Standard Bank Blog

Iketsetse-Zenzele - Episode 10

Standard Bank Team — Thu, 16 May 2013 13:02:49 +0000

In this episode, Zak has bought a new bakkie, with a Standard Bank AccessLoan but it turns out his new business venture might come to a premature end.

Grace’s husband has let her down again, but with some help from TT and his beloved wife, he’s been given a second chance. Find out how he plans to change, help and improve in this episode.

Commemorating Africa Day 2013

Standard Bank Team — Mon, 13 May 2013 09:44:57 +0000

Africa-Day.gif

With 150 years’ business banking experience in Africa, Standard Bank Group will be joining in the Africa Day celebrations on 25 May to commemorate the founding of the Organization of African Unity (now known as the African Union) in 1963, which marked the unification of 54 African states.

The day aims to remind countries in Africa that they are not alone in dealing with problems such as poverty, natural disasters, extreme weather and armed conflict in Africa and deserve their independence, rights and welfare.

Standard Bank Group has built an intrinsic understanding of what it means to do business on the continent, demonstrating our understanding of unique local conditions, cultures and market drivers in the 18 African countries in which we operate. This has underpinned our success in Africa and other emerging markets.

Africa Day is not only celebrated on our continent, but also in Asian, Europe and the Americas. Festival usually take place over three to seven days, with many attractions including bazaars, traditional African performances, fashion shows presenting African traditional clothes and speeches concerning the situation in African states.

Celebrate Africa Day 2013 with us in a way that best captures this impassioned spirit: through images that show the vibrancy of this beautiful continent.

Upload your snapshots depicting the colourful life, crafts, land and industry of Africa to Pinterest, Instagram, Facebook or Twitter.

Read all about how you can be part of it: http://www.blog.standardbank.com/blog/2013/05/celebrating-vibrancy-africa.

Celebrating the vibrancy of Africa

Standard Bank Team — Mon, 13 May 2013 08:40:42 +0000

We dance, even when we protest. We sing, even when we are sad. We use beads on our clothes, in our hair and to make life-sized flamingos. And we embraced colourful prints long before they sashayed down fashion runways.

On 25 May it is the 50th year of Africa Day and Africa unity. Africa Day offers everyone the chance to celebrate the diversity of Africa.

Celebrate Africa Day 2013 with us in a way that best captures this impassioned spirit: through snapping your pics of Africa. .

Throughout May, Standard Bank Group is looking to share this spirit through the vibrant colours of our beautiful continent.

Come on, be part of it by uploading your snapshots depicting the colourful life, crafts, land and industry of Africa to Pinterest, Instagram, Facebook or Twitter.

Share your images of Africa using the hashtag: #SBmovingforward.

If you’re posting to your Facebook page, you’ll need to also tag one of our pages:
• Standard Bank Group: www.facebook.com/standardbankgrp
• Standard Bank South Africa: www.facebook.com/StandardBankSA
• Standard Bank Namibia: www.facebook.com/pages/Standard-Bank-Namibia
• Stanbic IBTC (Nigeria): www.facebook.com/StanbicIBTC
• Stanbic IBTC (Tanzania): https://www.facebook.com/stanbicbanktanzania

Then, visit our http://pinterest.com/standardbank and watch your photo become part of an image of Africa.

Share this with your friends - it’s the Africa way. #SBmovingforward.

Read more about Africa Day here: http://blog.standardbank.com/blog/2013/05/commemorating-africa-day-2013.

Going the lease route with your new car

Russel Smit — Fri, 10 May 2013 10:57:52 +0000

Most South Africans are still opting for the traditional instalment sale agreement to finance their new cars but some are considering alternatives like rental and leasing. Both options allow for an agreement of up to five years but leasing, in particular, is gaining popularity since it offers greater peace-of-mind and ease of use.

You're probably well aware that a car is a depreciating asset but, by leasing, you are able to shift the risk of owning your car, its residual value and its eventual sale across to a bank. Instead of owning your car and assuming full responsibility for the cost of buying, running, maintaining and selling it, the leasing option offers you a simple “one-stop shop” process. This is what is driving some car owners to re-evaluate the traditional instalment sale agreement.

