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Credit rating agencies – Credibility at stake

08 June 2015

Credit rating agencies (CRAs) are considered the gatekeepers to the financial markets. They are an integral part of the capital markets, providing assessment of default and loss probabilities on a variety of fixed-income instruments worldwide. While their processes are unique, their ratings reflect their reviews and analyses of everything from sovereign debt and public finance debt issues to traditional corporate bonds, asset-backed securities, and a host of structured instruments. Nerina Visser, Board Member of the South African Society of the Chartered Financial Analyst Institute (CFA) says, despite being around since the 1860s, these agencies have come under increasing attack in the past few years by investors, regulators, and the business community. In her opinion she discusses the regulations and the credibility of CRAs.

Medical scheme blues on hellopeter.com

05 May 2015

The customer is unhappy. Something went wrong and s/he is complaining. Loudly. Publicly. And s/he is adamant it is the scheme’s fault.

Are aggregators a game changer for the SA Insurance Industry?

04 May 2015

International research indicates that 60% of UK consumers buy insurance online directly through an insurance website, or through an aggregator. In fact, aggregators were listed as one of the fastest growing categories in the Financial Services industry in the UK. South Africa lags international trends by 2 – 3 years, so could the SA insurance industry see significant change come about through the introduction of aggregators in the near future?

Flying the flag high when the world looks to Africa

07 April 2015

We all know that the South African insurance industry is an industry steeped in tradition and is the most established insurance industry on the continent. But is the industry growing? And what is our growth position in terms of the global market?

quick poll

Question

The strongest deterrent against FSP compliance missteps is or should be:

Answer

A criminal conviction Debarment Fine or penalty Any of the above can work

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