Standard Bank Group reported an 11 percent increase in annual headline earnings, supported by growth in trading activities, higher fee income and lower credit impairment charges across its core banking operations.
The Johannesburg based lender said headline earnings rose to R49.2 billion, about $2.97 billion, for the year ended December 31, 2025, compared with R44.5 billion, or $2.69 billion, recorded in the previous year. The bank noted that one dollar exchanged at about R16.59 during the reporting period.
Standard Bank, which has operated for about 162 years in South Africa and is listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, remains one of the continent’s largest financial institutions by assets.
The results come at a time when several international banks have been reducing their presence in smaller African markets. Some lenders, particularly from the United Kingdom, have scaled back operations in parts of the continent as they refocus on larger economies and markets considered to offer higher growth prospects.
Against that backdrop, Standard Bank, which operates in 20 African countries, has continued to expand its role as a financial intermediary across the region.
The bank reported a five percent decline in credit impairment charges, reflecting improved asset quality within its retail and business banking portfolios.
According to the group, stronger macroeconomic conditions in some markets, improved debt recovery processes and earlier engagement with distressed borrowers contributed to lower loan losses during the year.
However, the bank recorded higher impairments in its corporate lending portfolio and financial investments. The increase was largely linked to weaker sovereign credit conditions in parts of southern and central Africa, particularly in Mozambique.
Despite these pressures, the group’s credit loss ratio improved to 73 basis points from 83 basis points in 2024, indicating a lower proportion of non performing loans relative to its overall lending book.
Standard Bank also reported stronger performance in its insurance and asset management business, where headline earnings rose 26 percent to R4.1 billion.
The lender declared a final dividend of 878 cents per share, reflecting what it described as a strong capital position and continued earnings growth as it expands operations across African markets.
