Standard Bank Share Split Sparks Market Revival, Fuels New Opportunities for Malawi’s Business Growth

Key Business Points

• Standard Bank plc has started trading at K2,140 on the Malawi Stock Exchange (MSE) after a share split, making its shares more accessible to a broader range of investors.
• The split is expected to deepen financial inclusion through equity participation, breaking the myth that the stock market is for elite investors.
• Standard Bank aims to continue leveraging its financial ecosystem to empower individuals, strengthen businesses, and uplift communities, driving Malawi’s economic growth.

The launch of the share split by Standard Bank plc on the Malawi Stock Exchange (MSE) is a strategic move to make its shares more affordable to a wider range of investors. Prior to the split, Standard Bank was the highest valued share on the local bourse, priced at K12,050 per share. The split has resulted in the bank’s 234,668,168 shares being subdivided and converted into 1,173,340,810 ordinary shares, representing a 1-5 split. This move is expected to increase liquidity and attract new investors to the stock market.

According to MSE Chairman Kamwachale Khomba, the split breaks the perception that the stock market is for elite investors, making it more accessible to ordinary Malawians. Khomba likened the sub-division to a whole chicken being cut into smaller pieces, making it more affordable for everyone. Standard Bank Board Chairman Chris Kapanga noted that the split comes after the bank achieved the status of the most valuable counter on the MSE, with a peak value of MK12,050. This growth corresponds with the bank’s profitability over the past 28 years since its initial listing on the MSE.

Standard Bank Chief Executive Phillip Madinga emphasized that the share split underscores the bank’s ability to navigate risk while sustaining a profitable growth trajectory. The bank’s journey has been guided by a commitment to innovation, inclusion, and impact, building a business that not only chases profits but also builds prosperity for its staff, customers, and the entire nation. Madinga pledged the bank’s commitment to continue leveraging its financial ecosystem to drive Malawi’s growth, in line with the bank’s purpose. As Madinga noted, "We have built a business that doesn’t just chase profits—but also builds prosperity for our staff, customers and the entire nation, whilst managing risk prudently and diligently." This move is expected to have a positive impact on Malawi’s economy, providing more opportunities for local entrepreneurs and business owners to invest and grow their businesses. As the Chichewa business term "kugawa" (to share) suggests, the share split is a step towards shared prosperity and financial inclusion in Malawi.

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