Société Tunisienne de Banque

Basic information

bank: Société Tunisienne de Banque (full name: Société Tunisienne de Banque, abbreviated as STB) is a state-owned commercial bank, founded on January 18, 1957, the first branch opened on March 26, 1958, headquartered in the city of Tunis, specific address is Avenue Mohamed V, 1001 Tunis. STB is controlled by the Tunisian government, which as of 2021 holds 81.83% of the shares, directly and indirectly, and the rest of the shares are held by the Caisse Nationale de Sécurité Sociale (5.96%) and the public (about 18%). The bank is listed on the Tunis Stock Exchange with a < target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http:// ticker ticker ticker STB.TN" >ticker ticker ticker symbol STB.TN and a capital of 776.875 million Tunisian dinars (TND), divided into 155.375 million shares with a par value of 5 TND each.

As of 2021, STB has around 147 branches in major cities such as Tunisia, Sfax, Sousse, Kairouan and Gabès, as well as in rural areas. The bank also has 16 regional management centers, 3 branches and 4 self-service spaces, and an extensive network of ATMs across the country to provide customers with convenient cash deposit and withdrawal services. STB serves individuals, professionals, SMEs and large corporations, with more than 300,000 clients covering retail and corporate finance needs. In addition, STB has expanded its international presence through its Tunisian Foreign Bank in Paris and Marseille and its subsidiaries in Niger and Benin.

In terms of regulation and compliance, STB is strictly regulated by the Central Bank of Tunisia (BCT) and complies with the Banks and Specialized Depository Institutions Act of 2001 (Act 2001-65). The bank participates in the Tunisian Deposit Protection Program, which is administered by the Tunisian Deposit Protection Corporation (GDPC), which provides deposit protection of up to 6,250 TND per depositor under the Deposit Protection Act 2016 (Act 931) and the Amendment Act 2018 (Act 968). In March 2024, the Central Bank of Tunisia appointed Dr. Joseph O. France is a management consultant at STB to strengthen governance and operations, but there have been no recent major compliance issues, indicating that the bank maintains a strong compliance record.

Financial health

STB's financial performance reflects its position as a leading bank in Tunisia, but the rise in its non-performing loan ratio is a cause for concern. In 2023, banks' Tier 1 ratio was 10.2%, up 94 basis points from 9.3% in 2022, indicating a strengthening of core capital. The total capital adequacy ratio was 13.6%, slightly lower than 13.8% in 2022, but still above regulatory requirements (10%). The non-performing loan ratio increased from 13.5% in 2022 to 18.1% in 2023, reflecting increased credit risk in the industrial and service sectors, while the coverage ratio decreased to 46.4% from 62.9%, indicating a decline in provision capacity. The Liquidity Coverage Ratio (LCR) has improved significantly, from 121.1% in 2022 to 216.7% in 2023, well exceeding the 100% regulatory requirement, indicating that banks have sufficient high-quality liquid assets to cope with 30-day cash outflow pressures.

As of 2021, STB manages demand deposits of 9 billion TND and demand loans of 9.7 billion TND, demonstrating its leading position in the deposit and credit market. Despite the challenges faced by the Tunisian economy such as inflation and high interest rates, STB's government background and robust liquidity management have enabled it to respond to market volatility.

Deposit & Loan Products

STB offers a wide range of deposit and loan products to meet the needs of different customers.

Deposits:

- Current deposits: such as personal and business current accounts, supporting a variety of currencies such as Tunisian dinars (TND), US dollars (USD), euros (EUR), etc., suitable for daily transactions and transfers, with low interest rates but high flexibility.

- Fixed Rate Savings, such as Fixed Rate Savings, offer higher interest rates with maturities ranging from 3 months to 5 years and interest rates ranging from 1.5% to 3.0% (as speculated by market standards), making them suitable for long-term savings.

- High Yield Savings Account: For example, STB Saver Account with a balance of more than 5,000 TND can be used as collateral, which is suitable for customers who are looking for stable income.

- Featured accounts: such as the STB Direct Saver Account, designed for students and young adults, with fee-free accounts and fringe benefits such as free travel insurance.

Loans:

- Mortgages: Support first-time home buyers and real estate investments, with interest rates ranging from 2.5% to 4.5% (depending on loan-to-value ratio and credit profile), offering fixed and variable rate options with repayment terms of up to 40 years and early repayment.

- Car Loans: Personal loans to support car purchase needs, with interest rates ranging from 3.5% to 6.0%, fast approvals, and installment payment options.

