Standard Bank Group
Financial inclusion
Financial inclusion is about enabling individuals, entrepreneurs and small businesses to access affordable financial services by providing inclusive banking solutions. We’re ensuring access to banking platforms and empowering our customers through simpler and more affordable financial products.
Our focus areas
Mobile solutions
Accessible and affordable mobile phone–based solutions
Our mobile phone–based solutions enable our customers to transact efficiently, safely and conveniently.
We have established a variety of services to facilitate secure and accessible money transfers and transacting.
We’re committed to empowering unbanked communities and emerging economies across Africa and enabling money transfer services and accessible transactional banking accounts.
| R26 billion sent via Instant money |
112 180 clients and merchants using Unayo® |
R3.8 billion combined balance held by MyMo clients |
Digital business solutions
Digital solutions for entrepreneurs and small businesses
We aim to support the growth of small enterprises and small-scale traders, including those in the
informal sector, with convenient and affordable financial services that suit their needs.
| 2.7 million active customers on our Standard Bank mobile app in South Africa |
R32.5 billion send transactions via Instant Money, 4.2 million customers and over 50 000 access points |
Affordable homes
Engaging with our customers to provide affordable finance for housing
Standard Bank works closely with South Africa’s National Department of Human Settlements, National Housing Finance Corporation and the provincial housing departments to help our customers access the Finance Linked Individual Subsidy Programme (FLISP) offered by the government. The programme targets the ‘gap market’, households earning between R3 500 and R22 000 per month.
We also have multiple channels for customers to request assistance, including the Standard Bank App and internet banking.
| 98 483 affordable housing loans currently active on our books |
R4.9 billion lent to 8 047 new affordable housing customers |
Reduced transaction fees
Taking a range of measures to make it easier and cheaper for our customers to access banking services
In South Africa, we reduced ATM cash withdrawal fees and Saswitch fees and partnered with Pick n Pay to provide in-store bank branches at selected Pick n Pay stores.
We also made business banking more affordable by removing the minimum monthly service fee on our business current account and the fee for inter-account transfers on digital channels.
Insurance products
Insurance products for individuals and business owners
To make insurance more accessible to everyone, we aim to ensure that our offerings are affordable and easy to understand.
Clients can select the level of cover they can afford without worrying about being penalised in the event of a claim. We also offer legal insurance to provide customers with access to legal resources and advice
Our Flexible Funeral Plan allows clients to choose the amount of cover they need and benefits they require.
| 98 483 affordable housing customers on our books, with a loan book of R31.9 billion |
One million Flexible funeral plan |
Financial literacy
Consumer education and financial literacy
We have created accessible platforms that educate our customers on financial principles including debt management, budgeting, saving and long-term wealth development.
| 211 interactive webinars with 24 758 participants from 18 countries |
Over 5 000 participants in Leadership Academies |
Over 100 million reached through WalletWise financial literacy programme |
Women’s financial inclusion
Improving financial inclusion among women
Standard Bank is committed to advancing gender equality and women empowerment in the workplace, marketplace and community. One of the ways we do this is through products and services tailored to meet the needs of women business owners. Another is through the African Women Impact Fund, which aims to improve representation of women in the fields of finance and investment.
| 42 000 women entrepreneurs accessed information, training and networking support through our partnership with Lionesses of Africa |
52 000 women have DADA bank accounts, designed to make banking easier for women entrepreneurs in Kenya, with a cumulative balance of KES5.84 billion (R805 million) |
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Mobile solutions
-
Digital business solutions
-
Affordable homes
-
Reduced transaction fees
-
Insurance products
-
Financial literacy
-
Women’s financial inclusion
Accessible and affordable mobile phone–based solutions
Our mobile phone–based solutions enable our customers to transact efficiently, safely and conveniently.
We have established a variety of services to facilitate secure and accessible money transfers and transacting.
We’re committed to empowering unbanked communities and emerging economies across Africa and enabling money transfer services and accessible transactional banking accounts.
| R26 billion sent via Instant money |
112 180 clients and merchants using Unayo® |
R3.8 billion combined balance held by MyMo clients |
Digital solutions for entrepreneurs and small businesses
We aim to support the growth of small enterprises and small-scale traders, including those in the
informal sector, with convenient and affordable financial services that suit their needs.
| 2.7 million active customers on our Standard Bank mobile app in South Africa |
R32.5 billion send transactions via Instant Money, 4.2 million customers and over 50 000 access points |
Engaging with our customers to provide affordable finance for housing
Standard Bank works closely with South Africa’s National Department of Human Settlements, National Housing Finance Corporation and the provincial housing departments to help our customers access the Finance Linked Individual Subsidy Programme (FLISP) offered by the government. The programme targets the ‘gap market’, households earning between R3 500 and R22 000 per month.
We also have multiple channels for customers to request assistance, including the Standard Bank App and internet banking.
| 98 483 affordable housing loans currently active on our books |
R4.9 billion lent to 8 047 new affordable housing customers |
Taking a range of measures to make it easier and cheaper for our customers to access banking services
In South Africa, we reduced ATM cash withdrawal fees and Saswitch fees and partnered with Pick n Pay to provide in-store bank branches at selected Pick n Pay stores.
We also made business banking more affordable by removing the minimum monthly service fee on our business current account and the fee for inter-account transfers on digital channels.
Insurance products for individuals and business owners
To make insurance more accessible to everyone, we aim to ensure that our offerings are affordable and easy to understand.
Clients can select the level of cover they can afford without worrying about being penalised in the event of a claim. We also offer legal insurance to provide customers with access to legal resources and advice
Our Flexible Funeral Plan allows clients to choose the amount of cover they need and benefits they require.
| 98 483 affordable housing customers on our books, with a loan book of R31.9 billion |
One million Flexible funeral plan |
Consumer education and financial literacy
We have created accessible platforms that educate our customers on financial principles including debt management, budgeting, saving and long-term wealth development.
| 211 interactive webinars with 24 758 participants from 18 countries |
Over 5 000 participants in Leadership Academies |
Over 100 million reached through WalletWise financial literacy programme |
Improving financial inclusion among women
Standard Bank is committed to advancing gender equality and women empowerment in the workplace, marketplace and community. One of the ways we do this is through products and services tailored to meet the needs of women business owners. Another is through the African Women Impact Fund, which aims to improve representation of women in the fields of finance and investment.
| 42 000 women entrepreneurs accessed information, training and networking support through our partnership with Lionesses of Africa |
52 000 women have DADA bank accounts, designed to make banking easier for women entrepreneurs in Kenya, with a cumulative balance of KES5.84 billion (R805 million) |
Digital business solutions
Digital solutions for entrepreneurs and small businesses
Mwindwa Siakalima
Chief Executive, Stanbic Bank Zambia
Ordinarily, traders have challenges with accessing simple funding for their businesses as they do not have access to partnerships and lack of valuable information that would help them trade effectively. We have stepped in to provide solutions for this segment by offering simple and cost-effective stock loans in the form of airtime, pay TV and electricity. By partnering with traders and distributors, we have been able to offer appropriate financing in the form of loans for physical FMCG stock and are always on hand to provide traders with knowledge on how to run their businesses more sustainably. We have signed up over 10 000 traders in Zambia. Our aim is to continue to grow our Trader ecosystem by meeting traders’ needs and finding ways to enable their businesses to grow.
Download our documents and reports
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