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Thu 5 Mar 2009, 8:00 SBK - Standard Bank Group - Audited Results and Distribution
SBK   SBPP  SBKP
SBK                                                                             
SBK - Standard Bank Group - Audited Results and Distribution                    
              Announcement for the Year Ended 31 December 2008                  
Standard Bank Group Limited                                                     
(Incorporated in the Republic of South Africa)                                  
Registration No. 1969/017128/06                                                 
South African Share Code: SBK                                                   
Namibian Share Code: SNB                                                        
ISIN: ZAE000109815                                                              
Audited results and distribution announcement for the year ended 31 December    
2008                                                                            
                                                                 Financial      
Normalised        IFRS     objectives      
                                                                      2008      
Return on equity (%)                        18,2        19,1           21,0     
Growth in net asset value per share                                             
(%)                                         32,4        34,2                    
Headline earnings growth (%)                 7,6        10,2                    
Headline earnings per share (cents)        942,6     1 002,0                    
Headline earnings per share growth (%)     (1,9)       (3,0)          16,3(1)   
Distribution per share (cents)               386         386                    
Cost-to-income ratio (%)                    49,2        49,3          =51,0     
Credit loss ratio (%)                       1,55        1,55          =1,00     
1 Average South African inflation (CPIX) for 2008 of 11,3% plus 5%.             
Overview of financial results                                                   
Standard Bank grew normalised headline earnings by 8% in 2008 to R14 150        
million. This was achieved in a particularly difficult operating environment    
characterised by high levels of volatility, declining asset prices and reduced  
liquidity, particularly in the fourth quarter. The group`s diversified business 
and strong capital position have allowed us to weather the turbulence in global 
financial markets. Highlights of the 2008 results include strong organic        
revenue growth despite the difficult operating conditions and meaningful        
contributions from recent acquisitions in Nigeria and Argentina, both included  
in the group`s results for a full year for the first time. The group`s prudent  
approach to credit impairments has not changed during the year. All business    
units and geographic regions were profitable in 2008.                           
The volatile operating conditions experienced during the year resulted in the   
group not meeting the principal financial objectives set in March 2008. The     
outlook for headline earnings per share growth was revised downward during the  
year and in the market update provided in October 2008 it was projected that the
group`s normalised headline earnings for the year was likely to be similar to or
slightly higher than that for 2007.                                             
Economic factors impacting the results                                          
During 2008, the group experienced two distinct negative trends in its          
operating environment:                                                          
- Globally, the systemic credit and liquidity crisis deepened as interbank and  
wholesale funding markets stalled in the wake of fading confidence amongst      
financial institutions. Significant deleveraging followed as financial          
institutions realised assets to cover liquidity shortfalls, resulting in        
dramatic repricing. The lack of liquidity and the dramatically reduced risk     
appetite severely limited both the ability and willingness of global financial  
institutions to finance normal corporate requirements, bringing about a         
slowdown in market activity and a collapse in commodity prices. This market     
turmoil and consequent loss of confidence resulted in investors withdrawing     
funds from emerging markets and currencies devalued significantly. The South    
African rand lost 37% against the US dollar in 2008.                            
- In South Africa interest and inflation rates were cyclically higher. The      
prime interest rate was raised by 50 basis points on ten occasions between June 
2006 and June 2008, peaking at 15,5% before the first 50 basis point rate cut   
in December 2008. Consumer spending declined, hit by rising inflation driven by 
higher energy and food prices and tighter borrowing conditions. During the      
second half of the year, activity in the property and passenger car markets     
dropped off significantly, with a 3% contraction in median property prices and  
a 23% decline in new passenger vehicle sales. Corporate activity slowed towards 
the end of the year as commodity prices weakened and demand softened in the     
wake of the financial crisis in developed countries. The repricing of financial 
assets impacted insurance operations significantly, as their earnings are       
exposed to fair value adjustments in equity and debt markets.                   
South African banks were somewhat insulated from the global turmoil in 2008 due 
to a combination of factors. South African banks have, typically, limited       
exposure to exotic and highly geared products. They also have strong deposit    
gathering franchises. South Africa`s strong regulatory framework has been       
embedded in the operations of local banks, alongside robust risk management     
practices including the implementation of Basel II during January 2008.         
However, the fact that South Africa has not been immune to the consequences of  
the global financial crisis is reflected in the substantially higher cost of    
long-term funding, significantly altered pricing dynamics and securitisation    
ceasing to be a financing option.                                               
Key performance indicators                                                      
In this difficult environment the group achieved a return on equity of 19,1%,   
headline earnings per share fell 3% to 1 002,0 cents per share and net asset    
value per share rose 34%. Whereas these results are prepared on an IFRS basis,  
normalised results make adjustments for two accounting anomalies (described     
fully in the normalised results section below) that have distorted the results  
from an economic perspective since 2004.                                        
On a normalised basis, the group`s return on equity was 18,2%, headline earnings
per share declined 2% to 942,6 cents per share and net asset value per share    
increased 32%.                                                                  
The commentary that follows is based on the normalised results.                 
Other factors impacting results                                                 
- Subscription for shares by ICBC                                               
On 3 March 2008, ICBC subscribed for 152,5 million newly issued ordinary shares 
for an aggregate consideration of R15,9 billion. This new equity capital        
provided additional income to boost earnings growth, but diluted return on      
equity and growth in earnings per share. The group`s business co-operation with 
ICBC is still gaining traction and progressing well. Much of the first year of  
co-operation has involved relationship building, understanding our mutual       
structures, exploring client opportunities and determining how best to co-      
ordinate our efforts in China and the emerging markets in which we operate.     
- Recent acquisitions                                                           
Standard Bank acquired controlling interests in BankBoston Argentina on 1 April 
2007 and in IBTC Chartered Bank Plc in Nigeria on 24 September 2007. The        
results of both these operations are included for the full period for the first 
time, adding an incremental R393 million to group headline earnings in 2008. A  
60% interest in CfC Bank (renamed CfC Stanbic Holdings) in Kenya was acquired   
effective 1 June 2008 and had no material effect on earnings.                   
