Nedbank Commercial delivers banking that builds businesses

A business director or CFO of a mid-sized business could request asset finance from any commercial bank and, in return, they’d probably receive a quote. The reality is, most banks offer similar off-the-shelf products – so many businesses end up shopping for the lowest fees.

This may seem logical, perhaps, but it’s also short-sighted – because commercial banking should offer much more than off-the-shelf products at affordable prices. It’s about delivering real value to the middle commercial market that goes way beyond the transactional, to help them turn ambition and drive into action and sustainable growth.

You’ll find this growth-through-value commitment at the heart of everything Nedbank Commercial Banking does. Which is why, if you approach them with the same request for asset finance, the response won’t be a quote. It will be a meaningful conversation around the reasons for the finance, the best way to structure it to maximise cost- and tax-efficiencies, and value-boosting options like deferred or staggered repayments.

According to Mark Rose, executive head: strategy and new business development at Nedbank Commercial Banking, this is where real differentiation happens in any banking relationship and where the essence of commercial banking value is truly to be found.

Sector expertise that runs deep

What sets Nedbank Commercial Banking apart, according to Rose, is its commitment to genuine sector specialisation. Rather than adopting a one-size-fits-all approach, the bank has developed dedicated teams that focus exclusively on specific industries – from agriculture and retail, to manufacturing and beyond.

In agriculture, for example, Nedbank Commercial’s approach recognises the sector’s inherent seasonality and risk profile. The bank understands that agricultural lending often means providing upfront funding for inputs and waiting 18 to 24 months for crop harvesting before seeing returns. This requires a fundamentally different risk assessment and structuring approach.

Similarly, in the retail franchise sector, Nedbank Commercial has built deep relationships with major franchise groups, understanding the standardised processes and proven models that underpin successful franchise operations. This knowledge enables the bank to offer more favourable, often unsecured lending terms, rather than traditional security-backed credit, based on the strength of established franchise models and the franchisee’s good financial standing.

The bank’s sector expertise is reinforced through strategic partnerships with industry bodies, to provide invaluable insights into sector-specific challenges and opportunities, and enable more informed and relevant financial solutions.

This model – rooted in deep industry knowledge and delivered collaboratively by specialised teams – has translated into notable success.

The latest independent findings from KPI Research reveal that Nedbank Commercial commands impressive market share across many of these key sectors, including 25% in agriculture secondary, 26% in manufacturing, and 28% in retail services. These aren’t marketing claims – they’re verified proof points of the value that businesses in these sectors place on Nedbank’s highly differentiated approach to commercial banking.

Strategic partnership over transactional banking

Perhaps most significantly, Nedbank Commercial has evolved beyond traditional transactional banking into what Rose describes as a strategic growth partnership approach.

“We really want to provide advice that’s indispensable to our clients,” he explains, “and we’re succeeding in doing so, as evidenced by feedback from many of our clients that consider us to be an extension of their management teams.”

This strategic partnership approach manifests in several ways. The bank leverages sophisticated data analytics to proactively identify client needs, enabling relationship managers to approach clients with relevant solutions – often before they even realise they need them.

“We’ve deliberately moved away from being order-takers,” says Rose. “With the data we have and the models we’ve built, we can anticipate what a client might need next and we reach out first. That completely changes the dynamic.”

A prime example is the bank’s early warning system around the European Union’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism, which becomes effective, and potentially punitive, in 2026. The bank has launched an environmental, social and governance (ESG) advisory to help clients exporting to Europe to pre-empt this critical, yet often overlooked, challenge.

Innovation through collaboration

Central to Nedbank Commercial’s value proposition are three core principles: personalisation, value addition, and simplicity.

Personalisation comes through deep industry knowledge and bespoke structuring on a client-by-client basis.

The bank adds value through an array of advisory services, ranging from sustainability, ESG compliance, and digital transformation.

Simplicity is delivered through platforms like Nedbank Business Hub – a self-service digital platform that covers both domestic and international transactions. It’s available 24/7 and designed to reduce friction by allowing clients to manage accounts, apply for new services and execute key transactions without having to pick up the phone.

Rose points out that its collaborative approach has proven particularly valuable. Cross-border expansion, for example, sees many mid-sized businesses looking to establish operations in new territories, especially Africa. Here, Nedbank’s experience helps navigate regulatory hurdles and support clients with in-country guidance.

Similarly, sustainability and ESG compliance present opportunities that are often disguised as challenges. When manufacturers invest in cleaner production processes, the upfront costs are significant, but Nedbank Commercial structures flexible repayment terms that align with the long-term benefits.

“We have partnered with specialists to provide advisory services that go well beyond traditional banking, helping clients understand and implement sustainability frameworks that will underpin their resilience and growth well into the future,” Rose explains.

Digital process automation represents a commercial development theme, according to Rose, adding that Nedbank’s own digital and automation journey provides invaluable insights for client transformation. “When businesses want to invest in operational efficiency through technology, Nedbank Commercial doesn’t just fund the initiative – we share knowledge from our own digital evolution to optimise the outcomes and maximise the return on investment.”

A long-term view

Nedbank Commercial’s approach reflects a fundamental understanding that commercial banking success requires a long-term, partnership-based perspective. Companies experience both growth phases and challenging periods and Nedbank positions itself as a partner through these cycles.

Independent verification of the value of this philosophy is found in the results of independent assessments that show Nedbank Commercial ranked in tied first place in overall delivery of commercial banking services, with particular strength in staff knowledge and expertise. The bank has also maintained Net Promoter Scores well above the industry average for three consecutive years.

“We’re really not just about the provision of banking,” Rose concludes. “We’re about understanding your industry and your business, anticipating your challenges and opportunities, and being an indispensable partner that makes a tangible contribution to your business growth.”

Brought to you by Nedbank Commercial Banking.

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