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COVID-19

Alert Level Two and Four Update - September 2021

The FMA remains fully operational and our teams are available to assist with enquiries.  Our physical offices remain closed with our staff working from home. Please contact us through the usual channels questions@fma.govt.nz or on 0800 434 566. 

The response to the current Delta variant outbreak means that this lockdown is different to previous lockdowns.  We know industry may be facing new challenges posed by the stricter rules so please contact us if you would like our assistance or guidance on issues.

To assist industry, we are deferring some of our current work to reduce regulatory burden and allow firms to focus on their customers.  Where appropriate we will be in touch with our licensed and supervised entities to understand how they are operating and any issues they are facing.  We are open to requests for guidance or relief and encourage market participants to connect with us on how we can support industry.  To help prioritise our response, we may defer some work related to monitoring and information requests. 

While we want to assist industry to focus on customers, the FMA is committed to responding quickly if we see anyone trying to take advantage of the current situation, or instances of serious misconduct, including moving swiftly to warn the public of any investment scams.   

Financial Licensing remains open
Full licensing for financial advice providers remains open.  Our team is committed to processing your application as soon as possible.  We are available to assist you -  please contact us through the usual channels. 

KiwiSaver hardship withdrawals
KiwiSaver hardship withdrawals are designed as a ‘last resort’ and there is a process you must follow to apply.  Find out more about applying for a KiwiSaver hardship withdrawal.

Details on doing business at Alert Level 3 can be found at the COVID-19 government website.

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Found 34 results. Displaying page 2 of 2

    28 April 2020

    Exemptions grant temporary relief from some reporting deadlines

    FMA has granted two class exemption notices to provide market participants with an additional two months to provide their audited financial statements and comply with certain other regulatory requirements. Due to the disruption caused by COVID-19, the FMA is taking appropriate steps to provide regulatory relief.

    http://fma.cwp.govt.nz/news-and-resources/covid-19/exemptions-grant-temporary-relief-from-some-reporting-deadlines/

    24 April 2020

    Conduct expectations in response to COVID-19

    On 17 April FMA Chief Executive Rob Everett wrote to the CEOs of the firms we license, as well as retail banks, insurers (life and general), and a range of industry associations, to acknowledge the enormous pressure being felt by the wider financial services sector and the steps they have taken to support customers during these unprecedented times. He outlined that efforts to provide wide-ranging regulatory relief are aimed at ensuring firms continue to focus on serving the needs of their customers, and his expectations on how customers (including the financially vulnerable) should be treated fairly.

    http://fma.cwp.govt.nz/news-and-resources/covid-19/conduct-expectations-in-response-to-covid-19/

    20 March 2020

    COVID-19 – managing impacts on FMC reporting entity annual reporting and audits

    The rapidly evolving COVID-19 situation is having a significant impact on FMC reporting entities’ financial reporting obligations and the ability to perform audits. Auditors should continue to comply fully with required professional and ethical standards. It is important that sufficient time is taken by both the entity and the auditor to complete the annual financial reporting and auditing process, even if this results in a delay in reporting. The FMA specifies guidance to auditors for their reporting obligations in these uncertain times.

    http://fma.cwp.govt.nz/news-and-resources/covid-19/covid-19-managing-impacts-on-fmc-reporting-entity-annual-reporting-and-audits/