Reporting to Society
Overview
Standard Bank is committed to driving sustainable and inclusive economic growth, as reflected in our purpose – Africa is our home, we drive her growth. As Africa’s largest banking group by assets, we recognise the impact of our business activities on the societies, economies and environments in which we operate. We have embedded social, economic and environmental (SEE) considerations into our corporate strategy and day-to-day decisions, and have identified seven core business areas in which we believe we can make a SEE impact.
Our Reporting to Society platform aims to communicate with a broad group of stakeholders about our impact on the societies, economies and environments in which we operate. It provides information on those areas in which we believe we can make a significant positive contribution to the lives of our fellow Africans, while mitigating negative impacts.
In all of its business activities, Standard Bank Group aims to deliver net-positive social, economic and environmental outcomes. This is reflected in our purpose – Africa is our home, we drive her growth. To ensure that we fulfil this overarching purpose, we have embedded social, economic and environmental (SEE) considerations into our corporate strategy and day-to-day decisions.
Announcements, awards & affiliations
Recognition and partnerships that drive us forward
Our seven impact areas
Financial Inclusion
We enable more people to access financial products and services, supporting economic development and reducing inequality
Job Creation and enterprise growth
We work with our clients to understand their challenges and priorities, provide them with appropriate financial solutions to support their growth and expansion and deliver digital solutions to meet their unique needs.
Infrastructure
We support the development of infrastructure to enable inclusive and sustainable industrialisation by financing large-scale infrastructure projects.
Africa Trade and Investment
We facilitate the deepening of trade and investment flows between African countries, and with key global markets.
Climate Change and sustainable finance
We work with our clients to develop appropriate solutions for mitigating and adapting to the effects of climate change.
Education
We support access to inclusive, quality education and the promotion of lifelong learning opportunities, and help Africa harness the opportunities of the fourth industrial revolution
Health
We support better health outcomes for Africa’s people by financing healthcare providers, and health infrastructure and equipment.
Report to society
Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Risk
Transformation in South Africa
Our Reporting Suite
Report to Society report
Doing the right business the right way is about making a positive social, economic and environmental (SEE) contribution. This report discusses our progress in each of our seven SEE impact areas.
Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Report
This report includes information about how we ensure that a strong ethical and conduct culture is embedded across the group, and on how we support the development of our employees, as well as information aligned with the recommendations of the Task Force on climate related disclosures.
Our Transformation Report
Our Transformation report provides an update on our transformation journey and performance against the pillars of the Financial Sector Code
Principles for Responsible Banking report
Standard Bank is a founding signatory of the UNEP FI Principles for Responsible Banking (PRB) which set the global benchmark for what it means to be a responsible bank. PRB signatories commit to reporting their progress against the principles within 18 months of signing up, and an annual basis thereafter. This, our first progress report, gives an overview of actions we’ve taken since the PRB’s launch in September 2019.
