Smart Money – Duncan Wattam unpacks how Standard Bank is simplifying investing for South Africans

In this Smart Money with Alishia Seckam interview, Duncan Wattam discusses the future of investing in South Africa.

Wattam is the Head of Investments at Standard Bank Group and a veteran of the finance industry with over two decades of experience.

He has steadily risen through the ranks at Standard after joining as a Finance Contractor in 2005.

Between this and being appointed Head of Investments in 2018, he held multiple notable positions, including:

• Global Head of Personal and Corporate Wealth
• CFO Standard Bank Wealth
• CFO Personal and Business Banking International
• CFO Corporate and Investment Banking Africa
• Global Private Clients Business Manager
• Manager for Structured Products (Treasury)

Before joining Standard Bank, Wattam completed an Advanced Manager Program with Harvard Business School and a Bachelor of Commerce from Stellenbosch University.

The interview

In this Smart Money interview, Wattam discusses the strategic role of Standard Bank Investments within the group and the key priorities shaping its agenda over the next three to five years.

Wattam outlines how Standard Bank caters to a broad range of clients, from first-time investors to high-net-worth individuals, and explains the growing importance of investment platforms in South Africa.

He also unpacks how Standard Bank is simplifying the investment journey and improving accessibility for its clients.

Wattam concludes the interview by sharing his outlook for the next five years within the South African investment ecosystem.

Watch the interview with Duncan Wattam below.