Standard Bank has been named the “Most Innovative Investment Bank from Africa” in The Banker’s Investment Banking Awards 2012. The Banker Awards, held in London on October 4, 2012, recognise excellence in investment banking around the world. For Standard Bank the award continues to underline its credentials as a leading emerging market bank.
The Banker, the leading journal of the global banking industry, recognised Standard Bank for its ability to gain strategic advantage, adapt to variable market conditions, secure important and complex deals and succeed in an increasingly competitive landscape.
Helmut Engelbrecht, Head Investment Banking at Standard Bank Africa, says the award is recognition of the breadth and depth of some of the key deals Standard Bank secured, not only across geographies, but also in terms of innovative investment solutions used.
“Our investment banking franchise in Africa has played pivotal roles in landmark and watershed deals within the continent as well as in countries outside of our footprint. This was achieved through leveraging off our extensive network across 18 countries as well as the depth of our experience in Africa ÔÇô enabling us to partner clients who seek to grow their presence across the continent,” he says.
While the award recognises Standard Bank’s active involvement in the continent’s economy for the last 150 years, it also acknowledges some of the innovative and unique deals that the teams have been involved in over the past twelve months.”
Engelbrecht further explains that Standard Bank’s strategic partnership with Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) has laid the foundation for significant expansion of trade and investment between Asia and Africa, and continues to be a defining milestone for Standard Bank.
Standard Bank (20 percent owned by ICBC, the biggest bank in the world) ÔÇô is the largest African banking group ranked by assets and earnings and operates in 18 countries in Africa, employing more than 50 000 people.