- Increased holding in Liberty                                                  
Standard Bank increased its effective holding in Liberty from 32,8% to 53,7%    
during the year. Standard Bank wished to increase its effective economic        
interest in Liberty as part of enhancing its portfolio of financial services    
subsidiaries and to align its commercial and economic investment and benefits   
so as to reflect the strategic and commercial contribution which it continues   
to make to Liberty. The investment required to increase the holding was R4,4    
billion.                                                                        
Business units                                                                  
Following many years of strong growth, the convergence of several negative      
macro-economic factors affected our Personal & Business Banking division and,   
although remaining profitable, headline earnings fell 16%. Despite this, a      
healthy ROE of 19,9% was achieved and the cost-to-income ratio was further      
improved to 51,3%.                                                              
Mortgage lending`s results were significantly adversely impacted by increases   
in non-performing loans, lower new business volumes and margin pressure from    
higher term funding costs. Instalment sale and finance leases experienced lower 
new business volumes, increased arrears and falling recovery values. Card       
products recorded pleasing growth in revenues, with higher merchant sales       
turnover and cardholder balances, partly offset by increased credit losses.     
Transactional and lending products recorded strong growth on the back of higher 
deposit and loan balances, an expanding transactional account base,             
particularly in the rest of Africa, and a positive endowment impact of higher   
rates on transactional deposits. Earnings from bancassurance were marginally    
lower due to reduced investment income in the bank`s short-term insurance       
portfolios, higher lapse ratios and weaker investment returns. This was         
partially offset by the inclusion of CfC Stanbic`s earnings for the first time. 
Corporate & Investment Banking grew headline earnings 19% in a challenging      
environment. An ROE of 22,2% was achieved and the cost-to-income ratio was      
50,5%, down from 53,1% in the prior year.                                       
In global markets strong performances were achieved in commodities and foreign  
exchange trading, boosted by increased client activity, higher volatility and   
wider spreads. Investment banking was impacted by the sharply declining market  
values of listed property investments and unlisted debt and equity investments. 
Provisions for credit losses increased substantially. These factors more than   
offset the benefits of higher margins and strong growth in arranging and        
advisory revenue. Transactional products and services recorded strong growth    
from increased deposit balances, the positive endowment impact of higher rates  
on transactional deposits, and an expanding client base in the rest of Africa.  
Liberty`s earnings are closely aligned to investment markets and were           
significantly impacted in the second half of the year by amongst others the JSE 
Limited All Share Index being down 26% for the year under review. The high      
inflation and interest rate environment placed strain on consumers` disposable  
income and resulted in higher withdrawals and lapse rates on policies, which    
also had a negative impact on earnings. However, improved mortality experience  
had a positive impact. The effect on earnings of the reduction in long-term     
interest rates towards the end of the year was mitigated by interest rate       
hedges entered into during the last quarter. Liberty`s published headline       
earnings of R1 619 million were 48% down on 2007 and Standard Bank`s share of   
these earnings decreased 34% from R973 million in 2007 to R641 million for      
2008, taking into account the increase shareholding in the more difficult       
second half of the year.                                                        
Geographic analysis of results                                                  
Geographic breakdown of headline earnings                                       
Headline   Headline earnings  
                                                  earnings        contribution  
                                Change       2008      2007      2008     2007  
                                     %         Rm        Rm         %        %  
South Africa                          1     10 916    10 801        77       82 
South Africa (Banking activities)     5     10 275     9 828        72       75 
South Africa (Liberty Life)        (34)        641       973         5        7 
Rest of Africa                       46      1 862     1 273        13       10 
Outside Africa                       12      1 378     1 229        10        9 
Central funding and eliminations                (6)     (150)                (1)
Standard Bank Group                   8     14 150    13 153        100      100
In addition to maintaining an intense focus on South Africa, the group`s        
strategy of increasing earnings from other strategic emerging markets continues 
to gain momentum. Earnings growth in our home market resulted from a strong     
performance from transactional products and trading operations but was          
restricted by credit impairments in consumer lending products and weaker equity 
markets in the group`s insurance operations. Supported by the recent            
acquisitions, our operations in the rest of Africa benefited from an enhanced   
product offering, higher trading volumes and a focus on profitable              
cross-selling opportunities. Operations outside Africa, where the effects of    
the global financial crisis were most acutely felt, showed notable resilience   
in achieving earnings of US$168 million, marginally lower than the prior        
year, US$174 million. When translated into rand, earnings from this region were 
up 12%.                                                                         
Banking operations                                                              
Balance sheet analysis                                                          
Banking assets grew by 34% year on year. If the translation impact of the       
weaker rand exchange rate is excluded this reduces to 23%.                      
Loans and advances                                                              
Loans and advances rose 24% on a group basis with growth of 12% in Personal &   
Business Banking. Growth in mortgage loans slowed to 15% in 2008 from 29% in    
2007 due to a weaker property market and stricter acceptance criteria. The      
total annual value of new mortgage business reduced by 32%. Overall growth of   
the mortgage book was however supported by a decrease in customers` prepayment  
rates and lower cancellations. Instalment sale and finance leases were only up  
2%: a downturn in the light passenger vehicle market resulted in a reduction of 
30% in new loans granted in the motor book. The value of new business in the    
non-motor book reduced by 1% leading to a motor/non-motor book ratio of 71%/29% 
(2007: 74%/26%). Growth in card debtors originated mainly from our operation in 
Argentina as the local book showed no growth.                                   
Market share in the key Personal & Business Banking segments in South Africa    
have changed as follows from a year ago:                                        
- Mortgage advances increased from 25,7% to 26,6%;                              
- Instalment finance fell from 23,0% to 21,6%;                                  
- Card debtors were lower, falling from 36,0% to 34,8%; and                     
- Deposits declined slightly from 27,5% to 26,9%.                               
Loans and advances in Corporate & Investment Banking grew 39% (22% excluding    
the translation effect of the weaker rand) with growth of 40% in South Africa,  
57% in the rest of Africa and a 3% decline (exchange rate adjusted) outside     
Africa. Strong growth occurred in term lending as a number of large structured  
lending deals were concluded in the first half of the year. Within Corporate &  
Investment Banking advances growth of 39%, loans to banks increased 40% as a    
result of surplus liquidity placements with other banks.                        
