SECTOR EXPERTISE

Financial Institutions Group

Absa | Corporate and Investment Banking > Sector Expertise > Financial Institutions Group

Unlocking value across the continent in this evolving sector

We provide comprehensive support to the sector most pivotal to economies and countries.

Heritage2
YEARS OF HERITAGE

150

Africa
PRESENCE IN AFRICAN COUNTRIES

12

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THOUGHTS FROM OUR LEADERS

Local and global expertise and partner networks support our clients’ cross-border growth

Absa’s Financial Institutions team builds and maintains relationships with international banking partners and domestic banking partners across the continent. Through our cross-border relationships, we ensure that Absa’s CIB, Wealth, Business Banking and private clients are able to transact overseas.

Every cross-border transaction requires a remitting bank and a beneficiary bank, which places us at the centre of all international activity – from imports and exports, to foreign exchange and investments.

Our clients are able to leverage our relationships that we’ve built and nurtured with more than 1000 banking institutions around the globe.

Our on-the-ground expertise ensures that we only work with institutions and in jurisdictions that have strong Compliance (Know Your Customer (KYC), Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Anti-Terrorism protocols and regulations in place to ensure our clients are protected from a moral, regulatory and corporate governance perspective.

As one of the largest Pan African banks operating across the continent, we are able to support our clients through our strong balance sheet, innovative products and relationships with top Tier  international and African banks, being a true gateway in and out of Africa.

As Africa continues to innovate and grow, Absa CIB’s robust sector focus, deep industry expertise, strong regional presence and valuable network of international relationships continues to propel and support our clients’ expansion ambitions.

Mike von Fintel 

Head: Financial Institutions
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THOUGHTS FROM OUR LEADERS

Spearheading the sector that drives diversified and inclusive economies

The Financial Services sector is pivotal to every country’s economy. From insurance to financial markets and micro finance institutions, to money services businesses and asset retirement obligations (AROs), countries evolve based on advancements made in their financial services sector. Essentially this is the one sector that determines how diversified and inclusive an economy is.

The Financial Services sector has also been subject to tremendous change over the past decade with the pace and agenda largely driven by digital disruptors.

Regulations, compliance, cyber risks and tech advancements have made their mark – from the clear impacts of disruption in the FinTech and InsurTech spaces – to less obvious innovations such as Uber, that will directly impact the car insurance market in years to come.

The global pandemic is expected to intensify the spotlight on the need to build more comprehensive economies, considerations that the Financial Services sector must urgently address.

At Absa, our strength in this market is evidenced by our proven track record. We are the primary transaction bank of Sanlam, Munich Re, Santam, AIG, Willis and Monet.

Our service excellence, product innovation and extensive industry expertise are borne out of our ability to stay abreast of regulatory changes, detect shifts in the market and identify new opportunities.

Our scale and credit rating underpins the established and trusted role that we play in this sector, both in South Africa and across the African continent.

Monique Pennells

Head: Non-Bank Financial Institutions

Latest Insights

Unique perspectives on factors impacting the financial sector today

PODCAST

Understanding the current account deficit

Find out what the current account deficit is and how it impacts the exchange rate.​

PODCAST

Behind the research curtain

Find out how exchange rate forecasting works as we explore the workings of Absa’s FX Peer model.

PODCAST

Why is Absa so bullish about the Rand?

Find out why Absa’s research says the ZAR is undervalued, and will likely recover to R15.75/USD by year-end.

Financial Sector Insights

Technology transforming finance: The state of play in Africa

Africa is emerging as a hotspot for innovation in financial ecosystems.

Financial Sector Insights

New entrants are disrupting the financial institutions group sector

Challenger entrants are changing the face of the FIG sector, impacting this year’s significant trends.

Financial Sector Insights

Room for consolidation in the insurance sector in Africa

The insurance sector in South Africa could benefit from the consolidation of small, independent and unprofitable brands into bigger and stronger players.

OUR TRACK RECORD

Feedback from our clients

  • “Absa provided us with advice on matters related to project finance and maximising interest income on excess cash. The service received has been outstanding and we have had better-than forecasted interest earnings as a result of the guidance and restructuring provided by Absa CIB. We have also received substantial support for decision making purposes when it comes to financial instruments held with Absa.”

    Dorper Wind Farm – South Africa

    President, Trade Association - Africa

  • "Absa has been a partner bank to ACWA Power since our first successful project bid, providing the group with project financing, working capital as well as mandated as the account bank for the project. Absa has provided great value through its service, tailored solutions, valuable insights and advisory to the group."

    ACWA Power – UAE and Africa

    President, Trade Association - Africa

  • "As a partner bank to Marubeni for over 6 years, the Absa team has provided awesome service in assisting us to establish our South Africa office. Their always-available attitude has supported us to facilitate our entry into both the South African and African Market."

    Marubeni Middle-East & Africa Power Limited – Japan

    President, Trade Association - Africa

  • "Having a Pan-African banking partner is very important to the group as it gives us a competitive advantage in the market. We are now able to go for the projects we want because we have a partner bank that understands our business and is ready to help us materialise our growth ambitions in the continent."

    Gransolar Group – Spain

    President, Trade Association - Africa

Let us help you!

contact-phone

0860 500 703

+27 (0) 10 211 3117

mail

Rsc.corpprc@absa.co.za

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