What is the FAIS Act? It is new legislation that impacts on the financial services industry as a whole. This Act aims to regulate the giving of beneficial and proper advice and rendering of intermediary services to clients. Every financial service provider (FSP), who gives advise and/or renders any intermediary services, must obtain a licence from the Financial Services Board (FSB) and comply with the provisions of the Financial Advisory and Intermediary Services Act, 2002 (the FAIS Act). If an FSP is a legal entity, its key individuals as well as its representatives do not have to apply for a license. Authorised Financial Service Providers now listed on FSB websiteThe Financial Services Board (FSB) has launched a search function on its website to allow consumers access to information regarding authorised financial services providers (FSPs). They say the new function will make it easy for consumers to verify the credentials of FSPs. One can now search the website to check whether a specific FSP is authorised, and which products and services it is allowed to sell or advise on. With the new function, consumers can verify whether a FSP has applied for a licence, and on the status of the application, before using their services. The FSB website also provides contact details of FSPs, lists of their representatives and the financial products for which they are licensed. Since authorisation of FSPs in terms of the FAIS act commenced in October last year, only FSPs whose applications were successful may provide intermediary services or sell financial products. In some instances, FSPs whose applications are still pending may also conduct business. The FSB has authorised just under 11 000 FSPs since October 2004 to increase consumer protection. The FSB’s website address is http://www.fsb.co.za/ and the list may be found under FAIS - “Search for authorised FSPs”. Compliance Officer Our compliance officer is Moonstone Information Refinery PTY (Ltd). Their contact details are Moonstone Information Refinery PTY (Ltd) Tel: (021) 883 8000 Website: www.moonstoneinfo.com |
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