Leasing offers several options for acquiring your car, including full maintenance leasing, with substantial operating benefits, but the risks transferred from the individual to the bank. Managing fuel costs and maintenance becomes so much easier and you can drive your car, hassle-free until your lease expires or its service life has ended.

The cost of operating your vehicle becomes easier to manage as they are linked to the ruling interest rate for the duration of your lease agreement. It also eliminates the unexpected financial surprises that can arise from major, unplanned mechanical repair bills.

Cars on lease undergo regular servicing and maintenance, ensuring that they remain reliable mechanically for the duration of the lease. It is not uncommon for car owners to miss maintenance intervals due to forgetfulness or to attempt to reduce their maintenance costs. Inevitably, this saving is short-lived as, in the longer term, the reliability of your car can be compromised and end up costing you more to fix.

We also offer you a sale and lease-back agreement where you can switch from ownership to leasing, if your car has done fewer than 30 000km and is less than 12 months old. Options such as roadside assistance, accident management and driver training may also be selected to offer you further peace of mind and ease of use.

For more on Standard Bank’s vehicle and asset facilities, visit www.standardbank.co.za/vaf.

Image credit: 36clicks / 123RF Stock Photo

It’s easier to learn when you are entertained

Standard Bank Team — Thu, 09 May 2013 15:32:45 +0000

For those of you who remember huddling around the radio and waiting to hear what the next twist in the tale will be, radio dramas are back.

Radio dramas have been around since the 1940s and are a rich part of South Africa’s history. Who said they have to be a thing of the past? Let us capture your imagination and tug at your emotions.

Standard Bank is sponsoring our very own Radio Drama: Iketsetse-Zenzele. Here you will meet all the characters and learn about their lives, challenges and money troubles. They will share their everyday lives and tell you their stories of how you too can change the way you manage your money with Standard Bank’s AccessBanking.

Follow our 32 episodes of the Iketsetse-Zenzele series in your preferred African language on one of these stations:

SABC Stations
• Ukhozi FM
• Umhlobo Wenene FM
• Thobela FM
• Lesedi FM
• Motsweding FM

Community Stations
• Alfred Nzo
• Jozi FM
• Radio Sekgosese
• MotheoFM
• Izwe Lomzansi
• e Malahleni

Listen to one of these radio stations every Thursday between 4 – 6 pm, answer the question you will hear at the end of the episode and you could win.

Sustainability shining through

Standard Bank Team — Mon, 06 May 2013 14:30:38 +0000

Standard Bank Group has once again been shortlisted for the FT/IFC Sustainable Finance Awards 2013.

These leading global awards are now in their eighth year and are the benchmark for financial institutions that have demonstrated dedicated and integrate environmental, social and corporate governance considerations into their operations. The awards are presented by Financial Times and IFC, a member of the World Bank Group (see www.ft-live.com/sustainablefinance).

At Standard Bank Group, we know that every choice we make has an impact, be it environmental, social or and economical. So we weigh the consequences of every business decision we make and look for opportunities that benefit our employees, customers and the communities we work with and in.

Embedding sustainability thinking and sustainable business practices at every level of business is paying dividends for both Standard Bank Group and our markets.

Our 2012 Sustainability Report demonstrates this:

· Prevented fraud to the value of R1.1-billion
· Created R60-billion in wealth
· Banked more than 661 000 small to medium enterprises across Africa
· Enabled Standard Bank South Africa to spend R125-million in corporate social investment
· Increased Standard Bank South Africa's Inclusive Banking customers to 6.2 million (2011: 5.4 million)
· Increased the number of women managers to 47% (2011: 46%)
· Increased training spend from R484-million in 2011 to R609-million in 2012
· Increased black representation at senior management level from 35% to 37%
· More than doubled the number of participants in leadership development programmes from 1 101 in 2011 to 2 498 in 2012
· Committed R9.4-billion to renewable energy projects in South Africa
· Enabled financing of 16 Equator Principle projects (2011: nine)
· Abated 19 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions through carbon financing.

