The global economic crisis of 2008 and 2009 saw much of the world facing recessionary conditions, which resulted in the closure, or near closure, of a number of well-known and highly regarded international financial institutions. Despite having managed through the resulting financial crisis, Nedbank Group was left in no doubt regarding the importance of ensuring that its economic sustainability does not depend solely on external factors or the state of the economic environment in which we operate. This understanding that inherent economic sustainability is the bedrock of any viable and resilient business has led us to focus on developing and implementing worldclass governance and compliance practices and honing our risk management skills to ensure that, regardless of external forces, Nedbank Group is well-positioned to continue growing shareholder value, protecting the financial interests of our clients, employees and suppliers, and contributing positively to the economic future of the country.