FirstRand Bank employee debarred for accessing ex-boyfriend's account over 400 times without permission

A former FirstRand Bank employee has been debarred from working in the financial sector after she accessed her ex-boyfriend's account without authorisation.

The woman is further accused of accessing her family members' accounts. All accounts were allegedly accessed at least 417 times without authorisation.

The bank debarred her after they had established that she no longer met the requirements of a fit and proper person to work in the financial services industry. It was found that she had conducted herself in a way which lacked honesty, integrity and good standing.

While she admitted to accessing the accounts, she argued that the access was not for private purposes, but it was done with the client's authorisation.

In an effort to overturn the decision, the woman sought relief at the Financial Services Tribunal (FST) where she admitted that she accessed accounts but argued that it was not for private purpose and it was done with the client's authorisation.

She did not challenge the facts that she accessed the accounts, but she argued that the 417 access points identified are incorrect, as they constitute multiple instances of the same conduct.

However, the FST said that the exact number was irrelevant. Furthermore, her arguments were found to be improbable, and it was not accepted that her former partner had authorised her to access his account.

"Having reviewed the explanations by the applicant (the woman) in this application, and the submission that the client had authorised the access to his account. It appears that debarment on the basis of a lack of honesty and integrity must stand. The versions proffered by the applicant are improbable," said the FST.

The FST said the woman's conduct violated multiple Financial Advisory and Intermediary Services Act (FAIS) regulations and the employer's internal policies, indicating a lack of integrity. 

In addition, the FST said it found no grounds to interfere with FirstRand Bank's decision.

Consequently, her application was dismissed.

sinenhlanhla.masilela@iol.co.za

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