Legal stuff

Fedgroup is not your typical financial services provider. For more than 30 years, we’ve been doing things differently - always putting people before short-term profit.

We believe business should create real value, not just financial returns, but also positive social impact. That’s why we’ve built a reputation for offering financial solutions that are straightforward, honest, and easy to understand. No jargon. No unnecessary complexity. Just real value, delivered with care.

We proudly serve individuals, financial advisors, business owners, and institutions, and we tailor our approach to suit each of them. Whether you're just starting out or managing a complex portfolio, our focus remains the same: making your financial journey simpler and more meaningful.

Driven by entrepreneurial thinking and guided by timeless values like integrity, dignity, and transparency, we’ve built something special: a company where doing the right thing is simply part of how we do business. 

Important: please read and make sure you understand this section.

Acknowledgement and acceptance

• By using the Fedgroup App, website, or any of our products and services, you confirm that you are legally competent and that you accept these terms and conditions. We may update these terms over time (for regulatory or operational reasons), and the current version will apply whenever you use our services.
• If any part of these terms is found to be unenforceable, the rest of the terms will still apply. If you disagree with any term or any changes to the terms, please contact us or refrain from using our app or website.
• Liability: Fedgroup is not liable for any loss, damage, expense, or liability that arises from your use of (or reliance on) the information, links, or services on our app or website, or from any actions you take based on them. You use the Fedgroup App and website at your own risk and you are responsible for complying with all applicable laws when you do so.
• Service interruptions: Fedgroup is also not responsible for any technical problems on the app or website. This includes service interruptions, delays, failed transmissions, or data loss, no matter the cause. Any calculators or tools provided on our app or website are guidelines only; we are not responsible if they are inaccurate, and you should confirm any results independently.
• Indemnity: You agree to indemnify and hold harmless Fedgroup and its officers, directors, employees, agents, and information providers from any losses, damages, costs, or expenses that result from your breach of these terms and conditions. (In other words, if your violation of these terms causes us to suffer a loss or face a claim, you will cover those costs.)
• Security: Any person who delivers or attempts to deliver any malicious or damaging code, or who tries to gain unauthorised access to the Fedgroup App, website, or related systems, will be prosecuted. Fedgroup also reserves the right to claim civil damages for any harm or losses caused by such actions.
• Intellectual property: All content on the Fedgroup App and website (including text, data, graphics, logos, icons, and hyperlinks) is owned by or licensed to Fedgroup and is protected by law. No rights to this content are granted to you by your use of our services. You may not use, distribute, or reproduce any Fedgroup trademarks, logos, or other intellectual property without our prior written permission. Unauthorised use of our name, logo, or content (for example, in advertising or on other websites) can lead to legal action (civil and/or criminal).
• Governing law: These terms and conditions are governed by the laws of the Republic of South Africa.
• Terminology: In these terms, “you” (or “I/me” in certain contexts) refers to any client, investor, financial services provider (advisor/intermediary), key individual, representative, or any user of the Fedgroup App or website. “Fedgroup,” “we,” or “us” refers to Fedgroup and any authorised administrators or agents who act on our behalf.

Advice

• Fedgroup will not provide you with personal financial advice unless we have specifically agreed to do so in writing. Any information or material you receive from Fedgroup (for example, via the Fedgroup App or website) is general in nature and is not tailored to your personal circumstances. This means you should not interpret anything on our platforms as financial or investment advice, nor as us acting in a fiduciary capacity.

Appointment of financial advisor (Intermediary)

• If you have appointed a financial advisor or intermediary in your application, that person is recognised as your chosen representative. You authorise Fedgroup to accept instructions from your appointed financial advisor (or any other third party you have duly authorised in writing to act on your behalf).
• You confirm that all information you provided in your application forms (and any other documents related to your investment or account) is true, correct, and complete to the best of your knowledge. Providing false or incomplete information could nullify your application or lead to other legal consequences.