Net asset value                                                                 
Net asset value grew by R27,5 billion or 47% in 2008 to R85,9 billion. In       
addition to the R15,9 billion of equity raised by the issue of shares to ICBC,  
earnings of R14,1 billion were recorded plus a further R5,2 billion of currency 
translation and associated hedging gains accounted for directly in reserves.    
Dividends of R6,1 billion were paid to ordinary shareholders.                   
Income statement analysis                                                       
Net interest income                                                             
Net interest income was up 40% and the group`s interest margin widened to 3,32% 
from 2,95% in 2007. Excluding the impact of recent acquisitions, net interest   
income was up 34%. Strong income growth was achieved in Personal & Business     
Banking of 29% and in Corporate & Investment Banking of 55%. The interest       
margins increased to 5,15% (2007: 4,75%) and 1,83% (2007: 1,54%) respectively.  
Growth in Personal & Business Banking was mainly due to the positive endowment  
impact of a higher average prime rate on low-earning deposits, lower average    
concession rates on new mortgage loans and instalment sale and finance leases,  
and an increase in the unwind to interest income of the discount component of   
expected recoveries on non-performing loans. Corporate & Investment Banking     
posted strong lending growth, benefiting from recent acquisitions and the weaker
rand exchange rate. Wider lending spreads were partially diluted by higher      
wholesale funding costs and a group wide focus on improving the long-term       
funding ratio. The endowment effect on capital assisted the overall margin by 19
basis points.                                                                   
Non-interest revenue                                                            
Non-interest revenue grew 19%, with a meaningful contribution from recent       
acquisitions. Growth excluding recent acquisitions was 11%.                     
Net fee and commission revenue grew 21%. Within Personal & Business Banking,    
increases in account transaction fees in South Africa were restricted to 4,6%.  
As a result, growth in this category was limited to 13%, driven by a 9%         
increase in the number of current accounts in South Africa and strong           
transactional volume growth across the expanding branch network in Africa.      
Card-based fees rose 13%, assisted by higher merchant turnover despite a 3%     
reduction in the cardholder base in South Africa. Corporate & Investment        
Banking lifted advisory fees by 49% on the back of strong growth in fee income  
in Africa and higher corporate and structured finance advisory deal volumes in  
the first half of the year. Limited activity in the international debt capital  
and securitisation markets restricted income from these sources.                
Trading revenue increased 31%. Operations in the rest of Africa posted an       
excellent trading result, doubling trading revenue. Higher client trading       
volumes in foreign exchange and debt securities contributed to this             
performance. In South Africa, trading revenue was up 16%, with good             
performances from commodities and foreign exchange trading assisted by higher   
volatility. This was somewhat offset by a slowdown in fixed income trading due  
to negative market sentiment and lower deal flow. Trading revenue outside       
Africa grew 7% as a robust performance from trading in commodities and local    
currencies was diluted by a weaker trading result in equities.                  
Other non-interest revenue was 21% lower following downward fair value          
movements in the group`s listed property investments from the high base of the  
comparative period. Income from insurance-related activities benefited from the 
newly acquired insurance operations within CfC Stanbic Holdings and growth in   
bancassurance commission but fair value adjustments on the equity portfolio     
constrained the insurance result. Profit on the partial realisation of Visa     
shares amounted to R123 million. The comparative number for 2007 includes R459  
million realised on MasterCard shares. Profit realised on these                 
available-for-sale instruments was excluded from headline earnings.             
Credit impairments                                                              
Credit impairments increased by 147%: 117% in Personal & Business Banking, 559% 
in Corporate & Investment Banking and 399% centrally, where a R500 million      
impairment has been created to cater for credit losses in the group`s credit    
portfolios due to the continued significant volatility and uncertainty in       
international and local markets, the severe slowdown in economic growth and the 
associated risks of unemployment and corporate default. The credit loss ratio   
worsened to 1,55% from 0,80%.                                                   
Within Personal & Business Banking, credit losses in the current interest rate  
cycle have worsened due to lower disposable income amongst consumers following  
sharp increases in food and energy inflation earlier in the year. Economic      
conditions for mortgage loan customers worsened progressively during 2008,      
intensifying the difficulty they experienced in meeting contractual repayments. 
Within mortgages, the credit loss ratio escalated to 1,49% from 0,54%. Recovery 
values are under pressure as property prices fell by 3%.                        
Credit impairment charges for instalment sale and finance leases were up 83%    
and the credit loss ratio increased to 2,48% from 1,54% in 2007. The ratio      
reflects a reduction of expected recoveries to 40% in 2008 from 48% in 2007, as 
the used car market became saturated due to an increase in delinquencies.       
Credit impairment charges relating to card debtors grew 48% and the credit loss 
ratio deteriorated to 9,53% (2007: 7,24%).                                      
The credit loss ratio in Corporate & Investment Banking increased to 0,46% in   
2008 from a low base of 0,10% in 2007. This included increased impairments for  
loans identified as non-performing in sectors where stresses are evident and    
newly-created portfolio impairments for performing loans to cater for the       
evidently worsening economic conditions.                                        
We continue to re-evaluate the depth and expected duration of the current       
downturn to ensure the appropriate strategies are in place.                     
These include a heightened focus on early identification of problem accounts,   
collection capability and efficiencies, proactive rehabilitation policies and   
processes. We are nevertheless currently originating quality new business.      
Operating expenses                                                              
The banking group`s cost-to-income ratio improved to 49,2% (2007: 51,6%). The   
consolidation of recently acquired entities drove banking activities` cost      
growth to 23% (14% excluding acquisitions). Operating expenses in South Africa  
were well contained and grew at 7,5%, well below South African inflation.       
Staff costs were 17% higher in total and 9% up excluding recent acquisitions.   
Despite including new staff in Kenya for the first time and an increase in debt 
management staff required to cater for increased delinquency volumes, headcount 
increased by only 2%, following initiatives to contain headcount in South       
Africa. Staff numbers in selected client-facing growth areas in the rest of     
Africa were increased to manage higher business volumes. Performance-based      
remuneration was reduced as a percentage of salary costs in response to the     
current market environment and group results.                                   
