Chatswood serves the life and health insurance sector in New Zealand with market intelligence, data, and bespoke consulting services. Some of these are provided in conjunction with Quality Product Research Limited - a subsidiary that brings you Quotemonster.

We believe that good decisions are more likely to occur when we have good information about the market environment in which we operate. Intuitive leaps and creative decisions are always required, of course, but the more they are based on a firm foundation of observation, the better they tend to be.

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Changes on the horizon for Fidelity Life

Fidelity Life is set to release a suite of enhancements and programmes over the next couple of months.

Fidelity Life is set to release a suite of enhancements and programmes over the next couple of months. In a video featuring Campbell Mitchell, CEO and Bronwyn Kirwan, Chief Commercial Officer, Bronwyn mentions in a couple of weeks changes will be made to underwriting processes to make it easier for customers.

The invite-only Grow Together programme, which aims to provide market-leading support across key contact areas, with dedicated support resources, will be launching in February. More information will be released in the coming weeks.

Registrations are open for Group IQ, a quarterly digital communication with the latest industry news, and Group HQ, an annual onsite conference for the top 30 groups advisers offering tailored content, expert speakers and networking opportunities.

More news:

Survey of KiwiSaver members finds they’re open to increasing the minimum contribution rate

The FMA's 2025 fintech regulatory sandbox pilot is about to launch

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Thoughts from advisers - Jeremy Bernstein

Hear from Jeremy Bernstein, Senior Adviser - Life & Health at Gallagher.

We reached out to some advisers and other experts in the industry for their thoughts and opinions on the job, advice they’d give to people looking to get into the financial services industry, what they’re looking forward to and steps people can take to set themselves on the best financial path at different stages.

 

Thoughts from Jeremy Bernstein, Senior Adviser - Life & Health at Gallagher

 

What is the most rewarding part of your job?

I get huge satisfaction from writing insurance for people that are not otherwise insured, new policies for new clients, creating financially resilient families & businesses and growing the insurance market.

 

If you could give one piece of advice to someone looking to get into the financial services industry, what would it be?

Find ways to enjoy continuous learning. Over time, aim to understand every corner of detail of how these policies work - understand that attention to detail is absolutely vital in this industry.

 

What is something you are looking forward to about the industry over the next 10 years?

I look forward to the industry maturing into regulation and contributing to higher standards of ethics and professionalism. 

 

What steps can people take to set themselves on the best financial path in their 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, and 60s?

20’s: Find a career they love and one where you are not simply renumerated by wages alone i.e. share in profits through professional partnership or business ownership or a role that offers bonuses if sales targets are achieved. Contribute to KiwiSaver with high growth asset allocation with low fee investments. If not already insured, apply for Private Medical Cover with Partners Life, apply for Loss of Earnings Income Protection with Level Premium until age 70 with Asteron Life.

30’s: Buy a home and review insurance to ensure Life Cover is sufficient.

40’s: Work hard to achieve career goals and find ways to enjoy continuous education. Stay healthy and try hard to keep relationships intact i.e. divorce is a massive financial setback.

50’s: Apply for higher professional roles and actively seek opportunities for business growth and increased income, repay mortgage and step up investment.

60’s: Stay married, stay happy, stay healthy, stay professionally relevant and stay working!

 

What’s the last book you read?

How Star Wars Conquered the Universe - Chris Taylor.

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Dacreed will take over the Adviser Support Programme

Compliance technology firm Dacreed will take over the Adviser Support Programme from Partners Life.

Partners Life launched the Adviser Support Programme (ASP) back in December 2018 at a time of much regulatory change. With the legal, regulatory and licensing obligations now available and clear, Partners Life have decided to find a new home for the ASP, with the Partners Life ASP in its current form ceasing on 28 March 2025. They recommend advisers export their Word outputs and resource templates by 31 January 2025.

Compliance technology firm Dacreed will take over the ASP. Dacreed are planning on updating and modernising the ASP to provide advisers with a turnkey compliance framework that will remind advisers when and how to meet their regulatory obligations.

The ASP was a fantastic way for an advice business to develop policies and procedures. It was used by hundreds of advisers to build a framework for compliance where previously they had none. Dacreed is a great home for the ASP, which also hosts the continuing professional development content for www.sponge.co.nz . As a subscriber to the platform, which now hosts a wide range of training and compliance materials, including those made by Rosewill Consulting, it is fast becoming an essential destination for the materials, expertise, and information to run a better financial advice provider.

