
Economic Matters - Apr 2024
Two upcoming elections are likely to tip the balance of power between China, India and the US Economist Chee Meng Tan explains what electoral victories for the two (Mr Modi and Mr…
12 April 2024
Financial Services Industry - Apr 2024
Tax collection in 2023/24 comes in at R10bn more than expected The South African Revenue Service (SARS) achieved unexpected milestones in tax collection in the fiscal year that ended on…
12 April 2024
Diversity and Inclusion - Apr 2024
In the April editions we will focus on diversity in leadership in the industry. Nine leadership questions for Besa Ruele, CEO, Hollard Life Solutions 4min read Nine leadership questions…
12 April 2024
Life Insurance - Apr 2024
Tailoring Financial Needs Analysis For Client Success As a financial adviser, your role in filtering your clients’ financial needs is critical, and it’s your expert guidance that will help them…
12 April 2024
General Insurance - Apr 2024
Enhancing Value and Protection: Rise of the Inception Value Policy (IVP) Rooted in the growing domain of specialist insurance, the IVP emerges as an essential tool in safeguarding assets and…
12 April 2024
Health Insurance - Apr 2024
One-year reprieve for low-cost health insurers A small group of insurers, who have partnered with the likes of Kaelo, Momentum and Discovery, were granted exemptions to the Act in line with the demarcation regulations…
12 April 2024
Banking - Apr 2024
Stokvels remain the untapped ‘human banks’ of South Africa A new online and video-based study by market research specialist Ipsos has revealed that South Africa’s R50-Billion Stokvel sector made up…
12 April 2024
Investments - Apr 2024
MAS Launches World’s First Multi-Sector Transition Taxonomy The ongoing discourse on ESG and sustainability emphasizes the need to combat 'greenwashing' and clarify vague definitions. There's renewed focus on socially just…
12 April 2024
Retirement / Pensions - Apr 2024
Can your living annuity go the distance? This article gives an historical perspective on the popularity of living annuities and for current times proposes combining it with a life annuity…
12 April 2024
About YOU - Apr 2024
IMISA Guided Meditations The Institute of Mindfulness In South Africa (IMISA) is delighted to introduce to you their newly curated offering of guided meditations in local languages, recorded by their…
MM Recent Newsletters
4 October 2024
Matters of Mind (MM) - Sep 2024 (2nd)
Welcome to Matters of Mind (MM) September 2024 second edition "Hope is like a road in the country; there was never a road, but when many people walk on…
4 October 2024
Financial Services Industry - Sep 2024 (2nd)
Investec closes accounts linked to South Africa's political elite Investec Bank closed the accounts of Deputy President Paul Mashatile’s associates after questioning transactions involving millions of rands linked to their company when…
4 October 2024
Diversity and Inclusion - Sep 2024 (2nd)
How fund groups rank on gender parity – and how they retain women LONDON: This year, Citywire’s Alpha Female report showed that women continue to make up a small percentage…
4 October 2024
General Insurance - Sep (2nd)
The ongoing digital transformation of insurance broking Artificial intelligence (AI) and big data are driving a shift from traditional broking methods towards dynamic, data-driven strategies aimed at enhancing customer experiences…
4 October 2024
Health Insurance - Sep 2024 (2nd)
AI and what it might mean for healthcare in SA With varying degrees of success, artificial intelligence (AI) has begun to play the role of research assistant, radiologist, health educator and…
4 October 2024
Banking - Sep 2024 (2nd)
Generative AI is ‘live’ in the bank, says FNB CEO The South African banking industry’s digitisation of financial services will sustain its trajectory, as more smartphones become readily available at…
4 October 2024
Retirement / Pensions - Sep 2024 (2nd)
Beating the Default Paradox: Better Support for Members nearing Retirement Benchmark research shows most retirees (61%) wish they’d had more support at retirement. The reality is that most members are…
4 October 2024
About YOU - Sep 2024 (2nd)
World Mental Health Day is an opportunity to raise awareness of mental health issues around the world and to mobilise efforts in support of mental health. Communities can play a part in bringing our lives…