Standard Bank Group's sustainability report provides evidence of how our strategy and our sustainability programmes are mutually reinforcing. View our 2012 Sustainability Report at www.standardbank.com/sustainability.

Technology is taking pressure off fleet managers

Standard Bank Team — Fri, 03 May 2013 09:22:54 +0000

It takes a cool head to manage a fleet of vehicles, especially when it comes to reducing the risks and costs involved. With more than 700 000 fleet cards in circulation in South Africa, the local fleet management industry is turning to technology to help them better control risk for their customers.

Dr David Molapo, head of Standard Bank South Africa’s fleet management offering, explains that the application of technology is increasingly placing control of vital elements of a fleet’s operations in the hands of their customers' fleet managers and controllers.

“The evolution of technology in the industry means that fleet managers can access customised, in-depth information on a regular, and in certain instances, real-time basis, via online platforms. These include daily, weekly, and monthly reports on fuel cost data, and the ability to use predictive modelling for the outcome of variances to their own fleet and operational data.

“This allows for an accurate comparison of a fleet’s performance against set parameters, or even against national averages for fuel consumption and efficiencies.

“These reporting tools can also allow a manager to see if business rules are being transgressed by drivers. Standard Bank South Africa has seen significant success with its transaction authorisation tool, which declines transactions at point of sale if they are outside pre-set parameters.

“Our statistics show that only a small percentage of these declined transactions are due to actual fraud. The remainder is due to the improper use of fleet cards, which would have in most cases gone unnoticed by fleet managers, and resulted in leakages of revenue.

“With the increased focus globally on carbon emissions – and the increasing need to factor carbon taxes into costs – solutions are already being developed by the industry to address this new reporting need.

“Standard Bank is able to provide a unique carbon footprint analysis for a fleet. Not only will it assist with corporate reporting requirements as they evolve, it also helps to identify vehicles or divisions within a company that cause increased carbon emissions. Appropriate solutions can then be developed.”

“The test of a fleet that is well managed is that it assists in delivering compelling results. This is only possible when appropriate management tools are used.”

For more about Standard Bank South Africa’s fleet management services, visit www.standardbank.co.za/vaf and the “green” fleet solution at www.standardbank.co.za/eco2fleet.

The Pull of a Prince

Standard Bank Team — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 13:59:40 +0000

Out and about on the streets of Jozi, blog writer, Kagiso Mnisi sheds some light on the fascinating work of artist Prince Twala, otherwise known as "The Prince of Newtown" who frequents the area.

Joburg is a tempestuous seductress and very few who have flirted with her come out unscathed. Among those who have had brushes with the tempest and still survived is Prince Twala. Prince Twala is known in the city's art scene by aliases such as Mthakathi and Prince of Newtown, he is a jewellery designer who makes pieces out of forks, knives and spoons.

Prince has spent more than twenty years as Newtown's most recognised figure. He is familiar to culture enthusiasts hanging out at the precinct's park, as well as the bespectacled and scarf wearing types at the helm of arts administration. His irreverence has over the years left him with the abilities of a pied piper that can lure anyone, anywhere. Twala had his first solo exhibition in early 2012 supported by the National Arts Council at Unity Gallery, where he launched his street and luxury ranges of jewellery.

Mthakathi is also a bass guitar player for the band Studio Waste, his musicianship can be easily traced by way of lineage since his late father, Jika Twala, also played guitar for the 60s marabi band, Flaming Souls. In his early years as a busker, Prince struck a friendship with a younger Selaelo Selota, whom both used to tend the bar at the now defunct Kippies. The two would steal glimpses of acts such as Barney Rachabane and Hugh Masekela whilst on stage at the Jazz club as a way of self-educating themselves.

Prince continues to make jewelry and is steadfast in eluding the mould of celebrity. That is his vice when in flirtatious encounters with the tempest that is the inner city.

Prince of Newtown can be found in and around Newtown precinct. Ask for him by name.

