Standard voted most trusted firm in SA

 Johannesburg - Standard Bank Group [JSE:SBK] has been acknowledged as the most trusted company in South Africa in the annual Ask Afrika Trust Barometer Survey.

In addition, Standard Bank also achieved first position in the sustainability index, and Standard Bank Group CEO Jacko Maree was voted the second most trusted business leader in South Africa.

"This is an exceptional achievement and would not have been possible without all the incredible people that make up the Standard Bank family.

"What makes these accolades really meaningful is the fact that the results are based on peer recognition," said Sim Tshabalala, chief executive, Standard Bank South Africa.

The trust barometer is an annual measurement of corporate trust and reputation, scrutinising companies and business leaders nominated by South African directors to determine the most respected in South Africa.

"Standard Bank's reputation is built by each and every one of the 50 000 people who work in the 30 countries in which we operate. We have a strong brand and an unassailable reputation in South Africa; and our reputation on the continent and in other key emerging markets is growing," said Tshabalala.

He said that he was also delighted that Standard Bank's commitment to sustainability had been recognised. "Sustainability is at the core of everything that we do. We have embedded sustainability thinking into the way that we do business."

Tshabalala said Standard Bank is at the forefront with innovations in financing renewable energy efficiency programmes. Its energy financing team is working on a significant pipeline of commercial renewable and alternative energy projects in South Africa and neighbouring countries.

Standard Bank is also a market leader in carbon financing, and its carbon finance and trading team has financed projects that have resulted in a lower carbon emissions profile around the world.