Financial advisor declarations (FAIS & FICA)

The following terms apply if you are a financial advisor or intermediary using Fedgroup’s services:

• FAIS compliance: You confirm that you are an authorised financial services provider (FSP) or a duly authorised representative/Key Individual of an FSP. You have complied with all requirements of the Financial Advisory and Intermediary Services (FAIS) Act, including making all necessary disclosures to your client. You have also explained all fees and charges related to the investment to the investor. (Note: An investor may instruct Fedgroup at any time to stop paying your fees.) You further confirm that all information you have provided to Fedgroup is true and correct, and that you have read and understood these terms and conditions.
• FICA compliance: You confirm that you have identified and verified all parties to the transaction as required by the Financial Intelligence Centre Act (FICA), and that you will retain all required verification records. You will provide Fedgroup with copies of any FAIS or FICA documentation/records within five (5) business days if we request them. You also agree to submit only properly completed and signed application forms, along with all necessary supporting documents, to Fedgroup. You acknowledge that Fedgroup is not responsible for any delays in processing an application that result from incorrect or incomplete forms or missing documentation.

Fedgroup App (mobile application)

• These terms and conditions also govern your use of the Fedgroup mobile application (“Fedgroup App”). By downloading or using the Fedgroup App, you accept these terms in full. If you do not agree to any of these terms, you should not use the app.
• Account security: You are responsible for keeping your Fedgroup App login details (username and password) confidential. If someone else uses your account (with or without your permission), you understand that you will be responsible for any actions or transactions they perform. Fedgroup will not be liable for any loss you suffer due to someone else using your account credentials.

Debit order mandate

• By choosing to fund your investment via debit order, you authorise Fedgroup to debit your bank account for the agreed amount, as specified in your investment application form. This authority allows Fedgroup (or its appointed payment service provider) to issue debit instructions to your bank account for the amounts and frequency you have agreed to.
• Debit schedule: The first debit will occur on the start date you selected in your application. Subsequent debits will occur on the specified day of each month. If a scheduled debit date falls on a weekend or public holiday, the debit may be processed on the next business day.
• Duration and cancellation: Debits will continue automatically each month until your total investment contribution has been collected in full, or until you cancel this debit order mandate. You may cancel the debit order at any time by giving Fedgroup written notice. Please note that cancelling the debit order does not cancel your investment contract itself; it only stops future automated debits. You also cannot reclaim or reverse any payments that have already been debited while this mandate was in effect if those funds were owed for your investment.
• Bank charges and lawful funds: You are responsible for any bank charges related to the debit order (such as debit order fees charged by your bank). By using the debit order facility, you confirm that all money being invested belongs to you and is from a lawful source (not the proceeds of any unlawful activities).
• Non-transferable authority: This debit order authority is not transferable. Fedgroup will not cede or assign its rights to debit your account to any third party without your prior written consent. Likewise, you may not delegate any of your obligations regarding this debit order (or this investment application) to any third party without Fedgroup’s prior written consent.

Fee disclosure (advisor fees)

• If you choose to use a financial advisor, you agree to pay advisor fees as follows (these are the maximum fees, excluding VAT):
  • Upfront advisor fee: up to 3.0% of your investment amount. This fee is deducted from your investment amount before the funds are invested (i.e., your capital contribution is reduced by this fee).
  • Ongoing advisor fee: up to 1.5% per year of the interest earned on your investment. This fee is deducted from the interest portion of your returns (typically on an annual basis).

(For example, if you invest R100 000 and agree to a 3% upfront advisor fee, R3 000 plus VAT will be paid to your advisor, and the remaining R97 000 is invested. If your investment earns interest, up to 1.5% of that interest each year can be paid to your advisor, with the rest of the interest remaining with your investment.)

• These advisor fees are agreed between you and your financial advisor. Fedgroup merely facilitates the payment. You have the right to instruct Fedgroup in writing to cancel ongoing advisor fees at any time, in which case no further annual advisor fees will be deducted going forward.

FICA Declaration (customer verification) 

• Fedgroup will not finalise or activate your investment account until all required documentation is received, including all necessary FICA (Financial Intelligence Centre Act) documents to verify your identity and address. It is your responsibility to provide these documents and any other information we require to meet our legal obligations.
• You are required to disclose whether you (or any person who directly or indirectly benefits from the investment, such as a beneficial owner) are a Prominent Influential Person (PIP), a Politically Exposed Person (PEP), or are related to one. A PIP refers to an individual who holds, or has held in the recent past, a prominent public position within South Africa, such as a senior official in government, a judge, a senior executive of a state-owned enterprise, or a high-ranking member of the armed forces. A PEP refers to an individual who holds, or has held in the recent past, a similar prominent public position in a foreign country. In both cases, this includes immediate family members and close associates. This information is required by law as part of our anti-money laundering checks.
• Fedgroup follows a risk-based approach under FICA to verify the identities of our clients. This means we might request additional documentation or information from you if necessary. In some cases, this verification process could cause delays in processing your transactions or applications, especially if we are waiting for you to provide required information.
• You must ensure that all information you provide to Fedgroup remains accurate and up-to-date. If your details change (for example, contact information, address, tax residency, etc.), you need to inform us as soon as possible.
• By proceeding with any investment or transaction, you confirm that you have complied, and will continue to comply, with all laws applicable to you – including FICA and the South African Income Tax Act – in relation to your Fedgroup investment.