More and more new cars take to the road

Standard Bank Team — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 12:41:36 +0000

With interest rates in South Africa at their lowest in 30 years, it’s not surprising that the number of new cars sold is still on the increase. But, that’s not to say that rising fuel prices, higher food prices and the general pressure on people’s pockets aren’t having an impact on the car market.

Figures coming out of Standard Bank South Africa’s vehicle finance area show that there was a 4.1% rise in new cars sold in the first three months of this year, compared to the same period in 2012. That’s 163 092 more!

That said, there is a change in what people are buying. Much smaller engine capacities and more efficient cars are currently the choice of in the market for a new car.

While smaller cars have remained below the R200 000 price mark, they boast the extras and safety standards of mid-range cars, along with the added bonus of having better fuel consumption.

It can be said that South Africans are spending more wisely with a long-term view to avoid rising fuel prices and turning towards environmentally-friendly transport by choosing cars that burn less fuel.

Do you agree with our conclusion?

For more on Standard Bank’s vehicle and asset facilities, visit www.standardbank.co.za/vaf.

Our Africa Footprint: infographic

Standard Bank Team — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 06:19:35 +0000

Our 2012 annual report to shareholders has just been published. Get a snapshot in this infographic available at http://pinterest.com/pin/474355773222036382.

In the report, Standard Bank Group Chairman Fred Phaswana has this to say: "Standard Bank’s 150-year heritage in South Africa and unique competitive position in the rest of Africa enables us to connect our customers to opportunities within Africa, between Africa and other selected emerging markets, as well as to pools of capital across the developed world.

"Underpinning our competitive advantages is the strategic relationship we have with Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, which connects us to one of the world’s fastest growth engines. Our core businesses are robust and we continue to position them for sustainable profitability in response to changing competitive and regulatory environments both locally and globally.

"Moving forward, our strategic priorities remain unaltered and we are pursuing a range of opportunities for future growth aligned to our positioning as a real economy bank.”

Iketsetse-Zenzele - Episode 7

Standard Bank Team — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 14:38:45 +0000

Who tried to run Sebe and Zak over and what do they want with Sebe?

Find out what Ma Angie and Grace decide to do to save money for their community.

AccessBanking, it's so simple, it just makes sense.

Iketsetse-Zenzele - Episode 6

Standard Bank Team — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 14:32:13 +0000

TT finally finds out why Sebe has been acting a little strange. She has boyfriend troubles and, he too, has money problems. But there seems to be more to the story.

It's revealed how Ma Angie managed to buy Lolo his new boots.

AccessBanking, it's so simple, it just makes sense.

Why World Malaria Day is vital

Standard Bank Team — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 09:47:02 +0000

On April 25, countries from around the globe will take part in an array of activities to mark World Malaria Day 2013. These activities will be aimed at boosting awareness of the effects of malaria and urging communities to roll back the spread of the mosquito-borne infectious disease, which causes fever, headaches and, in severe cases, can lead to coma or death.

The disease is widespread in tropical and subtropical regions in a broad band around the equator, including much of Sub-Saharan Africa, Asia and the Americas.

Fortunately, malaria can be controlled through antimalarial medications; preventing mosquito bites through the distribution of mosquito nets and insect repellents; and mosquito-control measures such as spraying insecticides and draining standing water.

In Africa, malaria deaths have been cut by one third within the last decade. Outside of Africa, 35 out of the 53 countries, affected by malaria, have reduced their cases by 50%. In countries where access to malaria control interventions has improved most significantly, overall child mortality rates have fallen by approximately 20%.

This year, the World Malaria Day campaign is looking to regroup, re-energise and look ahead to “Invest in the future: Defeat malaria”. Remarkable progress has been made and it is time to celebrate what the global development community has done thus far to combatting this disease.

Support United Against Malaria: 
- www.unitedagainstmalaria.org 
- www.facebook.com/unitedagainstmalaria 
- www.twitter.com/UAMalaria

Read more:
- Our community programmes (www.standardbank.com/sustainability)
- Malaria: one of the world’s biggest killers (www.blog.standardbank.com/blog/2013/04/malaria-one-world-s-biggest-killers)
- Invest in the future: defeat malaria (www.blog.standardbank.com/blog/2013/04/invest-future-defeat-malaria)

Malaria: one of the world’s biggest killers

Standard Bank Team — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 06:20:14 +0000

With more South Africans travelling into Africa, we need to be aware of the health risks. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), along with HIV/Aids and tuberculosis (TB), malaria is one of the biggest killers worldwide.

