FirstRand’s Vilakazi cleans up after R17bn UK hit artwork
Bruce Whitfield’s Business Week

FirstRand’s Vilakazi cleans up after R17bn UK hit

Sep 10, 2026 · 00:29:48

In this episode, FirstRand CEO Mary Vilakazi unpacks results that look worse than they are. Reported earnings fell 5% after an R11.4 billion provision for the UK motor finance scandal, but strip that out and normalised earnings from continuing operations grew 13%, with return on equity at 24%. The UK business is being sold, and FirstRand is placing its next big bet on Optasia, a fintech platform t…