United Building Society of South Africa.
BBS Bank Limited (“BBS Bank”) is Botswana’s first home grown commercial bank after it was licensed by Bank of Botswana on 06 October 2022. However, BBS Bank is not new to the Botswana market having first existed as United Building Society, Botswana Building Society and BBS Limited over the last 50 plus years. It became BBS Limited to be able to apply for a commercial banking license, which, in terms of the law, could not be done as a building society. The Building Societies Act and the Companies Act had to be amended in 2017 to enable the process.
BBS Bank’s history is best summarised in the following milestones:
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1970
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1976
Botswana Building Society established, taking over the operations of United Building Society with one Branch in the Main Mall, Gaborone. Product offering limited to financing property in urban areas, small scale savings and investments in paid up, subscription and indefinite period shares respectively.
- Place of business was No.6 Embassy Chambers, The Mall, Gaborone
- First Board of Directors Meeting held on 13th December 1976
- Inaugural Board of Directors comprised R. Whyte (Chairman), P.F. Brink, B.I. Gasennelwe, P.R. Hinchey, E.M.K. Kgabo, J.J. Tebape, J.L.S. Hefer, W.M. Seboni and D.R. van Selm (alternate to J.L.S. Hefer).
- Chief Executive Officer D.J. Russell.
- Francistown Agency opened.
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1977
Lobatse Agency opened.
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1980
Selibe Phikwe Agency opened.
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1978
K.B Good appointed Chief Executive Officer.
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1980
Logo with a roof over “BBS” adopted. Designed by Tshipidi Promotions.
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1981
R. Peverett appointed Chief Executive Officer and Secretary.
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1982
Ceremony to mark commencement of construction of BBS Head Office in Broadhurst held. The Head Office is still in use.
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1983
- Francistown Branch opened.
- Upgraded BBS logo which now included a map of Botswana adopted. Designed by Screen Print.
- Selibe Phikwe Branch opened.
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1984
First Board Meeting held at the new Head Office (26 March).
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1985
P.T. Nteta appointed Chief Executive Officer.
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1986
Building Societies Act amended to enable BBS to finance property in rural areas.
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1990- 2000
Maun, Serowe, Thusanyo and Kasane Branches opened.
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2012
Express Lounge opened at BBS Head Office.
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2017
- BBS Bank shareholders vote to allow the bank to apply for a commercial banking licence.
- Building Societies Act and Companies Act amended to allow BBS bank to apply for a commercial banking licence.
- BBS bank becomes a company, BBS bank, so that it can apply for the licence.
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2018
Palapye Branch opened.
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2021
New BBS Bank approved by the BBS Limited Board but would only be rolled out once BBS has been granted a commercial banking licence.
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2022
BBS Bank granted commercial banking licence making it the first indigenous commercial bank.
The bank now offers a broad range of products and services, including through digital platforms and automated teller machines, way beyond the ones it started offering as a building society in 1976. BBS Bank has Branches at Head Office, Thusanyo in Gaborone, Main Mall in Gaborone, Lobatse, Palapye, Serowe, Selibe Phikwe, Francistown, Maun and Kasane.
Old BBS logo amended by removing the “roof” shape and inscribing “BBS Bank” below the map of Botswana to indicate transition to commercial banking.
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2023
Pedzani Tafa appointed the first Managing Director of the new commercial bank, BBS Bank. She is also the first female to head the institution.
Inaugural Board of BBS Bank: Bernard Mzizi (Chairman), Pedzani Tafa (Managing Director, Geoffrey Bakwena, Duraiswamy Kalyanaraman, Victor Ramalepa, Koziba Sedimo and Vincent Mogano.
Between the pioneering Boards of 1976 and 2023, BBS Bank in its various formations has been served by many other outstanding men and women on its Boards whose contributions have all contributed to its progress. Their immense contribution is acknowledged.
- BBS Bank new brand comprising a vision, mission, values, logo and brand promise launched. Includes new corporate colours with purple being the primary one marking a shift from the blue that had been in use for decades.
