SIB Feted for Decade of Excellence in Kenya’s Investment Banking

Global Banking & Finance Review is a leading online and print magazine, which seeks to offer a more balanced view of information and independent news within the financial community. The magazine also aims to provide up-to-date information within the finance sector.

Speaking shortly after winning the award, James Wangunyu, SIB’s Managing Director noted: “Our 26 years of existence have taught us the value that all stakeholders bring in the growth of a firm. We commend our clients, members of staff and partners for trusting our vision and walking the journey with us. We also look forward to providing our clients with even better investment options and returns in the market.”

Standard Investment Bank is licensed and regulated by the Capital Markets Authority – Kenya (CMA). The firm offers key services such as Securities Trading, Corporate Finance and Asset Management, Market Research among others.

Under the securities trading function, the firm trades in companies’ stocks and derivatives. SIB was the first institution to execute the first derivatives futures trades in the market in July 2019. They also trade in fixed income products for local and foreign institutional investors, focussing mainly in government bonds, corporate bonds and infrastructure bonds.

Under the Corporate Finance function, SIB works with Kenya’s largest public and private institutions to inform their strategic growth, structure their balance sheets, raise capital & restructure their enterprises. Over the last decade, the firm has successfully advised over 60 project transactions, both locally and regionally worth over Kshs. 200 billion.

Most recently, Standard Investment Bank played the role of Independent Financial Advisor in two key takeover offers: Kenol Kobil by Rubis S.A.S. in 2018 and National Bank by KCB Group in 2019. In 2020, SIB oversaw the Listing by Introduction of Rwanda’s integrated cement producer CIMERWA PLC, playing the key role of Joint Lead Transaction Advisor.

Apart from its Corporate Finance capabilities, Standard Investment Bank is the first and only regulated Online Forex Trading Money Manager by the CMA, under the CMA Online Forex Trading Regulations, 2017. Mansa-X, the flagship product of its Global Markets division, has given local investors access to global asset classes such as precious metals, commodities, currencies, global single stocks and stock indices, as well as global derivatives and fixed income. Locally, Mansa-X invests in cash and fixed income, Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE) equities, Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) and derivatives.

In 2020, Mansa-X delivered a Net Return of 18.75% (23.75% Gross Return) to investors, outperforming most locally available investment options. The higher return is attributed to the fund’s ability to employ long/short trading models, which ensures capital appreciation for investors whether markets are gaining in value (going long) or losing value (going short).

Also instrumental to winning the award was SIB’s Research function responsible for providing insight and clarity on investment opportunities to investors. The reports comprise evening daily trading briefs, fixed income wraps, weekly equity markets reports, monthly & quarterly reports. The regular market research reports provide key insights to fund managers, foreign investors and high net-worth investors.

Notes to the Editor:

Standard Investment Bank (SIB) is a leading financial services firm in Kenya founded in the year 1995 with over Kshs. 850 Million worth of shareholders’ funds. The firm offers the market a single point of entry for Asset Management, Securities Trading, Market Research, Investment Management and Corporate Finance.