22 September 2024
Matters of Mind (MM) - Sep 2024
Welcome to Matters of Mind (MM) September first edition To control the anxiety produced by moments of intense pressure, first step back and analyse the stakes. Theodore Kinne, contributing editor…
22 September 2024
Economic Matters - Sep 2024
Fed slashes interest rates by a half point, an aggressive start to its first easing campaign in four years The Federal Open Market Committee chose to lower its key overnight…
22 September 2024
Financial Services Industry - Sep 2024
ASISA appoints Kaizer Moyane as new CEO Moyane also chairs the Business Unity South Africa (BUSA) Standing Committee on Social and Transformation Policy and is the Overall Business Convenor at…
22 September 2024
Diversity and Inclusion - Sep 2024
Empowering The Marginalised Featuring Karabo Motaung In this episode, titled "Empowering the Marginalized featuring Karabo Motaung," we dive deep into Karabo’s inspiring journey from her early beginnings to her influential…
22 September 2024
Life Insurance - Sep 2024
The data on extreme human ageing is rotten from the inside out’ – Ig Nobel winner Saul Justin Newman Not to be confused with the actual Nobel prizes, the Ig…
22 September 2024
General Insurance - Sep 2024
Global Non-Life Reinsurer’s Profits to Peak in 2024: Fitch Rating’s Midyear Analysis Fitch Ratings published midyear underwriting results for 19 non-life reinsurers last week, finding that the group’s average first-half…
22 September 2024
Health Insurance - Sep 2024
Hope for Africa as WHO approves first mpox vaccine The vaccine from Danish pharmaceutical-maker Bavarian Nordic has been approved in Europe as well as the US and other high-income countries since a…
22 September 2024
Banking - Sep 2024
SA banks to issue new loss-absorbing debt to prevent bailouts South Africa’s largest banks will start issuing a new class of loss-absorbing debt, known as financial loss absorbing capacity (flac)…
22 September 2024
Investments - Sep 2024
Breaking News: SA Deputy Finance Minister explains why he opposes prescribed assets David Masondo said the National Treasury might announce measures during the Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement that will make…
22 September 2024
Retirement / Pensions - Sep 2024
GRANT BASE: Survey aims to quantify fees charged for two-pot withdrawals Withdrawal fees paid to administrators in the coming months could range from R640m to R1.25bn. Various commentators have focused…
22 September 2024
About YOU - Sep 2024
Leading under pressure Pressure is a goad. Whether it arrives in the guise of a burning platform or a project deadline, a strategic goal or a performance target, a high…
6 September 2024
Matters of Mind (MM) - Aug 2024 (2nd)
Welcome to Matters of Mind (MM) August 2024 Second Edition “No one ever made a decision because of a number. They need a story.” — Daniel Kahneman, Nobel Prize-winning…
6 September 2024
Economic Matters – Aug 2024 (2nd)
How inaccurate Census 2022 data from Stats SA is affecting towns & cities In July this year, Stats SA dismissed the Centre for Actuarial Research’s claim that Census 2022 figures…
6 September 2024
Financial Services Industry - Aug 2024 (2nd)
VBS-linked adviser still a key individual of FSP FSCA failed to issue a warning on several wealth firms associated with VBS. According to media reports, there were at least three…
6 September 2024
Diversity and Inclusion - Aug 2024 (2nd)
Meet Siphesihle Ngcingwana - one of the leading ladies in SA's reinsurance industry In this time and age, many women juggle workplace and homelife responsibilities. This "ability to wear many…
6 September 2024
General Insurance - Aug 2024 (2nd)
Peril Paralysis – Building Industry under the magnifying glass In George, thirty-four people died when a partially completed five storey residential building collapsed. This event is tragic, and albeit the…
6 September 2024
Health Insurance - Aug 2024 (2nd)
Liberty Health reaches the end of the road - Moneyweb This article requires a subscription to be read and is dated 13 August, but you may find the one below…
6 September 2024
Investments - Aug 2024 (2nd)
Markets may be turbulent, but stabilisation is ahead: Mike Dolan What looks like a financial market in disarray may instead just be normalization that will ultimately help insulate investment portfolios…
