SA’s Big Four Banks: Earnings Up, Costs Tight, Digital Bets Rising

Loading player...
GUEST - Rivaan Roopnarain, PwC South Africa Banking and Capital Markets Partner



In this conversation we dive into PwC’s Major Banks Analysis 2025, a detailed look at the performance of South Africa’s Big Four banks, Standard Bank, FNB, Absa and Nedbank.



Despite operating in a climate of weak domestic growth, global trade uncertainty and shifting monetary policy, the major banks delivered a combined headline earnings growth of 11.2% to R69.7bn in the first half of the year. Return on equity improved to 19.5%, while credit losses eased and balance sheets strengthened.



Rivaan explains how the banks are showing stability through uncertainty: sharpening cost controls, investing in digital transformation, and leveraging regional expansion to drive growth.
15 Sep 2025 4PM English South Africa Business News · Investing

Other recent episodes

Paymenow data shows SA workers lose 40% of purchasing power.

A new Paymenow analysis shows South African workers have lost more than 40% of their purchasing power over the past decade—even as headline inflation stayed within target. Rene Richter, Reward & Benefits Lead Advisor at Paymenow, joins Kaya Biz to unpack why wages aren’t keeping up, how transport and utilities…
21 May 2PM 10 min

Oceana H1 Results: Lucky Star Shines as Fishmeal Stumbles

Oceana Group has delivered a resilient set of interim results despite a 6% drop in revenue. Lucky Star and Wild Caught Seafood carried the half‑year, while Fishmeal & Fish Oil struggled under weak catch volumes and global pricing pressure. CFO Zaf Mahomed joins Kaya Biz to break down margins, cash…
21 May 2PM 18 min

Inside Investec’s Strong 2026 SA Performance

Investec SA has delivered a robust full‑year performance in a tough macro environment. CEO Cumesh Moodliar joins Kaya Biz to unpack the 5.2% rise in SA operating profit, strong momentum in specialist banking, wealth inflows, digital transformation, and what the bank expects from the South African economy heading into 2027.
21 May 2PM 13 min

Stats SA Explains April’s Sharp Inflation Rise to 4%

South Africa’s inflation rate surged to 4.0% in April, driven by fuel, transport, and housing pressures. Stats SA’s Patrick Kelly unpacks the numbers, the 1.1% month‑on‑month spike, and what’s behind the dramatic swing in transport inflation. We explore regional differences, goods vs. services inflation, and what this means for households…
20 May 4PM 11 min

4% Inflation and the SARB’s Next Move

With inflation back at 4% and oil‑driven risks rising, the SARB faces a critical decision next week. Economist Sifiso Skenjana unpacks the April CPI print, the credibility of the new 3% target, and whether a rate hike is now on the table. We discuss real interest rates, global financial conditions,…
20 May 4PM 15 min