Chris Smit

Earth

International Strategy Expert. InterCultural Management Specialist. Host of the Culture Matters #Podcast; Get it Here: https://t.co/gw6JM49eYd #TEDx Speaker.

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Articles

FNB's mortgage advances grow 15% year on year

5 days ago | bankingbiz.co.za | Chris Smit

04-06-25 / Chris Smit Johannesburg - South Africa's commercial property landscape is shifting. A combination of weak economic growth, elevated interest rates and a sector still recovering from the shocks of recent years has created a tougher playing field; but certainly not an unworkable one. That's according to John Loos, Senior Economist at FNB Commercial Property Finance, who says that, for developers and businesses with the right finance partner, significant opportunities still exist.
Asset-rich, cash-poor - why some wealthy estates take years to wind up

1 week ago | bankingbiz.co.za | Chris Smit

26-05-25 / Chris Smit Johannesburg - In South Africa, the admin of winding up a deceased estate takes around a year – and sometimes several years – before assets are transferred to heirs. These delays can sometimes determine if heirs can keep a family business running, or if it will be another story of wealth that dissipated after the first generation. While there are various reasons for delays, the common cause is a lack of liquidity in the estate to settle debts or pay administration expenses.
FNB customers exceed R100bn in virtual card transactions

1 month ago | bankingbiz.co.za | Chris Smit

07-05-25 / Chris Smit Johannesburg - FNB data reveals a continued surge in virtual card usage, with more than R100 billion in spend since the bank launched the digital payments solution in October 2020. Notably, R50 billion of this is attributed to transactions made between January and December 2024 alone. Moreover, the bank notes its highest year on year (YOY) growth in in-store virtual card spend at 108.2% percent as at end-December 2024.
TIA launches women programme to drive gender-responsive innovation

2 months ago | retailbiz.co.za | Chris Smit

27-03-25 / Chris Smit Johannesburg - The Technology Innovation Agency (TIA), an entity of the Department of Science, Technology, and Innovation (DSTI), has officially launched the Women Technology and Innovation Programme (WTIP). This initiative aims to address systemic challenges in funding, support, and development for women entrepreneurs in the technology and innovation sector.
SA lenders adopted prudent risk strategies to drive growth in Q4 2024

2 months ago | bankingbiz.co.za | Chris Smit

26-03-25 / Chris Smit Johannesburg -According to TransUnion's (NYSE:TRU) Q4 2024 South Africa Industry Insights Report, the country's credit card issuers have adapted their acquisition strategies to enable prudent growth, while effective risk management has led to a decline in account-level delinquencies.
2025 Economic Outlook for South Africa: Steering through change

2 months ago | bankingbiz.co.za | Chris Smit

12-03-25 / Chris Smit South Africa, Johannesburg - The Mastercard Economics Institute released 'Economic Outlook 2025', its annual report identifying the themes that will shape next year's economic landscape. The global economy has managed through a series of shocks admirably over the past few years. The report anticipates 2025 to be defined by shifts in monetary and fiscal policy and a move toward equilibrium rates for growth and inflation.
Move more, live longer - stave off disease by exercising daily

Feb 11, 2025 | healthcarebiz.co.za | Chris Smit

11-02-25 / Chris Smit Johannesburg - February marks Healthy Lifestyle Awareness Month, a timely reminder of the importance of staying active to prevent chronic diseases and improve overall well-being. According to the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Cape Town, nearly half of South African adults lead sedentary lifestyles – significantly increasing their risk for conditions, such as heart disease, diabetes and obesity.
Stay vigilant when withdrawing your stokvel savings this festive season, says FNB

Dec 4, 2024 | bankingbiz.co.za | Chris Smit

05-12-24 / Chris Smit Johannesburg - The growing trend of stokvels and the seasonal withdrawals during festive season will require stokvel members to be vigilant and careful. Often stokvels are formed at the start of the year to enable spending in December and a result FNB sees the majority of withdrawals over this period.
Local demand, Chinese market: A boon for South African wines

Oct 1, 2024 | bankingbiz.co.za | Chris Smit

01-10-24 / Chris Smit Johannesburg - South Africa’s wine industry is poised for a comeback, driven by rising local demand and the growing popularity of white wines like Cap Classique and Chenin Blanc in China. Exports of Cap Classique to China rose by 4% in 2023, despite a decline in overall wine exports. Although South Africa’s wine exports to China shrank in 2023, that market remains a vital growth area for the local wine industry, with its market share steadily increasing since 2019.
Nedbank Private Wealth's new Global AMC offers captivating approach to international investing

Sep 11, 2024 | bankingbiz.co.za | Chris Smit

12-09-24 / Chris Smit Johannesburg - As South African investors continue to grapple with a challenging local economic landscape, Nedbank Private Wealth has launched an innovative solution designed to broaden their investment horizons. The Nedbank Private Wealth Global Actively Managed Certificate (AMC) offers a fresh approach to accessing international markets amid growing concerns about limited domestic opportunities.