Sticking Together Like glu

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A new division within PPS is making it easier for advisers to focus on the things that matter most.

Research by Debtbusters reveals that 75% of South Africans experience financial anxiety, affecting their personal and professional well-being. For advisers, this means there is a growing need to deliver more than traditional advice. Customers expect solutions that are not only efficient, but also empowering, alleviating the anxiety associated with financial decision making. It is no longer only about offering products; it is about leveraging innovative digital solutions to provide an engaging and convenient experience.

Redefining experiences with innovation and mutuality

glu is a new division within PPS, set to launch in the first quarter of 2025. Designed to extend the mutuality-driven benefits of PPS to more South Africans, glu has redefined the role of financial advisers, positioning them not just as advisers, but as trusted financial partners and long-term advocates of collective prosperity.

At the heart of glu lies a simple truth: Advisers thrive when their members do. This is in keeping with PPS’s mutuality model – a philosophy that has always been about shared success. With a core focus on middle-upper income individuals aged 25 – 55 with a minimum household income of R30 000 per month, ideally with a diploma or degree, or a connection to an existing PPS member, glu will provide an opportunity for more people to experience the benefits of mutuality and a digitally enhanced customer experience.

glu’s platform empowers advisers with the tools to streamline administrative tasks, from applications to compliance checks and policy management. The easy-to-use policy administration system, which includes an agent portal, will free time for advisers to focus on what really matters: building meaningful and trust-based relationships with members, helping them navigate their financial journeys with confidence, and creating a mutually beneficial ecosystem.

The systems and processes have been designed to be engaging and intuitive and will continuously improve and have more functionality added as glu grows and receives feedback from partners and members.

Mutuality meets digital

With the world’s endless distractions always fighting for real estate in our minds, advisers need the headspace to focus on what they do best: offering tailored advice that builds trust and lasting relationships. glu’s product suite, which includes life insurance, fiduciary services, short-term insurance, and investment solutions, is designed to address members’ needs holistically. This will ensure that their financial goals are met seamlessly and effectively.

Going digital means more time for members, more room for strategic thinking, and less energy spent chasing the clock. It is not just about making life easier; it is about building something bigger together through mutuality.

The future Is mutual

The future of financial services is no longer just about keeping up with digital trends; it is about setting the pace for what’s to come. glu represents a new way of thinking about the relationship between advisers and members. It is positioning advisers as the leaders of this new era – where financial advice is personalised, accessible, and driven by mutual benefit.

In a world increasingly dominated by digital transformation, glu offers advisers an opportunity to lead with innovation and purpose. The future is not only digital – it is mutuality to more people.

Subscriber Terms and Conditions

  1. APPLICATION OF TERMS
    • These terms and conditions (“Subscriber Terms”) apply to the subscription by any qualifying member of the South African Underwriting Managers Association NPC (“SAUMA”) to the services and benefits offered by FIA Services (Pty) Ltd (“FIA Services”) under the SAUMA affiliation arrangement (“Subscription”).

  2. NATURE OF SUBSCRIPTION
    • A Subscription under this arrangement:
      • does not constitute membership of FIA NPC;
      • does not confer any voting rights or governance participation in FIA NPC; and
      • is governed solely by the contractual relationship between the Subscriber and FIA Services.

  1. ELIGIBILITY
    • To qualify for the Subscription, the applicant must, at the time of application, be a current paid-up member of SAUMA.
    • FIA Services will verify the applicant’s SAUMA membership status with SAUMA prior to activation, and may re-verify such status periodically.
    • If a Subscriber ceases to be a paid-up member of SAUMA, the Subscription will correspondingly be terminated.
    • Applicants are required to authorise FIA Services to confirm their SAUMA membership status with SAUMA as part of the application process.

  1. SERVICES
    • The Subscription entitles the Subscriber to the following benefits:
      • Complimentary access to the FIA CPD Platform;
      • Complimentary access to the FIA Insight Magazine (digital edition);
      • Advertising opportunities on FIA platforms at a discounted rate of 15% (fifteen percent) off the prevailing published rates; and
      • Invitations to attend FIA Technical Webinars annually.
    • FIA Services reserves the right to update, vary or substitute the Services from time to time, provided that the overall value and nature of the benefits remain materially the same.

  1. FEES AND PAYMENT
    • The monthly subscription fee is R260.00 (two hundred and sixty rand) for up to seven registered individuals (Key Individuals and Representatives), and R36.00 (thirty-six rand) per additional registered individual thereafter, excluding VAT.
    • The Subscriber shall provide FIA Services with the required details of each individual to be registered under the Subscription for the purposes of activation and billing.
    • All fees are exclusive of VAT, which shall be charged at the prevailing statutory rate.
    • Subscription fees are reviewed annually in March and may be adjusted with effect from 1 April.
    • Any changes to the Subscription, including but not limited to the number of Representatives and Key Individuals registered under the Subscription, may only be effected once annually during the annual review period in March of each year, with such changes taking effect from 1 April.
    • Subscription fees shall be billed monthly in arrears, unless the Subscriber elects an annual billing cycle at the time of application.
    • The Subscriber shall ensure that all billing information (including contact details, authorised signatories and bank account details) is kept accurate and up to date.
    • Non-payment of subscription fees may result in suspension of access to the Services until such fees are brought up to date.
    • The Subscriber acknowledges and agrees that all subscription fees payable under these Subscriber Terms may be collected by way of debit order, which shall be processed by the holding company, FIA NPC (The Financial Intermediary Association of South Africa), on behalf of FIA Services. Payment to FIA NPC shall be deemed to constitute valid and sufficient discharge of the Subscriber’s payment obligations to FIA Services under these Subscriber Terms.

  1. ONBOARDING
    • Onboarding will be conducted as a Subscription with FIA Services under the SAUMA affiliation arrangement.
    • Onboarding will not confer FIA NPC membership status or any associated rights.
    • Onboarding is conditional on confirmation of the Subscriber’s current SAUMA membership at the time of application

  1. DATA PROTECTION
    • FIA Services will process all personal information in accordance with the Protection of Personal Information Act 4 of 2013 (POPIA) as set out in our POPIA policies.
    • By subscribing, the Subscriber authorises FIA Services to confirm their SAUMA membership status with SAUMA and to process personal information for the purposes of fulfilling the Subscription.

  1. TERMINATION
    • The Subscriber may terminate the Subscription by giving FIA Services one calendar month’s written notice.
    • FIA Services may terminate the Subscription on one calendar month’s written notice, or immediately if the Subscriber breaches these Subscriber Terms and fails to remedy such breach within 14 (fourteen) days of receiving written notice.
    • Termination of the SAUMA–FIA Services affiliation agreement shall not automatically terminate these Subscriber Terms.
    • Termination by the Subscriber shall not relieve the Subscriber of liability for any subscription fees accrued up to the effective date of termination.
    • FIA Services may suspend or terminate the Subscription with immediate effect in the event of non-payment of fees by the Subscriber.

  1. GENERAL
    • These Subscriber Terms are governed by the laws of the Republic of South Africa.
    • Any disputes arising under these Subscriber Terms shall be dealt with in accordance with the dispute resolution provisions contained in the FIA NPC membership terms and conditions, as modified to reflect that the contractual relationship is with FIA Services.
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    • No variation of these Subscriber Terms shall be of any force or effect unless reduced to writing and signed by both FIA Services and the Subscriber.