YES 4 YOUTH Banking Learnership Programme

When You Say YES, Opportunities Follow

FOLLOW WHATSAPP CHANNEL FOR RECENT UPDATES

Nedbank is proud to be the largest South African bank contributor to the Youth Employment Service (YES) Initiative. To date, the bank has supported more than 5,000 young South Africans, equipping them with practical skills to enter the job market or pursue entrepreneurial paths.

CLICK HERE TO APPLY FOR SASSA INTERNSHIP PROGRAMMES (x7 Posts)

APPLY FOR EXXARO LEARNERSHIP PROGRAMMES 2026

APPLY FOR TRANSNET YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES 

Applications for the YES Programme are open from 2 February 2026 to 9 February 2026.

What Is the YES Programme?

The Youth Employment Service (YES) is a business-led partnership with government designed to tackle youth unemployment. The programme creates opportunities for young people to build workplace skills and gain meaningful work experience that improves their chances of securing long-term employment.

Since 2019, Nedbank has proudly championed this initiative and remains committed to job creation, youth empowerment, and building a more inclusive and sustainable future for South Africa.

Who Can Apply?

The YES Programme is open to South African youth who:

• Are between 18 and 29 years old

• Have completed matric

• Are currently unemployed

• Are not studying, either full-time or part-time

• Are African, Coloured, or Indian as defined in the BBBEE Act

• Have not previously participated in a YES programme at another organisation

Where Will the YES Experience Take Place?

Successful candidates will be placed at Nedbank branches, offices, and sites across South Africa. Some roles may offer remote or hybrid working options, depending on operational requirements.

Participants will be employed for 12 months, during which they will gain valuable, hands-on work experience. A monthly stipend will be provided to assist with living, food, and transport costs.

Please note: the YES Programme is not a learnership, internship, or apprenticeship, but a structured work-experience opportunity designed to prepare youth for the world of work.

Nedbank: A Century-Plus Legacy in African Banking

FOLLOW WHATSAPP CHANNEL FOR RECENT UPDATES

Founded in 1831, Nedbank is among the oldest banking institutions on the African continent. Its roots stretch back to the Nederlandsche Bank voor Zuid-Afrika, which evolved through decades of growth, mergers, and innovation into the modern financial services group known today. Over time, it has grown from colonial origins into one of South Africa’s "big five" banks — shaping corporate finance, retail banking, and digital services across a rapidly changing economic landscape.

What distinguishes Nedbank is not just its longevity but its culture of innovation. It was among the first in South Africa to introduce computerised banking services in 1964 and pioneered mobile-linked authentication systems long before digital banking was mainstream.

📊 Current Performance & Financial Strength

In its most recent fiscal year (ended December 31, 2024), Nedbank reported a solid financial performance, with headline earnings rising by about 8% to R16.9 billion. Key performance indicators such as return on equity (ROE) strengthened to around 15.8%, while strong capital and liquidity ratios helped support a dividend increase for shareholders.

A significant driver of profit growth has been non-interest revenue — income from fees, commissions, trading, and insurance lines — which has become an increasingly important buffer against pressure on traditional lending margins.

Managing expenses effectively and limiting bad-debt provisions, especially in challenging macroeconomic times, have also helped protect the bank’s bottom line, even as net interest income growth remained modest.

🚀 A Purpose-Driven Strategy with a Green Focus

Nedbank doesn’t just pursue profits — its strategy explicitly integrates environmental, social and governance (ESG) priorities into how it operates. The bank positions itself as “the green bank,” committed to financing sustainable projects and supporting broader societal goals across sub-Saharan Africa.

This is not merely marketing. Nedbank has backed renewable energy deals, financed infrastructure that supports the energy transition, and created sustainability benchmarks like South Africa’s first green investment index.

SMEs and consumers alike also benefit from tailored solutions — from loan products that support eco-friendly equipment purchases to financial literacy and capacity-building initiatives.

🌍 Expanding Across Africa: A New Growth Chapter

A defining theme for Nedbank in recent years has been expansion beyond South Africa. After selling its stake in pan-African Ecobank, the group is now pursuing new expansion opportunities in East Africa.

In early 2026, Nedbank made headlines with an offer to acquire a 66 % controlling stake in Kenya’s NCBA Group for roughly R13.9 billion — a bold move to grow its footprint in one of Africa’s fastest-growing markets. If approved, NCBA would operate as a subsidiary while retaining its brand and local leadership — a strategy that blends Nedbank’s capital strength with local market expertise.

This deal highlights two strategic priorities:

1. Diversification of revenue away from over-reliance on South Africa alone

2. Access to dynamic markets with higher demographic growth and digital adoption

💡 Innovation and Digital Leadership

Across its corporate, retail, and transactional businesses, Nedbank continues to embrace digital transformation. Its advanced digital platforms support everything from supply chain finance — where it has won global recognition — to tailored customer ecosystems that improve speed, efficiency, and transparency.

Such innovation is essential for competing with both legacy banks and agile fintech firms, particularly among younger and digitally native customers.

🧭 Looking Ahead: Challenges and Opportunities

Like all banks, Nedbank faces macroeconomic hurdles — from fluctuating interest rates and loan demand to pressures on household and business creditworthiness. Yet its commitment to strong capital buffers, cost discipline, and non-interest-income diversification gives it resilience in uncertain times.

Expansion into East Africa may redefine Nedbank’s future. If successful, it would mark a transformational shift from a largely South African bank to a continental contender with diversified earnings and a wider customer base.

APPLY FOR BIDVEST FACILITIES MANAGEMENT LEARNERSHIP PROGRAMME 2026

📍 In Summary

Nedbank’s story is one of innovation, resilience, and strategic evolution. From its historic beginnings to its current growth ventures, the bank remains a key pillar of banking in Southern Africa, with a sharpened focus on sustainability, digital transformation, and pan-African expansion. Whether through green financing, improved profitability, or new cross-border deals, Nedbank is positioning itself for relevance in the 21st century’s rapidly changing financial landscape.

APPLY FOR YES PROGRAMME WITH NEDBANK HERE