Group Strategy

Our strategic goals and objectives are based on the aspiration to be recognised as a distinctive specialist banking and asset management group. This distinction is embodied in our entrepreneurial culture, which is balanced by a strong risk management discipline, client-centric approach and ability to be nimble, flexible and innovative.

We do not seek to be all things to all people and aim to build well-defined, value-added businesses focused on serving the needs of select market niches where we can compete effectively.

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Financial Objectives

Strategic Objectives

Strategic Direction

Strategic Objectives

Specialised and focused approach:

• Delivering profitable solutions with distinction and integrity, always following a client-centric approach
• We are not all things to all people and serve select market niches where we can compete effectively
• Enhancing and expanding our position in our principal businesses and geographies

Efficient integrated international business platform:

• South Africa and the UK: offer all areas of activity
• Australia: niche offering in select areas of activity
• Effective global management structure

Long-term sustainable growth strategy:

• We are committed to delivering on our financial targets and hence creating value for our shareholders
• In areas where we already have significant scale, we are concentrating on organic growth through:
  • Building third party funds under management
  • Building loan portfolio
  • Capturing deal flow
• In other areas, we carefully evaluate and consider “bolt-on” acquisitions that expand the position of our core businesses and deliver competitive advantages quickly and efficiently

Strong entrepreneurial culture:

• Our people remain key to the delivery of distinction
• We promote entrepreneurial flair and the freedom to operate within the context of risk consciousness and sound judgement
• Our entrepreneurial spirit fosters the constant creativity and innovation needed to capture growth opportunities

Balance risk and reward:

• Effective risk management is critical to our success
• A culture of risk awareness is embedded in our day-to-day activities
• Shareholder and employee interests are aligned with executives and employees owning approximately 15% of the issued share capital of the group

Committed to sustainability:

• Doing the right thing for our clients, employees and communities is integral to our way of doing business
• We focus on projects that are entrepreneurial and sustainable
• We support developments that empower people through education and training

Strategic Direction

We are a niched and focused specialist banking and asset management group constantly striving to be distinctive.
Our current focus is on:    

• Moderating loan growth, shifting emphasis to increasing the proportion of non-lending revenue base

• Maintaining credit quality

• Strictly managing risk and liquidity

• Creating additional operational efficiencies and containing costs

• Building business depth rather than business breadth in our attempt to deepen existing client relationships and generate high quality income through diversified, sustainable revenue streams.
   

Outlook as at 21 May 2009

The outlook for the global economy is uncertain and markets are likely to remain volatile. There have been some positive signals recently but this was a financial crisis like no other and the knock-on effect to global growth cannot be fully assessed yet.

The competitive landscape has changed and our brand continues to gain recognition. We are independent and have a distinct franchise. We have strengthened our capital position and will continue to safeguard our liquidity. The current market upheaval will present opportunities to strengthen our position across our core geographies and enable us to move onto the front foot.