Meet Sandile Shabalala, CE of Sasfin Business & Commercial Banking

What informed your move from TymeBank to Sasfin?

Both organisations are not big corporate banks. TymeBank was a start-up and gave me a huge opportunity to learn and grow in that I had not led a project to build a bank from scratch. Sasfin, on the other hand, is already an established bank and has a lot of expertise and strengths in many areas, such as business lending and wealth management. I also like the fact that Sasfin is a family-owned business built on the entrepreneurial spirit that is deeply embedded in its history. At Sasfin, I have an exciting mandate to organise and harmonise these areas of expertise into building a scalable, transactional and customer-centric business bank, which Sasfin’s shareholders and the Board have committed to and view as a strategic imperative.

How did you get involved in financial services – was it something you always wanted to do?

Honestly, when I grew up, I had ambitions of becoming a teacher. I guess I have an affinity for continuous learning, sharing knowledge and seeing others grow. Being involved in banking for so many years has been fulfilling and a continuous learning experience. I am at a stage in my career where I am always looking for opportunities to use my experience to add value and contribute to a broader community purpose.

What are some of the biggest lessons you have learnt in and about the banking sector?

You are always learning, as banking has many spheres and is very broad, which creates an exciting environment for personal growth and development. It provides many life skills, such as embracing and managing risks and instilling financial discipline

What was your first investment – and do you still have it?

Saving for my first car, which was a Citi Golf. Gosh, I loved that car and unfortunately (with a very heavy heart) I had to sell it many years ago.

“I am at a stage in my career where I am always looking for opportunities to use my experience to add value and contribute to a broader community purpose.”

What banking/finance sector trends and macroeconomic realities will be on your watchlist in the new year?

The current exciting and forever evolving digital banking trends challenge the concept of what a bank is. The landscape is changing – from banking as a place you go to, to banking as a thing that you do. High levels of unemployment and the widening poverty gap mean that we have to challenge ourselves even further to create cost-efficient and more affordable banking services and products. Furthermore, a concerted effort needs to be put behind creating more impactful, creative and beyond-banking funding solutions to support small and medium businesses, thereby creating more entrepreneurs, growing the economy and enabling more employment opportunities.

Source:  Money Marketing