FirstRand gives N$3.9mback to pensioners

FOR thousands of senior citizens, banking is not simply about saving money or earning interest, but about making every dollar count. FirstRand Namibia says it returned N$3. 9 million to senior citizens during the 2026 financial year, through fee waivers and other benefits aimed at reducing the cost of banking for customers aged 55 and older. Through this, senior clients benefit from waived monthly account maintenance fees, no minimum balance requirements and free transactional services.. The payment is part of the group’s broader financial performance, which saw FirstRand extend N$19. 9 billion in development credit to sectors including agriculture, tourism, mining, infrastructure and asset finance.

FirstRand chief executive Conrad Dempsey at the launch of the integrated annual report of 2026 yesterday said the figures should not only be viewed through the lens of profits and balance sheets, but also through the progress customers make in their everyday lives. “Every set of financial results tells two stories. One is reflected in the financial performance. The other is reflected in the progress our customers make every day through businesses growing, families buying homes, entrepreneurs creating opportunities and people investing in their futures,” he said. “When our customers make progress, Namibia makes progress,” he said. The group’s 2026 integrated annual report shows that customers entrusted FirstRand with N$52. 1 billion in deposits. The group paid N$2 billion in interest to customers on their savings and investments, while shareholders received N$555 million in dividends. The FirstRand Foundation also invested N$19. 1 million in community upliftment, skills development and social interventions across the country. Dempsey said the group’s performance gives it the…