6 September 2024
Retirement / Pensions - Aug 2024 (2nd)
SA’s largest umbrella retirement fund expects two-pots to drive membership growth The R157bn Old Mutual SuperFund also sees further consolidation of standalone retirement funds in the future. 3min read FSCA…
6 September 2024
About YOU - Aug 2024 (2nd)
“So many advantages come from being willing to look like an idiot in the short term. You stay silent in an important meeting, afraid to voice your critical thoughts and…
19 August 2024
Matters of Mind (MM) - Aug 2024
Welcome to Matters of Mind (MM) August 2024 First Edition “The world needs amazing leaders, and unfortunately, there are not enough of those. It would be a major victory to…
19 August 2024
Economic Matters - Aug 2024
How the two-pot system may impact household income and inflation Retirement fund withdrawals could boost household’s disposable income this year and in 2025, but they may also contribute to higher…
19 August 2024
Financial Services Industry - Aug 2024
Podcast: SA fighting a losing battle against financial crime In this compelling episode of Money Markets and Masterminds, we delve into the complexities of white-collar crime in South Africa. Particularly,…
19 August 2024
Diversity and Inclusion - Aug 2024
Sanlam Foundation empowers women entrepreneurs with funding boost Women face significant barriers in the realm of entrepreneurship, including access to finance, networking opportunities, societal norms, and mentorship. A boost to…
19 August 2024
Life Insurance - Aug 2024
This is where SA’s 63-million inhabitants live SA’s population has surpassed the 63-million mark, and life expectancy in the country has improved significantly to 66.5 years, according to figures released…
19 August 2024
General Insurance - Aug 2024
Insurer flags AI as an increasing risk Despite the innumerable opportunities and efficiencies that AI is introducing to business, it is expected to have a medium to high impact on…
19 August 2024
Health Insurance - Aug 2024
Now medical professionals say they will not sign Ramaphosa’s health compact Health professionals in their thousands will not sign the president’s health compact, adding impetus to the flurry of objections…
19 August 2024
Banking - Aug 2024
Nedbank achieves 8% earnings growth amid economic turmoil Nedbank’s strong H1 2024 performance, with headline earnings up 8% to R7.9bn, reflects tight cost control and robust digital growth amid challenging…
19 August 2024
Investments - Aug 2024
A behavioural finance lens on the question: Are women really better investors? Barber and Odean, published a paper in 2001 entitled Boys will be boys that ruffled a few feathers. Not only…
19 August 2024
Retirement / Pensions - Aug 2024
South Africa is changing its retirement rules to help boost country savings: how it will work For many the two-pot system is just about retirement, but it is also about saving.…
19 August 2024
About YOU - Aug 2024
The Turing Test and our shifting conceptions of intelligence I believe that you will value this piece of writing as it takes us into the last century when computers were…
29 July 2024
Matters of Mind (MM) - Jul 2024
Welcome to Matters of Mind (MM) July 2024 Edition "You have to find that balance between taking care of your body, taking care of your mind, and taking care of…
29 July 2024
Economic Matters - Jul 2024
Ditch this dangerous mindset Many affluent South Africans believe anyone with a job is lucky to have one. But such an attitude damages our chances of creating a more just…
29 July 2024
Financial Services Industry - Jul 2024
A long time coming – the Insurance Capital Standard Following the 2008 global financial crisis, the International Association of Insurance Supervisors (IAIS) received a mandate from the Financial Stability Board…
29 July 2024
Life Insurance - Jul 2024
No annual premium increases on our new life product, says Capitec Life insurance without automatic annual premium increases was one of the selling points touted by Capitec Bank when it…
29 July 2024
General Insurance - Jul 2024
Net zero: whose job is it anyway? It looks increasingly unlikely that net-zero carbon budgets will limit Earth’s temperature rise to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels and we may already be…
29 July 2024
Health Insurance - Jul 2024