Other operating expenses were up 32% with the increase in expenses in South     
Africa being well controlled at 8%. In line with the group`s growth strategy in 
the rest of Africa and outside Africa recent acquisitions contributed a third   
to overall cost growth. The devaluation of the rand further contributed to the  
growth in expenses outside Africa. IT costs increased by 28% as maintenance     
costs, consultancy fees and software licensing expenses were incurred to        
maintain, enhance and expand the core network. Depreciation and amortisation    
increased 72% following implementation of new IT infrastructure and systems,    
impairment of redundant technology and amortisation of intangible assets        
identified on new acquisitions. Premises costs were 22% higher resulting from   
business growth outside of South Africa, rental escalations and utility tariff  
increases.                                                                      
Liquidity                                                                       
Liquidity conditions in international money markets and debt capital markets    
remained constrained during 2008, and ongoing risk aversion of investors        
remains evident. In response to the adverse market conditions, heightened focus 
was placed on the frequency and rigour of the application of prudent practices  
within the bank`s liquidity management framework. The structural liquidity      
mismatch was managed and maintained within best-practice banking guidelines.    
Surplus liquidity buffers, comprising unencumbered and readily available        
marketable assets, amounted to R97 billion as at 31 December 2008.              
Capital and Basel II                                                            
The group implemented Basel II on 1 January 2008. Over the last year, we        
significantly enhanced our internal economic capital and stress-testing         
methodologies and improved and formalised our internal capital assessment       
process.                                                                        
The group`s capital adequacy ratio was bolstered by the ICBC capital injection  
of R15,9 billion in March 2008, internally generated capital and proactive      
management of the balance sheet. Total capital adequacy increased to 12,9%      
(2007: 11,6%) and tier 1 capital adequacy improved to 10,7% (2007: 8,7%). The   
economic capital coverage ratio, representing the extent to which minimum       
economic capital requirements are covered by available financial resources was  
1,93 times - indicating a substantially higher capital position relative to     
risks assumed in banking activities. Domestically, the group redeemed tier 2    
subordinated debt to the value of R2 billion. The decision not to replace the   
tier 2 debt was informed by the group`s strong tier 1 capital position and      
prevailing market conditions.                                                   
Distributions                                                                   
The group`s policy of a distribution cover ratio of 2,5 times has not changed.  
However, given the marginal reduction in headline earnings per share, the board 
has decided to maintain the group`s total distribution per share at the same    
level as the prior year, resulting in a distribution cover ratio of 2,4 times   
for 2008. In addition, the board has declared a scrip distribution with a cash  
alternative. It was considered important to utilise a scrip distribution to     
incrementally raise capital given that asset growth is continuing and alternate 
sources of capital are currently limited.                                       
A final distribution of 193 cents per share has been declared, bringing the     
total distribution declared in respect of 2008 to 386 cents per share. A        
circular relating to the scrip distribution will be posted to shareholders in   
due course.                                                                     
Financial Sector Charter                                                        
We continue to support the harmonisation process undertaken by the financial    
sector and other stakeholders to achieve the alignment of the Financial Sector  
Charter (FSC) to the Broad-based Black Economic Empowerment Codes of Good       
Practice legislated in 2007. The bank maintained an "A" rating in the overall   
FSC Scorecard with an improvement in the area of employment equity. Black       
managers now comprise more than 51% of the bank`s management in South Africa,   
of which 53% are female.                                                        
Prospects                                                                       
We expect the extremely difficult operating conditions to continue, posing      
significant challenges for our customers and our industry. Global confidence    
in financial markets is unlikely to improve in the short term.                  
Operations outside of South Africa should continue to benefit from synergies    
with the South African operations and opportunities in local markets. In South  
Africa it is likely that consumers will remain under pressure as unemployment   
and lower economic growth exacerbate financial stresses despite the relief      
provided by the current downward trend in interest rates. Lower commodity       
prices and a slowdown in activity will pose challenges for South African        
corporates.                                                                     
We are committed to continue deepening our client relationships and staying     
alert to opportunities as they arise. We do not underestimate the challenges of 
the external environment but we believe our businesses are resilient and we are 
pursuing our focused strategy with strength and confidence. We continue         
judiciously to seek growth opportunities in our chosen markets to enhance the   
group`s long-term prospects.                                                    
In light of the prevailing volatility of financial markets, the group has not   
published financial objectives for 2009. In these tough global economic         
conditions the group will continue to exercise caution and to ensure that sound 
risk management practices are maintained and enhanced. In light of the above    
circumstances, the board considers that producing similar results in 2009 to    
those achieved in 2008 would be an acceptable outcome.                          
