South African Financial Laws Reference

Figures current at 27 September 2026. Source: TradeAnswers.

The main acts
ActWhat it governsRegulator
FAIS, 2002Licensing and conduct of financial services providersFSCA
FICA, 2001Identity verification and reporting of suspicious transactionsFIC
Financial Sector Regulation Act, 2017The twin peaks structure itselfFSCA and Prudential Authority
Financial Markets Act, 2012Exchanges, clearing houses and market conductFSCA
CISCA, 2002Collective investment schemes, unit trustsFSCA
POPIA, 2013How your personal data may be usedInformation Regulator
National Credit Act, 2005Credit agreements and maximum ratesNCR
Income Tax Act, 1962How trading profit is taxedSARS
Which one applies when
SituationAct
A broker will not release your fundsFAIS, complain to the FAIS Ombud
You are asked for proof of addressFICA
A broker shares your data without consentPOPIA
A unit trust misprices your unitsCISCA
A margin facility charges above the capNational Credit Act
Which body to approach
ProblemActWhere to go
Broker will not release fundsFAISFAIS Ombud
Misleading adviceFAISFAIS Ombud
Personal data misusedPOPIAInformation Regulator
Credit charged above the capNCANational Credit Regulator
Unit trust mispricingCISCAFSCA
Market manipulationFinancial Markets ActFSCA

Data maintained by TradeAnswers · updated as the figures change