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Legal and regulatory update for the life and health insurance sector

APRA release quarterly private health insurance performance stats; RBNZ issue second amendment to the Interim Solvency Standard 2023; Government announces reforms to strengthen NZ’s capital markets; FSC support allowing KiwiSaver funds to be invested in unlisted assets; APRA release annual private health insurance stats; CoFR release regulatory initiatives calendar for Q4; XRB publish documents on plan to consult on climate standards.

11 Dec 2024 - APRA has released its quarterly private health insurance performance statistical publication for the September 2024 quarter.  https://www.apra.gov.au/news-and-publications/apra-releases-quarterly-private-health-insurance-performance-statistics-for

12 Dec 2024 - RBNZ has issued the second amendment to the Interim Solvency Standard 2023, which will take effect for all relevant insurers from 1 March 2025. https://www.rbnz.govt.nz/hub/news/2024/12/second-amendment-to-insurance-interim-solvency-standard-issued

13 Dec 2024 - The FSC has come out in support of the Government’s announcement to allow KiwiSaver funds to be invested in unlisted assets. https://blog.fsc.org.nz/media-statement-13-december-2024

13 Dec 2024 - The Government is progressing a package of reforms to help ensure our capital markets are working to support a productive economy. As a first step, the Government is making it easier for businesses to raise money from the public by making it voluntary to provide forward-looking financial information as part of an Initial Public Offering of shares. This will give businesses more flexibility and bring New Zealand closer in line with other countries like Australia. These changes are expected to be in place by May 2025. The Government has also opened consultation on two specific proposals that will help create more effective capital markets: Enabling KiwiSaver investment in private assets; and potential adjustments to the climate-related disclosures regime. https://www.mbie.govt.nz/about/news/strengthening-new-zealands-capital-markets

13 Dec 2024 - APRA has released its annual private health insurance statistical publication for the 2023-2024 year. https://www.apra.gov.au/news-and-publications/apra-releases-enhanced-annual-private-health-insurance-statistics-for-2023

13 Dec 2024 - The Council of Financial Regulators (CoFR) has published their Regulatory Initiatives Calendar for Q4 2024. https://www.cofr.govt.nz/key-documents/regulatory-initiatives-calendar.html

16 Dec 2024 - The XRB has published a document that provides: information on their plan to consult on Aotearoa New Zealand Climate Standards (NZ CS), focusing on the topic of differential climate-related reporting and context to readers of the MBIE discussion document Adjustments to the climate-related disclosures regime. https://www.xrb.govt.nz/dmsdocument/5355/

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Legal and regulatory update for the life and health insurance sector

RBNZ to publish new statistics on credit flows on 5 December; NZs made more than 1,000 privacy complaints; FMA publish Climate-Related Disclosures insights report; Australia pass two major pieces of privacy law reform; RBNZ’s annual re-weighting of the Trade-Weighted Index; APRA release general & life insurance stats for Sep quarter and respond to consultation; Government launches review of NZ’s competition rules; Retirement Commission budget remains unchanged since 2016; RBNZ welcomes new Financial Policy Remit; FMA to launch a pilot regulatory sandbox; results from RBNZ’s digital cash consultation released; RBNZ release update on business expectations survey; RBNZ release review of how deposit takers support financial inclusion; Minister’s November diary released.

3 Dec 2024 - On 5 December, the RBNZ will publish new statistics from the monthly New Credit Flows Survey. The New Credit Flows Survey collects data from registered banks on new lending during the month and its associated weighted average interest rates. This means from 5 December, monthly data will be available that reflects the actual interest rates being taken by customers month-to-month on new residential mortgage loans.

