For many South Africans, financial resilience is not a concept, it’s a daily practice. It shows up in small trade-offs, side hustles, and community-based saving. It’s reflected not only in economic data, but also in the country’s cultural and creative expression, from aspirational ideas of “boss moves” in pop culture and local music, to today’s…
By Sam Dahya, Head of Investor Services, Custody and Investment Administration, Standard Bank CIB The global move from a fluid trade settlement timeline (Time trade execution to settlement T+3) to a tighter timeline (T+1), is reshaping how markets think about post-trade risk, capital efficiency and competitiveness. A growing share of global activity is now operating…
FNB key transition within its Commercial Property Finance division. Siphamandla Mkhwanazi has assumed responsibility for the Commercial Property Finance research and economics portfolio, taking over from John Loos, who has officially retired from the bank. Mkhwanazi will now lead the delivery of economic insights, property market analysis, and thought leadership supporting FNB’s Commercial Property Finance…
By Evodia Phahlane, Chief Operating Officer: Insurance at FNB Life TOO many South African households are just one lost income away from a financial crisis. A death, disability or serious illness can remove an income overnight while the bills remain. That reality is clear in a labour market where the official unemployment rate sits at 31.4% in…
STANDARD Bank, Africa’s largest bank by assets, continues to support Optasia, a leading AI‑led fintech company with the largest fintech IPO on the JSE in 2025, through a joint underwrite and participation in the syndicated refinancing and upsizing of its term facilities of USD 180 million and bank guarantees of USD 150 million. The bank acted…
Standard Bank, Africa’s largest bank by assets, continues to support Optasia, a leading AI‑led fintech company with the largest fintech IPO on the JSE in 2025, through a joint underwrite and participation in the syndicated refinancing and upsizing of its term facilities of USD 180 million and bank guarantees of USD 150 million. The bank acted…
2026 merchant data shows debit card usage up 24%, driven by shifting trade patterns and digital momentum The Easter 2026 period reflected continued growth in South Africa’s business activity, with Point of Sale (POS) total transaction values rising by 18.82% year-on-year (YoY) and transaction volumes increasing by 19.87% YoY compared to the same period in 2025. These results highlight…
FNB’s Integrated Advice Product Head Ester Ochse says, “Pressure changes how we make decisions. When costs increase unexpectedly, the instinct is often to respond immediately, whether by cutting back in ways that aren’t sustainable, or making financial choices that don’t fully account for what comes next. But short-term financial shocks require a clear understanding of…
As tensions linked to the war in the Middle East continue to drive uncertainty in global oil markets, South Africans are likely to feel the impact through higher petrol prices in the weeks ahead. For many households, rising fuel costs don’t just affect the tank, they ripple into food, transport, and monthly budgets. FNB Customer…
Consumers are encouraged to plan ahead, avoid unnecessary debt and make more intentional spending decisions AS households prepare for the added costs that often come with the Easter period, consumers are urged to take a more deliberate approach to their seasonal spending. Easter often brings extra expenses, from food and travel to family gatherings and…
