STANLIB's predecessor was incorporated in 1862 when the
Standard Bank of British South Africa was founded in
London. It became a South African bank in 1962. Life assurer Liberty Life was founded in 1957. The first unit trust was launched by Guardbank Management Corporation Ltd in 1970. STANLIB's formation was the result of the amalgamation of seven Standard Bank and Liberty businesses in May 2002. The amalgamation of various unit trust ranges followed in 2004. In June 2006, 15 investment franchises were formed. In the same year, STANLIB's wealth business was integrated with asset management functions. Later in 2006, a distribution and client support function was established in the UK, in order to offer products suitable for international investors. Operations were expanded to
Uganda and
Botswana in 1992,
Namibia in 1994, and
Swaziland and
Kenya in 1999.
Lesotho followed in 2001. STANLIB Africa has operated since 1997. Since its inception, STANLIB Africa has secured retail and institutional mandates in 7 countries outside South Africa. In 2007, the part of STANLIB not already owned by
Liberty Holdings Limited was acquired by the latter. Liberty Holdings Limited has retained ownership since then. ==References==