Standard Bank scoops green award

Standard Bank has been ranked as the 12th greenest bank in the world and the cleanest in Africa for its commitment to renewable energy projects.

• Standard Bank signs R20bn green deal
• New Standard Bank boss speaks out on Zim
• Standard Chartered expands in SA

Forum lauds Standard Bank joint CEOs

Appointing Sim Tshabalala and Ben Kruger as joint CEOs to head Standard Bank has been welcomed by the Black Management Forum.

• New Standard Bank boss speaks out on Zim
• Standard Bank bids farewell to Maree
• Standard Bank CEO Jacko Maree retires

Small firms struggle to get finance

Not getting access to finance is a common complaint from small firms, says Standard Bank chief executive Sim Tshabalala, denying there is a lack of funding for SMEs.

• Where to fund your small business
• Small firm finance, big headache
• Gordhan: Banks must be more inclusive

Argentina nods ICBC's Standard takeover

Argentina has approved that Industrial and Commercial Bank of China take control of the local operations of SA's Standard Bank following a $600m deal.

• ICBC boasts $7bn in African investments
• ICBC pulls Standard's strings
• Banks' poaching war hots up

Africa to contribute 25% of bank’s revenue

Standard Bank sees its African operations accounting for 25% of group revenue in five years time, from just a tenth at the moment, says its deputy chief executive.

• Standard Bank is SA’s greenest company
• Businessman questions bank's security
• SA bank charges lower, research shows

ANC makes money on Mangaung

The ANC hopes to cash in at Mangaung with business people paying to rub shoulder's with the party's elite, it has been reported.

• The importance of Mangaung
• ANC 'satisfied' with nominations progress
• ANC branch battles to nominate Zuma

SA bank charges lower, research shows

Four of the five large commercial banks in South Africa have lowered the cost of virtually all their accounts over the past year, research shows.

• Survey: SA has highest ATM fees
• Capitec reveals pricing for 2012
• Nedbank hits back

Standard tops bank credit ratings

Standard Bank's national long-and short-term rating has been affirmed at the highest credit rating currently accorded to a bank in the country.

• Banking system security trumps BEE
• Banks face years of fines over Iran
• Positive July PPI surprise but food a risk

Positive July PPI surprise but food a risk

Producer inflation came in better than expected in July on the back of annual decreases in key components such as electricity‚ mining and quarrying‚ and products of petroleum.

• PPI remains steady at 6.6%
• Bonds firm on switch auction‚ PPI
• Lower commodities help ease SA prices

Credit Act cracks down on reckless buying

Legislation has ensured that consumers do not take out unsecured loans to buy luxury items like cars, says a bank director, warning against balloon payments.

• Rate cut may hurt debt levels
• R3bn stolen from employees – expert
• Investec wants Mandela to pay up

SA banks more ethical - Maree

Banks in South Africa has an ethos and culture which is much stronger than their counterparts in Europe and the US, says Standard Bank boss, Jacko Maree.

• Absa's people strong, says Ramos
• No evidence of rate-rigging in SA
• Barclays played by its own rules
• Rates scandal may cost banks $22bn

We're refilling ATM, robbers tell cops - report

Robbers have convinced police officers they were refilling an ATM in Norwood, Johannesburg, as they were busy breaking-in to it, reports say.

Bank adverts found to be misleading

Both Standard Bank and First National Bank have been found guilty of misleading advertising, says a report.

• Pretoria court rules on bank accounts

S&P revises outlook on two SA banks

Rating agency Standard & Poor's has downgraded the outlook on Standard Bank and FirstRand to negative.

• S&P warns Japan on debt, affirms rating
• S&P threatens to downgrade Fiat
• S&P warns cuts loom for G20 nations

SA's top 2 banks see double-digit profit

Standard Bank and FirstRand say they expect profit growth or around 20%, indicating that local banks are well on the road to recovery.

• Banks move into Mzansi market
• Standard Bank loans up 50% in 2011
• Standard Bank expects 22% profit jump

Standard Bank expands steel trading team

Standard Bank says it has beefed up its team in Singapore which will focus on steel and steel raw materials trading.

• Standard gets upgrade from Goldman
• ICBC boasts $7bn in African investments
• Standard voted most trusted firm in SA

Banks deny environment killer tag

It is not be possible for developing countries, including South Africa, to immediately stop using coal-fired power generation, Standard Bank has said.

• SA banks blasted as 'climate killers'
• The role that banks can play towards Rebranding Africa

Standard eyes carbon offsets in Asia

Standard Bank says it hopes investment in solar lamp projects in the Asia-Pacific region will generate millions of UN-backed emissions offset credits for its carbon portfolio.

• Standard rumoured to have cut offshore jobs
• Euro recoups losses ahead of G20 talks
• Standard Bank: House price growth stalls

Standard refutes human rights report

Standard Bank has denied allegations by Partnership Africa Canada that it owns shares in Zimbabwean banks with ties to the Marange diamond field.

• Banks 'boost Zim diamond violence'
• Standard to have M&A 'war chest'
• Standard Bank profit up 11%

Banks not keen on deposit insurance plan

Bickering between commercial banks and the national Treasury over the introduction of a deposit insurance scheme could stifle SA's development of small and cooperative banks.

• Gordhan: Banks must be more inclusive
• Abil eyes international bond issue
• Banking on green consumers

Standard to sell Argentine bank - report

China's ICBC is to buy Standard Bank's Argentinian unit, says a report in the La Nacion newspaper.

• Cost cuts to save Standard R2.3bn
• Standard signs $268m loan facility
• Standard, Solidarity tensions rise
• Ruling reserved over Standard jobs
• ICBC pulls Standard's strings
• Standard, Sasbo ordered to resume talks

Vehicle finance balloon payments in decline

The percentage of South Africans using balloon payments to finance vehicles has declined dramatically over the past four years.

• Wesbank bullish on 2011 vehicle sales
• Fuel price spike concerns Wesbank
• New vehicle sales hit speedbump

Basel rules may squeeze SA banks

SA banks may face big hurdles in trying to meet new Basel III global banking regulations, say analysts.

• Banks in dark over Basel cost
• Banks ready for Basel II
• New Basel Accord tackles bank risks

Standard on track to lend R50bn this year

Standard Bank says it plans to improve on the R50bn in loans it approved last year.

• Standard to invest R10bn in green power
• Standard Kenyan unit sees big profit drop
• Standard teams up with stockbroker