South Africa’s greylisting by the Financial Action Task Force (the FATF) on 24 February 2023 has rightly been a topic of concern for South Africans. The FATF, a global money laundering and terrorist financing watchdog body established in 1989, is based in Paris.
It added South Africa to its ‘greylist’ of financially compromised jurisdictions and countries that are under increased monitoring. The FATF’s main concerns about South Africa’s financial viability centred around money laundering, high levels of corruption and crime and terrorist financing. South Africa’s greylisting may have a range of impacts on the economy and society as a whole.
One of the potential impacts of greylisting is the increased cost of borrowing. The South African government and state-owned companies will it harder to borrow money, which could lead to higher interest rates on loans. This will obviously make it more expensive for people to borrow money to finance mortgages, buying or leasing a car, or getting a personal loan.
South Africa’s greylisting could also lead to an increase in banking and asset-management fees. Banks and other financial institutions are likely to pass on the costs of compliance with the FATF’s regulations to their customers. This could lead to higher fees for services such as bank accounts, credit cards, and investment accounts. This could have a particularly negative impact on low-income households that rely on these services.
Greylisting could also have an impact on South Africa’s international trade and investment relationships. Investors may be more hesitant to invest in South Africa. International companies may be more cautious about doing business with South African firms due to concerns about compliance with anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing regulations. This could mean a decrease in foreign investment and trade, with negative effects on the economy and job market.
However, it’s interesting to note that it’s not all doom and gloom! Some financial experts don’t expect the greylisting to significantly compromise foreign investment in South Africa. The world needs our raw materials, so trade will continue, as will legitimate South African investment abroad.
It is very important, however, that the government commits to continue working with the FATF to redress the concerns raised. It is also important to note that the FATF has acknowledged that South Africa has made significant progress since it adopted its Mutual Evaluation Report in June of 2021.
That said, it’s crucial that South Africans become informed about this greylisting. People likewise need to take effective steps to deal with its potential effects.
Tips for dealing with SA’s greylisting and improving your financial wellbeing during this time
- Review your budget and look for areas where you can cut back on expenses. Cancel subscriptions or memberships that you don’t use, reduce your grocery bill by cooking more meals at home, and save on utility costs.
- Consider consolidating debt to make payments more manageable. This could involve taking out a personal loan or transferring balances to a credit card with a lower interest rate.
- Look for ways to increase your income, such as taking on a part-time job or starting a side business.
- Consider switching to a more affordable medical aid plan, or negotiating with your provider for a better rate. You may also be able to find discounts on medications and medical procedures by shopping around or asking for cash prices. Medical insurance, as offered by EMERGIVAC, offers some impressive healthcare and emergency benefits at significantly lower rates.
- Be vigilant about fraudulent activities and scams, especially those related to financial transactions or investments. Check the legitimacy of any offers or requests for information before responding or providing personal details.
- Finally, stay informed about the latest developments related to the greylisting and its potential impacts on the economy and financial markets. This can help you make informed decisions about your finances and plan for the future.
FAQ’s:
Q: What is South Africa’s greylisting by the FATF?
A: The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) added South Africa to its greylist, which consists of financially compromised jurisdictions and countries under increased monitoring, due to concerns about money laundering, high levels of corruption and crime, and terrorist financing.
Q: How could the greylisting affect the cost of borrowing in South Africa?
A: The South African government and state-owned companies may find it harder to borrow money, leading to higher interest rates on loans, which could make it more expensive for people to borrow money for mortgages, car financing, or personal loans.
Q: How might the greylisting impact banking and asset-management fees?
A: Banks and financial institutions may pass on the costs of compliance with FATF regulations to their customers, leading to higher fees for services like bank accounts, credit cards, and investment accounts, which could disproportionately affect low-income households.
Q: What are the possible consequences of greylisting on international trade and investment?
A: Greylisting could make investors more hesitant to invest in South Africa, and international companies may be cautious about doing business with South African firms due to concerns about compliance with anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing regulations, potentially decreasing foreign investment and trade.
Q: Are there any positive aspects to South Africa’s greylisting?
A: Some financial experts believe that the greylisting won’t significantly compromise foreign investment in South Africa, as the world still needs the country’s raw materials, and legitimate South African investment abroad will continue.
Q: How can South Africans improve their financial wellbeing during the greylisting period?
A: Tips for dealing with SA’s greylisting include reviewing your budget, consolidating debt, increasing your income, switching to a more affordable medical aid plan, staying vigilant about fraudulent activities, and staying informed about the latest developments related to the greylisting.
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