FMA publishes 2020 annual report

Media Release
MR No. 2020 – 46

The Financial Markets Authority (FMA) has today published its annual report for the year to June 2020.

The market conduct regulator said in the first half of the year it was operating in a period of relative economic stability and focusing on regular monitoring, enforcement activity, and preparing for expansion to its regulatory remit. However, COVID-19 undermined economic stability and tested the FMA’s agility, as planned work was put on hold so the regulator could manage its role in the crisis, and support the industry and consumers through the situation.

FMA Chief Executive Rob Everett said the FMA increased its engagement with the industry throughout COVID-19, collaborated closely with other government agencies, and provided regulatory relief, guidance and leadership where it could.

“While the situation was extreme, our expectations for conduct throughout the crisis were very much business as usual,” Mr Everett said.

Despite the disruption, the FMA continued to prepare for upcoming changes to its remit, which includes the conduct regulation of banks, insurers and non-bank deposit takers and, more immediately, the implementation of the financial advice regime on 15 March 2021.

“We successfully launched transitional licensing for financial advice providers, and made great progress designing the full licensing regime, and working out how to monitor and supervise a sector that will have varying levels of conduct and compliance maturity,” he said.

The FMA also continued its momentum in enforcement and deterrence activity, most notably by issuing two sets of civil proceedings against CBL Corporation and its executives. The FMA used a wide range of enforcement tools during the year, including public warnings, a stop order, an enforceable undertaking and court prosecutions.

Mr Everett said it was also an important year for KiwiSaver, with the scheme experiencing significant market volatility, investors seeing in their annual statements a projection of how much they may receive in retirement, and a spotlight being put on the fees that providers charge.

“We will continue our work in this space in the coming year, and challenge providers to demonstrate how they are delivering value for money. Sustainability and so-called ‘green’ investments are in the mix, with investors wanting assurance that if they’re paying a premium for a responsible investment, it operates as promised,” he said.

Mr Everett said the new regime for climate risk disclosures, and – more broadly – the implications for the finance sector of a shift towards creating a sustainable economy, will require significant focus from regulators.

Mr Everett said the economic disruption caused by COVID-19 is expected to negatively impact economic growth, employment, and inflation, leading to increased vulnerability in certain areas. And while the regulatory changes on the horizon may seem significant, they essentially formalise the expectations that the FMA has for the industry, Mr Everett said.

ENDS

Media contacts:

Campbell Gibson
FMA Senior Adviser, Media Relations
[email protected]
021 945 323