Jacko Maree                                                                     
Chief executive                                                                 
Derek Cooper                                                                    
Chairman                                                                        
Johannesburg                                                                    
4 March 2009                                                                    
Normalised results                                                              
With effect from 2004, we have adjusted the group`s results reported under      
International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) for two required accounting  
conventions that do not reflect the underlying economic substance of            
transactions. Consistent with prior years, to arrive at the normalised results  
the IFRS results have been adjusted for the following items:                    
- preference share funding for the group`s Black Economic Empowerment Ownership 
initiative (Tutuwa) transaction that is deducted from equity and reduces the    
shares in issue in terms of IFRS; and                                           
- group companies` shares held for the benefit of Liberty Life policyholders    
that result in a reduction of the number of shares in issue and the exclusion   
of fair value adjustments and distributions on these shares. The IFRS           
requirement causes an accounting mismatch between income from investments and   
changes in policyholders` liabilities.                                          
Two recent transactions reduced the extent of the normalised adjustments        
relating to Tutuwa:                                                             
- In December 2007, the group externalised R1 billion of preference share       
financing provided in terms of the Tutuwa initiative, resulting in the release  
of 24,7 million ordinary shares previously deemed by IFRS to be "treasury       
shares"; and                                                                    
- In March 2008, Tutuwa participants sold 11,1% of their shares to ICBC, partly 
using the proceeds for the repayment of their preference share liability,       
thereby releasing a further 11,0 million ordinary shares previously deemed by   
IFRS to be "treasury shares".                                                   
The result of these adjustments is shown in the table below:                    
Normalised headline earnings                                                    
                                     Weighted                    Growth on      
                               average number     Headline     31 December      
                                    of shares     earnings            2007      
`000           Rm               %      
Disclosed on an IFRS basis           1 398 866       14 017              10     
Tutuwa initiative                       65 376          227                     
- Initial transaction                   99 190                                  
- External financing                  (24 691)                                  
- Disposal of shares to ICBC           (9 123)                                  
Group shares held for the benefit                                               
of Liberty Life policyholders           36 884         (94)                     
Normalised                           1 501 126       14 150               8     
Abridged audited results prepared in accordance with IFRS                       
Consolidated income statement                                                   
for the year ended 31 December                                                  
%                             
Rm                                            change       2008        2007     
Income from banking activities                    30     61 366      47 296     
Net interest income                               42     31 918      22 549     
Non-interest revenue                              19     29 448      24 747     
Income from investment management                                               
and life insurance activities                   (53)     23 359      49 834     
Total income                                    (13)     84 725      97 130     
Credit impairment charges                        147     11 342       4 590     
Benefits due to policyholders                   (68)     11 997      37 153     
Income after credit impairment charges                                          
and policyholders` benefits                       11     61 386      55 387     
Operating expenses in banking activities          23     30 390      24 706     
Operating expenses in investment                                                
management and life insurance activities          13      8 423       7 423     
Net income before goodwill                       (3)     22 573      23 258     
Goodwill impairment/(gain)                                    5       (376)     
Net income before associates and joint ventures  (5)     22 568      23 634     
Share of profit from associates                                                 
and joint ventures                              (25)        268         355     
Net income before indirect taxation              (5)     22 836      23 989     
Indirect taxation                                 17      1 382       1 185     
Profit before direct taxation                    (6)     21 454      22 804     
Direct taxation                                 (25)      4 705       6 232     
Profit for the year                                1     16 749      16 572     
Attributable to minorities                       (7)      2 288       2 471     
Attributable to preference shareholders           18        529         450     
Attributable to ordinary shareholders              2     13 932      13 651     
Basic earnings per share (cents)                (10)      995,9     1 109,0     
Diluted earnings per share (cents)               (8)      962,2     1 044,1     
Headline earnings                                                               
for the year ended 31 December                                                  
%                            
Rm                                             change       2008       2007     
Group profit attributable to ordinary                                           
shareholders                                        2     13 932     13 651     
Headline earnings adjustable items added back                                   
/(reversed)                                                  126      (966)     
Goodwill impairment/(gain) - IFRS 3                            5      (376)     
Profit on sale of property and equipment - IAS 16           (16)       (61)     
Impairment of property and equipment - IAS 16                 84         10     
Impairment of associates - IAS 28                            139                
Gains on disposal of businesses and                                             
divisions - IAS 27                                          (24)        (6)     
Impairment of intangibles - IAS 38                           132         26     
Fair value gains on available-for-sale                                          
assets - IAS 39                                            (194)      (559)     
Tax                                                         (13)         32     
Minority shareholders                                       (28)          4     
Headline earnings                                  10     14 017     12 721     
Segment report                                                                  
for the year ended 31 December                                                  
%                            
Rm                                             change       2008       2007     
Revenue contribution by business unit                                           
Personal & Business Banking                        24     33 503     27 044     
Corporate & Investment Banking                     32     26 191     19 769     
Central and other                                >100      1 871        830     
Banking activities                                 29     61 565     47 643     
Liberty Life                                     (54)     23 136     50 320     
Standard Bank Group - Normalised                 (14)     84 701     97 963     
Adjustments for IFRS                                          24      (833)     
Standard Bank Group - IFRS                       (13)     84 725     97 130     
Profit and loss attributable to                                                 
ordinary shareholders                                                           
Personal & Business Banking                      (19)      4 611      5 723     
Corporate & Investment Banking                     18      7 937      6 746     
Central and other                                  37        876        639     
Banking activities                                  2     13 424     13 108     
Liberty Life                                     (34)        641        975     
Standard Bank Group - Normalised                          14 065     14 083     
Adjustments for IFRS                                       (133)      (432)     
Standard Bank Group - IFRS                          2     13 932     13 651     
Consolidated balance sheet                                                      
at 31 December                                                                  
                                             %                                  
Rm                                       change          2008       2007(1)     
Assets                                                                          
Cash and balances with central banks         25        25 697        20 618     
Financial investments, trading and                                              
pledged assets                                        346 859       347 453     
Loans and advances                           24       787 934      634  675     
Loans and advances to banks                  40       129 890        92 515     
Loans and advances to customers              21       658 044       542 160     
Investment property                          12        16 771        14 937     
Derivative and other assets                 117       299 476       138 138     
Interest in associates and joint ventures  (43)         6 990        12 293     
Goodwill and other intangible assets         50        10 180         6 796     
Property and equipment                       35         9 746         7 216     
Total assets                                 27     1 503 653     1 182 126     
Equity and liabilities                                                          
Equity                                                 99 501        68 506     
Equity attributable to ordinary                                                 
shareholders                                 53        81 953        53 671     
Ordinary share capital                       12           153           137     
Ordinary share premium                     >100        16 844         1 231     
Reserves                                     24        64 956        52 303     
Preference share capital and premium                    5 503         5 503     
Minority interest                            29        12 045         9 332     
Liabilities                                  26     1 404 152     1 113 620     
Deposit and current accounts                 24       843 815       680 097     
Deposits from banks                          26       129 055       102 040     
Deposits from customers                      24       714 760       578 057     
Derivative, trading and other liabilities    62       366 737       226 418     
Policyholders` liabilities                  (8)       172 069       186 137     
Subordinated debt                             3        21 531        20 968     
Total equity and liabilities                 27     1 503 653     1 182 126     
1 Restated as described below.                                                  
Consolidated cash flow information                                              
for the year ended 31 December                                                  
Rm                                                        2008      2007(1)     