Protection of personal information (privacy) 

• Communication monitoring: You acknowledge that Fedgroup may monitor or record telephone calls and electronic communications with you for security, quality control, and training purposes. We also reserve the right to verify the identity of anyone contacting us or acting on your behalf in any communication, to protect against fraud.
• Providing personal information: You provide your personal information to Fedgroup on a voluntary basis. However, if you choose not to provide certain required personal information, or if you provide incorrect information, we may not be able to offer you our products or services (because we might be unable to fulfil legal or operational requirements without that information).
• Privacy and confidentiality: We value your privacy. Fedgroup will take reasonable measures to keep your personal information confidential and secure. We store it safely and will only use or process it in accordance with South African privacy laws (such as the Protection of Personal Information Act, “POPIA”) and other applicable data protection legislation. We will only use your information for the purposes you have agreed to, or as allowed by law.
• Accuracy of information: You guarantee that the personal information and details you provide to us are accurate, correct, and up to date. If any of your information changes, you agree to promptly notify Fedgroup or update your details so that our records remain accurate.
• Consent to processing: By submitting your personal information to Fedgroup (through our app, website, forms, or any other channel), you consent to Fedgroup processing your information. This includes collecting, storing, and using your information, and sharing it with third parties or service providers when necessary to carry out our services or meet our obligations. We will only share your data with third parties for legitimate purposes, such as providing the product/service to you, conducting risk or fraud checks, or as required by law.
• Retention of information: Fedgroup will retain your personal information only for as long as necessary to fulfil the purposes for which it was collected or to meet legal and business requirements. In certain cases, we may keep your information for a longer period if required or allowed by law, or if you have given consent. (For example, laws may require us to keep certain transaction records for a number of years.) Rest assured, we will not keep your data indefinitely unless there is a lawful reason to do so.
• Background checks: You authorise Fedgroup to collect and process relevant personal information about you from third parties for the purposes of background screening. This may include checks for fraud prevention, creditworthiness, identity verification, and bank account verification. These checks are done to protect both you and Fedgroup (for instance, to confirm your identity and prevent fraud or money laundering).
• Cross-border transfer: Your personal information may be transferred to or stored on servers in other countries for processing or storage (for example, if we use cloud services or third-party processors located outside South Africa). Some of these countries may not have the same data protection laws as South Africa. In such cases, Fedgroup will take reasonable steps to ensure that the parties receiving your information agree to keep it confidential and secure. We will also ensure that any cross-border transfer of your data complies with applicable legal requirements.
• Complaints and queries: Fedgroup is committed to handling your personal information in compliance with the law. If you believe that we are using your information in a way that violates your privacy rights or any data protection law, please inform us immediately so we can address your concern. If you are not satisfied with how we resolve the issue, you have the right to lodge a complaint with the Information Regulator in South Africa. (The Information Regulator is the official body that oversees and enforces POPIA and other information rights.)
• Access to information: You have the right to request a copy of the personal information that Fedgroup holds about you. To do this, you can contact us and make an information access request under the Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA) or applicable provisions of POPIA. We may require you to follow certain procedures and there might be a legally prescribed fee for providing the information. If any information we have about you is incorrect, you have the right to ask us to correct or update it.
• Indemnity for information provided: You agree that if Fedgroup or its service providers process your personal information in good faith and in line with the measures described above, you will not hold Fedgroup liable for any loss or damage arising from the processing of your personal information. In other words, as long as we take reasonable steps to protect your data, you agree to indemnify (protect) Fedgroup and its agents against any claims or losses (including those caused by accidental disclosure or access by unauthorised persons). This also means Fedgroup won’t be responsible for any issues that result from you providing false, misleading, or outdated information. 

We know legal and compliance information can be confusing, so we’ve broken it down into plain language to help you understand what matters most.

