2026 Flavour-of-the-year topic for banks

The South African Reserve Bank Prudential Authority issued Prudential Communication 5 of 2026, announcing the 2026 Flavour-of-the-year supervisory focus topic for banks. This annual communication informs banks of the specific prudential area that will receive heightened supervisory attention during the year. The communication is intended to guide banks on regulatory expectations and examination priorities.

Co-operative Banks 2026 Flavour-of-the-Year Topic

The South African Reserve Bank Prudential Authority issued Prudential Communication 6 of 2026, announcing the 2026 Flavour-of-the-Year supervisory topic for co-operative banks. This annual programme identifies specific focus areas for enhanced prudential supervision of co-operative banks during 2026. The communication provides guidance on the selected topic to assist co-operative banks in understanding supervisory expectations.

Flavour of the Year Topic for Mutual Banks

The South African Reserve Bank Prudential Authority issued Prudential Communication 7 of 2026 on 24 March 2026, establishing the 2026 Flavour-of-the-year topic for mutual banks. This annual communication sets the supervisory focus area that the Prudential Authority will prioritize when supervising mutual banks. Mutual banks should align their risk management and compliance activities accordingly.

Flavour-of-the-year topic for life insurers

The South African Reserve Bank Prudential Authority issued Prudential Communication 8 of 2026, establishing the 2026 flavour-of-the-year supervisory focus for life insurers operating in South Africa. The communication provides information on the specific prudential topic that will receive priority attention during supervisory activities for the year.

JIBAR to ZARONIA Transition Supervisory Expectations

The South African Reserve Bank Prudential Authority issued Joint Communication 1 of 2026 establishing supervisory expectations for the orderly transition from JIBAR (Johannesburg Interbank Average Rate) to ZARONIA (South African Rand Overnight Index Average). The communication supports the 'No new JIBAR' initiative and provides guidance for banks and financial institutions managing this benchmark rate transition.

Amendment of Insurance Group Designation - Santam Insurance Group

The South African Reserve Bank Prudential Authority issued a notice amending the designation of Santam Insurance Group. The amendment was made by Ms Fundi Tshazibana, Chief Executive Officer of the Prudential Authority. The specific details of the amendment are contained in the attached PDF notice.

Amendment of Insurance Group Designation - Absa Financial Services Limited

The SARB Prudential Authority, under CEO Ms Fundi Tshazibana, has amended the designation of the Absa Financial Services Limited Insurance Group for purposes of insurance group supervision. The amendment, effective 24 March 2026, is made pursuant to section 10(5) of the Insurance Act 18 of 2017.

NMS Insurance Services License Variation Notice

The South African Reserve Bank Prudential Authority gave notice that the license conditions of NMS Insurance Services (SA) Limited have been varied under section 26(1)(a) of Insurance Act No. 18 of 2017, effective 25 November 2024. This is a routine administrative action affecting one specific insurance company's licensing conditions.

Notice of Exemption - NMS Insurance Services (SA) Limited

The South African Reserve Bank Prudential Authority granted NMS Insurance Services (SA) Limited an exemption under section 66 of Insurance Act No. 18 of 2017. The exemption is effective from 25 November 2024 and will remain in force for a period of 4 years.

CAPE System Development Progress and Phase 1 IEEPA Tariff Refund Entry Limitations

CBP filed a status declaration with the Court of International Trade updating progress on the CAPE system within ACE. CAPE components range from 60-85% complete: Claim Portal (85%), Review and Reliquidation (80%), Refund (75%), and Mass Processing (60%). The declaration clarifies Phase 1 limitations, excluding entries with open protests, reconciliation flags, drawback claims, or finally liquidated entries from the initial IEEPA tariff refund deployment.