Finance News Update | 13 Apr 2026

General Headlines Bad news for Standard Bank customers in South Africa Standard Bank recently discovered that some customers’ personal details, including names, ID numbers, and company registration numbers, were accessed without permission. The bank confirmed that its systems remain secure and unaffected, and external experts are investigating the incident. While the risk is mainly that fraudsters could impersonate customers or send convincing fake messages, Standard Bank has strengthened its security controls and reported the matter to regulators. Customers are advised to update their banking passwords, use strong security features, avoid sharing personal information, verify suspicious emails or calls through official channels, and register with the Southern African Fraud Prevention Service for added protection.(BusinessTech) Income tax warning for taxpayers who choose to stay in South Africa South African taxpayers may face higher taxes in the future because the tax base is shrinking, largely due to skilled workers emigrating. Tanya Tosen, a tax specialist at Tax Consulting SA, explained that too few taxpayers are carrying too much of the burden, and this has been the case for some time. Treasury expects to collect about R844 billion from individual taxpayers this year, far more than from VAT or corporate taxes, even though the number of taxpayers is falling. Projections show a decline of nearly 97,000 taxpayers by 2026/27, with over a million having left the country in the past two decades. This growing reliance on fewer individuals highlights the pressure on South Africa’s tax system.(BusinessTech) Markets and Investments South African rand slips in early trade; US-Iran talks in focus The South African rand slipped slightly in early Friday trading, at 16.42 to the dollar, down 0.1% from its last close. Even so, it remained over 3% stronger for the week, boosted by Wednesday’s surge after US President Donald Trump announced a two-week ceasefire with Iran. Market sentiment is described as “steady but nervous,” with the rand’s direction hinging on weekend talks between the US and Iran in Islamabad. Locally, South Africa will hold its weekly inflation-linked bond auction, but no major economic data is due. Recent figures showed manufacturing was weak before the Iran conflict. The economy had been gaining momentum last year, with growth forecast at 1.6% for 2026, though that outlook will likely be revised.(EngineeringNews)

Property and Real Estates V&A Waterfront to build R230m superyacht marina The V&A Waterfront will spend R230 million to build a new superyacht marina, called Quay 7, in front of the upcoming Cape Town Edition hotel. Superyachts are luxury vessels over 24 meters long, often linked to wealthy tourism. The marina, set to open in October, will offer views of the Atlantic Ocean, Table Mountain, and the city. CEO Graham Wood says demand has been rising, with 35 superyachts visiting in the 2024/25 season, many staying for months thanks to Cape Town’s mix of tourism, marine services, and unique cruising routes. The marina will be designed for dual use.(EngineeringNews)