South African Reserve Bank News

Study examines impact of child grants on adult employment

A study conducted on a South African social grant program has explored the long-term effects of cash transfers on labor market outcomes.

Basel III impacts non-bank institutions and fintech growth in South Africa

We examine the effects of the implementation of the Basel III accord on the growth of non-bank financial institutions and fintech platforms in South Africa.

Study analyzes impact of regulation on South African bank lending

The balance between financial inclusion and macroprudential policy in South Africa is the focus of a recent study. The research examines how these regulations impact bank lending rates and volumes among the country's largest banks. Financial inclusion aims to extend affordable credit, which could affect the stability of the financial sector. In contrast, macroprudential policy seeks to mitigate financial risks.

Pilot study links BER inflation data with spatial tax panel dataset

The Bureau for Economic Research (BER) has been collecting inflation expectations survey data in South Africa since 2000, following the adoption of inflation targeting by the South African Reserve Bank. This survey has provided significant insights for policy-making, academic research, and private sector analysis. However, recent international trends emphasizing microdata in macroeconomics have prompted a reevaluation of the survey's demands and opportunities.

Basel III affects South African firms' financing choices

This study investigates the effects of the Basel III regulatory framework on financing decisions within South Africa's real sector. The research utilizes a sample of 2,045 firm-year observations from 2011 to 2015 and applies the difference-in-differences approach.

South African Reserve Bank sanctions HSBC for non-compliance

The South African Reserve Bank (SARB) has taken action against HSBC Bank Plc's Johannesburg Branch due to non-compliance with the Financial Intelligence Centre Act 38 of 2001. This decision follows an inspection conducted in 2021.

South African Reserve Bank imposes sanctions on Bidvest Bank

The South African Reserve Bank (SARB) has taken action against Bidvest Bank Limited due to non-compliance with the Financial Intelligence Centre Act 38 of 2001. This decision follows an inspection carried out in 2022.

South Africa's changing position in global trade examined through new lens

The approach to international trade has shifted from measuring the face value of a product to considering where production occurs. This change affects how the sophistication of a country's export basket is assessed. A recent paper utilizes the latest OECD Trade in Value Added database to re-evaluate cross-country export sophistication, as defined by Hausmann et al. (2007). The findings indicate that the gap between high-income and low-income countries' export sophistication is wider when viewed from a value-added perspective.

South African Reserve Bank governor discusses future of payments at 2024 conference

Governor Lesetja Kganyago of the South African Reserve Bank addressed the 2024 Payments Conference, focusing on the evolution and future of payment systems. In his opening remarks, Governor Kganyago highlighted the journey of modernizing payments, noting both past achievements and current challenges.

South Africa’s net international investment position decreases by R372 billion in Q2 2024

South Africa's positive net international investment position (IIP) decreased from a revised R2 424 billion at the end of March 2024 to R2 052 billion at the end of June. The decrease in the positive net IIP in the second quarter of 2024 resulted from both a decrease in foreign assets and an increase in foreign liabilities.

South African Reserve Bank imposes sanctions on Old Mutual Life Assurance

The South African Reserve Bank (SARB) has imposed administrative sanctions on Old Mutual Life Assurance Company (South Africa) Limited (OMLACSA). This action is due to OMLACSA's non-compliance with the provisions of the Financial Intelligence Centre Act.

South African Reserve Bank launches inaugural payments study report

Thank you for joining us today as we launch the South African Reserve Bank’s (SARB) inaugural Payments Study Report. This study is one of our initiatives to better understand the payment system landscape in South Africa. It supports our current strategy, Vision 2025, which identified a need for the SARB to collect more payments information.

South African Reserve Bank publishes inaugural payments study report

The South African Reserve Bank (SARB), which operates, regulates, and oversees the national payment system (NPS), has published its inaugural Payments Study Report. The study, the first of its kind in South Africa, uses individuals’ payment data and provides extensive insight into how the public perceives and uses various payment methods and instruments available in the country.

South African Reserve Bank announces winners of MPC Schools Challenge

The South African Reserve Bank (SARB), in collaboration with the Department of Basic Education (DBE), today announced the winners of the 2024 Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) Schools Challenge. This year, 12 schools from across the country were shortlisted as finalists. This reflects both an interest in, and maturity of, the competition.

Governor Kganyago discusses ongoing economic impacts of COVID-19

South African Reserve Bank Governor Lesetja Kganyago delivered a public lecture at the University of the Free State on August 15, 2024. During his address, he highlighted the ongoing economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, which began nearly five years ago.

South African Reserve Bank imposes sanctions on Monarch Insurance for non-compliance

The South African Reserve Bank (SARB) has imposed administrative sanctions on Monarch Insurance Company Limited (Monarch) due to its non-compliance with the provisions of the Financial Intelligence Centre Act 38 of 2001 (FIC Act), following a FIC Act inspection conducted in 2022.

South African Reserve Bank sanctions State Bank of India for FIC Act non-compliance

The South African Reserve Bank (SARB) has imposed administrative sanctions on the State Bank of India, South Africa (SBI), due to its non-compliance with the provisions of the Financial Intelligence Centre Act 38 of 2001 (FIC Act). This action follows a FIC Act inspection conducted in May 2020.

South African Reserve Bank imposes sanctions on Assupol Life Limited

The South African Reserve Bank (SARB) has imposed administrative sanctions on Assupol Life Limited (Assupol) due to its non-compliance with the provisions of the Financial Intelligence Centre Act 38 of 2001 (FIC Act). This action follows a FIC Act inspection conducted in 2020.

New measure indicates elevated inflation pressures in South Africa

A new measure of underlying inflation for South Africa, termed the persistent and common component of inflation (PCCI), has been introduced. The PCCI suggests that inflation pressures in the domestic economy are elevated, with outcomes remaining closer to the upper limit of the target band over the past year.

New measure introduced to track South Africa's underlying price developments

A new inflation measure has been developed to monitor underlying price developments in South Africa, termed supercore inflation. This measure includes components of core inflation that respond to general economic conditions, as measured by the output gap.