Released on = April 6, 2007, 2:11 am

Press Release Author = Shushmul Maheshwari

Industry = Financial

Press Release Summary = South African banking industry is going great guns. But
growth of banking sector in the major African economies has some bottlenecks, like
low capitalization and lack of transparency.

Press Release Body = Lack of transparency in pricing, low capitalization, growing
competition from international banks, and banking of the unbanked people are the
main challenges commercial banks in big economies, including Kenya, of Africa are
facing, a survey by PwC (PricewaterhouseCoopers) has identified.

\"The survey is of particular interest to existing and potential industry players as
it highlights the intensity of competition in the different regions and which
factors are driving change and development in these markets. There are common themes
but some interesting contrasts\", said Tom Winterboer, banking and capital markets
leader, PwC, South Africa, in a statement reported on March 7, 2007 by
allAfrica.com.

South African banks rate positive action, recruitment of expert personnel, and
empowerment as their top most important priorities.

Corporate baking emerged as the most emulous sector in the five of the six surveyed
countries. Corporate banking left retail banking, vehicle financing, investment
banking, Internet banking, and home loans behind in the competition race in the PwC
survey.

Kenya counted retail banking parallel to corporate banking as the most emulous,
while South Africa reckoned investment banking and vehicle financing as the highest
competitive segments.

While the banking sector of South Africa is the most developed one, Winterboer
opined that healthy growth was predicted from countries like Nigeria. South Africa
had around 15,600 ATMs at 2006 end and the number is projected to climb to 20,500
through 2010. While the Nigerian banking sector had installed only 1200 ATMs by
2006, this value is believed to swell to a striking 5,700 by 2010.

The RNCOS report “Banking Sector in South Africa”, says that the banking
sector in South Africa has been developing stupendously and it is evident from the
fact that total banking assets in SA increased by 12% in 2005 as against 2004.
Economic prosperity, strong GDP growth rate, swelling disposable incomes from the
bankable houses, and rapid urbanization will further push the growth of the South
African banking sector.

The market research report introduces one to the South African banking sector. It
furnishes comprehensive information on industry performance, subsuming total banking
assets, capital adequacy ratio, profitability, efficiency, non-performing loans,
industry by product (including loans, credit cards, Mzansi accounts), and industry
analysis covering driving forces, opportunities, challenges, and future outlook. The
report also provides a detailed account on regulatory framework and proposed
amendments in the South African banking sector supplemented with poignant tables and
graphs.

About RNCOS E-Services Pvt Ltd.:

RNCOS, incorporated in the year 2002, is an industry research firm. It has a team of
industry experts who analyze data collected from credible sources. They provide
industry insights and analysis that helps corporations to take timely and accurate
business decision in today\'s globally competitive environment.

For more information visit: http://www.rncos.com/Report/IM0100.htm
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Web Site = http://www.rncos.com

Contact Details = RNCOS E-Services Pvt Ltd.
Shushmul Maheshwari
Head of Business Development
29, 1st Floor, Patparganj Industrial Area, Delhi 92
91-11-4214-1229
info@rncos.com