Standard Bank Group

Standard Bank Group Limited is a major South African financial services group and is Africa's largest bank by assets. The company's origins trace back to 1862 when it was established as The Standard Bank of British South Africa. It was registered and incorporated on October 15, 1862. The bank began operations in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, in 1863. Over its more than 160-year history, Standard Bank Group has grown into a pan-African financial institution with a global reach, playing a significant role in the continent's development. The group's corporate headquarters, Standard Bank Centre, is located in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Standard Bank Group offers a comprehensive range of banking and financial services. These include personal and private banking, business and commercial banking, corporate and investment banking, as well as insurance and asset management. The bank provides transactional banking, savings and investment products, credit cards, mortgages, vehicle finance, personal loans, and foreign exchange services. Its corporate and investment banking segment caters to governments, parastatals, large corporates, financial institutions, and international counterparties. The group's services extend to advisory services, risk management, wealth management, and tailored financial solutions. Standard Bank Group operates through a network of branches and ATMs across the African continent and has a presence in several global financial centers. As of 2024, the bank reported having 16.1 million personal and private banking clients and 816,000 business and commercial banking clients across 16 countries. The Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) is a significant shareholder, holding a 20.1% stake in the group.