National Health Insurance: Eight things Motsoaledi and Phaahla have in common Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi faces a massive challenge: preparing to roll out a controversial NHI Act by a government of which only…
29 July 2024
Banking - Jul 2024
Banks ramp up spending on artificial intelligence to boost efficiency Banking institutions have been big spenders on tech and they are seeing the results of employing artificial intelligence not only to…
29 July 2024
Investments - Jul 2024
South African bonds lead global returns amid political stability South Africa’s local-currency bonds have outperformed global peers, returning 9.3% in dollar terms this year. The success is driven by political…
29 July 2024
Retirement / Pensions - Jul 2024
Two-Pot legal hurdle crossed, now the race to prepare is on - Pension Funds Amendment Bill signed into law today 21 July 2024 … “while providing welcome relief for those…
29 July 2024
About YOU - Jul 2024
Transactional vs. Transformational Leaders These divergent approaches can enhance leadership effectiveness if they are both used appropriately but not exclusively. This heads up is not only for those in leadership,…
5 July 2024
Matters of Mind (MM) - Jun 2024
Welcome to Matters of Mind (MM) June 2024 Edition Pass the Baton “The idiom ‘pass the baton’ resonates beyond its athletic origins, symbolizing the universal human experience of transition and…
5 July 2024
Economic Matters - Jun 2024
Markets rally on Ramaphosa 2.0 with Cabinet Announcement as the next key event The week in perspective (ending 21 June) Following some hesitant gains ahead of the election and then…
5 July 2024
Financial Services Industry – Jun 2024
Constitutional Court’s ruling in tax dispute a relief for SA multinationals Coronation Fund Managers on Friday withdrew its cautionary announcement to shareholders after the Constitutional Court ruled in its favour…
5 July 2024
Life Insurance - Jun 2024
Advisers, planners should know their worth The day-to-day compliance and operational challenges that modern financial advice practices have to overcome can make it difficult for financial advisers and financial planners…
5 July 2024
General Insurance - Jun 2024
Beyond the Usual Suspects While cyber threats, climate change, and pandemics are critical emerging risks, have they captured too much of our collective attention? Insurers must be aware of many…
5 July 2024
Health Insurance - Jun 2024
Investigation calls into question the narratives used to support NHI The BHF’s managing director, Dr Katlego Mothudi, says healthcare is more accurately described as a “social good”. A public good,…
5 July 2024
Banking - Jun 2024
Banking jobs bloodbath: Why South Africa isn’t too fussed A new Citigroup report shows that around half of all banking jobs are at risk of being lost to automation and…
5 July 2024
Investments - Jun 2024
Summarised responses to the FSCA’s Discussion Paper on a Framework for Unclaimed Financial Assets in South Africa. In 2022, the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) published the Discussion Paper on…
5 July 2024
Retirement / Pensions - Jun 2024
Failure to act timeously over arrear contributions places members’ benefits at risk Addressing the Pension Lawyers Association conference in Cape Town in early April, Lukhaimane said about 83% of the…
5 July 2024
About YOU - Jun 2024
Creative flow: what’s going on inside the brain when everything just clicks – podcast If you’ve ever experienced a state of creative flow, perhaps when writing, playing music, or even…
31 May 2024
Matters of Mind (MM) - May 2024 (2nd)
Welcome to Matters of Mind (MM) May 2024, Second Edition The ability to destroy your ideas rapidly instead of slowly when the occasion is right is one of the…
31 May 2024
Economic Matters - May 2024 (2nd)
Reserve Bank charts illustrate South Africa’s economic and social woes At the heart of South Africa’s economic and social crises are two worrying trends: slowing economic growth and rising inequality. In…
31 May 2024
Financial Services Industry - May 2024 (2nd)
Dis-Chem Acquires 50% Stake in OneSpark for R155.9 Million in Strategic Healthcare Deal This article delves into the details, rationale, and implications of this transaction, which marks a notable development…
31 May 2024
Life Insurance - May 2024 (2nd)
