Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a safe and prosperous New Year
How time flies! It seems like yesterday that I penned the lines to the opening newsletter for 2012. In the blink of an eye another year has simply flown by. 2012 has been a tough year. Financial advisors have had their hands full with new compliance
Insurers in both the long and short-term space are hard at work bedding down operational changes to accommodate the new Binder Regulations as well as preparing for the ‘big impact’ of Solvency Assessment and Management (SAM). The short-term guys have suffered some heavy losses due to man-made and natural catastrophes. In the last quarter of 2012 they have had to contend with flooding in the Eastern Cape, massive hailstorms in Gauteng and an unprecedented residential fire event in St Francis Bay. We hope there is not too much of an impact on premiums as we head into 2013.
Retirement reforms to the fore
National Treasury issued a number of discussion documents this year. I believe that retirement reform will take centre stage next year – as will the demarcation debate. Financial advisor remuneration and National Health Insurance will also dominate headlines through 2013. The bottom line is that the only certainty in the financial services environment is change!
Changes at South Africa’s premier financial advisory magazine
There will be some New Year changes at FAnews too. After a number of years as Online Editor and contributing writer for the FAnews magazine I am off in search of a new challenge. Come January 2013 I take up a new role as Communications Manager at the Financial Intermediaries Association (FIA). I am sure I will have the opportunity to interact with many of you in my new role.
I have enjoyed my time at the country’s premier financial advisory magazine and leave you in the capable hands of the FAnews Team, who will announce my replacement early in the New Year.
Season’s greetings to our loyal readers
And that leaves my final task as FAnews Online editor: Namely to extend a heartfelt word of appreciation to each and every one of you, our loyal readers. Thank you for your support through 2012. Thank you also for all the kind words and comments on my newsletters and articles going back to 2007. I trust that you will enjoy a Merry Christmas and a safe and prosperous New Year, with friends and family close at hand.
If you would like to add a goodbye and good luck message for Gareth use the comment section below.
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