Formal cases reported to the Ombudsman for Banking Services (OBS) increased by 12% to 8 521and referrals (now called premature complaints) increased by 11% to 13 373.
This information is contained in the 2023 Annual Report for the Ombudsman for Banking Services (OBS).
The report was released by former Banking Ombudsman Reana Steyn. Steyn, who started her journey with the OBS in 2017 as the first woman to hold the position of Banking Ombudsman in the organisation, was recently appointed as the first head of the newly formed National Financial Ombud Scheme South Africa (NFO).
In the year under review, one of our top priorities has been the amalgamation of the four voluntary schemes ourselves, the Long-term Insurance Ombudsman, Credit Ombud and Short-term Insurance Ombudsman into a single new entity, said Steyn.
The important work of the Banking Ombudsman in helping to maintain the health of South Africas banking system continues to be our driving force.