FNB head office consolidates operational control
FNB Namibia Holdings this week officially opened the doors to the public of its new multi-million dollar, green-rated head office building in Windhoek’s central business district.
The new FNB building consolidates FNB, RMB and Wesbank as well as all other operating brands under one roof to improve operational efficiencies and enhance collaboration between the group’s various brands.
FNB Group CEO Sarel Van Zyl said “The total cost of the building is currently around N$600 million of which N$405 million has been spent in Namibia and paid to Namibians. In addition to this amount N$43 million has been paid to the government in the form of Value Added Tax. Van Zyl further said that out of the 459 construction workers employed, 90% are Namibian.
FNB’s new head office has been designed to minimise its environmental impact. The green efficient building is the first four-star Green certified building with state of the art green facilities and 40% less energy consumption which will save the group up to 1 million Kwh per annum. The new FNB building is the second green building in Namibia, the first being Old Mutual’s head office.
But the building not only epitomises environmental considerations, it also reflects FNB’s commitment to contribute to local capacity.
Van Zyl stressed that while FirstRand holds 58% of the shares of FNB Holdings, 78% of all earnings generated by the group remains in Namibia. With only 22% of pre-tax profits flowing to non–Namibian shareholders, “it is thus clear that 26.8% general public and 14.8% GIPF shareholders benefit significantly from the performance of FNB.” he said.
FNB Namibia Holdings takes its social responsibilities serious, the CEO reiterated saying that they have invested N$28.3 million through the FNB Foundation for growth, development and the environment through skills development, education, sports, arts and culture, and health projects. “We will continue with these investments as we support further initiatives of SME skills development to help with poverty reduction and job creation.”
Through its innovative products and channels such as e-wallet, personal loans and Automated Deposit Taking terminals, the bank said it has adopted Dr Hage Geingob’s quote that “no one should be left out’ especially when it comes to financial services. First National Bank of Namibia claims it serves over 800,000 consumers. The bank currently employs more than 2200 people of which 87% are from disadvantaged groups and 64% are female.
“We at FNB Holdings look forward to continue to support the economic growth of Namibia in an ethical, responsible and sustainable manner through various investments that we have made in people, the economy and the government, and that the bank will continue to look for opportunities on how we can help you and thereby realizing our vision of becoming a great Namibian business that creates a better world for all” said Van Zyl.
