Standard Bank recognised at 2021 Efma SME Banking Awards

Innovative and entrepreneurial SME offering earns bank Gold for the first time, and Silver for second year in a row.

JOHANNESBURG, 23 February 2022: Standard Bank has been honoured at Efma’s 2^nd Annual SME Banking Awards, nabbing Gold for the first time in the SME Banker of the Year category, and Silver for the second year in a row in the SME Bank of the Year category. Participating bankers and institutions from 15 countries across Africa, Asia, Europe, North and South America were selected by a panel of expert judges. Nominees in SME Bank of the Year category were chosen based on their ability to support SME customers through another challenging pandemic year while delivering innovative products and services. 

“To be recognised once again at the SME Bank of the Year Awards is a great honour and a testament to Standard Bank’s commitment to our purpose – Africa is our home, we drive her growth,” said Simone Cooper, Head, Business Clients South Africa. “Our success really lies in the relationships we build with our clients, developing a deeper understanding of their challenges and solutioning for them. SMEs continue to face extraordinary hurdles and our clients have counted on Standard Bank to keep another hand on the wheel as they navigate the future.”

Standard Bank was acknowledged for its deep understanding of Africa, its efforts during the Covid-19 pandemic and key initiatives underway that serve the SME market. Standard Bank has made it easier for SMEs to do their banking by moving from physical towards virtual branches. Standard Bank’s Enterprise Direct virtual relationship model gives SMEs direct access to a team of experienced Business Bankers and specialists that can provide banking services through email and telephony channels. Through technological advancements, the bank has made great strides in solving the SME challenge of access to funding across Africa using behavioural data in the credit scoring process. In addition to supporting SMEs with their banking and funding needs, Standard Bank believes in going beyond banking to provide support that enables the growth of these businesses through innovative offerings such as SimplyBlu and Trade Club that help entrepreneurs to access new markets digitally and internationally. 

“SMEs are the primary drivers of innovation and development in Africa, and I am proud of our team at Standard Bank for partnering with customers to realise this tremendous opportunity, helping business rebuild, reinvent and recover,” added Cooper. 

Read the full award entry here and listen to the Efma Podcasts interview with Simone Cooper here. 

This post and content is sponsored, written and provided by Standard Bank.