3 Dec 2024 - New Zealanders made a record 1003 privacy complaints to the Office of the Privacy Commissioner last financial year. Agencies (business and organisations) also reported 864 privacy breaches. https://privacy.org.nz/publications/statements-media-releases/no-one-should-be-happy-we-received-over-1000-privacy-complaints/

4 Dec 2024 - The FMA has published its Climate-Related Disclosures insights report from the first set of entities that were required to file climate statements.  https://www.fma.govt.nz/news/all-releases/media-releases/fma-encouraged-by-first-climate-statements/

4 Dec 2024 - Australia has passed two major pieces of privacy law reform: the Australian Privacy and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2024 and the Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Bill 2024. https://www.bellgully.com/insights/privacy-update-australian-government-passes-two-major-pieces-of-privacy-law-reform/

4 Dec 2024 - The annual re-weighting of the Trade-Weighted Index (TWI) takes effect on 5 December, with the new weights released. The TWI is a weighted average of the New Zealand dollar against the currencies of New Zealand’s major trading partners. There are 17 currencies included in the TWI basket. The weights are calculated using a fully bilateral trade-weighted methodology. The weight for each currency is based on each country’s direct bilateral trade in goods and services with New Zealand, for the year ended June. https://www.rbnz.govt.nz/hub/news/2024/12/updated-weights-for-trade-weighted-index

5 Dec 2024 - APRA has released its general insurance and life insurance statistical publications for the September 2024 quarter. https://www.apra.gov.au/news-and-publications/apra-releases-quarterly-general-insurance-and-life-insurance-statistics-for

5 Dec 2024 - APRA has released a response to consultation on proposed minor amendments to the prudential framework for authorised deposit-taking institutions (ADIs), insurers and registrable superannuation entity (RSE) licensees. https://www.apra.gov.au/news-and-publications/apra-releases-response-to-consultation-on-minor-amendments-to-prudential-2

5 Dec 2024 - The Government has launched a review of New Zealand’s competition rules, looking to update the competition settings in the Commerce Act to ensure NZ's legal framework is right; and review the governance and effectiveness of the Commerce Commission to ensure NZ's regulatory and enforcement framework is right. https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/major-review-competition-lift-productivity

6 Dec 2024 - The Retirement Commissioner Jane Wrightson says the Commission’s annual budget has remained unchanged since 2016 and the Commission will be using its financial reserves over the next four years to run the organisation. https://www.interest.co.nz/investing/131130/retirement-commissioner-jane-wrightson-says-commission%E2%80%99s-annual-budget-has

9 Dec 2024 - The Reserve Bank of New Zealand welcomes the new Financial Policy Remit. https://www.rbnz.govt.nz/hub/news/2024/12/rbnz-welcomes-new-financial-policy-remit

10 Dec 2024 - The FMA is launching a pilot “regulatory sandbox” and is asking for applications from interested parties. A regulatory sandbox is a concept which allows firms to test innovative products, services or business models.  An initial pilot phase will run from January to July 2025, with a decision on the need for a permanent FMA regulatory sandbox to be made later in the year.  https://www.fma.govt.nz/library/opinion/fma-launches-regulatory-sandbox-pilot-for-2025/

10 Dec 2024 - RBNZ's Digital Cash consultation finds cash is crucial and current payment options are not delivering what customers want. https://www.rbnz.govt.nz/hub/news/2024/12/kiwis-say-cash-and-privacy-are-crucial-in-record-digital-cash-consultation-response

10 Dec 2024 - RBNZ has published Tara-ā-Umanga Business Expectations Survey: Development update following third pilot. They plan to run a fourth pilot in January 2025.  https://www.rbnz.govt.nz/-/media/project/sites/rbnz/files/publications/bse-background-material/bes-development-update-pilot3.pdf?utm_source=Reserve+Bank+of+New+Zealand&utm_campaign=8347780dcb-Stats+Alert+Business+Survey+of+expectations&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_-8347780dcb-597079373

11 Dec 2024 - The RBNZ has released a thematic review into how deposit takers support financial inclusion. The review provides an overview of the practices and initiatives deposit takers have introduced to support financial inclusion. https://www.rbnz.govt.nz/hub/news/2024/12/rbnz-thematic-review-identifies-opportunities-to-enhance-financial-inclusion-practices

11 Dec 2024 - Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Hon Andrew Bayly November 2024 diary released with the following potential financial services sector related meetings noted:

  • 4 Nov 2024 – MEET: Financial Markets Authority (FMA Officials)

  • 5 Nov 2024 – ATTEND: Launch of Australasian Open Banking eco system report (invited guests)

  • 7 Nov 2024 – MEET: NZBA (Roger Beaumont, Miles Erwin)

  • 7 Nov 2024 – CALL: Banking Ombudsman (Miriam Dean)

  • 11 Nov 2024 – MEET: Kiwisaver Roundtable (invited guests)

  • 11 Nov 2024 – MEET: CEO of Financial Services Council (Kirk Hope)

