BNM Launches Financial Markets Ombudsman Service (FMOS)

Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) and the Securities Commission Malaysia (SC) have just launched the Financial Markets Ombudsman Service (FMOS).

FMOS acts as a centralised dispute resolution centre for consumers and investors nationwide and is available immediately.

OFS and SIDREC merged into FMOS

FMOS was born from a merger between the Ombudsman for Financial Services (OFS) and the Securities Industry Dispute Resolution Center (SIDREC).

With joint oversight from both BNM and the SC, FMOS can help to safeguard the interests of consumers and investors while closely aligning with regulatory standards.

Offers an alternative to the judicial systems

In essence, FMOS acts as an alternative to the judicial systems, providing independent and impartial mediation and adjudication services. It offers streamlined and consistent dispute resolution services to enable quicker and transparent resolutions for consumers and investors.

“This initiative not only strengthens consumer confidence but also reinforces the integrity and accountability of financial and capital market service providers, ultimately contributing to a more robust and trusted ecosystem,” said Bank Negara Malaysia Governor Dato’ Seri Abdul Rasheed Ghaffour.

“FMOS simplifies the resolution process for financial consumers and investors by providing a trusted one-stop platform. This is especially important as the lines between financial and capital markets blur. FMOS also promotes consistent standards and decisions, strengthening trust in the system,” added Securities Commission Malaysia Chairman Dato’ Mohammad Faiz Azmi.

Recognising the increased trend of the average value of financial transactions by consumers, BNM has streamlined the monetary limit for eligible disputes involving financial accounts or transactions to RM250,000. This limit broadens the scope of protection, ensuring that more consumers can access free dispute resolution services.

This is consistent with the existing eligible monetary limit for disputes involving investment accounts and transactions offered by capital market service providers regulated by the SC. The change aligns with FMOS’s commitment to adapt to the evolving financial landscape, where transactions or account values may be higher.