Johannesburg, June 2, 2006
—The International Finance Corporation today signed a US$ 75 million multicountry loan facility with Standard Bank Group. The facility will provide long term subordinated loans qualifying as Tier II capital to Standard Bank Group banking subsidiaries in Democratic Republic of Congo, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia. The loans, which are subject to requisite prior regulatory approvals for Tier II compliance, will enable Standard Bank to strengthen its capital base and expand operations across Sub-Saharan Africa.
“IFC’s multicountry loan facility to Standard Bank Group offers a unique opportunity to foster a strong partnership between one of the largest African banking groups and IFC,” said IFC Executive Vice-President Lars Thunell, who signed the multicountry facility on behalf of IFC. “By providing the loans to the local SBG subsidiaries, IFC will help expand the group’s operations in the region. We also recognize the global potential for this partnership with Standard Bank Group, as they continue to expand in emerging markets beyond Africa.”
“This facility supports our strategy of growth in emerging markets,“ said Standard Bank Group’s Chief Executive Officer Jacko Maree. “IFC is a welcome partner because it shares our commitment to high standards and promoting improved financial services to businesses across Africa.”
The multicountry facility is expected to expand credit availability to the private sector, promote tier II capital as an effective instrument in strengthening bank capital, support the transfer of product knowledge and expertise across the Standard Bank Group’s African network, and increase competition in the banking sectors in several countries. It is believed that a strong financial system plays a particularly important role in the creation of a well-functioning private sector; bringing about competition, domestic and international market integration, economic growth, and ultimately, poverty reduction.
About Standard Bank Group
The Standard Bank Group is the largest South African financial services group ranked by assets and earnings. The Group had total assets of US $119 billion as of December 31, 2005, and return on equity for the year ended December 31, 2005 of 25.2%. It employed more than 40,000 staff worldwide (including those employed by Liberty Life, the Life assurance subsidiary of Standard Bank Group). The Group has a wide representation spanning 17 African countries and 21 other countries concentrated in emerging markets. Standard Bank Group is listed on the JSE Securities Exchange.
About IFC
The International Finance Corporation is increasing its overall activity in the financial markets sector in Sub-Saharan Africa, targeting significant volumes in investments and technical assistance over the next four years. Key areas are financing small and medium enterprises through banks and other intermediaries, trade finance, microfinance, and housing finance.
IFC is the private sector arm of the World Bank Group and is headquartered in Washington, D.C. IFC coordinates its activities with the other institutions of the World Bank Group but is legally and financially independent. Its 178 member countries provide its share capital and collectively determine its policies.
The mission of IFC is to promote sustainable private sector investment in developing and transition countries, helping to reduce poverty and improve people’s lives. IFC finances private sector investments in the developing world, mobilizes capital in the international financial markets, helps clients improve social and environmental sustainability, and provides technical assistance and advice to governments and businesses. From its founding in 1956 through FY05, IFC has committed more than $49 billion of its own funds and arranged $24 billion in syndications for 3,319 companies in 140 developing countries. IFC’s worldwide committed portfolio as of FY05 was $19.3 billion for its own account and $5.3 billion held for participants in loan syndications. For more information, visit
www.ifc.org.
