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

PIVOT POINT: Leading SARS Forward

Newly appointed SARS Commissioner Dr. Johnstone Makhubu reflects on his journey through public finance, his early priorities, the compliance challenges ahead, and how SARS is preparing for a digital, cross‑border tax future.
7 May 4PM 35 min

Global Surge, Local Grind: April’s market review

Global equities delivered their strongest month since 2020, powered by megacap tech, while the JSE eked out a modest gain. Anchor Capital’s Peter Little joins us for his April review of markets.
7 May 4PM 14 min

How to Build Tax‑Free Wealth

TFSAs remain one of SA’s most powerful wealth-building tools—if used correctly. Vutlhari Nkuna from Concept Wealth explains contribution limits, lifetime caps, common mistakes, and how to choose the right long‑term investment mix.
7 May 4PM 11 min

Fuel spikes SA farming pressures.

Diesel is up more than R12/liter since January, squeezing margins across the agricultural value chain. FNB’s Paul Makube explains the impact on grains, livestock, and exports.
7 May 4PM 15 min

How Fuel Prices Shape SA’s Economy

Independent economist John Loos breaks down the ripple effects of fuel price hikes on households, inflation, retail, property, and the Reserve Bank’s policy path.
6 May 5PM 15 min