Financial Services Tribunal
1Min
South Africa
Nov 17, 2025
A former FirstRand employee has been permanently barred from the financial services sector after she accessed her ex-boyfriend’s account — and that of his family — without permission, making over 400 unauthorised entries, a tribunal found.
A former FirstRand Bank employee has been debarred from the financial services industry after she was found to have accessed her ex-boyfriend’s bank account, and accounts belonging to his family, without authorisation — at least 417 times.
During a hearing, she admitted she had logged into the accounts but claimed she had verbal permission. She also argued that her actions had not been for personal gain. The Financial Services Tribunal (FST) rejected her explanation, calling her story unlikely and noting there was no documented authorisation.
The tribunal ruled her conduct violated multiple sections of the Financial Advisory and Intermediary Services (FAIS) Act. Her repeated unauthorised access demonstrated a lack of honesty, integrity, and good standing — foundational requirements for working in finance.
FirstRand had already debarred her on disciplinary grounds, and her appeal was dismissed by the FST, which supported the bank’s decision and confirmed she was unfit for service in the financial sector.
