FSCA Panel Releases Second Annual Report

The Consumer Advisory Panel's report covers 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026 and highlights emerging risks to financial customers in South Africa.

Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Financial Planning

FSCA Panel Releases Second Annual Report

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The FSCA Consumer Advisory Panel has published its second Annual Report, covering the period from 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026. The Panel says it strengthened its operational effectiveness and provided input on regulatory and market conduct matters affecting financial customers.

Why it matters

The report signals regulatory attention to consumer protection as financial services in South Africa adopt new technologies and channels. It reflects the Panel's aim of keeping consumer voices central to sector development.

The report is the Panel's second Annual Report and covers the twelve months from 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026. No comparative figures or quantified outcomes were provided in the source material.

The players

FSCA Consumer Advisory Panel

The Financial Sector Conduct Authority's advisory body that gives input on regulatory and market conduct matters affecting financial customers in South Africa.

The details

The Panel's report identifies key areas of focus, including the rapid adoption of artificial intelligence in financial services, rising digital fraud and deepfake technology, growth in online trading platforms, and the increasing influence of financial influencers, known as finfluencers. It also advocates stronger protections for vulnerable consumers, including social grant beneficiaries.

1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026: period covered by the Panel's annual report.
5 November 2026: the Panel published its second Annual Report.

Financial Planning Context

The report is the second annual edition from the FSCA Consumer Advisory Panel, following its first report in the series. It extends the Panel's role in advising the Financial Sector Conduct Authority on consumer protection as digital finance grows.

The report flags deepfake scams, digital fraud and finfluencer advice as risks, so consumers should verify financial products and advisers before committing money. Social grant beneficiaries are a focus of the Panel's advocacy for stronger protections.

The takeaway

Before acting on investment or product advice, check that the provider and adviser are properly registered and be wary of unsolicited offers promising quick returns. Protecting yourself against digital fraud is increasingly part of sound financial planning.