Standard Bank rejects false social media claims by Dr Anele Mngadi Hammond

Standard Bank has noted a series of social media videos published by Dr Anele Mngadi Hammond relating to a historic vehicle finance matter concluded in 2018. The dispute related to a valid and enforceable financing agreement to purchase a Ferrari vehicle.

In the videos, Dr Hammond makes serious allegations of impropriety against our institution and further alleges criminal conduct by Standard Bank and its representatives. As a 163-year institution that serves millions of customers, Standard Bank places the highest value on trust, integrity and accountability. Our operations are governed by robust internal controls, regulatory oversight and strict adherence to legal and ethical standards.

We state the following:

• The suggestion that Standard Bank and its representatives have engaged in or authorised criminal activity, including fraud, is false and baseless.
• Standard Bank in the ordinary course of its collections processes, engages with debtors to explore various mechanisms to settle a debt. In this case and after lengthy engagements, Dr Hammond voluntarily agreed to settle the debt. Dr Hammond paid the agreed amount and Standard Bank therefore did not ultimately repossess the vehicle that was the subject matter of the agreement.  
• At no point did Standard Bank or its representatives perform any acts of violence or intimidation towards Dr Hammond and any of her family members.
• While we respect the rights of the individual to express their views against our business, practices and processes, it is regrettable and irresponsible for Dr Hammond to publish false information.  
• Dr Hammond, her daughter and a Trust issued summons against Standard Bank and its CEO, Sim Tshabalala more than 21 months after the settlement was reached. This summons was served as far back as 2020. After Standard Bank’s defence was filed, for more than 5 years Dr Hammond, her daughter and the Trust have not taken any steps to progress their alleged claims. The summons that was issued in 2020 does not contain the bulk of the allegations that she is now spreading in her videos. The reason for this is obvious. If there was any truth to the allegations that she is now levelling, all of these allegations would have been made at the time that the summons in 2020 was delivered, and they would have taken steps to have the alleged claims determined. They have not done so.
• Standard Bank denies that it conceded in court that a fraud had been perpetrated. This too was not alleged by Dr Hammond, her daughter or the Trust in the 2020 summons.

Standard Bank remains committed to transparent, fair and responsible banking practices. We take our legal and ethical obligations seriously and apply the same rigorous standards to all clients and matters. We will vigorously defend the reputation of the bank and its leadership against malicious falsehoods.