Net cash from operating activities                      28 559       27 953     
Net cash used in operating funds                      (21 901)     (10 215)     
Net cash used in investing activities                 (10 885)     (10 616)     
Net cash from/(used in) financing activities             7 550      (1 115)     
1 Restated as described below.                                                  
Statement of changes in equity                                                  
for the year ended 31 December                                                  
                       Ordinary        Preference                               
                  shareholders`     share capital     Minority       Total      
Rm                        equity       and premium     interest      equity     
Balance at 1                                                                    
January 2007              42 916             5 503        6 289      54 708     
Total recognised                                                                
income and expense        13 628               450        2 512      16 590     
Profit for the year       13 651               450        2 471      16 572     
Items accounted                                                                 
for directly                                                                    
in reserves                 (23)                 -           41          18     
Currency translation                                                            
movement and hedging         155                 -         (52)         103     
Cash flow hedging                                                               
and available-for-sale                                                          
reserves                   (423)                 -            -       (423)     
Equity-settled                                                                  
share-based payment                                                             
transactions                 217                 -           36         253     
Other reserve movements       28                 -           57          85     
Issue of share                                                                  
capital and premium          300                 -           73         373     
Net decrease/(increase) in                                                      
treasury shares              626                 -        (455)         171     
Transactions with                                                               
minority shareholders        665                 -        1 384       2 049     
Net distributions paid   (4 464)             (450)        (541)     (5 455)     
Balance at 31                                                                   
December 2007                                                                   
as previously reported    53 671             5 503        9 262      68 436     
Finalisation of                                                                 
purchase price                                                                  
allocation in                                                                   
terms of IFRS 3                -                 -           70          70     
Restated balance at                                                             
31 December 2007          53 671             5 503        9 332      68 506     
Balance at 1                                                                    
January 2008              53 671             5 503        9 332      68 506     
Total recognised                                                                
income and expense        19 146               529        3 603      23 278     
Profit for the year       13 932               529        2 288      16 749     
Items accounted                                                                 
for directly in reserves   5 214                 -        1 315       6 529     
Currency                                                                        
translation movement                                                            
and hedging                4 238                 -        1 340       5 578     
Cash flow hedging                                                               
and available-for-sale                                                          
reserve                      751                 -         (31)         720     
Equity-settled                                                                  
share-based                                                                     
payment transactions         217                 -           35         252     
Other reserve movements        8                 -         (29)        (21)     
Issue of share                                                                  
capital and                                                                     
share premium             16 132                 -            -      16 132     
Share buy-backs            (503)                 -            -       (503)     
Net decrease in                                                                 
treasury shares            1 483                 -          906       2 389     
Transactions with                                                               
minority shareholders    (2 198)                 -        (982)     (3 180)     
Net dividends paid       (5 778)             (529)        (814)     (7 121)     
Balance at 31                                                                   
December 2008             81 953             5 503       12 045      99 501     
Financial statistics                                                            
for the year ended 31 December                                                  
%                                  
                                        change          2008          2007      
Number of ordinary shares in issue                                              
(000`s)                                                                         
- end of period                              14     1 430 618     1 256 916     
- weighted average                           14     1 398 866     1 230 961     
- diluted weighted average                   11     1 447 886     1 307 414     
Cents per ordinary share                                                        
Headline earnings                           (3)       1 002,0       1 033,4     
Diluted headline earnings                   (1)         968,1         973,0     
Total distributions                                     386,0         386,0     
Basic earnings                             (10)         995,9       1 109,0     
Diluted earnings                            (8)         962,2       1 044,1     
Net asset value                              34         5 729         4 270     
Financial performance (%)                                                       
ROE                                                      19,1          26,7     
Net interest margin                                      3,31          2,93     
Credit loss ratio                                        1,55          0,80     
Cost-to-income ratio                                     49,3          51,9     
Capital adequacy (%)                                                            
Capital ratio                                                                   
- tier I capital                                         10,7           8,7     
- total capital                                          12,9          11,6     
Private equity associates and joint ventures                                    
Rm                                                            2008     2007     
Cost                                                           308      198     
Carrying value                                                 411      317     
Fair value                                                     516      383     
Loans to associates and joint ventures                         719      442     
Equity accounted income                                        119      144     
Major business acquisitions                                                     
                                                               CfC Stanbic      
Holdings Limited      
Date of acquisition                                             1 June 2008     
Percentage of voting equity instruments acquired (%)                     60     
Contribution to revenue since acquisition (Rm)                          551     
Contribution to net profit before tax since acquisition (Rm)            146     
Contribution to revenue if acquisition occurred on 1                            
January 2008 (Rm)                                                       944     
Contribution to net profit before tax if acquisition                            
occurred on 1 January 2008 (Rm)                                         251     
CfC Stanbic Holdings Limited                                                    
                                                         Fair     Carrying      
Rm                                                       value       amount     
Cash and balances with central banks                       329          329     
Financial investments                                    1 833        1 859     
Loans and advances                                       2 464        2 470     
Property, equipment, intangibles and other assets        1 241          996     
Deposit and current accounts                           (3 145)      (3 145)     
Other liabilities and deferred tax                     (1 965)      (1 928)     
Net asset value                                            757          581     
Less: minority interest                                  (362)                  
Goodwill(1)                                                933                  
Cost of acquisition                                      1 328                  
Less: fair value of 36,3% of subsidiary effectively                             
disposed to minorities(2)                                (603)                  
Cash consideration paid                                    725                  
1 Goodwill represents the premium paid for control.                             
2 Fair value of the equity instruments of the subsidiary was determined with    
reference to the listed share price of CfC Bank Limited.                        
Contingent liabilities and capital commitments                                  
as at 31 December                                                               
Rm                                                        2008         2007     
Letters of credit                                       16 521       14 299     
Guarantees                                              34 680       31 916     
Irrevocable unutilised facilities(1)                    10 881       30 898     
                                                       62 082       77 113      
Contracted capital expenditure                           2 059          161     
Capital expenditure authorised but not yet contracted    9 117        4 156     
                                                       11 176        4 317      
1 Restated as described below.                                                  
Audit opinion on the annual financial statements                                
These abridged financial statements have been extracted from the audited        
financial statements on which KPMG Inc. and PricewaterhouseCoopers Inc. have    
issued an unmodified audit report. This report is available for inspection at   
the company`s registered office.                                                
Distributions                                                                   
Ordinary shareholders                                                           
Payment of a scrip distribution with a cash dividend election.                  
Notice is hereby given that the directors have resolved to issue fully paid     
ordinary shares in the company as a scrip distribution to ordinary              
shareholders. Fully paid ordinary shares of 10 (ten) cents each will be issued  
as a scrip distribution, payable to ordinary shareholders recorded in the       
register of Standard Bank Group on the record date, being Friday, 3 April 2009. 
