Hard-hit by the global economic crisis, this industry is growing again and is seeking hard-working graduates to join its ranks. There is good news for graduates who wish to pursue a career in the retail and investment banking sector. Despite the lingering after-effects of the global economic crisis, companies operating in this sector in South Africa view graduates as the key to their future.

Sure, banking took a knock in the recession. But there’s still significant graduate recruitment taking place in this space Although the local banking scene tightened its belt during the recession, it escaped major disruption, largely due to South Africa’s strict banking and credit controls.

The winner of the 2010 South African FNB University Business Challenge (UBC) is team Alpha Phi Kappa (APK) consisting of Siphesihle Kala, Dibokano Mokwele, Refiloe Seoloane, Fabrice Muhizi and Sam Peter (picture attached).   Team APK from the University of Cape Town (UCT) emerged victorious over 64 other teams from 12 universities.

The retail banking sector is still actively seeking young talent   To graduates about to take their first tentative step into the working world, the retail banking sector offers an attractive proposition as a widely recognised, skills intensive sector.

Anusha Ellery, Standard Bank CIB A career in South Africa’s banking industry, which is globally competitive and features an infrastructure on a par with the best in the world, offers unique and varied challenges and great rewards.

Sijadu Mzozoyana, Investec Sarel, ex-Tuks student, says… Having studied a BCom in investment management at the University of Pretoria, which he topped by gaining his honours in finance, Sarel Venter was accepted into the graduate programme of the Corporate and Investment Banking division of Standard Bank.

With the banking industry being stirred up by the entry of new players alongside innovation from old players, the banking industry offers diverse career options for graduates. If you can only think of four banks in South Africa – think again!

In the hushed, carpeted corridors of the investment banking community, there’s a growing sense of urgency as a talent war rages discreetly behind the scenes. Although still three years away, 2008 is looming large as the time of reckoning for financial services in general and for investment banks in particular in terms of meeting the requirements of this sector’s black economic empowerment charter.

In the hushed, carpeted corridors of the investment banking community, there’s a growing sense of urgency as a talent war rages discreetly behind the scenes. Although still three years away, 2008 is looming large as the time of reckoning for financial services in general and for investment banks in particular in terms of meeting the requirements of this sector’s black economic empowerment charter.

From a retail banking point of view, South Africa is a curious mix. On the one hand, there are the millions of ‘unbanked’ South Africans who fall outside the banking system. Estimates put the number of unbanked adults in this country at 13 million, although some say the actual figure could be higher.

From a retail banking point of view, South Africa is a curious mix. On the one hand, there are the millions of ‘unbanked’ South Africans who fall outside the banking system. Estimates put the number of unbanked adults in this country at 13 million, although some say the actual figure could be higher.

Name: Ronald Sedutla Age: 26 Job Title: Process Analyst Company: FNB What is your educational background? I have physics honours, and for third year I graduated with Physics and Chemistry. I also have Applied Maths, Pure Maths and programming experience using C++ and REXX programming language.

Name: Hilton Johnson Age: 23 Job Title: Team leader Company: FNB Home Loans What is your educational background? Fourth month Van Zyl and Pritchard computer programming and systems analysis training.

Name: Hilton Johnson Age: 23 Job Title: Team leader Company: FNB Home Loans What is your educational background? Fourth month Van Zyl and Pritchard computer programming and systems analysis training.