The deposit insurance scheme under the financial sector regulation Act 9 of 2017

Abstract

This study explores the features of South Africa’s recently adopted Explicit Deposit Insurance Scheme (EDIS). EDIS serves as a mechanism designed to enhance financial system stability during bank failures by instilling confidence in depositors regarding the recovery of their insured funds, thereby reducing the likelihood of a bank run. EDIS, initially pioneered by the United States in 1933, has become a global mechanism adopted by various countries. South Africa’s recent transition from implicit deposit insurance, characterised by a lack of rules governing coverage and compensation, to a rules-based EDIS is captured in the Financial Sector Regulation Act 9 of 2017 (as amended). This development aligns the country with international best practices, particularly the International Association of Deposit Insurer’s Core Principles for Effective Deposit Insurance Systems (Core Principles). This study benchmarks South Africa’s EDIS against these Core Principles to assess its alignment with international standards and identify any potential shortcomings. Additionally, the study examines the deposit insurance systems in the United States and Kenya to extract valuable lessons for South Africa, considering the extensive experience of these jurisdictions in managing such systems.