The Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions is doing a good job overall, but there is room for improvement, according to a report published by the regulator today.

The report outlines the results of consultations with the pension industry. It found that while OSFI is viewed as effective in the overall discharge of its mandate, several areas for improvement were identified.

They include: improving timeliness in reacting to industry concerns about guidance, management reports and approvals processing; keeping plans better informed about the receipt and outcome of valuations, and providing more open interaction during the approvals process; improving the ability to identify emerging trends and preparedness to deal with pension plan issues of the future; and providing more open interaction during the approvals process to keep plans informed as to possible issues and timing.

OSFI says it appreciates the feedback that was provided in this consultation, and reports that it is in the process of developing action plans to address the key areas where improvement is required.

The report is based on a consultation initiated last summer by OSFI and carried out by the Strategic Counsel involving a confidential consultation with pension plan sponsors and their professional advisors to obtain their assessment of OSFI’s effectiveness as the primary regulator of federally administered pension plans. OSFI does not know what specific organizations said about it, nor does it have access to interview notes.

Other key findings from the consultation are: OSFI is viewed as being effective in the discharge of its mandate through its monitoring of plans and willingness to intervene; sponsors and professionals generally hold positive impressions of OSFI pension staff; it receives strong positive ratings for its service timeliness in dealing with valuation reports and general inquiries; the PBSA Update and the OSFI website receive positive ratings.

Consultation will be performed periodically to monitor OSFI’s overall effectiveness.