Published June 07, 2017 | View complete press releases list |
Date: June 07, 2017
Categories: riskregulation, technology
Keywords: MAS, Digital Advisory
The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) released a consultation paper on proposals to facilitate the provision of digital advisory services (also known as robo‐advisory services) in Singapore. The proposals seek to support innovation in financial services by recognising the unique characteristics of digital platforms.
Financial institutions currently regulated under the Securities and Futures Act (SFA) and the Financial Advisers Act (FAA) can already provide digital advisory services, and some have started to do so2. More recently, MAS has also received indications of interest from new entities intending to offer digital advisory services to retail investors.
The availability of digital advisory services will widen investor choice to low‐cost investment advice. To make it easier for entities offering digital advisory services to operate in Singapore, MAS intends to refine the licensing and business conduct requirements.
First, digital advisers that operate as fund managers under the SFA will be allowed to offer their services to retail investors even if they do not meet the track record requirement, provided they meet certain safeguards. These safeguards include: offering diversified portfolios of non‐complex assets;
- having key managementstaff with relevant collective experience in fund management and technology; and
- undertaking an independent audit of the digital advisory business within one year of operations.
Second, digital advisers that operate as financial advisers under the FAA will be allowed to assist their clientsto execute theirinvestment transactions(e.g. passing their trade orders to brokerage firms) and re‐balance their clients’ investment portfolios in collective investment schemes without the need for an additional licence under the SFA. This licensing exemption will also be made available to non‐digital advisers.
Third, digital advisers can seek exemption from the FAA requirement to collect the full suite of information on the financial circumstances of a client, such as income level and financial commitments, if they can satisfactorily mitigate the risks of providing inadequate advice based on limited client information.
While facilitating new business models, MAS will require providers of digital advisory services to manage the new technology risks associated with these activities. Unlike conventional financial advisory services, the delivery of digital advisory services relies on the use of algorithms and online tools to analyse client data and recommend investment portfolios. As digital advisory tools may be susceptible to technology risks such as erroneous algorithms and cyber threats, MAS has set out expectations on the governance and management oversight to be adopted by digital advisers, including the need to put in place a robust framework governing the design, monitoring and testing of algorithms. This includes having adequate board and senior management oversight and compliance arrangements to monitor the quality of advice provided.
The public consultation will end on 7 July 2017.
Re-disseminated by The Asian Banker
The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) released a consultation paper on proposals to facilitate the provision of digital advisory services (also known as robo‐advisory services) in Singapore. The proposals seek to support innovation in financial services by recognising the unique characteristics of digital platforms.
Financial institutions currently regulated under the Securities and Futures Act (SFA) and the Financial Advisers Act (FAA) can already provide digital advisory services, and some have started to do so2. More recently, MAS has also received indications of interest from new entities intending to offer digital advisory services to retail investors.
The availability of digital advisory services will widen investor choice to low‐cost investment advice. To make it easier for entities offering digital advisory services to operate in Singapore, MAS intends to refine the licensing and business conduct requirements.
First, digital advisers that operate as fund managers under the SFA will be allowed to offer their services to retail investors even if they do not meet the track record requirement, provided they meet certain safeguards. These safeguards include: offering diversified portfolios of non‐complex assets;
- having key managementstaff with relevant collective experience in fund management and technology; and
- undertaking an independent audit of the digital advisory business within one year of operations.
Second, digital advisers that operate as financial advisers under the FAA will be allowed to assist their clientsto execute theirinvestment transactions(e.g. passing their trade orders to brokerage firms) and re‐balance their clients’ investment portfolios in collective investment schemes without the need for an additional licence under the SFA. This licensing exemption will also be made available to non‐digital advisers.
Third, digital advisers can seek exemption from the FAA requirement to collect the full suite of information on the financial circumstances of a client, such as income level and financial commitments, if they can satisfactorily mitigate the risks of providing inadequate advice based on limited client information.
While facilitating new business models, MAS will require providers of digital advisory services to manage the new technology risks associated with these activities. Unlike conventional financial advisory services, the delivery of digital advisory services relies on the use of algorithms and online tools to analyse client data and recommend investment portfolios. As digital advisory tools may be susceptible to technology risks such as erroneous algorithms and cyber threats, MAS has set out expectations on the governance and management oversight to be adopted by digital advisers, including the need to put in place a robust framework governing the design, monitoring and testing of algorithms. This includes having adequate board and senior management oversight and compliance arrangements to monitor the quality of advice provided.
The public consultation will end on 7 July 2017.
Re-disseminated by The Asian Banker
