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Page last updated: 07 September 2021

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 [email protected] 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 1 of 3

  1. 6 December 2021

    FMA COVID-19 Vaccination Protocol

    To help us minimise the risk of COVID-19 being transmitted at work, we have introduced a protocol which requires anyone working in or visiting any FMA office (or attending any events we host on or off-site) to be fully vaccinated against COVID 19. This policy will come into effect on Monday 6 December.

  3. 9 September 2021

    ‘No action’ relief as a result of COVID-19

    COVID-19 is having a significant impact on many market participants. We recognise that this may lead to practical difficulties which affect their ability to meet their regulatory obligations. Where a market participant breaches, or expects to breach, a regulatory obligation as a result of the COVID-19 circumstances and seeks relief from the FMA, the primary approach we intend to take is ‘no-action’.

  6. 25 August 2021

    Extension of Submission Deadline: Annual AML/CFT Reports 2021

    Annual AML/CFT 2021 reports – deadline extension. Due the current Alert Level 4, reporting entities might not be able to access required information to complete their Annual AML/CFT Report by 31 August 2021. The AML/CFT Supervisors have therefore agreed to change the submission deadline for this year to the 30th of September 2021.

  7. 24 August 2021

    Thinking of making a KiwiSaver hardship withdrawal? Here’s what you need to know

    If you’ve lost income due to COVID-19 you’ll understandably be feeling financially stressed. You may be considering a KiwiSaver significant financial hardship withdrawal as a short term solution. The trouble is, this kind of short term relief can have an irreversible long-term impact on your retirement fund. Gillian Boyes, Manager of Investor Capability at the Financial Markets Authority has rounded up the key things you need to know.

  9. 11 June 2021

    Temporary extension for certain reporting deadlines

    The FMA is providing temporary relief to eligible entities a one-month extension to file their audited financial statements and comply with certain related reporting deadlines. The relief is available for eligible entities with balance dates between 31 March 2021 and 31 December 2021. Some conditions apply.

  10. 1 October 2020

    Updated Timetable of Regulatory Initiatives

    In April 2020, the Council of Financial Regulators published a table of deferred regulatory initiatives due to COVID-19. This has now been updated to guide financial services businesses on future initiatives.

  11. 9 September 2020

    COVID-19 response insights

    This information sheet will help financial services entities to understand the FMA’s approach to the COVID-19 pandemic, and consider ways to improve their own response as the crisis continues.

  12. 25 August 2020

    Exemption: Banks and NBDTs August 2020

    24 August: The RBNZ and FMA have received an exemption for registered banks and licensed non-bank deposit takers (NBDTs) to carry out critical financial services at Alert Level 3.

  13. 27 July 2020

    FAQs about our immediate priorities during the COVID-19 response and recovery

    It's not yet known how long the pandemic will continue to impact New Zealand’s financial sector. Work on our medium-term strategic priorities is ongoing, but we recognise COVID-19 poses immediate challenges and could seriously undermine consumer confidence and damage the wider sector. We will also continue to progress the medium-term strategic activities that support our statutory objective of fair, efficient and transparent financial markets.The immediate priorities in this FAQ document relate to the foreseeable three to six month timeframe. However, we also plan to publish a corporate plan later this year outlining our key areas of focus and work programme, once there is greater certainty on the impact of COVID-19 on the financial sector. Read our FAQs here.

  14. 27 July 2020

    Our immediate priorities during the COVID-19 response and recovery

    This information sheet outlines the FMA’s immediate priorities as New Zealand continues to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, showing how we will support that response and recovery, while also ensuring financial service providers support their customers and investors.
  15. Conduct
    Business

    2 June 2020

    Customer vulnerability – our expectations for providers

    This information sheet explains the FMA’s expectations for financial services firms to prioritise a review of customer vulnerability practices in light of the COVID-19 crisis, focusing on areas we consider immediate priorities.