Page 21 - Stanbic Bank IR 2024

STANBIC BANK BOTSWANA LIMITED | Integrated Report 2024 19

The Bank prioritises safeguarding the
Our employees are the key drivers of assets of our clients, shareholders, and
our client-centric culture. As a other stakeholders under our custody.
people-centred organization, we take As such, we adhere to comprehensive
pride in being human at heart and Risk and Conduct and Operational
recognize the pivotal role our Excellence frameworks, which are
The employees play in our success. Their Executing integral to our six strategic value
Heartbeat capabilities are essential to our with drivers alongside clients, employees,
of Our strategic execution, and we are Excellence financial outcome, and sustainability.
Brand committed to continuously growing We uphold strict principles of integrity
and empowering our people, while
adapting to our strategic goals and the and ethics, ensuring that prudence and
evolving needs of our clients. In 2023, discipline are exercised in our daily operations, with a strong
we underwent an organizational redesign, and I am pleased to focus on operational excellence. These principles have enabled
report that a year later, we have achieved our objective. Our us to maintain a robust control environment free of unethical
operational structures have proven fit for purpose and are behaviour, as evidenced by our improved cost to income (CTI)
aligned with the Bank’s future growth aspirations. Additionally, ratio, credit loss ratio (CLR) and well-managed compliance
we have integrated the necessary skills and competencies environment.
required to lead in a highly competitive industry.
In accordance with regulatory developments, we have
Several key developments have been implemented to enhance successfully implemented the requirements of the Data
the employee value proposition as part of our ongoing effort to Protection Act, 2023. We assure our clients that the privacy of
make Stanbic an employer that prioritizes staff welfare and goes their data is of utmost importance to us.
the extra mile to ensure their needs are well taken care of. The
positive trend in employee engagement survey results affirms At Stanbic Bank, we uphold the highest standards of corporate
that our people feel engaged and valued for their contributions. governance, operating within a structured framework aligned
with King IV principles and regulatory guidelines. We will continue
We remain committed to attracting, retaining, and nurturing our to enhance our governance framework, ensuring transparency
talent. A standout example of our investment in talent was the and accountability at all levels of the organisation.
2024 Graduate Development Programme, which welcomed ten
bright minds from diverse backgrounds. This talent intervention As a reflection of our strong financial health and prudent risk
reinforced our dedication to addressing youth unemployment in management, the Bank maintained a Capital Adequacy Ratio
Botswana. Our strong focus on people has been validated by the (CAR) of 17.73%, well above the regulatory threshold.
Standard Bank Group award for the best employer in Africa and
our ranking among the top 20 Employers worldwide, testament Since our inception as an operating
to our robust people-driven culture across the Group by Forbes in entity in Botswana, our journey has
2024. been characterized by a synergy of
business success and sustainable
At Stanbic we are also committed to building a diverse, equitable, development. We recognize that our
and inclusive environment where every individual feels valued, future prosperity is intrinsically tied to
respected, and empowered. Our belief is that diversity Growth sustainable progress, and that our
strengthens our organization, drives innovation, and contributes commercial fundamentals will remain
to our overall success. We prioritise fostering an inclusive culture on a robust if the foundation they are built
that supports the empowerment of women, people with Sustainable upon is well-maintained. This
disabilities, and all under-represented groups. Noteworthy Path philosophy has earned us recognition
outcomes include the accelerated development of women in
senior leadership positions, achieving 57% representation in the as the Best Bank for ESG 2024 by
country leadership structure and an additional 45% in bank-wide Euromoney. Our sustainability
senior leadership, up from 31% in 2021. framework serves as this foundation, striving to minimize risks
and maximize positive impacts on our stakeholders, including
communities, clients, and the country.
This Report offers an overview of our efforts to pursue growth on
a sustainable path, highlighting some of the significant
Profit for the year before taxes achievements made during the year under review. To align with
P950 million best practices, we have committed to the United Nation’s Global
Compact (UNGC) communication on progress reporting. This
2023: P661 million commitment allows us to adhere to international best standards,
strive for excellence, and learn from leading global businesses.
Additionally, we have aligned our reporting with Global Reporting
Initiative (GRI) standards. By adopting these two frameworks, we
Cost-to-Income Ratio aim to use a common sustainability language understood by all
and ensure our practices meet the highest standards available.
49.1% This approach helps us minimize risks in our business
2023: 52.8% operations.
In our pursuit of maximizing positive impact, we initiated several
groundbreaking projects and transactions, some of which are
Capital Adequacy Ratio market firsts in design and impact. Throughout the year, we
facilitated one of the first sustainability-linked loans in
17.73% partnership with ABSA Bank and NORSAD Capital,
2023: 19.92% demonstrating how competitors can collabourate for a greater
cause. Additionally, we maintained our commitment to SME
growth by providing flexible, inclusive financing solutions to
support their progress.