Africa-Press – Malawi. Standard Bank plc on Monday started trading at K2,140 on the Malawi Stock Exchange (MSE) following launch of a split in its shares.
The split, rated as a strategic move, is designed to make its shares more accessible to a broader range of investors and deepen financial inclusion through equity participation.
Prior to the split, Standard Bank was the highest valued share on the local bourse priced at K12,050 per share.
The slip mean that the bank’s 234,668,168 shares subdivided and converted into 1,173,340,810 ordinary shares representing 1-5 split.
MSE Chairman Kamwachale Khomba said at the joint launch of the split breaks the myth that the stock market is for elite investors, likening the sub-division to a whole chicken which has been cut into smaller pieces for everyone to afford it.
“The only way to dismantle the perception that the stock market is for the elite is through the action Standard Bank has taken. You’ve shown that listed companies can lead in creating space for ordinary Malawians to invest, grow and share in corporate success,” Khomba said.
Standard Bank Board Chairman Chris Kapanga said the split comes in the wake of Standard Bank having achieved the status of the most valuable counter on the MSE.
With a peak value of MK12,050, this corresponds with the growth and profitability the business has achieved over the past 28 years since first listing on the MSE.
“This is a huge historical milestone for us, as Standard Bank we found ourselves just a week ago with a share price trading at around MK12,000 which is more than 3,700 times growth in value since we initially listed on Monday 29th June 1998 trading at MK3.25/share”, Kapanga said.
Standard Bank Chief Executive Phillip Madinga said that the share split underscores the ability of the bank to navigate risk while sustaining a profitable growth trajectory that focusses on safeguarding shareholder value and facilitating national economic growth.
“Our journey has been guided by a commitment to innovation, inclusion, and impact. 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,” he said.
Madinga pledged the bank’s commitment to continue leveraging on a financial ecosystem that empowers individuals, strengthens businesses, and uplifts communities in line with the bank’s purpose to drive Malawi’s growth.
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