Rob Everett: The year ahead

While most people are spending January trying to forget the “unprecedented” nature of 2020, FMA chief executive Rob Everett used his first speech of the year to look back at what lessons the financial community can take into 2021.

Speaking at the FSC Outlook 2021 breakfast event, Everett said that while the pandemic forced everyone to rethink how they manage risks and remain resilient, one thing that remained constant at the FMA was “conduct, culture and a relentless focus on the needs of customers and investors”.

Key areas that Everett said the FMA would focus on included: volatile markets, market conduct, the regulatory perimeter and of course, the upcoming legislative reform.

Regarding volatile markets Everett said that: “KiwiSaver and the rapid rise of online retail investing platforms mean investing is becoming truly mainstream.