Trade rules are being rewritten in real time as BRICS countries push back against tariffs, rethink global lenders, and explore new payment rails. That shift pulls more of the financial plumbing of world commerce toward emerging markets. Ignoring this trend may increase the risk of missing where future capital may concentrate. This article walks through three stocks from our BRICS financials screener that appear positively exposed to these changes.
The three stocks that follow are only a starter set from this idea. The full screen surfaced 10 more financial institutions with trade and infrastructure angles that are not covered below but carry similarly interesting stories for BRICS capital flows. To size up that wider field and identify which BRICS financials best fit your own thesis, head straight into the Emerging Market Financials Serving Trade and Infrastructure Growth in BRICS screener.
Absa Group (JSE:ABG)
Absa Group plugs directly into the BRICS finance and infrastructure story, with a universal banking and insurance platform that serves everyday consumers and large cross border projects across Africa.
Absa Group is a diversified South African banking and insurance group involved in retail, business, corporate and investment banking, plus wealth and advisory services, with meaningful activity in trade finance and infrastructure funding across Africa. It reports ZAR 82.4b of revenue from South Africa and ZAR 35.6b from other African markets, and carries a market value of about ZAR 188b.
"Ongoing digital transformation, including significant growth in digitally active customers and further investment in proprietary platforms, should lower the group's cost-to-income ratio and enable scalable, higher-margin fee-based offerings, improving net margins."
What happens to Absa Group’s earnings power if one quiet shift in how its cross border clients transact moves faster than expected.
If that shift matters to you, read the full narrative for Absa Group to see how Absa Group’s digital push and cross border rails might accelerate or stall that earnings story.
Nedbank Group (JSE:NED)
Nedbank Group leans directly into the BRICS trade and infrastructure theme, with wholesale, retail, and project finance operations that link African clients to global hubs while still offering everyday banking, insurance, and wealth services to households and businesses.
Nedbank Group runs universal banking, insurance, and wealth operations across South Africa, Africa, and select global centres, with revenue anchored in Personal and Private Banking at ZAR 29.6b, Corporate and Investment Banking at ZAR 20.6b, and Business and Commercial Banking at ZAR 11.7b, and a market value around ZAR 134.5b.
Nedbank Group brings that broad footing into BRICS-linked trade, project finance, and sustainable infrastructure lending, which is where the current policy push around tariffs, capital flows, and new risk platforms could become very real for shareholders.
"The acceleration in digital adoption and mobile banking continues to expand Nedbank's reach and improve operational efficiency, as evidenced by a double-digit increase in digital activity, 70% of retail sales now via digital channels, and higher client self-service rates. Nedbank is consolidating its leadership in sustainable finance and green lending, as shown by the substantial increase in renewable energy and infrastructure loan exposures and the conclusion of meaningful green finance deals."
What happens to Nedbank Group’s future margins and capital needs if one unresolved pressure in its credit book moves even slightly in the wrong direction?
If that credit swing is on your mind, read the full narrative for Nedbank Group to see how Nedbank Group’s green push and digital scale could absorb or amplify it.
Standard Bank Group (JSE:SBK)
Standard Bank Group plugs into the BRICS trade and infrastructure theme through corporate, business, and retail banking across Africa, while also running insurance and asset management. It generates ZAR 76.1b from Corporate & Investment Banking, ZAR 51.0b from Personal & Private Banking, ZAR 36.4b from Business & Commercial Banking, ZAR 26.0b from Insurance & Asset Management, and reports a market value of about ZAR 499.3b.
For BRICS-focused investors, Standard Bank Group ties everyday payments, cross border finance, and infrastructure lending together in one platform, which is exactly what this screener is trying to surface, and management is leaning hard into that opportunity.
"Accelerating digital adoption across Africa and Standard Bank's sustained investment in digital channels, cloud migration, and AI-driven client solutions enable the group to cost-effectively reach and serve the underbanked while driving increasing fee income, transaction volumes, and improved cost-to-income ratios, supporting higher margins and scalable growth."
The real swing factor is what happens to those carefully built margins if one key assumption about how African clients transact starts to shift faster than expected.
If that shift in client behaviour is what you are watching, read the full narrative for Standard Bank Group to see whether Standard Bank Group’s digital rails are masking upside or risk.
Seeking Fresh Alternatives Before They Fly
Some of the sharpest moves start quietly, while prices still look flat and attention sits elsewhere. Scan fresh ideas before momentum is fully established and entries begin to move away from current levels, and consider acting sooner rather than later.
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This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
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