Is Suncorp selling its bank?

Suncorp Group announced that it has entered into a share purchase and sale agreement with Banking Group Limited (ANZ) of Australia and New Zealand for the sale of its banking operations. Suncorp’s insurance operations in Australia and New Zealand will not be included in the transaction and the group’s headquarters will remain in Queensland.

Suncorp making an agreement to sell its banking business to ANZ for $4.9 billion raises all sorts of questions. 

But big banks buying and acquiring smaller banks happens frequently, so there’s no need to panic if you’re banking with Suncorp. Typically when a big bank acquires a new subsidiary, it continues to run under its original name.

For example, at the time of writing this, Westpac owns St. George, Bank of Melbourne and BankSA, and while these banks are under the Westpac umbrella, they operate independently. 

ANZ-Suncorp deal still to be finalised

Be mindful that even though ANZ has bought Suncorp’s baking services, the deal still has to be approved by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission and the Treasurer. 

Until then, ANZ doesn’t officially own Suncorp’s banking.

Also, once the deal is final, Suncorp will continue to operate under its name for the next five years, according to ANZ. There will be no job losses or changes to the number of branches in Queensland for the next three years.

Is it time to switch banks?

If you’re banking with Suncorp and don’t want to fall under ANZ’s umbrella, there are plenty of other bank options available. Every year, Mozo’s expert judges analyse what banks are the best and crown them winners of the Mozo Experts Choice Australia’s Best Banking Awards^. 

Alternatively, if you’re looking to make your finances greener, consider banks that don’t invest in the fossil fuel industry.

No matter what you choose, you don’t need to rush. Unlike Volt Bank’s shutdown that required customers to find new banks in a fortnight, Suncorp’s acquisition is still in the works, so you’ll have plenty of time to research and decide what’s best for you and your finances.

In the meantime, you can stay up to date with the latest Australian banking news here at Mozo.

Overview of Public Universities in South Africa

Here's an overview of some public universities in South Africa, including general admissions requirements and estimated application periods. Keep in mind, specific program requirements and dates can vary significantly, so it's important to check each university's official website for the most current information.

University of Pretoria

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with minimum scores in specific subjects related to the chosen program; for international students, equivalent qualifications.
  • Application Period: Usually opens in March and closes at the end of July for most programs.

University of Cape Town

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with pass levels required for degree study; subject-specific requirements depending on the program.
  • Application Period: Application opens in April and closes at the end of July.

Stellenbosch University

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with required marks; some programs have additional testing.
  • Application Period: Opens in March and typically closes at the end of June.

University of the Witwatersrand

  • Admissions Requirements: Matriculation certificate with university exemption; required scores vary by faculty.
  • Application Period: Begins in March and ends on the 30th of September.

University of Johannesburg

  • Admissions Requirements: Matric exemption with a minimum APS score; specific subject requirements based on the faculty.
  • Application Period: Opens in April and generally closes by the 30th of September.

University of the Free State

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with specific marks for the program applied to; additional requirements for certain courses.
  • Application Period: Typically opens in April and closes at the end of August.

University of Venda

  • Admissions Requirements: Completion of the National Senior Certificate with an endorsement for diploma or degree studies; specific APS scores needed.
  • Application Period: Usually from May to September.

University of Fort Hare

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with university exemption; certain programs may have specific requirements.
  • Application Period: Opens around May and closes at the end of September.

University of the Western Cape

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with specific performance levels; additional requirements for certain programs.
  • Application Period: Generally from May to September.

North-West University

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with university exemption; program-specific requirements may apply.
  • Application Period: Opens in March and usually closes by the end of August.

Rhodes University

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate or equivalent; minimum academic performance in certain subjects.
  • Application Period: Applications open in April and close at the end of September.

Nelson Mandela University

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with required scores for chosen programs; portfolio or additional tests for some faculties.
  • Application Period: Opens in April, with a deadline at the end of August for most programs.

Cape Peninsula University of Technology

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with specific scores; additional requirements for certain courses.
  • Application Period: Opens in May and typically closes by the end of September.

University of Limpopo

  • Admissions Requirements: Senior Certificate with endorsement for diploma or degree courses; specific APS scores for different programs.
  • Application Period: From April to September.

University of Zululand

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with an endorsement for bachelor’s degree studies; specific score requirements for various programs.
  • Application Period: Usually between April and November.

Central University of Technology

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with specific scores for the chosen field of study; additional criteria for certain programs.
  • Application Period: Application period generally starts in May and ends in October.

Vaal University of Technology

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with a pass that qualifies for admission to bachelor’s degree, diploma, or higher certificate programs.
  • Application Period: Typically from May to September.

Walter Sisulu University

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with required scores for chosen programs; additional criteria for certain faculties.
  • Application Period: From April to September.

This list provides a starting point for understanding the admissions landscape across South Africa's diverse higher education institutions. Given the variability in programs and requirements, it's crucial to consult each university's website for the most accurate and up-to-date information.

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