The benefits of saving are well known, as are the tax benefits offered by tax-free savings accounts (TFSA) and retirement annuity funds (RA). But what is unclear is which savings vehicle is better. Before we look at what the benefits of each, let's look at factors to consider when choosing between a TFSA and an RA. What is the difference? The TFSA was introduced by the National Treasury to encourage South Africans to save in an easy, flexible and affordable way for future exp

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has published the outcome of its Article IV Consultation with South Africa, which was held from 6 – 21 November 2019. Part of the surveillance function, as prescribed in the IMF’s Articles of Agreement, requires that the IMF visits each member country twice a year to conduct economic and financial assessments of government policies and provide policy recommendations. The IMF staff held meetings with the South African government, the South

What is business email compromise? Business email compromise (BEC), also known as interception/impersonation fraud, can be defined as ‘a criminal act where cyber attackers illegally access an email account and communicate as if they are the user’ (Sabric, 2019). Cyber criminals gain access to an individual’s business email and impersonate people who use that account (executives, senior managers or supply chain partners) in order to intercept and redirect invoices and also cha

The Sasfin BCI Flexible Income Fund won again last night at the prestigious Raging Bull Awards. The Fund, managed by Philip Bradford, won the award for Best South African Multi-Asset Income Fund over 3 years ending December 2019, by generating a cumulative return of 39% for the period, beating inflation by 25% and the JSE All Share Index by 15%. The awards remain coveted, with competition increasing dramatically over the years. In 1997, there were less than 50 unit trust fun

As long as South Africa’s pipeline of future problem solvers continues to deliver a declining trickle feed of competent mathematics learners, the country cannot expect to achieve a meaningful growth trajectory. This is according to Lusani Mulaudzi, the new President of the Actuarial Society of South Africa. Only 2%, or 4 415, of matriculants who wrote mathematics last year achieved a distinction (80% or more), according to the Department of Education National Senior Certifica

The Intergovernmental Fintech Working Group (IFWG) has published its first Fintech Landscaping Report. Fintech is technology-enabled financial innovation which can lead to new business models, applications, processes and products, and is transforming the financial services sector globally. Fintech has the potential to reduce costs and frictions, increase efficiency and competition, narrow information asymmetry, as well as broaden access and be an enabler for financial inclusi

With the start of a new year and a new decade in full swing, Marriott Asset Management provides 20 investment tips for 2020. Establish your financial goals. This will enable you to put together an effective investment plan with an appropriate long term allocation to stocks, bonds and other asset classes. Start saving as early as you can. The earlier you start saving for your goals the more time your investments will have to benefit from the compounding effect of reinvested in

Tired of the same old “New Year, new you” resolutions? What if you could change the cliché of wanting to lose 20 kilograms and having a six-pack to simply being happy? New Year’s resolutions are often rooted in the constant comparison to everyone else’s “picture perfect” moments. Here’s a thought: Instead of thinking about things you need to change to “fix” yourself, why not focus on being the best version of you? (not the “fixed” version, simply the best version). Think abou