- Personal Line of Credit: For consumer needs such as home renovation and travel, the loan amount ranges from 1,000 TND to 35,000 TND, the representative annualized interest rate (APR) is 8.9%, the repayment period is 1 to 8 years, and the repayment plan is supported by early repayment and adjustment of repayment plan.

- Corporate loans: including short-term loans, long-term loans, overdrafts and trade finance, supporting the development of industry and small and medium-sized enterprises, in line with Tunisia's national economic development plan.

Digital service experience

STB's digital services are one of its core competencies, and its mobile banking app (STB Mobile Banking) is available for iOS and Android devices, for customers over 11 years old, and requires an international mobile number in Tunisia or a specific country. Its features are abundant, including:

- Public space (no authentication required): View branch and ATM locations, historical TMM, exchange rates, product information, credit and deposit simulations, complaints, guided tours.

- Client Space (authentication required): Account Management, RIB/IBAN, Commitments, Overdue Payments, Investments, Stock Market, Bank Cards, Transfers, A.V.A., Objections, Messages, Orders, Settings.

- Technology innovation: The latest version (1.9.10, April 20, 2024) improves performance, supports biometric login (face recognition and fingerprint login) and push notifications.

Quality of customer service

STB provides multi-channel customer service to ensure that customers receive support at all times:

- Service Channels:

- 24/7 telephone support: +216 71 831 000 (Tunisia), +216 71 831 001 (international)

- Live chat: via [STB official website]( https://www.stb.com.tn/fr/) Or the app provides real-time support

- Social Media Response: > via [Facebook]() and [X](https://www.stb.com.tn/fr/) Rapid response

- Branch services: Approximately 147 branches provide face-to-face support

- Complaint handling: With a dedicated complaint handling team, we will handle about 200,000 reportable complaints in 2023, with an average resolution time of 8 weeks, and high user satisfaction. Customers can submit complaints via the online form, by phone or at a branch, and unresolved complaints can be escalated to the Central Bank of Tunisia.

- Multi-language support: Services are mainly available in Arabic and French, with support for English and other languages, suitable for cross-border customers.

Safety and security measures

STB implements strict security measures to protect client funds and data:

- Security of funds: Participate in the Tunisian deposit insurance program with a maximum coverage of 6,250 TND.

- Anti-fraud technology: Prevent financial fraud and money laundering by using two-factor authentication technologies such as VACMAN Controller and DIGIPASS, real-time transaction monitoring and AI-driven fraud detection systems. Banks use social media to post fraud prevention tips to remind customers to be wary of phishing emails and account fraud.

- Data Security: ISO 27001 certified, 128-bit browser encryption, firewalls, and regular security audits are implemented to protect customer data.

Distinctive Services & Differentiation

STB is known in the Tunisian banking sector for its distinctive services and differentiated products:

- Student Account: STB Direct Saver Account, for students and young people, offers a fee-free account, free travel insurance and educational resources, suitable for the student population.

- Exclusive wealth management for the elderly: Provide exclusive financial advisors and high-end services through private banking services, suitable for high-net-worth customers or elderly customers, with a threshold of 100,000 TND income or deposits.

- Green financial products: Supporting ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) investments, including green mortgages and sustainable business loans, and becoming a signatory to the UN Principles for Responsible Banking in 2023.

- High Net Worth Services: Private banking services including customised portfolio management and family office services through STB Finance, with a threshold of 100,000 TND in income or deposits.

- SME support: Supporting start-ups and SMEs through corporate loans and advisory services.

Market Position & Accolades

STB is the second largest bank in Tunisia, after Banque Internationale Arabe de Tunisie (BIAT), and ranks high in terms of customer deposits and loans. In 2021, the bank managed demand deposits of 9 billion TND and demand loans of 9.7 billion TND, with a market share of about 18%. STB has received several international and national awards, highlighting its leadership in digital innovation and customer service:

- "Best Digital Bank in North Africa" (Union of Arab Banks) 2019

- "Best Digital Bank in Tunisia and North Africa" 2021 (Union of Arab Banks)

- "Best Arab Digital Financial Institution" Award 2020-2021 (Union of Arab Banks).

Conclusion

The Bank of Tunisia (STB) is a long-established and comprehensive state-owned commercial bank, known for its leadership in the Tunisian financial market and its support for industry and the development of small and medium-sized enterprises. Banks offer a wide range of deposits, loans, and digital services, with a particular focus on digital transformation and customer service. Despite the challenges posed by the rising NPL ratio, STB's solid capital base and strong liquidity ensure that it is able to withstand market volatility. When choosing STB, clients should obtain the latest financial data and policies through [STB official website](https://www.stb.com.tn/fr/) to ensure that personal or business needs are met.