INSIDE YOUR BUSINESS - Are traditional banks still the best option for securing business funding?

Loading player...
GUEST - Naledzani Mosomane, Head of Enterprise Development at Business and Commercial Banking, Standard Bank South Africa
As South Africa’s entrepreneurial landscape evolves, so does the conversation around access to funding. In 2025, with the rise of venture capital, private equity, and alternative finance platforms, many entrepreneurs are asking: are traditional banks like Standard Bank still the best option for securing business funding?
In today’s discussion, we aim to unpack whether banks truly understand the unique challenges faced by SMMEs, how they are adapting to the needs of a modern, diverse entrepreneurial base, and where they stand compared to private funding houses. We'll also explore how entrepreneurs should prepare themselves before seeking bank finance, common pitfalls to avoid, and when it might make more sense to choose a bank over venture capital or vice versa.
7 May 2025 1PM English South Africa Business News · Investing

Other recent episodes

Leaky Pipelines & Broken Rungs: Fixing Gender Gaps in Investments

PPS Investments’ Fran Troskie breaks down why asset management still struggles with gender parity — from caregiving burdens to promotion barriers, wage gaps, and murky leadership pathways. A candid Women’s Month conversation on redesigning the industry for true inclusion.
18 Aug 1PM 16 min

Tax as Strategy: How Women Can Lead in a Volatile Economy

PwC’s Mbai Rashamuse joins our Women’s Month spotlight to unpack how tax can be a strategic lever for value creation — not just compliance. She explores financial sector shifts, inclusive leadership, and how women can shape Africa’s economic future through tax and governance.
18 Aug 1PM 16 min

Absa Delivers 8% Earnings Growth in Tough Conditions

Absa posts a resilient 1H26 performance with headline earnings up 8% to R12.8bn, ROE rising to 15%, and revenue growing 4%. We speak to Group FD Deon Raju about margin pressure, credit improvements, digital investment, and the bank’s outlook for FY26.
18 Aug 12PM 13 min

Sacci Confidence Edges Higher — But Is Sa’s Recovery Losing Momentum?

South Africa’s business confidence ticked up again, with SACCI’s July index rising to 125.4, its strongest level since March. Economist Richard Downing explains how the improvement was driven by higher new-vehicle sales, stronger merchandise exports, and lower energy prices, while inflation pressures and weaker precious-metal prices continued to weigh on…
18 Aug 12PM 10 min

Women Behind the Wheel: Breaking Barriers in Automotive Leadership

From SABC broadcaster to senior communications leader at Isuzu Motors SA, Iviwe Poti shares her journey through two male‑dominated industries: automotive and strategic marketing. She discusses navigating corporate spaces, shaping brand narratives across commercial vehicles, mentoring young women, and driving transformation in one of South Africa’s toughest sectors.
17 Aug 1PM 17 min