  • 13 Nov 2024 – MEET: FMA (Craig Stobo and Samantha Barrass)

  • 13 Nov 2024 – MEET: MBIE Officials (Suzanne Stew)

  • 20 Nov 2024 – MEET: NZBA (Dan Huggins)

  • 20 Nov 2024 – MEET: MBIE Officials (MBIE officials)

  • 21 Nov 2024 – SPEAK: NZ & Australia Chartered Accontants Conference (conference attendees)

  • 21 Nov 2024 – MEET: Commerce Commission Meeting (Commerce Commission Officials)

  • 22 Nov 2024 – MEET: Securities Industry Association and FMA (Tim Kiefte, Bridget MacDonald, Craig Stobo, Samantha Barrass and SIA members)

  • 27 Nov 2024 – PHONE: Retirement Commissioner (Jane Wrightson )

https://www.beehive.govt.nz/sites/default/files/2024-12/Proactive%20Diary%20Release%20Nov%2024%27%20Hon%20Andrew%20Bayly.pdf

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Legal and regulatory update for the life and health insurance sector

ASIC announce they will consult on key regulatory guides next year; FMA held roundtable with NZ’s non-bank deposit taker sector; Privacy Commissioner publishes annual report; APRA & ASIC release observations from the banking industry's implementation of the Financial Accountability Regime.

25 Nov 2024 - In 2025, ASIC will consult with stakeholders to update some key regulatory guides (RGs), taking into account law reform, insights from case law about the provisions and other relevant issues. The RGs that they intend to update next year, include:

  • Regulatory Guide 53 The use of past performance in promotional material

  • Regulatory Guide 168 Disclosure: Product Disclosure Statements (and other disclosure obligations)

  • Regulatory Guide 181 Licensing: Managing conflicts of interest

  • Regulatory Guide 183 Approval of financial services codes of conduct, and

  • Regulatory Guide 234 Advertising financial products and services (including credit): Good practice guidance.

https://asic.gov.au/about-asic/news-centre/news-items/asic-update-on-maintenance-of-regulatory-guides/?altTemplate=betanewsroom

26 Nov 2024 - The FMA held a roundtable with New Zealand’s Non-Bank Deposit Taker sector. https://www.fma.govt.nz/library/opinion/non-bank-deposit-taker-sector-roundtable/

26 Nov 2024 - Annual Report of the Privacy Commissioner 2024 published. https://privacy.org.nz/publications/corporate-reports/annual-report-of-the-privacy-commissioner-2024/

27 Nov 2024 - APRA and ASIC have published a letter containing observations on registration and notification lodgements made since the Financial Accountability Regime (FAR) commenced for the banking industry. The letter identifies areas that require further consideration by banking entities and reiterates specific aspects, consistent with previously released FAR guidance, to entities across the banking, insurance and superannuation industries. https://www.apra.gov.au/news-and-publications/apra-and-asic-release-observations-from-banking-industrys-implementation-of

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FSCL reminds advisers policies need to continue to meet client needs

The FSCL has stated that advisers must ensure insurance policies continue to meet the needs of each client, each time it is renewed.

The Financial Services Complaints Ltd (FSCL) has stated that advisers must ensure insurance policies continue to meet the needs of each client, each time it is renewed. This comes in the wake of a complaint where a customer paid out $37,000 in funeral insurance over the course of 17 years, for a policy that had a maximum payout of $10,000. The customer raised a complaint with the insurer and the FSCL and following a dispute process the customer was paid out compensation.

 
 
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FMA announces more than $215 million returned to customers through remediation

The Financial Markets Authority (FMA) has released its annual report for the year ended 30 June 2024, including information on the money being returned to customers as a result of remediation activity stemming from the Conduct and Culture review.

The Financial Markets Authority (FMA) has released its annual report for the year ended 30 June 2024. One of the most interesting findings to come from the annual report was that $215 million has been returned, or is in the process of being returned, to customers as a result of remediation activity stemming from the Conduct and Culture review of banks and life insurers carried out by the Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) and the FMA between 2018 and 2019. As at June 2024, 1.585 million affected customers had been identified. You can read about some of the filings from this year here.

The FMA achieved six out of nine of its Statement of Performance Expectations. Some key achievements included several penalty decisions for fair dealing provision breaches, opening licensing for the Conduct of Financial Institutions (CoFI) regime and producing the first Financial Advice Provider Monitoring Insights Report.

