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An Industry shaped together.

The Financial Intermediaries Association of Southern Africa (FIA) is more than an industry association. It is the collective voice of a profession that has helped South Africans navigate uncertainty, protect what matters most, and plan for the future for more than seven decades.

While the FIA, as it exists today, was formally established in 2008, its roots stretch back much further (officially, to 1949), through the coming together of several influential intermediary bodies that each played a defining role in shaping South Africa’s financial services landscape.

This long-standing heritage is part of what makes the FIA unique.

DISCOVER OUR ROOTS

FIA: The Voice of the intermediary

Exploring the voices, milestones, conversations, and industry moments that continue to define the intermediary profession in South Africa.

In conversation with

Lizelle van der Merwe

In conversation with

Cliff Garrun

In conversation with

Mercia van der Walt

In conversation with

Sandro Geyser

In conversation with

Anton Swanepoel

The FIA's history in focus

The FIA's Advocacy in Action

For decades, the FIA has helped ensure the intermediary perspective remains represented in conversations shaping the future of financial services in South Africa:

R8m - R10m

saved annually in reduced FSP levies

R100m+

in FICA compliance costs avoided for the industry

R110m

per annum saved through CMS demarcation exemption

Conduct of Financial Institutions Bill (COFI)

The FIA is currently represented on the FSCA’s CoFI Transition Working Groups and on the sub-working groups dealing with the Fit & Proper Framework, the Risk and Compliance Framework and the draft Conduct Standard on Complaints Management Requirements.

Healthcare broker fee review

On an annual basis, the FIA engages with the Minister of Health to ensure that the annual review of fees payable by medical schemes to medical scheme brokers takes place. An inflation-linked increase has been announced each year since.

Reduced FSP Levies

Following extensive engagement by the FIA, National Treasury made proposals to reduce the levies that intermediaries will pay to the FSCA in terms of the Financial Sector and Deposit Insurance Levies Bill (now Act). Estimated savings are between R8m – R10m per annum for the intermediary market in general.

Non-Life FICA Project

Industry Associations successfully lobbied for the Non-Life insurers and intermediaries NOT to be included as accountable institutions under the FIC Act, saving the industry R100m plus in compliance costs. The FIA and other industry associations are now working with the FIC to increase awareness of current FIC obligations.

Omni-Risk Returns

The FSCA originally proposed the OMNI-CBR – Conduct of Business Returns. Following feedback from the FIA and industry, the FSCA has simplified and streamlined the return, which is now called the OMNI-Risk Return. This aims to create a single consolidated risk profile for every regulated financial institution. The FIA has developed workshops for members to assist them in understanding the amendments and the key focus areas for the FSCA.

Council for Medical Schemes (CMS) / LCBO Commission

In January 2022, the CMS announced that the demarcation exemption period has been extended for a further two years – from April 2022 to end of March 2024. This saved members approximately R110m per annum. This exemption has been further extended to 31 March 2027, and the FIA continues to engage on the working committees at the CMS dealing with the proposals relating to these products.

Employment Equity Amendment Act (EEAA) and Employment Equity (EE) Regulations

Together with Business Unity South Africa, the FIA continues to lobby against disproportionate EE Regulations. These regulations will have a material impact on cost of labour and operational flexibility. Fines and penalties are detrimental to business.

Why Community Still Matters

For many members, the FIA becomes a place of professional belonging. A space where knowledge is shared, relationships are built, and collective challenges are approached with collective strength. It is where experienced professionals help guide the next generation, and where individuals become part of something larger than themselves.

Beyond Advocacy. Built for You.

From regulatory updates to CPD training, industry insights to networking – your membership puts everything you need in one place. Here’s what’s waiting for you.
Regulatory Updates
Stay up to date on regulations and regulatory guidelines.
Online members’ lounge
Access regulatory updates, guidance notes, partner benefits, minutes, and more.
FIA Insight Magazine
CPD-accredited reading on industry trends and updates.
Week@AGlance Newsletter

Avoid misinformation with trustworthy industry updates delivered to your inbox.

Insightful Webinars
Stay informed with industry experts.
Regulated CPD Training
Insightful and constructive continuous professional development online and face to face.

Members also have preferential access to exclusive member schemes, cyber security, tools and discounts:

Indemnity
FIA Professional Indemnity Scheme

Benefit from the bespoke FIA professional indemnity scheme, offering competitive rates and enhanced cover tailored to intermediary businesses.

FIA Group Life, Disability & Accident Scheme

Comprehensive group life, disability, and accident cover designed to provide intermediary businesses with flexible protection options.

FIA Membershield

Bespoke cybersecurity solutions created specifically for FIA members, helping intermediary businesses strengthen digital protection and resilience.

MIT
FIA Market Intelligence Tool (MIT)

A web-based digital dashboard providing non-life insurer data, market insights, and industry trends at a glance.

Astute
Astute

FIA members receive preferential access and exclusive discounts of up to 20% across the Astute professional business platform.

Why Community Still Matters?

Regulatory Updates

Stay up to date on regulations and regulatory guidelines.

Online members’ lounge

Access regulatory updates, guidance notes, partner benefits, minutes, and more.

Week@AGlance Newsletter

Avoid misinformation with trustworthy industry updates delivered to your inbox.

FIA Insight Magazine

CPD-accredited reading on industry trends and updates.

Member Connect App

Connect with the FIA community seamlessly.

Insightful Webinars

Stay informed with industry experts.

Regulated CPD Training

Insightful and constructive continuous professional development online and face to face.

Built on more than 75 years of intermediary representation, the FIA continues to shape the future of financial advice in South Africa -through you

Be Part of the Future

Join a profession built on decades of shared expertise, representation, and collective purpose – and help shape the future of financial advice in South Africa.

You are eligible for FIA membership if you are a licensed FSP as per the provisions of the FAIS Act and derive an income from providing advice and / or intermediary services.

To become an FIA member, simply share your contact details with our Membership Team on the form below and we will send you a membership proposal.

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.
    • Any notices required under these Subscriber Terms may be validly delivered by email to the addresses provided in the Subscriber’s application form, and such notices shall be deemed received on the day of transmission if sent during business hours.
    • The Subscriber may not assign, cede or transfer any of its rights or obligations under these Subscriber Terms without the prior written consent of FIA Services.
    • 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.