Mandatory Disclosure of Quanta of Commissions Paid or Earned to Promote Better Transparency in Financial Services Sector

4 Mr Murali Pillai asked the Prime Minister whether the Monetary Authority of Singapore is minded to direct the mandatory disclosure of the quanta of commissions paid or earned by regulated financial institutions, financial advisers and introducers for the procurement of business or custom from the clients of the financial institutions and financial advisers, even in the absence of requests for the same information, to promote better transparency.

Mr Lawrence Wong (for the Prime Minister): It is mandatory for financial institutions, such as licensed financial advisers, banks and insurers who provide financial advisory services, collectively, "financial advisers", to disclose to customers, at the point of sale, the commissions and distribution costs associated with the sales of investment products and life insurance policies respectively.

In the case of introducers, it is also mandatory to state whether they are being remunerated by financial advisers. If asked, they must also disclose the remuneration amount. The Monetary Authority of Singapore is working with the Attorney-General's Chambers to effect legislative amendments to require introducers to disclose the remuneration amount without being asked.