The FMA have also released the results of their Ease of Doing Business Survey which reports on stakeholder and industry participants views on the effectiveness of their interactions with the FMA.

  • 94% agree financial markets are effectively regulated

  • 85% agree the FMA supports market integrity

  • 84% agree that FMA communications is relevant to their sector

  • 75% agree the FMA helps raise the standards of market conduct

  • 80% agree that communications help them understand the FMA’s approach to regulation

  • 77% agree communications help them understand the FMA’s expectations of them

  • 53% agree it’s easy doing business with the FMA

 

More news:

The Banking Ombudsman Scheme has published results from its five-year review

Consumer confidence fell four points in October in the latest ANZ-Roy Morgan Consumer Confidence Survey

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Legal and regulatory update for the life and health insurance sector

ASIC announce extension of Consultation Agreement; ASIC Annual Forum speakers and sessions announced; FMA publish submission on banking competition inquiry; COFR release updated Regulatory Initiatives Calendar.

26 Sep 2024 - ASIC announced the two-year extension of its Consultation Agreement (Agreement) with the Financial Markets Standards Board (FMSB) to 25 September 2026. https://asic.gov.au/about-asic/news-centre/news-items/asic-extends-consultation-agreement-with-financial-markets-standards-board/?altTemplate=betanewsroom

26 Sep 2024 - Speakers and sessions have been announced for the ASIC Annual Forum, 14–15 November 2024. https://asic.gov.au/about-asic/news-centre/news-items/asic-annual-forum-2024-speakers-and-sessions-announced/?altTemplate=betanewsroom

27 Sep 2024 - The FMA publish their submission on the Finance and Expenditure Committee’s inquiry into banking competition. https://www.fma.govt.nz/assets/Consultations/FMA-submission-on-the-Finance-and-Expenditure-Committees-inquiry-into-banking-competition.pdf

30 Sep 2024 - The Council of Financial Regulators released an updated Regulatory Initiatives Calendar for the financial sector for Q3 2024. https://www.cofr.govt.nz/key-documents/regulatory-initiatives-calendar.html

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Legal and regulatory update for the life and health insurance sector

The Minister for Commerce and Consumer Affairs announces policy decisions on Financial Services Reforms; FMA publish Jane Brown's speech; APRA consultation on minor updates; new appointees to FMA board; ASIC release enforcement and regulatory update; Cabinet exempt buy now, pay later providers from CCCFA provisions; FMA publish research on the use of AI in financial services sector; Finance and Expenditure Committee recommends the Contracts of Insurance Bill move forward; Hon Andrew Bayly's August 2024 diary released; APRA propose changes to the capital framework for banks in relation to hybrid instruments; FMA publish insights from funds that claim to have ethical features.

5 Sep 2024 - The Minister for Commerce and Consumer Affairs has announced policy decisions on Financial Services Reforms and indicated the Government intends to introduce a bill in December 2024 addressing the proposed reforms.

For consumer credit legislation the decisions are to:

  • Regulate consumer creditors via a market services licence, to simplify and streamline current regulatory arrangements.

  • Remove the due diligence duty and attendant personal liability for senior managers and directors.

  • Retain the consequences for failure to make initial disclosure or disclosure of agreed changes, but only where the borrower or the FMA can show the failure caused harm.

  • Retain the high-cost credit provisions as they are currently (no changes)

  • Exempting Buy Now Pay Later providers from the fee requirements in ss 41 and 44A of the CCCFA

For financial services conduct legislation, the decisions are to:

  • Simplify and clarify minimum requirements for fair conduct programmes.

  • Retain the current open-ended definition of the fair conduct principle (no changes)

  • Require the FMA to issue a single licence covering different classes of market services, including for consumer credit where applicable.

  • Allow the FMA to rely on an assessment made by the Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) in some circumstances.

  • Introduce change in control approval requirements.

  • Introduce on-site inspection powers for the FMA.

