RDR Status Update For 2019 Published By The FSCA

South Africa has received sovereign credit rating upgrades from both Fitch and S&P Global in 2025-2026, marking the country's first upgrades in nearly 21 years.

South Africa's proposed payment-system reforms signal a fundamental shift for third-party payment providers, moving from a sponsor-based model to direct regulatory oversight by the South African Reserve Bank.

A mortgage bond is registered when an owner of immovable property uses the property as security to raise funds from a bank or other financial institution.

A South African court ruling examines when banks may lawfully freeze customer accounts based on suspected fraud and money laundering. The case explores the balance between contractual account terms, interbank information sharing, and statutory tax recovery powers when suspicious funds move rapidly through the banking system.

South Africa's Financial Intelligence Centre has issued Guidance Note 7B, updating the risk-based approach under FICA with important clarifications on proliferation financing, new technology risks, and due diligence...

South Africa's benchmark interest rate is shifting from JIBAR to ZARONIA, with JIBAR set to cease on 31 December 2026. The JSE has introduced a structured process to help issuers transition their existing documentation, but legislative amendments won't take effect until early December 2026, creating a compressed timeline. Issuers must begin reviewing their legal documentation now to ensure compliance within the limited implementation period.

The Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) has published Conduct Standard 3 of 2025 (CIS), titled Requirements for Managers of Collective Investment Schemes (the Conduct Standard), together with a Statement of Need and Impact and a Consultation Report.

South Africa's Reserve Bank has proposed a new regulatory framework that could fundamentally reshape how fintech companies access the national payment system.

The Consultation Report published with the Conduct Standard helpfully clarifies a number of questions that were being asked in the market.

South Africa's financial regulators have published Draft Joint Standard 1 of 2026, introducing comprehensive requirements for identifying and vetting beneficial owners of financial institutions. Stemming from the country's 2023 FATF greylisting, this regulatory framework aims to prevent criminals from acquiring ownership or control of banks, insurers, and other regulated entities. How will these new fit-and-proper requirements, reporting obligations, and governance standards reshape beneficial ownership com