Liberty Corporate Customer Update | February 2012
The euphoria of celebrating a brand new year has subsided; we've exchanged good wishes, pleasantries and perhaps committed ourselves to a set of new resolutions for 2012. I hope you and your loved ones had a good break, as did I. I look forward to approaching the challenges of 2012 with renewed determination and vigour. 2012 will certainly be a special year - one of those rare ones where we have an extra day in February! At Liberty Corporate we are certainly hopeful about many things. The Budget Speech is imminent and we're hoping that, as in the past years, Government will continue to offer tax rebates for retirement savings so as to encourage the culture of saving amongst South Africans. We have also been watching the regulatory space very closely. Our experts are intrinsically involved in industry conversations and we take all eventualities into account when crafting our business strategies and processes. Our commentary once again focuses on how any regulations promulgated in the industry should lead to a culture of retirement saving. Click here to read an article we put out in the media regarding retirement reform. There are also some key goals that we've set for ourselves in 2012, the most important of which is to continually provide our customers with excellent service. This is in line with international best practice and most recently, the Treating Customers Fairly (TCF) initiative which is being spearheaded by the Financial Services Board. We are determined to live this practice; not because it will make us look good but because for us, customers are truly at the centre of everything we do. In this regard we are looking inward, assessing ourselves and determining what we need to do to sustain a customer experience second to none. We want to make sure, amongst other things, that we're there when our customers need us; that we provide them with the appropriate products and services (priced and designed to meet their needs), that we ensure all claims are processed as agreed to with members, trustees and employers and that customers are provided with clear information at all times. Regulatory initiatives such as TCF are essential in our industry, but our customers will be the ultimate 'judges' of whether or not we rise to the task. In other news, fears about a looming global recession persist. This happens as consumers were starting to come out of the last economic downturn. In true "when the West sneezes, Africa catches cold" fashion, we're once again set for financial hard times. Our resilience will be tested once more and we'll need to stick to our resolve of securing our financial futures. As difficult as it is, we'll need to resist the urge to tap into our savings once we feel the pinch. Click here to view the 2012 economic outlook compiled by Standard Bank. So, I'm rolling my sleeves and getting down to business, may you do the same in the various aspects of your life. I wish you everything of the best for the year ahead! Until next time Seelan Gobalsamy Chief Executive, Liberty Corporate
	Let us know what you think What topics would you like to see covered in this newsletter? Send your suggestions to us at [email protected]. We look forward to hearing from you.