Corporate governance
We uphold the highest standards of corporate governance to ensure ethical and responsible business practices. Our governance framework, aligned with King IV principles, is designed to promote transparency, accountability, and sound decision-making at all levels of the organisation.
Our code of ethics in action
We are committed to upholding human rights in all aspects of our business. This includes how we interact with employees, customers and communities. Our code guides our decisions-making, service delivery, product development, and client relationships.
Code of ethics and
conduct
conduct
Code of ethics and conduct (French)
Code of ethics and conduct (Portuguese)
Human rights
statement
statement
Board committees
Group directors’ affairs committee
This committee's mandate involves selecting the appropriate group corporate governance structures and practices, nurturing a program for board continuity, and ensuring unwavering compliance with all relevant governance laws, regulations, and ethical codes. Additionally, they are dedicated to continuously evaluating the effectiveness of the board and its committees, fine-tuning our approach for optimal performance.
Key activities:
- Corporate governance
- Succession planning
- Board performance review
- Standard Bank Group subsidiary governance framework
Group audit committee
Building trust starts with financial transparency, and this committee is responsible for ensuring the accuracy and reliability of our financial information by monitoring and reviewing the effectiveness of our accounting practices, internal controls, and financial reporting processes. Additionally, they provide independent oversight of crucial assurance functions like internal and external audits, compliance teams, and risk management.
Key activities
- Subsidiary governance oversight
- Internal audit
- Compliance
- Tax
- Financial accounting and external reporting
- Financial control
- Non-audit services
- Interim and annual financial statements
- External reporting
- External audit
Group risk and capital management committee
Risk management is a key priority, and this committee acts as an independent and objective oversight body, ensuring effective risk and capital management across the group. They decide on the approach for identifying and addressing potential risks, and consistently assess and refine the adequacy of our risk management frameworks. Additionally, they ensure our risk management standards and policies are well-documented, well-aligned with our strategy, and foster a culture of discipline and control for our long-term success.
Key activities
- Financial and non-financial risk management
- Capital and liquidity risk management
- Internal capital adequacy assessment process (ICAAP)
- Regulatory matters
- Governance
Group information technology committee
A secure technology infrastructure is crucial in today digital age, and this committee oversees the strategic direction and transformation of the group’s information security, technology, data and analytics capabilities. They also ensure we take prudent and reasonable steps to govern technology and information, adhering to the high standards set out by King IV governance principles.
Key activities
- Technology strategy
- Technology cost and investment
- Technology risk
- Information security and cybersecurity
- Data and analytics
- Governance and assurance
Group social, ethics and sustainability committee
This committee takes a holistic approach to our social and ethical impact by ensuring the development of robust policies and frameworks to guide our focus in these areas. Their role is to actively monito and guide our social, ethical, economic, and environmental initiatives, ensuring alignment with relevant regulations and govern all group activities related to fair treatment of customers, ethical conduct, and stakeholder engagement.
Key activities
- Stakeholder engagement
- Transformation
- Employee engagement
- Ethics and conduct
- Environmental, social and governance (ESG)
- Subsidiary governance oversight
Group remuneration committee
Employees deserve to be compensated fairly and this committee’s responsibility is to ensure fair and responsible remuneration practices across the group by developing a clear remuneration philosophy and policy statement. This information is then disclosed publicly, allowing stakeholders to gain a clear picture of how we approach rewards and the governance processes in place.
Key activities
- Remuneration
- Incentive schemes, share-based payments and other benefits
- Subsidiary remuneration committees
- Governance
Group model approval committee
Understanding risk is key to safeguarding the bank's health and this committee is in charge of managing model risk, for the advanced internal rating-based (AIRB) approach for credit risk measurement as outlined in the Banks Act. They collaborate with the board to ensure they fulfil their regulatory duties, including reviewing and approving risk models. Additionally, they actively evaluate the effectiveness of the bank's model risk governance practices and monitor the bank's model universe and overall risk appetite for credit exposure.
Key activities
- Model risk oversight
- Model approvals
- Model governance
Group large exposure credit committee
Responsible lending practices are crucial to the success of our business and this committee acts as a safeguard to ensure that we comply with all relevant regulations, especially for loans exceeding 10% of our capital and reserves, as outlined in the regulations. By carefully reviewing and approving all such investments and loan applications, this committee fosters responsible lending practices and promotes the financial strength of the bank.
Key activities
- Review and approval of large exposures
More about us
Our journey
Discover our rich history and evolution as Africa's leading financial services group.
Diversity and inclusion
We believe in creating a workplace that reflects the diversity of the communities we serve, fostering a culture of inclusion and belonging.