South African giant applies for banking licence in one of the world’s largest financial markets. – BusinessTech

Investec has applied for a banking licence in Ireland as it seeks to push into Europe to tap one of the world’s largest financial markets.

The South Africa- and UK-listed lender already operates in Dublin through its European unit but is seeking authorisation to roll out full banking activities across a bloc that has about $45 trillion in assets, according to the European Banking Federation.

That would strengthen its ability to serve corporate and wealthy clients after Brexit reshaped financial-market access between the UK and the European Union.

“We have been in discussions with the regulator for quite some time,” Investec Group Chief Executive Officer Fani Titi said in an interview with Bloomberg TV.

“It takes a bit of time to go through these processes, but we do expect that in the immediate future, we will be successful, and we are quite excited about the opportunity that that opens for us in Ireland and the rest of Europe.”

The move underscores how financial firms continue to reposition operations inside the EU years after Britain’s departure from the bloc.

Ireland has emerged as a favoured hub for banks seeking continued access to European clients, thanks to its English-speaking workforce and established regulatory framework.

Expanding its Irish presence

Investec has maintained an Irish presence since acquiring NCB Stockbrokers in 2012.

The company currently provides treasury risk solutions, derivatives and investment services through its Irish operations, which are regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland.

An Irish licence “will allow us to work a lot more front-footed in Europe, given that with Brexit, UK banks were no longer able to operate as freely as they did before,” Titi said.

He added that Investec expects the permit will come through by the end of the year. 

The group has been sharpening its international growth strategy as competition intensifies among banks and fintech firms targeting affluent customers and cross-border European business. 

Investec recently outlined plans to transition from a specialist lender to a full-service primary bank that will offer a broader suite of banking services, including current accounts, credit cards, rewards and benefits, supported by digital capabilities. 

It plans to nearly double its private-client base by 2030, targeting a further 122,000 people to join the 128,000 now using its services. 

It is also hiring staff, including relationship managers and credit officers, as it gears up for the launch of a corporate-banking operation in the UK in the second half of 2027. 

While the war in the Middle East has affected its venture into Dubai, Investec is still optimistic about the region and its operations broadly.

“Overall, we are on a front foot, we are investing, we are expanding, and we are hiring,” Titi said.