We are excited to be able to meet face-to-face a group of influential bloggers from China to the Standard Bank Group head office today.

The bloggers are visiting South Africa to find out more about the country so they may present their perceptions to their followers in China and around the world.

During their visit to Standard Bank Group’s head office they will hear more about our history, business and social media activities.

On 27 March at 8.30 pm, we will be supporting Earth Hour, a symbolic event to raise awareness around climate change.

Climate change is happening and will affect all of us in our lifetimes. There are many things we can do as a company and as individuals to reduce the impact of climate change – most especially by using energy wisely, by investing in more energy efficient appliances and by thinking before we act.



At Standard Bank Group will be turning off the lights in buildings we own around the world for one hour. You can do the same at home to raise awareness within your family.



The owner of any small business has to often rely on help and guidance wherever they may find it.

These entrepreneurs are extraordinary people because they mostly have to be “jacks of all trades” – experts in finance, technology, marketing, people management, buying and selling.

Small Capital is an initiative that offers business owners free advice and tools to help them build a successful enterprise. The online home of Small Capital is a treasure trove of ideas and contacts, and also houses the free monthly publication that is a practical guide to running a small business.

Happy International Consumer Rights Day! This year’s event concentrates on issues relating to financial services.

Worldwide, the financial sectors are one of the most heavily regulated services, but as consumers, we know that this isn’t always true for consumer protection laws.

The International Consumer Rights Day is necessary to address any issues and enforce the laws that are aimed at ensuring that companies protect our rights by providing concise and correct information, fair and honest dealings, value and good quality, and equality.

Sport is a display of passion, dedication and commitment; and it grips the imagination of people all over the world. The Global Sports Forum Barcelona is an annual event which places a spotlight on the role sport plays in our lives, and we’re the official partner to this important event.

Jacko Maree, Chief Executive, Standard Bank Group, writes: “It was an extremely tough year – but one in which our focus on developing markets stood us in good stead. Our profitability remained sound and our strong liquidity and capital position allowed us to continue to invest for growth. We achieved our highest-ever independent customer satisfaction ratings in South Africa.

We’ve helped develop the Woodmead development, which is found on the KwaZulu Natal north coast. Standard Bank’s Integrated Residential Development division is developing top quality housing schemes for those who fall in the low to middle income households.

This project will include a residential area for 3 500 families, schooling, work opportunities as well as a commercial and light industrial community. Families living in the Woodmead Development can choose from a range of tenure options from freehold, sectional title and rental.

While we continue to expand across the globe, Standard Bank Group’s (SBG) head office in Johannesburg, South Africa, has also experienced a growth spurt. This has got our property team working on a plan for the future.

Construction of a new facility in Rosebank, Johannesburg, has just got underway. The new office complex will house corporate offices, meeting rooms and a small retail space.

Brazil and Africa will be partnering in a quest for greater food and energy security. We’re headed for an agricultural revolution and we’re also working on the challenges brought about by climate change.

Read Standard Bank Group (SBG) economists Simon Freemantle and Jeremy Stevens’ report on the challenges facing both Brazil and Africa in ensuring greater global competitiveness in food and energy supply chains, suggesting the potential of bilateral collaboration for economic growth and poverty alleviation.

This report also focuses on Brazil’s agricultural drive in Africa.

The past decade will be remembered for many things, but the recession is the biggest downer of the “noughties” and the backlash from these tough times will be with us for some time to come.

But it’s not all doom and gloom - Standard Bank’s economists say this is the start of a fresh, promising and flourishing decade. At last the time has come – the recession is over and things are looking up.