Standard Bank wins prestigious international awards

This year, Standard Bank was named Outstanding Global Private Bank (Africa). Standard Bank Wealth and Investment was also ‘Highly Commended’ by Private Banker International in the following categories:

•  Best Family Office
• Outstanding Wealth Management Technology Initiative – Back Office

Kabelo Makeke, Head of Personal and Private Banking South Africa, is delighted with the accolades. “At Standard Bank, we pride ourselves on our ability to consistently deliver seamless solutions and exceptional client experiences in all the markets in which we operate,” he says. “This recognition bears testimony to our ability to craft meaningful solutions that are relevant to our clients, both locally and internationally.”

Bridgette Kruger, Head of Standard Bank Private, South Africa concurs, adding: “We are invested in what is truly valuable to our clients. To us, this means not only providing best in class banking and advice but also going beyond banking to offer solutions that celebrate their achievements, recognise their potential and match their ambitions for the future. Being recognised as Africa’s Outstanding Global Private Bank means we are fulfilling our Group purpose and aligned vision of being the leading financial services organisation in, for and across Africa.”

The PBI Global Wealth Awards also evaluate the industry's resilience and ability to navigate market dynamics and changing conditions in the evolving global economy. They highlight versatile strategies that private banks and wealth management firms employ to help clients to build and preserve their wealth across generations.

According to Jacques Els, Head of Standard Bank Wealth and Investment South Africa, family offices have a vital role to play in helping UHNW families navigate change in an increasingly complex and unpredictable financial landscape. “Wealth and Investment’s Family Office focuses on partnering with our clients to ensure that the next generation is adequately skilled and equipped to effectively manage their family wealth and legacy in the future,” he says. “We are thrilled to have been acknowledged for our ‘family first’ approach to serving multiple generations of clients.”

Another key area of evaluation for banks at this Year’s PBI Global Wealth Awards was digital innovation and the adoption of technology to improve client onboarding, acquisition and engagement in line with private wealth management trends across the globe.

“We understand the importance of digital innovation and how it can be applied to make our clients’ lives simpler and more convenient,” says Els. “We are committed to providing best-in-class technology that balances being truly digital with being truly human, so we are honoured that our technology initiatives have once again been highly commended.”

Standard Bank’s 161-year history, and the Group’s presence in more than 20 African countries and 7 international finance centres, enables clients to leverage the benefits of its global footprint, combined with on-the-ground knowledge and expertise.

“Our ambition is to empower our clients, enabling them to realise their dreams and achieve their goals,” Makeke concludes. “That is why we will continue to deliver solutions and services that truly add value to their lives.”