According to Brand Finance®, FNB’s 22% rise to R19.4-billion in brand value was the biggest jump over the last year.

Every year, valuation and strategy consultancy Brand Finance® aims to value the world’s biggest brands. The 50 most valuable brands in South Africa are included in the 2018 Brand Finance® South Africa 50 league table.

Brand strength is used to determine what proportion of a business’s revenue is contributed by the brand.

"This accolade reinforces our ongoing commitment to extend exponential help to our individual, and business, customers. It adds value to our customers’ lives by delivering holistic service offerings, which has been an important focus for the bank," says Faye Mfikwe, FNB chief marketing officer.

"We continue to pioneer the use of technology and big data to deliver customer-centric solutions that address the ever-changing needs of consumers and businesses in a highly-competitive environment," adds Mfikwe.

The Brand Finance® Africa report notes that, despite facing the same broader challenging macroeconomic environment, FNB has focussed on cross-selling other financial services to its customers, allowing its brand value growth to outpace competitors.

"The enablement of a cohesive banking strategy, underpinned by digitisation across our business, has helped in distinguishing our brand in the marketplace. This investment has helped us move beyond just banking, to a brand that fully disrupts with the customer in mind," says Mfikwe.

FNB has announced several solutions through the FNB App for new and existing customers. This includes eWallet eXtra, which aims to advance financial inclusion and gives consumers and SMEs the ability to open a bank account in minutes by taking a selfie and 'nav» Money'. This also gives existing customers the ability to track and manage their financial position in real time on the FNB App.

"Our customer relationships are cemented by the simple tenant of 'helping customers help themselves'. In the changing environment, prioritising helpful solutions that create safe and convenient banking is core to what we stand for," adds Mfikwe.

"Developing a differentiated customer experience based on disruptive innovations, customer insights and technology has helped us bridge the gap in the financial services industry," concludes Mfikwe. 

For more information, visit www.fnb.co.za. You can also follow FNB on Facebook or on Twitter.