A century of banking

Standard Bank Namibia held their 100 years celebration ceremony on 8 September 2015 at the Country Club Resort. The bank celebrated the successes of its people, the industry, its customers, stakeholders who have contributed to what it is today.

Mr Vetumbuavi Mungunda, Chief Executive, Standard Bank Namibia said the Bank opened its first branch on 19 August 1915 in Ludertiz, on 20 August 1915 the Windhoek branch opened followed by Swakopmund on 23 August 1915. “This year make therefore our banks 100th year of existence in Namibia and currently we have over 1,500 staff members, 50 branches, 180 ATMs and 400 000 bank accounts,” he explained. He added that the importance of this event is not only to celebrate the existence of the bank in Namibia, but also to engage with their customers, stakeholders and former and current staff members as they reflect on the past and contemplate the future.
“We have formulated a strategy for the bank, themed, ‘Tuyende’ which means “Lets Move” centred on customer centricity, employer of choice and innovation. He also emphasised that they have a responsibility as the current leadership and workforce of the bank to build on what was given to them by the previous generation, improve on it and leave it in a better and improved state. “This is a responsibility we are acutely aware of and remind ourselves of everyday,” concluded Mungunda.
Sim Tshabalala, Standard Bank’s Group Chief Executive Officer said the bank is fully committed to equitable distribution of income and opportunities through the broad based empowerment scheme. “Empowering our employees as shareholders and extending our corporate social investment contribution at community level, is just part of our commitment to implementing the principles of the Financial Sector Charter,” added Tshabalala.
Mr Paul Hartmann, Advisor to the Prime Minister gave a speech on behalf of Prime Minister, Honourable Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila and said that Standard Bank has had a really rich and gripping history during the past 100 years. “It survived the Second World War, the Great Depression and more recently the Global Financial Crisis and today the Bank is one of the major banking institutions in the country with a wide regional footprint across Namibia,” added. Hartmann
Speaking on behalf of President Dr Hage Geingob, Honourable Calle Schlettwein, Minister of Finance applauded Standard Bank Namibia for contributing positively to the economic development of the country. Amongst other highlights of the bank, the Minister singled out the localization of shares to its staff last year as a key milestone. “The 2014 localization empowerment scheme amounting to 10 percent of total shares of some N$300 million for employees and the Community Trust is a key milestone and a commendable starting point in the transformation of Standard Bank to serve the country better with increased local ownership and representation,” he emphasised.