Client Growth Reported by Standard Bank after Investing R3.7bn in Digital Technology
In the first half of 2025, Standard Bank Group invested R3.7 billion in technology, a move that has significantly driven growth and enhanced digital engagement among its clients. This strategic investment has supported improvements in digital platforms, personalised data-driven client offers, and faster digital credit scoring, which collectively fueled increases in client retention, transaction volume, and digital revenue.
The investment has had a noticeable impact on client growth and engagement. Active clients grew overall by 2%, with digital retail clients in South Africa increasing by 7%. Successful digital transactions increased by 12%, and digital sales volumes rose an impressive 33%, translating to a 21% increase in digital revenue period on period. Business and Commercial Banking gained 65,000 new clients, with deposits surpassing half a trillion Rand.
Product and service enhancements have also been a key focus. The introduction of quicker digital credit scoring and structured debt products accelerated lending disbursements. The "BizFlex" cash flow-linked lending solution showed strong uptake among business clients. A new acquiring platform grew businesses using point-of-sale devices by 19%, and personalised, data-driven marketing campaigns boosted client engagement and revenue.
Operationally, headline earnings rose 8% to R23.8 billion, with return on equity increasing to 19.1%. Digital growth was a significant contributor to these financial improvements, reflecting the successful integration of technology with client service strategies.
Standard Bank is not resting on its laurels. The bank is enhancing its transaction banking and payment systems via modular technology architecture, APIs, and automation to enable near real-time payments and reduce costs for clients. Partnerships and new digital solutions targeting telecom sectors and remittance markets are part of the bank’s broader digital transformation agenda to expand financial inclusion across Africa.
In summary, the R3.7 billion technology investment in 2025 underpinned Standard Bank's digital growth strategy by enhancing client acquisition, retention, and transaction volumes. This drove significant revenue and earnings growth while positioning the bank for continued innovation in client services and transaction banking across Africa. The investment is aimed at achieving Standard Bank's purpose of driving progress throughout Africa. The bank aims to build a more interconnected and efficient ecosystem through technology that serves clients better and supports the continent's economic development.
- The investment in technology by Standard Bank Group has been instrumental in enhancing banking security, as it has led to improvements in digital platforms and faster digital credit scoring.
- The bank's focus on technology and cybersecurity has resulted in a 21% increase in digital revenue, as successful digital transactions increased by 12% and digital sales volumes rose by an impressive 33%.
- Standard Bank Group is working on enhancing its transaction banking and payment systems via technology, aiming to reduce costs for clients and enable near real-time payments.
- As part of its digital transformation agenda, Standard Bank is partnering with new digital solutions targeting telecom sectors and remittance markets to expand financial inclusion across Africa and support economic development.