Anti-money laundering (FICA)

Fedgroup, like all financial institutions in South Africa, must comply with laws to prevent money laundering and terrorism financing. This means we’re legally required to ask you for documents to confirm who you are before you invest with us. It’s part of our responsibility under the Financial Intelligence Centre Act (FICA).

Investment products (Unit Trusts and Participation Bonds)

Some of our products fall under the Collective Investment Schemes Control Act (CISCA). This includes things like Unit Trusts and Participation Bonds.

Here’s what you should know:

• Investments like Unit Trusts are usually medium to long-term and may go up or down in value.
• The Fedgroup Money Market Fund aims to keep a stable unit price, but other funds may fluctuate.
• Past returns are not a guarantee of future performance.
• Currency movements can impact values if international assets are involved.
• We don’t promise guaranteed returns or capital protection.
• You should understand the risks before investing. If you’re unsure, speak to a licensed financial advisor.
• A schedule of fees, charges, and commissions is available at no cost, just ask us.

Participation Bonds

Our participation bonds give you exposure to a fund that lends money, secured by first mortgage bonds, on commercial and industrial properties in South Africa. Loans are capped at 75% of the property value, with the remaining 25% held as security. All loans are registered in the name of an independent nominee. Any conflicts of interest are managed according to our official policies.

Financial services provider licenses

Fedgroup’s licensed financial services provider entities operate under the Financial Advisory and Intermediary Services Act (FAIS). These include:

• Fedgroup Financial Services (Pty) Ltd
• Fedgroup Asset Management (Pty) Ltd
• Fedgroup Life Ltd
• Fedgroup Trust Administrators (Pty) Ltd

Each one is regulated by the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA). Copies of our licenses are available on request, and details can also be found on the FSCA’s website.

Unless specifically agreed in writing, Fedgroup does not provide financial advice. Any information on our app or website is general and not tailored to your personal situation.

Complaints and compliance

We follow a formal complaints resolution process that meets FAIS requirements. If you have a complaint, you can contact our Compliance team directly. You’ll find our contact details and policies on our website or at any Fedgroup branch.

We also hold all required professional cover, including:

• Professional Indemnity Insurance
• Fidelity Insurance
• Directors’ and Officers’ Liability Cover

We manage conflicts of interest through a dedicated policy that is readily available on our website. 

Fedgroup respects your privacy. We collect and process personal information only as needed to offer you our services and meet legal requirements. This includes your name, contact details, ID number, date of birth, and any other information you give us when using our services or app.

We use this information to:

• Verify your identity
• Provide accurate products or services
• Communicate with you
• Improve our services through analytics and customer support
• Fulfil legal and regulatory obligations

We do not sell your personal information. We only share it with trusted partners when needed to provide services you’ve requested and, even then, only under strict privacy terms.

Your data is protected by:

• The Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA)
• The Electronic Communications and Transactions Act (ECTA)
• Security safeguards built into our systems

You can ask to access or update your personal information, and you have the right to dispute anything you believe is incorrect.

App privacy (what we collect)

If you use the Fedgroup App, we may collect certain personal data including:

• Name, contact details, and RSA ID
• Address
• Customer support data
• User ID or account number

We collect this for customer service, technical support, analytics, marketing (only where permitted), and improving the app’s functionality. We use secure systems to store this data and only keep it as long as necessary. You can let us know if you no longer wish to be contacted, and we will respect that request - within legal limits.

Disclosures and legal requirements

We may share your data when:

• Required by law or regulation
• Requested by a financial sector regulator
• Needed to protect our rights or comply with legal processes
• You’ve given us clear permission
• Fedgroup undergoes a change in ownership or structure

We never use your personal data for unrelated marketing without your consent. 

We reserve the right to update or modify this Privacy and Legal Notice at any time to reflect changes in legislation, regulatory requirements, or our internal practices. Any changes will take effect immediately upon publication of the updated notice on our website, as indicated by the revised “Last updated” date at the top of the document.

While we may, in our sole discretion, choose to notify you of material changes, we do not undertake any obligation to do so unless specifically required by applicable law.  

Where changes materially affect your rights or the way we process your personal information, and notification is required by the Protection of Personal Information Act, 2013 (POPIA), we will take reasonable steps to bring such changes to your attention.

You are responsible for reviewing this notice periodically to remain informed of how we process your personal information. Your continued use of our services following any update constitutes your acceptance of the revised terms. The version of this notice published on our website will be the one that applies to our relationship with you.