Ordinary shareholders will be entitled, in respect of all or part of their      
shareholding, to elect to receive a cash dividend of 193 cents per ordinary     
share in lieu of the scrip distribution, which will be paid only to those       
ordinary shareholders who elect in respect of all or part of their              
shareholding, on or before 12:00 on Friday, 3 April 2009, to receive the cash   
dividend.                                                                       
The cash dividend will be paid out of profits of Standard Bank Group while the  
new ordinary shares to be issued pursuant to the scrip distribution will be     
issued as a capitalisation issue by way of capitalisation of part of Standard   
Bank Group`s share premium. The number of new ordinary shares to which ordinary 
shareholders participating in the scrip distribution will become entitled, will 
be determined in the ratio that 193 cents multiplied by 1,05 bears to the       
volume weighted average price (VWAP) of ordinary shares in Standard Bank Group  
on the JSE Limited (JSE) during the five-day trading period ending Thursday, 19 
March 2009. Details of the ratio will be released on the Securities Exchange    
News Service of the JSE (SENS) by no later than 11:00 on Friday, 20 March 2009  
and published in the South African and Namibian press the following business    
day.                                                                            
Trading in the Strate environment does not permit fractions and fractional      
entitlements. Accordingly, where an ordinary shareholder`s entitlement to new   
ordinary shares calculated in accordance with the above formula gives rise to a 
fraction of a new ordinary share, such fraction of a new ordinary share will be 
rounded up to the nearest whole number where the fraction is greater than or    
equal to 0,5 and rounded down to the nearest whole number where the fraction is 
less than 0,5.                                                                  
A circular relating to the scrip distribution and the cash dividend alternative 
will be posted to shareholders on or about 9 March 2009.                        
Preference shareholders                                                         
Notice is hereby given that the following final dividends have been declared:   
6,5% first cumulative preference shares (first preference shares) dividend No.  
79 of 3,25 cents per first preference share, payable on Monday, 30 March 2009,  
to holders of first preference shares recorded in the books of the company at   
the close of business on the record date, Friday, 27 March 2009. The last day   
to trade to participate in the dividend is Friday, 20 March 2009. First         
preference shares will commence trading ex-dividend from Monday, 23 March 2009. 
Non-redeemable, non-cumulative, non-participating preference shares (second     
preference shares) dividend No. 9 of 545,04 cents per second preference share,  
payable on Monday, 30 March 2009, to holders of second preference shares        
recorded in the books of the company at the close of business on the record     
date, Friday, 27 March 2009. The last day to trade to participate in the        
dividend is Friday, 20 March 2009. Second preference shares will commence       
trading ex-dividend from Monday, 23 March 2009. The salient dates and times for 
the scrip distribution/dividends are as follows:                                
                                                                          6,5%  
cumulative 
                                                              preference shares 
                                                     Ordinary (First preference 
                                                       Shares           shares) 
JSE Limited (JSE)                                                               
Share code                                                 SBK              SBKP
ISIN                                               ZAE000109815     ZAE000038881
Namibian Stock Exchange (NSX)                                                   
Share code                                                 SNB                  
ISIN                                              ZAE000109815                  
Distribution/dividend per share (cents)                    193              3,25
Circular and form of election                           Monday                  
posted to ordinary shareholders                   9 March 2009                  
Announcement of the ratio applicable to the scrip                               
distribution, based on the five-day trading                                     
period ending Thursday, 19 March 2009,                  Friday                  
released on SENS                                 20 March 2009                  
Announcement of the ratio applicable to the                                     
scrip distribution published in the South               Monday                  
African and Namibian press                       23 March 2009                  
Last day to trade in order to be eligible for                                   
the for the scrip distribution/cash dividend            Friday            Friday
("CUM" distribution)                             27 March 2009     20 March 2009
Shares trade "EX" the scrip                             Monday            Monday
distribution/dividend                            30 March 2009     23 March 2009
Listing of the maximum possible number of ordinary                              
shares that could be issued in terms of the             Monday                  
scrip distribution                               30 March 2009                  
Last day to elect a cash dividend instead               Friday                  
of the scrip distribution by 12:00                3 April 2009                  
Record date in respect of the scrip                     Friday            Friday
distribution/cash dividend                        3 April 2009     27 March 2009
Share certificates and dividend cheques posted and                              
posted and CSDP/broker accounts                         Monday            Monday
credited/updated (Payment date)                   6 April 2009     30 March 2009
Maximum number of new ordinary shares                                           
listed adjusted to reflect the actual                  Tuesday                  
number of ordinary shares issued                  7 April 2009                  
                                                           Non-redeemable,      
                                                           non-cumulative,      
non-participating      
                                                         preference shares      
                                                        (Second preference      
                                                                   shares)      
JSE Limited (JSE)                                                               
Share code                                                             SBPP     
ISIN                                                           ZAE000056339     
Namibian Stock Exchange (NSX)                                                   
Share code                                                                      
ISIN                                                                            
Distribution/dividend per share (cents)                              545,04     
Last day to trade in order to be eligible for the scrip              Friday     
distribution/cash dividend ("CUM" distribution)               20 March 2009     
Shares trade "EX" the scrip                                          Monday     
distribution/dividend                                         23 March 2009     
Record date in respect of the scrip                                  Friday     
distribution/cash dividend                                    27 March 2009     
Share certificates and dividend cheques posted and                   Monday     
CSDP/broker accounts credited/updated (Payment date)          30 March 2009     
Ordinary share certificates may not be dematerialised or rematerialised between 
Monday, 30 March 2009 and Friday, 3 April 2009, both days inclusive.            
Preference share certificates (first and second) may not be dematerialised or   
rematerialised between Monday, 23 March 2009 and Friday, 27 March 2009, both    
days inclusive.                                                                 
All times provided in this announcement are South African local time.           
The above dates and times are subject to change. Any changes will be released   
on SENS and published in the South African and Namibian press.                  
Where applicable, dividends in respect of certificated shares will be           
transferred electronically to shareholders` bank accounts on the payment date.  
