Absa denies being the most expensive bank

Detailed research by the Solidarity Movement shows that Absa is South Africa's most expensive bank - for the average consumer - followed by Standard, Nedbank and First National Bank (FNB). Capitec is the cheapest option. Read more >>

Consumers cannot be 'blacklisted' - NCR

The term "blacklisting" or "blacklist" is a term still widely used among South African consumers thereby implying that they have been listed with a bureau when they use this description, says Darrell Beghin, credit information and research manager at the National Credit Regulator (NCR). Read more >>

DrawCard takes top honours in London

Homegrown SA company, DrawCard, who was shortlisted as a finalist in four categories at the 2011 Global Prepaid Awards, won the "Best Corporate Prepaid Card Award" at a ceremony held at the Royal Courts of Justice in London earlier this month. Read more >>

Hedge funds decline, but positive about future

Assets in the local hedge fund industry remained above the psychologically significant R30 billion level as at 30 June 2011, but had declined from the R32,1 billion achieved in 2010 - despite hedge funds providing effective capital preservation in challenging market conditions. Read more >>

Cash pile, but no appetite for investment

South African companies are sitting with a total cash pile of about R470-billion according to Nedgroup Investments. It says the cash has piled up because companies are reluctant to invest - mainly as a result of global economic uncertainty - according to Sean Segar, head of product (cash solutions) at Nedgroup. Read more >>

Xmas lunch tax-free, but not end-of-year gifts

[Ron Warren] While some people are looking forward to receiving a Christmas bonus, or 13th cheque, others will receive gifts or vouchers, which, contrary to popular belief, are not tax-free - so there is no tax benefit to the employee. Read more >>

Mixed reaction to Zuma's Padayachie move

[Duncan McLeod & Craig Wilson] President Jacob Zuma's decision to redeploy communications minister Roy Padayachie and his deputy, Obed Bapela, has drawn mixed reaction from the information and communications technology industry, with one analyst saying he was "stunned" by the move and that it would delay several important projects, including the migration to digital terrestrial television. Read more >>

SABC makes or breaks communications ministers

[Chris Moerdyk: @chrismoerdyk] When the new communications minister was shifted out of her role as deputy minister of the department last year and into the presidency, I wondered if she breathed a huge sigh of relief. And I wonder now whether she is really as happy as she seems about going back, in spite of being promoted to full minister? Read more >>

Wal-Mart hearings focus on efficiencies, labour

[Paul Vecchiatto] The Competition Appeals court hearings into the Wal-Mart/Massmart merger turned mainly around labour and economic efficiency issues that the giant US retailer could bring into the local market. Read more >>

"Skeem" gets top award for Greene

Cape Town movie director Tim Greene has scooped the Audience Choice award for "Skeem" at the Abu Dhabi Film Festival, according to Channel24 and Sowetan Live. "Skeem" is a comedy adventure story about a group of small-time crooks and greedy holiday-makers who scheme to get their hands of a box of cash at a run-down resort. Read more >>