Ombud Council

Today the importance of the financial ombud system was a key part of the financial wellness exhibition for teachers at the SADTU regional World Teachers’ Day celebration in Sekhukhune, Limpopo with the FAISOmbud. Valuable financial education resources were also shared with teachers.

Teachers were empowered through the awareness of their financial rights, fairness, and access to FREE and effective dispute resolution to have the confidence knowing that the financial ombud system is available, should they have an unresolved dispute with a financial institution.

Supporting those who educate and inspire others also means supporting their financial wellbeing.

Today, 8 October is , and October is and we’re highlighting the role of financial ombuds in helping financial customers access fair and independent dispute resolution, without needing lawyers.

What happens when a financial complaint remains unresolved?
That’s where an ombud can make a difference.

But here’s the important part: South Africa’s financial ombud system has different schemes that deal with different areas of the financial sector; the FAISOmbud for complaints related to financial advice and intermediary services, OPFA SA for complaints related to pension and retirement funds, National Financial Ombud Scheme South Africa - NFO for complaints about banking, credit, life and non-life insurance and the JSE Ombud for complaints under the The JSE Group Market Rules.

So, when things go wrong with a financial product or service, knowing where to turn can be the first step towards getting a complaint resolved.

What can a financial customer do when they feel unfairly treated by a financial institution?

Find out in our latest SASL video and help spread the message about financial rights and the financial ombud system overseen by the Ombud Council.

Watch and share. 🤟

https://youtu.be/5VOLMvYccfQ

South African National Deaf Association - SANDA National Institute for the Deaf - Worcester, South Africa

SASL |Unfairly Treated by a Financial Institution? Complain to an Ombud |South African Sign Language Unfairly Treated by a Financial Institution? Know Where to Complain...

For people with disabilities including, but not limited to, visual, hearing, mobility or cognitive disabilities that affect how they access financial products and services, participating in the financial system can involve barriers that others may not experience.

Our latest article explores meaningful financial inclusion for people with disabilities and access to fair treatment, and the right to financial redress:

https://www.ombudcouncil.org.za/2026/09/30/when-financial-services-are-not-accessible-knowing-your-rights-matters/

An inclusive financial sector recognises that financial customers have different needs and different experiences when accessing and interacting with information and when communicating.

A fair financial system is one that leaves no one behind, including those living with disabilities. Know where to turn when unfairly treated by a financial institution.

OPFA SA FAISOmbud National Financial Ombud Scheme South Africa - NFO

South African National Deaf Association - SANDA National Council of and for Persons with Disabilities

For people living with disabilities, access to information in a way that they can understand and reach, plays a great role in fairness and inclusion.

That is why financial inclusion looks at the barriers faced by persons who are deaf, blind, have limited mobility or experience other forms of impairment in accessing information about knowing where to turn when a financial institution has treated them unfairly.

If a dispute remains unresolved, a financial ombud scheme can help with free, fair and independent dispute resolution.

FAISOmbud FAISOmbud National Financial Ombud Scheme South Africa - NFO and OPFA SA

South African National Deaf Association - SANDA National Council of and for Persons with Disabilities

True financial inclusion considers the unique barriers of persons with disabilities. It paves a way for access to information about financial rights and complaints processes, ensuring that persons who are deaf, blind, have limited mobility or experience other forms of impairment, know where to seek redress when things go wrong and these are the schemes to assist in resolving the dispute FAISOmbud, National Financial Ombud Scheme South Africa - NFO and OPFA SA

National Institute for the Deaf - Worcester, South Africa South African National Deaf Association - SANDA

Financial inclusion creates opportunities for persons with disabilities to have access to financial products, services and financial redress beyond the limits of barriers like mobility, hearing, and sight.

All financial customers, including people with disabilities, have the right to be fairly treated by their financial institutions. If not, they can approach a financial ombud scheme such as the OPFA SA, National Financial Ombud Scheme South Africa - NFO or the FAISOmbud to assist in resolving the dispute.

South African National Deaf Association - SANDA National Institute for the Deaf - Worcester, South Africa

Our cultures, languages, traditions and family histories are part of what makes each of us unique. Together, they shape the diverse community of financial customers that the financial ombud system serves.

Different cultures. Different stories. One proudly South African financial community. 🇿🇦

Happy Heritage Day.

Women’s Month and the MSWSA commemoration took us to Cape Town, where the Ombud Council joined the IFWLP Alumni Network for Canvas & Conversations with the young women of St. Michael’s Child and Youth Care Centre.

Alongside creativity and connection, we introduced the young women to the financial ombud system, helping them understand their rights and responsibilities as financial customers and where they can turn when things go wrong with their financial institutions.

Because financial empowerment is not only about managing money. It is also about knowing your rights, asking questions and knowing where to seek redress.
International Women's Forum South Africa