Experiencing financial pressure? Do not cancel life insurance and retirement savings As the cost of living continues to soar, many South Africans are struggling under the financial pressure of rising…
31 May 2024
General Insurance - May 2024 (2nd)
How to protect your business income in South Africa’s tough economic climate In the current volatile economic conditions, South African businesses, whether they are an SME, mid-market or a multinational…
31 May 2024
Health Insurance - May 2024 (2nd)
Government open to more talks and 'collaboration' on NHI After taking many by surprise with the signing of the NHI Bill last week, President Cyril Ramaphosa and government Ministers adopted…
31 May 2024
Banking - May 2024 (2nd)
Fintech group Lesaka buys Adumo for R1.59bn Dual-listed fintech firm Lesaka Technologies has signed a definitive agreement to acquire payments services provider Adumo in a R1.59 billion ($85.9 million) deal.…
31 May 2024
Investments - May 2024 (2nd)
Economist: ‘The election result was a shock to investors’ Citywire South Africa speaks to six investment professionals about the 2024 elections results and the coalitions that could emerge to govern. 5min…
31 May 2024
Retirement / Pensions - May 2024 (2nd)
ASSA Retirement Matters: Two Pots and DB Funds Sessional 27 May 2024 This was an online sessional, highly rated and informative which you can access by clicking on the title above…
31 May 2024
About YOU - May 2024 (2nd)
Much of What You’re Going to Do or Say Today is Not Essential If we can’t work smarter, we resort to working harder. We cut out lunch, skip the gym,…
17 May 2024
Matters of Mind (MM) – May 2024
Welcome to Matters of Mind (MM) May 2024, First Edition “I think one thing that is a really important thing to strive for is being internally driven, being driven to…
17 May 2024
Economic Matters - May 2024
McKinsey: Global Economics Intelligence executive summary, March 2024 Fair analysis which offers insight from the recent past; however, it is not a forecast of economic or geopolitical events. 8min read
17 May 2024
Financial Services Industry - May 2024
That Insurance Talent Crisis? It’s a Global Knowledge Opportunity The article uses the USA labour market as its proxy but identifies global knowledge process management (KPM) as a potential stop…
17 May 2024
Diversity and Inclusion - May 2024
DEI: Redefining the Paradigm for the Property/Casualty Industry The recent billionaire back-and-forth about diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives is a great opportunity to look at why we’re doing DEI, how…
17 May 2024
Life Insurance - May 2024
Swiss Re launches Swiss Re Life Guide Scout, a Generative AI-powered underwriting assistant Swiss Re Life Guide Scout aims to help increase the efficiency and quality of underwriting by generating…
17 May 2024
General Insurance - May 2024
Climate crisis 'pressure pot' prompts insurers to rethink risk strategies Globally, weather-related events are threatening to cause an insurance crisis; in South Africa, insurers are bracing for impact. While the…
17 May 2024
Health Insurance - May 2024
Schemes get costlier as reform takes back seat to NHI In a long wait for National Health Insurance (NHI), medical scheme healthcare reform is in limbo, resulting in members paying…
17 May 2024
Banking - May 2024
Standard Bank sees clientele increasingly go digital Standard Bank’s digitally active clients in South Africa now stand at the 4.1 million mark out of an active base of 11.4 million.…
17 May 2024
Investments - May 2024
How much you would have if you invested R1,000 in Capitec, FirstRand, Nedbank, and more in January Capitec, South Africa’s biggest bank by customer numbers, is the best-performing JSE-listed banking…
17 May 2024
Retirement / Pensions - May 2024
Two Component Checklist for Retirement Funds The following are a few key aspects that need to be considered in ensuring a smooth transition that will serve the best interests of…
17 May 2024
About YOU - May 2024
It is now commonly believed that environment plays a huge part not only in surviving but in achieving success. "Species that are more responsive to change can gain a relative…
30 April 2024
Matters of Mind (MM) – April 2024 (2nd)
Welcome to Matters of Mind (MM) April 2024, Second Edition “Whichever route you take, expect a struggle. Finding work you love is very difficult. Most people fail. Even if you…
