Season 14 Episode 8

Schalk Malan on bank assurance and the future of insurance in SA

27 February 2026 · 32:20 min

On Business Talk, Michael Avery speaks to Schalk Malan, Head of Insurance South Africa at Standard Bank’s Insurance and Asset Management Business Unit, about the evolving role of insurance in building financial resilience. From the rise of bank assurance models to the push for deeper financial… inclusion, the conversation explores how insurers can move beyond siloed products to deliver longitudinal, advice-led solutions that evolve with customers over time. Malan argues that trust, simplicity, and certainty must sit at the heart of modern insurance — especially as more South Africans look to protect their income, families, and futures.

The discussion also unpacks how technology and AI are reshaping underwriting, advice, and client engagement — not to replace human advisors, but to augment them. By combining data, digital tools, and meaningful human interaction, insurers have an opportunity to close the advice gap, expand access, and strengthen South Africa’s savings culture. If done right, Malan believes, insurance can play a foundational role in driving long-term economic resilience and intergenerational prosperity. Show more