What Is Allowed Under Conflict of Interest Management:
An FSP or its representatives may only receive or offer the following:
8.1Commission, fees under Long-Term and Short-Term Insurance Acts as well as the Medical Schemes Act, provided that the fees and commissions are specifically agreed to by a client, in writing, and which may be stopped at the discretion of that client;
8.2Subject to any other law, any immaterial financial interest (see the definition below), fees or remuneration for rendering of a service to a third party (such as a product supplier, another provider, or an associate of either of these), or a distribution channel (such as an arrangement between a product supplier or any of its associates and one or more providers and any of its associates) , which fees or remuneration are reasonably commensurate to the service being rendered:
8.3A financial interest for which fair value or remuneration that is reasonably commensurate to the value of the financial interest is paid by the provider or representative at the time of receipt.
An “immaterial financial interest”, means “any financial interest with a determinable monetary value, the aggregate of which does not exceed R1000. 00 in any calendar year from same third party in that calendar year received by,
- a provider who is a sole proprietor,
- a representative’ for that representative’s direct benefit and
- a provider, who for its benefit or that of some or all of its representatives, aggregates the immaterial financial interest paid to its representative”.
A provider/representative can spend up to a maximum of R1000. 00, per calendar year, per financial service provider and/or a representative on amongst other things, training, vouchers, provision of marketing materials etc. One is obliged to maintain a proper record of any financial interest provided. Attached, marked “A” is a form which must be used when any financial interest is offered to a service provider and/or its representative.
The purpose of business gifts and entertainment in commercial settings is to create goodwill and nurture sound working relationships, rather than to gain any unfair advantage with customers and or a provider’s clients. Reasonable business entertainment and customer gifts of immaterial financial interest are permitted, including promotional events, provided that the offer is consistent with usual business practice and cannot be viewed as bribe or a payoff and certainly cannot be in violation of this Policy.