30 April 2024
Economic Matters - Apr 2024 (2nd)
Interest rate relief coming soon for South Africans – Alexforbes South Africans can expect interest rates to be cut in the coming months as inflation gradually nears the midpoint of the…
30 April 2024
Financial Services Industry - Apr (2nd)
Digital fraud surpasses physical fraud for first time The rapid adoption of digital technologies is fuelling the rise of fraud in South Africa, according to global data and analytics company…
30 April 2024
Life Insurance - Apr (2nd)
The hidden costs of being poor… An update by the Poverty Premium Working Group “In the extreme, the rich young woman gets almost 50 times more life cover than the…
30 April 2024
General Insurance - Apr (2nd)
2024 Insurance State of the Market This 16-page report is easy to read and well laid out for recall. For full value read it with an open mind and you…
30 April 2024
Health Insurance - Apr (2nd)
Market conduct in the medical schemes’ environment Medical schemes are regulated under the Medical Schemes Act 131 of 1998 which came into force in 2000 (McLeod, 2005). While medical schemes…
30 April 2024
Banking - Apr (2nd)
Making Banks Safer A very well thought through article by Dr John Young and Iain Allan which illustrates how banks can manage unknown risks better using the collapse of SVB…
30 April 2024
Investments - Apr (2nd)
SA crypto service provider licensing to stimulate market As the number of licensed crypto asset service providers climbs to 75, this trend is a sign that crypto will become more…
30 April 2024
About YOU - Apr (2nd)
How often do you feel that no matter how hard you work or refine your craft you seem to be in the same place? This is often referred to as…
12 April 2024
Matters of Mind (MM) – April 2024
Welcome to Matters of Mind (MM) April 2024, First Edition Thinking is all about the ability to look at complex situations and strip away things that don't count—the ability to…
12 April 2024
Economic Matters - Apr 2024
Two upcoming elections are likely to tip the balance of power between China, India and the US Economist Chee Meng Tan explains what electoral victories for the two (Mr Modi and Mr…
12 April 2024
Financial Services Industry - Apr 2024
Tax collection in 2023/24 comes in at R10bn more than expected The South African Revenue Service (SARS) achieved unexpected milestones in tax collection in the fiscal year that ended on…
12 April 2024
Diversity and Inclusion - Apr 2024
In the April editions we will focus on diversity in leadership in the industry. Nine leadership questions for Besa Ruele, CEO, Hollard Life Solutions 4min read Nine leadership questions…
12 April 2024
Life Insurance - Apr 2024
Tailoring Financial Needs Analysis For Client Success As a financial adviser, your role in filtering your clients’ financial needs is critical, and it’s your expert guidance that will help them…
12 April 2024
General Insurance - Apr 2024
Enhancing Value and Protection: Rise of the Inception Value Policy (IVP) Rooted in the growing domain of specialist insurance, the IVP emerges as an essential tool in safeguarding assets and…
12 April 2024
Health Insurance - Apr 2024
One-year reprieve for low-cost health insurers A small group of insurers, who have partnered with the likes of Kaelo, Momentum and Discovery, were granted exemptions to the Act in line with the demarcation regulations…
12 April 2024
Banking - Apr 2024
Stokvels remain the untapped ‘human banks’ of South Africa A new online and video-based study by market research specialist Ipsos has revealed that South Africa’s R50-Billion Stokvel sector made up…
12 April 2024
Investments - Apr 2024
MAS Launches World’s First Multi-Sector Transition Taxonomy The ongoing discourse on ESG and sustainability emphasizes the need to combat 'greenwashing' and clarify vague definitions. There's renewed focus on socially just…
12 April 2024
Retirement / Pensions - Apr 2024
Can your living annuity go the distance? This article gives an historical perspective on the popularity of living annuities and for current times proposes combining it with a life annuity…
12 April 2024
About YOU - Apr 2024
IMISA Guided Meditations The Institute of Mindfulness In South Africa (IMISA) is delighted to introduce to you their newly curated offering of guided meditations in local languages, recorded by their…