Retail banking in South Africa has emerged relatively unscathed from the global recession. Bankers are now taking advantage of the upturn, the confidence generated by the forthcoming World Cup hosted in the country and the largely untapped potential presented by the under-banked and unbanked population. Writer Michael Imeson
Africa
Latest articles from South Africa
World
/ Africa
/ South Africa
Pravin Gordhan
October 5, 2009Pravin Gordhan, South Africa's minister of finance
South Africa's finance minister talks about the steps taken to steer his country towards economic recovery.
World
/ Africa
/ South Africa
Funding Africa's agrarian revolution
September 2, 2009Five decades of neglect left Africa's agricultural sector in a parlous state, but last year's food crisis galvanised global opinion that something must be done - and soon - to transform the continent's vast potential into reality. Financing small farmers is the first step. Writer Charlie Corbett
World
/ Africa
/ South Africa
Standard Bank benefits from its Chinese partnership
July 7, 2009The chief executive of South Africa's Standard Bank, Jacko Maree, talks about his international aspirations and how he is taking advantage of the relationship with Chinese state-owned banking giant ICBC to expand Standard Bank's global presence. Writer Charlie Corbett in Cape Town
World
/ Africa
/ South Africa
Leaning against the wind
July 7, 2009South Africa's banking sector has so far proved resilient to the country's worst recession in 17 years, but faced with soaring unemployment and high levels of consumer debt, the biggest challenges lie ahead. Writer Charlie Corbett in Johannesburg and Cape Town
World
/ Africa
/ South Africa
Africa’s new leaders: The next generation
January 5, 2009Good news from Africa is often drowned out by a tide of negative reporting. The Banker aims to combat this by profiling the achievements of leading young Africans. Writer Charlie Corbett.
World
/ Africa
/ South Africa
Residual benefits
June 2, 2008Standard Bank received a $5bn boost to its capital base last year after ICBC took a 20% stake. Charlie Corbett spoke to Standard Bank Africa’s chief executive Clive Tasker about the impact of the deal.
World
/ Africa
/ South Africa
Far-flung expansion
October 1, 2007Jacko Maree, CEO of Standard Bank Group, tells The Banker about the strategy that is leading it to expand into markets well beyond its South African home base.
World
/ Africa
/ South Africa
Home delivery: Africa’s challenge
January 8, 2007Africa’s home-financing sector is generally in its infancy. The exceptions are South Africa, Ghana and a handful of east African nations. Cas Coovadia highlights the initiatives in progress.
World
/ Africa
/ South Africa
South Africa's banks bullied over payments
November 6, 2006Banks in South Africa are being forced to open up the payments system to newcomers and slash transaction charges, writes Michael Imeson.