South African banks reviewed

An umbrella company for four South African banks operating 1200 branches and boasting 10 million clients is reviewing its corporate identity.

Johannesburg-based consultancy KSDP Pentagraph has been appointed to carry out the review for the holding group ABSA after a six-way credentials pitch.

Siegel & Gale, which has a representative in the city, is currently redesigning ABSA’s statements.

ABSA was created in 1991 when the Allied, United, Trust and Volksas retail banks merged.

Each bank brand has enormous strength among different ethnic groups and retaining brand loyalty is seen as imperative, according to KSDP Pentagraph managing director Joe Kieser.

However, any change of corporate identity is two years away because of the costs involved, says ABSA senior consultant for corporate identity and merchandising Johann de Jager.