Of the estimated 660 000 malaria deaths each year, 90% occur in Africa, with 40% occurring in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Nigeria combined. Malaria is prevalent in 15 of the 17 African countries in which Standard Bank Group operates. Lesotho and Mauritius do not have malaria.

Non-immune travellers from malaria-free areas travelling to areas where malaria is endemic are more vulnerable to the disease when they are infected, making early diagnosis and treatment essential to prevention of death and further transmission. The three most effective preventative measures for those at-risk are insecticide-treated mosquito nets, indoor spraying with residual insecticides and antimalarial medicines.

Beyond the immediate effects of the disease, malaria has far-reaching socioeconomic consequences and is commonly associated with poverty. Poverty can increase the risk of malaria, since those in poverty do not have the financial means to prevent or treat the disease, but there is some evidence suggesting that it causes poverty and can be a major hindrance to economic development.

In its entirety, the economic impact of malaria has been estimated to cost Africa US$12-billion every year, including healthcare costs, work days lost due to sickness, days lost in education, decreased productivity due to brain damage from cerebral malaria and loss of investment and tourism.

The disease is a heavy burden in some countries, where it may be responsible for 30 to 50% of hospital admissions, up to 50% of outpatient visits and account for up to 40% of public health spending. However, it is hoped that the roll back malaria campaign “Invest in the future: Defeat malaria” will help strengthen the political will across the continent and will contribute to increasing the funding needed to prevent and cure the disease in endemic countries.

Standard Bank Group spends 1% of its profit before tax each year on community projects. Many of these initiatives dovetail with Standard Bank Group’s health and wellness programmes. Standard Bank Group’s Employee Community Involvement programme offers to match the funds raised by its employees for community charities and programmes including organisations dealing with HIV/Aids, TB and malaria.

Read more about our community programmes at www.standardbank.com/sustainability.

Support United Against Malaria: 
- http://unitedagainstmalaria.org 
- http://www.facebook.com/unitedagainstmalaria 
- http://twitter.com/UAMalaria

Invest in the future: defeat malaria

Standard Bank Team — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 06:41:25 +0000

A child in Africa dies from malaria every minute according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Of the estimated 660 000 million malaria deaths occurring each year worldwide, 90% occur in Africa, primarily among children under the age of five in sub-Saharan Africa.

On 25 April, World Malaria Day marks the sixth anniversary of the World Health Assembly of WHO Member States where a goal was set to reduce the number of deaths caused by malaria by 75% by 2015.

Since then, more than 50 of the 99 countries afflicted by ongoing transmission are now on track to meeting this target, with an intensification of interventions, together with increased access to diagnostic testing and quality-assured treatment being key to this progress.

Through our partnership with United Against Malaria (UAM), Standard Bank Group contributes to the need for continued investment and sustained political commitment to malaria prevention and control.

UAM is a global partnership of football teams, celebrities, health and advocacy organisations as well as government, aimed at galvanising partners throughout the world to reach the United Nations' target of universal access to mosquito nets and malarial medicine in Africa, a crucial step in reducing malaria deaths.

Beaded bracelets illustrating UAM’s official "malaria safe" symbol are sold and proceeds go to subsidise the social grants received by women in Cape Town who look after HIV/Aids orphans. One dollar from each bracelet sold goes to a global fund set up to fight HIV/Aids, tuberculosis (TB) and malaria, three of the biggest killers worldwide.

We are a partner of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria (http://www.theglobalfund.org) and are engaged in pro-bono projects in a number of African countries where the Global Fund guarantees are provided with financial and administrative training.

Support United Against Malaria:
- http://unitedagainstmalaria.org
- http://www.facebook.com/unitedagainstmalaria
- http://twitter.com/UAMalaria