Our segmented approach enables us to deliver products and services to satisfy our customers’ needs, from the full spectrum of retail banking products to highly sophisticated corporate and investment banking products and services. Our focus is to continuously simplify and streamline the way we operate to maintain our service orientation.
 

Highlights

• we were rated as the top brand in the South African financial services industry according to the Markinor-Sunday Times Top Brands Survey for 2004;
   
• we were rated as bank of the year, emerging markets bank of the year, and Best Bank in: South Africa, Swaziland, Uganda, Lesotho, Botswana and Zimbabwe. (The Banker magazine);
   
• we received a "Top Rated" accreditation; and we were regarded as the highest rated custodian in South Africa (Global Custody Review);
   
• we were rated as the Best Bank in sub-Saharan Africa, and we won top honours in four categories: Best Bank in South Africa, Namibia, Uganda and Swaziland (Euromoney magazine);
   
• we successfully launched our Mzansi BlueAccount - we opened 90 000 new accounts in 2004;
   
• we developed 26 tactical service centres during the year to reach customers in the lower-income group;
   
• we achieved good market share in credit card (32,8%) and mortgage advances (25,8%); and
   
• we continued to provide infrastructure financing both in South Africa and the rest of Africa.

Looking ahead we will strive to

• retain and preserve our market share in the key markets in which we operate both in South Africa and globally;
   
• keep our products and services fairly valued, competitive and appropriate to the needs of our diverse customer base; and
   
• support the ongoing national initiatives to promote socioeconomic transformation and empowerment in South Africa by providing appropriate and fairly valued banking and investment products and services to our customers.