In the absence of specific mandates, dividend cheques will be posted to         
shareholders. Preference shareholders (first and second) who have               
dematerialised their share certificates will have their accounts at their CSDP  
or broker credited on Monday, 30 March 2009. Ordinary shareholders who have     
dematerialised their share certificates will have their accounts at their CSDP  
or broker credited/updated on Monday, 6 April 2009.                             
On behalf of the board                                                          
Loren Wulfsohn                                                                  
Group secretary                                                                 
Accounting policies                                                             
Basis of preparation                                                            
The consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with, and      
comply with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and the South    
African Companies Act. The consolidated financial statements are prepared in    
accordance with the going concern principle under the historical cost basis as  
modified by the fair value accounting of assets and liabilities where required  
in terms of IFRS.                                                               
Changes in accounting policies                                                  
The accounting policies are consistent with those adopted in the previous year, 
except as noted below. The group has early adopted the amendments to IAS 32     
Financial Instruments: Presentation and IAS 1 Presentation of Financial         
Statements - Puttable Financial Instruments and Obligations arising on          
Liquidation. The amendment requires the classification of certain puttable      
financial instruments and financial instruments that impose on the issuer an    
obligation to deliver a pro-rata share of the entity only on liquidation as     
equity. The amendment has had no significant effect on the 2008 results, nor    
has it required any restatement of prior period results.                        
The group has early adopted the amendments to IAS 23 Borrowing Costs. The       
group capitalised borrowing costs on all qualifying projects commencing on or   
after 1 January 2008. The amendment resulted in the capitalisation of borrowing 
costs amounting to R31 million in 2008, but has had no affect on the            
comparative period.                                                             
As part of its annual improvements project, the International Accounting        
Standards Board made amendments to a number of accounting standards. The group  
adopted some of these amendments on 1 January 2008, which did not have a        
significant effect on the 2008 results, nor has it required any restatement of  
prior period results.                                                           
The following new accounting interpretations were effective 1 January 2008:     
- IFRIC 12 Service Concession Arrangements; and                                 
- IFRIC 14 - IAS 19 The Limit on a Defined Benefit Asset, Minimum Funding       
Requirements and their Interaction.                                             
The adoption of these interpretations has not had a material effect on the      
results, nor has it required any restatements of comparative results.           
Reclassifications and restatements                                              
A project was undertaken during the year to align the balance sheet             
classifications within which financial instruments are recognised to both the   
group`s risk management and income recognition policies. During this project    
the following classification changes were made:                                 
- All items which are of a trading nature were moved into the trading assets or 
liabilities classification. These included collateral and repurchase agreements 
held for trading purposes.                                                      
- Financial instruments previously classified as other assets were moved to the 
appropriate financial instrument classification.                                
- The analysis of balances between banks and non-banks was reviewed and         
refined.                                                                        
The allocation of goodwill and intangible assets on the acquisition of IBTC     
Chartered Bank Plc, previously determined provisionally, was finalised in 2008  
and the 2007 comparatives have been restated as if the initial accounting had   
been completed from the acquisition date as required by IFRS 3 Business         
Combinations. The finalisation of the purchase price allocation resulted in an  
increase in intangible assets of R200 million and a resulting reduction in      
goodwill of R70 million, after accounting for minority interest and taxation.   
In line with international industry practice, the group has revised the format  
of its cash flow statement, which was previously compiled on the direct basis,  
to the indirect basis. In addition, limited reclassifications were made to      
improve disclosure.                                                             
The group has reviewed and refined its definition of irrevocable facilities.    
The comparative information has been amended accordingly.                       
The reclassifications did not impact equity attributable to ordinary            
shareholders or profit for the period attributable to ordinary shareholders.    
Standard Bank Group Limited                                                     
Registration No. 1969/017128/06                                                 
Incorporated in the Republic of South Africa                                    
Directors: DE Cooper (Chairman), Kaisheng Yang** (Deputy chairman),             
SJ Macozoma (Deputy chairman), JH Maree* (Chief executive),                     
DDB Band, E Bradley, TS Gcabashe, SE Jonah KBE##, Sir Paul Judge#, KP Kalyan,   
Yagan Liu**, RP Menell, Adv KD Moroka, AC Nissen, MC Ramaphosa, MJD Ruck,       
MJ Shaw, Lord Smith of Kelvin, Kt#, EM Woods                                    
* Executive director   ** Chinese     # British   ## Ghanaian                   
Group secretary: L Wulfsohn                                                     
Registered office: 9th floor, Standard Bank Centre, 5 Simmonds Street,          
Johannesburg 2001. PO Box 7725, Johannesburg 2000                               
Share transfer secretaries in:                                                  
South Africa                                                                    
Computershare Investor Services (Proprietary) Limited                           
70 Marshall Street, Johannesburg 2001. PO Box 61051, Marshalltown,              
Johannesburg 2107                                                               
Namibia                                                                         
Transfer Secretaries (Proprietary) Limited                                      
Shop 8, Kaiserkrone Centre, Post Street Mall, Windhoek. PO Box 2401, Windhoek   
Independent sponsor                                                             
Deutsche Securities (SA) (Proprietary) Limited                                  
Joint sponsor                                                                   
Standard Bank                                                                   
Investors are referred to www.standardbank.co.za where a detailed analysis of   
the group financial results, including an income statement and balance sheet for
The Standard Bank of South Africa Limited (SBSA), can be found. Investors will  
be notified via the Securities Exchange News Service of the JSE ("SENS") when   
the audited annual financial statements for the group and SBSA are available    
online. This is expected to be towards the end of April.                        
Date: 05/03/2009 08:00:02 Produced by the JSE SENS Department.                  
The SENS service is an information dissemination service administered by the    
JSE Limited (`JSE`). The JSE does not, whether expressly, tacitly or            
implicitly, represent, warrant or in any way guarantee the truth, accuracy or   
completeness of the information published on SENS. The JSE, their officers,     
employees and agents accept no liability for (or in respect of) any direct,     
indirect, incidental or consequential loss or damage of any kind or nature,     
howsoever arising, from the use of SENS or the use of, or reliance on,          
information disseminated through SENS.
Profile Group (Pty) Ltd. has taken care in preparing all information on this website, but does not accept any liability for errors or out-of-date information.
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