Standard Bank tops new African rankings table

The aim of The Banker's annual top 1000 world banks survey is to show banks' soundness in relation to the Basel requirement of a minimum ratio of Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets of 4% (increasing to 7% by 2019), and a minimum ratio of total capital to risk-weighted assets of 8%.

The Banker reports in its July edition that Standard Bank has increased its Tier 1 capital to US$12.06-billion, an increase of 26.15% on the previous year and almost twice as much as the second ranked bank.

Continued rise up table

Sim Tshabalala, deputy chief executive, Standard Bank Group, says the continued rise up The Banker's rankings table demonstrates the group's significant strength and ability to implement its strategy across Africa.

"It is particularly pleasing to achieve a top ranking on the basis of objective criteria applied by an independent journal. The ranking points again to the substance in our strategy to keep Africa firmly at the core of Standard Bank.

"The strong capital position, highlighted by The Banker's rankings, provides a stable platform for further growth. We will continue to build first-class, on-the-ground banking franchises in chosen markets in Africa, investing in people, branch networks and systems," says Tshabalala.