Corporate divestment
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Standard Chartered to sell Ugandan retail banking arm to Absa
Yahoo Financeยท 2025-10-27 11:54
Core Insights - Standard Chartered has agreed to divest its wealth and retail banking operations in Uganda to Absa Group, marking a strategic exit from these sectors in multiple African countries [1][3] - The transaction aligns with Absa Group's efforts to enhance its retail banking division and supports its Pan-African growth ambitions [2][3] Group 1: Transaction Details - Absa Bank Uganda will acquire Standard Chartered's retail and wealth management portfolios in Uganda for an undisclosed sum [1] - This sale is part of a broader strategy by Standard Chartered to exit its wealth and retail banking sectors in Botswana, Uganda, and Zambia [1][3] Group 2: Strategic Implications - Standard Chartered's CEO for Kenya and Africa emphasized that the sale is a milestone in accelerating income growth and returns [2] - Absa Group aims to stabilize and grow its retail bank under new CEO Kenny Fihla, following its separation from Barclays in 2020 [2] Group 3: Previous Divestments - In June 2023, Standard Chartered completed the transfer of its wealth and retail banking business in Tanzania to Access Bank, concluding a strategic divestment announced in April 2022 [3] - The bank has previously divested its shareholding in subsidiaries in Angola, Cameroon, The Gambia, and Sierra Leone [3] Group 4: Financial Performance - Standard Chartered reported a stronger-than-expected profit in July, attributed to a focus on high-net-worth clients and corporate customers, while scaling back on less profitable sectors [4]