RMB to leverage U.S. presence for trade, business facilitation into Africa

Rand Merchant Bank (RMB) has established a New York based representative office, to facilitate greater U.S. business flows into African .
Specifically, RMB’s parent, FirstRand Bank, has received all necessary approvals from the United States Federal Reserve Board and New York State Department of Financial Services.

RMB CEO, Emrie Brown, said that foreign investors are increasingly turning to Africa, with its vast natural resources, extensive markets, young population, and excellent technological prospects. The African Continental Free Trade Area agreement will also ease access into the continent, stimulate intra-regional trade and boost growth.

Brown said: “The new office will link investors in the United States with Africa’s extensive business opportunities. As an established, on-the-ground corporate and investment bank with offices across the African continent, we understand the challenges and regulatory environments for business success in Africa. We are particularly well-placed to drive investment into the continent thanks to the advisory expertise we have developed since RMB’s establishment in 1984.”

Brown said that the bank would work with its -headquartered multinational corporations with African subsidiaries, non-governmental corporations, as well as US corporates with no African presence that intend to engage in business or establish themselves in Africa.

Albert Maartens, who heads up the American operations, said that the new office will enable RMB to spend more time with key corporate and institutional decision-makers and facilitate assistance to and communication with American corporates looking to expand into Africa.

Said Maartens: “RMB will be able to act as a trusted adviser for our existing and future US clients so that they can take advantage of our innovative product offerings within the environment in which they wish to operate. As a division of FirstRand Bank, we can offer investors longer tenors due to our large capital base, access to deep expertise on the continent, an impeccable compliance record and due diligence skills and processes that are firmly in place.”

“RMB has exceptional talent, focused on providing clients with distinctive service and deep African expertise. We are passionate about entrenching ourselves in the new jurisdictions in which we choose to operate – and about having a positive impact on the business of our clients we serve,” concluded Brown.