Studies have shown that investors are paying a high price for switching between funds.
Restructuring the way we save for retirement could halve our costs and a new model that changes preservation rules will dramatically reduce charges.
Fund managers are divided over South African retail shares, which have outperformed resources by 20%.
Inclusion in Citigroup’s world government bond index has resulted in big fund inflows, writes Maya Fisher-French.
Hard-core capitalist brings R200-bn muscle power to the field of sustainability. Maya Fisher-French reports.
Weak returns, longevity and consumption could leave youngsters worse off than their forebears, writes Maya Fisher-French.
The treasury’s new adviser, David McCarthy, wants to counter threats to the retirement industry, writes Maya Fisher-French.
Fica, a response to money laundering, is having a criminal effect on childrens’ products, writes Maya Fisher-French.
A well-known author has warned of high-debt states solving their widening deficits through predation. Maya Fisher-French reports.
Reform is needed to simplify products for which the returns are barely worth the investment, writes Maya Fisher-French.
Compulsory fund preservation and simplifying products are among the options highlighted in the treasury’s discussion document.
The key to being financially savvy and literate has been revealed: Teach your children about money matters from an early age.
The FirstRand group has moved into India’s retail banking space and its 700-million unbanked residents.
Bidvest Bank says its decision to cap fees at R72 a month does not signal a price war with the big four banks in South Africa.
A new product from BrightRock has allowed people to tailor their insurance cover to circumstances and lower premiums gradually over time.
Banks have expanded and are entering the highly profitable market of credit with care, or so they claim.
Alarmed investors say the lack of warning
and the quantum of the increase are shocking, writes <b>Maya Fisher-French</b>
Public finance expert slams the proposed fuel levy increase as "regressive" because it will hit the poorest of the poor.
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/ 24 February 2012
Tax increases on capital gains and dividends will hurt big savers, not middle-income earners.
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/ 24 February 2012
High taxes on investments has left taxpayers in a bad position.
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/ 23 February 2012
Banks are sceptical over personal financial management sites due to customers handing over their personal login details to third parties.
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/ 17 February 2012
South Africa’s big banks are scrambling to lure the country’s 27-million customers in the mass market with innovative and cheaper product offerings.
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/ 10 February 2012
<strong>Maya Fisher-French</strong> offers Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan a savings tip
Bids will bring 3 750 megawatts of alternative energy on to the grid within the next three years at a total cost of R120-billion.
But South Africa’s economic prospects are looking rosy, with Africa presenting many opportunities.
In the longer term, nothing beats stock picking, sector rotation and timing, experts advise.
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/ 15 December 2011
With the developed world imploding, it would make sense for investors to align their portfolios to benefit from the emerging-markets growth story.
Homeowners with mortgages can take up offers not seen in the market for a long time.
The unresolved European financial crisis may have markets reeling but it is creating an opportunity for South African investment managers.
Cross-border transactions and cellphone-enabled cash transfers are set to simplify banking in South Africa.
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/ 18 November 2011
Thanks to real-time monitoring, you are rewarded for your behaviour on the road.
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/ 15 November 2011
Many bank customers’ cards are being used fraudulently despite the safety of a PIN and banks argue the customer must have compromised the PIN.