For effective dispute resolution, the decisions are to:

  • Enhance the process for reviewing the schemes (noting further work is underway in relation to key performance indicators, scheme governance arrangements and a single front door web portal). "

https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/improving-access-finance-kiwis

5 Sep 2024 - The FMA publish Jane Brown's speech to the New Zealand Insurance Law Association 2024 Conference. https://www.fma.govt.nz/library/speeches-and-presentations/speech-to-new-zealand-insurance-law-association-2024/

6 Sep 2024 - The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) has released for consultation a number of minor updates to the prudential framework for authorised deposit-taking institutions (ADIs), general, life and private health insurers and registrable superannuation entity (RSE) licensees. https://www.apra.gov.au/news-and-publications/apra-consults-on-minor-updates-to-prudential-framework-for-adis-insurers-and

7 Sep 2024 - Tracey Berry, Nicholas Hegan and Mariette van Ryn have been appointed to the Financial Markets Authority Board for a five-year term ending in August 2029, while Chris Swasbrook, who has served as a board member since April 2019, has been reappointed. https://www.goodreturns.co.nz/article/976523586/3-new-fma-board-members.html

9 Sep 2024 - ASIC released its Enforcement and regulatory update (1 January to 30 June 2024), which sets out recent outcomes in enforcement and regulation. https://asic.gov.au/about-asic/news-centre/find-a-media-release/2024-releases/24-199mr-asic-to-target-misconduct-in-banking-and-superannuation-sectors/?altTemplate=betanewsroom

9 Sep 2024 - Cabinet has decided to exempt New Zealand's three surviving fintech buy now, pay later service providers from default fee provisions in the Credit Contracts and Consumer Finance Act (CCCFA). https://www.interest.co.nz/personal-finance/129607/gareth-vaughan-questions-whether-fintech-buy-now-pay-later-sector-deserves

10 Sep 2024 - The Financial Markets Authority has published research on the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in New Zealand’s financial services sector. The FMA will host a roundtable on 1 October 2024 with the study participants to further explore how AI and GenAI is being used in New Zealand’s financial services and how firms are managing risks. https://www.fma.govt.nz/news/all-releases/media-releases/understanding-artificial-intelligence-in-financial-services/

10 Sep 2024 - New Zealand’s Finance and Expenditure Committee has recommended that the Contracts of Insurance Bill move forward and proposed several key amendments aimed at reshaping the insurance landscape. https://www.insurancebusinessmag.com/nz/news/breaking-news/committee-backs-major-shakeup-of-nz-insurance-laws-504842.aspx

10 Sep 2024 - Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Hon Andrew Bayly August 2024 diary released with the following potential financial services sector related meetings noted:

  • 2 Aug 2024 – FIntech Industry Roundtable (Jason Roberts and Guests)

  • 8 Aug 2024 – MEET: Commerce Commission and Commerce and Consumer Affairs Officials (MBIE and Comm Comm Officials)

  • 9 Aug 2024 – VISIT: TSB Bank (Kerry Boielle and Larissa Vaughan)

  • 15 Aug 2024 – MEET: Payments NZ (Members of the API Centre)

  • 19 Aug 2024 – MEET: Commerce Commission Officials (John Small and Brian)

  • 20 Aug 2024 – CALL : Chair of Commerce Commission (Dr John Small)

  • 21 Aug 2024 – MEET: Retirement Commissioner (Jane Wrightson)

  • 28 Aug 2024 – MEET: Commerce Commission - Monthly Meeting (Commerce Commission Officials)

  • 29 Aug 2024 – MEET: FMA Board Chair and CE (Craig Stobo, Samantha Barrass and Edwin Metson)

https://www.beehive.govt.nz/sites/default/files/2024-09/Proactive%20Diary%20Release%20Aug%2024%27%20Hon%20Andrew%20Bayly.pdf

10 Sep 2024 - The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) has proposed changes to the capital framework for banks in relation to hybrid instruments to simplify and improve the effectiveness of bank capital in a crisis.
APRA is proposing that banks phase out the use of AT1 capital instruments (often called hybrid bonds) and replace them with cheaper and more reliable forms of capital that would absorb losses more effectively in times of stress. The total amount of regulatory capital that APRA requires banks to hold would remain unchanged and banks would remain ‘unquestionably strong’. https://www.apra.gov.au/news-and-publications/apra-proposes-update-to-bank-capital-framework-to-strengthen-crisis

11 Sep 2024 - The Financial Markets Authority has published insights from its supervision of funds that claim to have ethical features. The insights are based off findings from reviewing disclosure documents, advertising, reporting on sustainability progress, and whether investments held by funds align with their sector exclusion policies.  https://www.fma.govt.nz/news/all-releases/media-releases/ethical-investing-disclosure-insights-update/

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