Is Standard Bank Online Trading regulated by the FSCA?

What the FSCA licence means

Based on our licence database, Standard Bank Online Trading holds a licence from the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA), the financial regulator for South Africa. We classify the FSCA as tier 2 — strong regulation. Credible regulators with real rulebooks, but fewer safeguards than tier 1 (e.g. no compensation scheme or looser leverage rules).

For Standard Bank Online Trading clients whose account is held by its FSCA-regulated entity, the key protections are: compensation — No compensation scheme; FAIS Ombud handles complaints; retail leverage — No statutory retail leverage cap; negative balance protection — not a regulatory requirement (may be offered contractually); client money — Client funds must be kept in separate trust/client accounts. Disputes can be taken to FAIS Ombud.

Protection at a glance

Regulator tier

Tier 2 — Strong regulation

Compensation scheme

No compensation scheme; FAIS Ombud handles complaints

Retail leverage

No statutory retail leverage cap

Negative balance protection

Not a regulatory requirement

Client money

Client funds must be kept in separate trust/client accounts

Complaints

FAIS Ombud

How to verify this licence

1. Open Standard Bank Online Trading's client agreement or website footer and note the exact company name and FSCA licence number.
2. Search that name or number on the official FSCA register. Check the status is current, not cancelled or suspended.
3. Confirm the website domain you're using (securities.standardbank.co.za) is the one listed on the register — clone firms copy genuine licence numbers.
4. Search the FSCA warnings page and IOSCO I-SCAN for the brand name.