ZSE, Crown Bank ink landmark deal
SAMANTHA MADE
The Zimbabwe Stock Exchange Holdings Limited (ZSE Holdings) and FBC Crown Bank Limited have signed a strategic deal that will allow investors to borrow against their listed securities without liquidating their holdings, a move set to deepen Zimbabwe’s capital markets.
The development, confirmed jointly by ZSE Holdings chief executive Justin Bgoni and Crown Bank managing director Mubaiwa Mubaiwa, introduces lending solutions that open new funding avenues for institutional, corporate, and retail investors.
“The Zimbabwe Stock Exchange Holdings Limited and FBC Crown Bank Limited have entered into a strategic partnership to introduce innovative lending solutions that allow investors to use their listed securities as collateral.
The new service, available to corporate, institutional, and retail investors with holdings in the ZSE and VFEX Depositories, provides a convenient and secure way to unlock the value of investment portfolios without selling underlying assets,” Bgoni said.
He added that the platform will help unlock long-term value while keeping investors fully exposed to potential price gains and dividends. “Through this partnership, investors can access capital for business ventures, investments, or personal needs while retaining full ownership of their securities. Through this partnership, competitive lending rates are available, negotiated directly with Crown Bank, and portfolio flexibility is enhanced by converting dormant value into usable funding,” he said.
Under the deal, Crown Bank will structure tailored loan products, secured by listed securities, with interest rates set through direct negotiation with clients. The ZSE and VFEX Depositories will operate a secure pledging mechanism to ensure transparency, accurate recording, and protection of pledged assets.
“This collaboration bridges the gap between investment and liquidity, allowing investors to participate in the market while also meeting their funding needs,” Bgoni said.
Mubaiwa said Crown Bank was positioning itself as a partner in capital market innovation: “We are proud to be part of a transformative product that enables investors to unlock capital from their securities while maintaining market participation. It is a win-win for both the banking sector and the capital markets.”
Market analysts say the partnership could prove to be a game changer for Zimbabwe’s thinly traded stock market, where liquidity constraints have historically hampered investor participation.
By enabling investors to leverage their portfolios without selling down, the facility could deepen trading activity while offering businesses and individuals fresh access to credit.
The move also comes as Zimbabwe’s financial markets are under pressure to restore confidence following years of volatility and policy swings.
The ability to borrow against equities and bonds is commonplace in advanced markets, but rare in frontier economies like Zimbabwe, where credit systems remain fragile.
To access the new service, investors are advised to engage directly with their Crown Bank Relationship Manager and complete the required documentation.
The partnership is expected to strengthen investor confidence and enhance Zimbabwe’s capital market infrastructure, converting dormant portfolio value into usable capital and opening the door to a new era of securities-backed financing.
