2026 FIC Risk & Compliance Return
Important Regulatory Notice for Accountable Institutions
The Financial Intelligence Centre (“FIC”) has issued Directive 11 of 2026, requiring certain accountable institutions to submit a new Risk & Compliance Return (“RCR”).
This is more than a routine filing exercise. The RCR requires institutions to demonstrate how they identify, assess and manage money laundering, terrorist financing and proliferation financing risks within their business.
Who Must Submit?
30 June 2026
- Property Practitioners
- Trust Service Providers
- Company Service Providers
- Credit Providers
- Casinos
- Crypto Asset Service Providers
- South African Postbank
- South African Mint Company
31 July 2026
- Attorneys & Legal Practices
- Non-Casino Gambling Institutions
- High Value Goods Dealers
- Precious Metal Dealers
- Precious Stone Dealers
- Krugerrand Dealers
What Will The FIC Be Assessing?
- Risk Management & Compliance Programme (RMCP)
- Business-wide Risk Assessments
- Customer Due Diligence Controls
- Beneficial Ownership Verification
- Politically Exposed Person (PEP) Controls
- Sanctions Screening Measures
- Suspicious Transaction Reporting Procedures
- Record Keeping Practices
- AML/CFT/CPF Training Records
- Governance and Compliance Oversight Structures
Why Businesses Should Act Now
The 2026 RCR covers a three-year reporting period and requires institutions to provide detailed compliance information.
Many institutions discover during preparation that their RMCP, risk assessments, training records, due diligence procedures or compliance controls are outdated, incomplete or insufficiently documented.
These issues are significantly easier to address before submission than after a regulatory review or inspection has commenced.
Watson Law RCR Readiness Review
We assist accountable institutions with:
- RMCP Reviews and Updates
- AML/CFT/CPF Gap Analyses
- Enterprise-Wide Risk Assessments
- Customer Due Diligence Reviews
- Beneficial Ownership Reviews
- PEP & Sanctions Screening Assessments
- Compliance Training Support
- RCR Preparation Assistance
Book an RCR Readiness Review
If your business may be affected by Directive 11 of 2026, contact Watson Law to discuss your compliance readiness and prepare for your 2026 Risk & Compliance Return submission.
Email Watson Law Book an RCR Consultation📱 WhatsApp: +27 84 898 2455
☎ Telephone: 012 804 0748
🌐 Website: www.watsonlaw.co.za