Conduct Standard 1 of 2025 (“CS1:2025”) on FINANCIAL EDUCATION INITIATIVES comes into effect on 26 March 2026.
The context of CS1:2025
Financial institutions, that are non-exempt in terms of B-BBEE codes may claim points for “consumer education” which concerns any financial education programme that is provided to target groups, as defined.
CS1:2025 sets strict rules and requirements for such initiatives by financial institutions, by defining it as “financial education initiatives”. If your FSP falls into this category and your score relies on these programmes or initiatives, you need to project-plan the conduct standard’s implementation within your business.
The Conduct Standard also provides a definition for “financial education”, which is not directed at financial institutions, as described above.
“financial education” means the process by which financial customers improve their understanding of financial products, financial product providers, financial services, financial service providers, financial concepts and risks and, through objective basic information, instruction and the like, aim to develop the skills and confidence to–
- become more aware of financial risks and opportunities;
- make informed financial decision;
- manage their financial affairs more sustainably;
- know where to go for financial assistance and recourse; or
- take other effective actions to improve their financial well-being and the financial well-being of those under their responsibility;
In conclusion, if your FSP provides financial education to financial customers as laid out in the definition above, via podcasts, blogs, vlogs and the like, this conduct standard does not apply to such practices.
Moving CS1:2025 aside—
What would be important for podcasters, is to ensure that an appropriate disclaimer is included on the platform, stating that the content must not be construed as the rendering of financial advice to any particular person or group of persons.
As always,
The CTB Team