The Mechanics Of The South African Financial System

This paper discusses the Financial System Stability Assessment for South Africa, and reviews the Report on the Observance of Standards and Codes on Securities Regulation. The assessment reveals that South Africa’s sophisticated financial system is fundamentally sound and has so far weathered the global financial market turmoil without major pressures. Banks and insurance companies have enjoyed good profitability, capitalization levels, and reserves. The financial sector regulatory framework is modern and generally effective. Stress tests suggest that capital and reserve cushions at banks and insurance companies are sufficient to absorb large shocks.

This paper discusses findings of the Financial System Stability Assessment for South Africa. South Africa’s financial sector operates in a challenging economic environment. Despite remarkable progress since the end of apartheid in 1994, South Africa still has one of the world’s highest unemployment and income inequality rates. Slow economic growth since 2008 has further aggravated unemployment, real disposable income is stagnant, and households are heavily indebted. Relatively high capital buffers as well as sound regulation and supervision have helped mitigate the risks. Stress tests confirm the capital resiliency of banks and insurance companies to severe shocks but illustrate a vulnerability to liquidity shortfalls.

A reference and guide for commerce students, public servants and the business fraternity, giving an overview of how the various institutions in the South African financial system operate as well as of the different financial markets in the economy and the instruments traded in those markets.

South Africa has undergone a financial revolution since 1950 when the financial structure was colonial. By 1990 the situation had changed and new institutions emerged. This book looks at some of these institutions including the first Afrikaner banks, merchant banks and discount houses.