ABOUT DRWILLEMVAN AARDT Whilst qualified in law, Dr van Aardt is an entrepreneur with the ability to identify, analyse and pursue entrepreneurial business opportunities and to establish sustainable profitable businesses in the financial services sector. As such, he has substantial experience in establishing andmanaging businesses in the financial services and banking sectors. Dr van Aardt also has a strong academic background in human rights and constitutional law and finalised his doctorate in constitutional law through the North-West University in 2005. After completing his articles and being admitted as an attorney in South Africa, Dr van Aardt has held the positions of legal consultant to Sanlam, Corporate Finance Officer of The Business Bank and Executive Director of Thuthukani Group Limited. Dr van Aardt is consistently ranked in the top 1% to 2% of academics globally on academia.edu in addition to being the author of numerous published peer-reviewed legal articles including in South Africa’s esteemed attorneys journal “De Rebus”. FIRMPROFILE Finbond Group Limited is a leading North American, Latin American and South African financial services institution that specialises in the design and delivery of unique value and solution-based savings, credit and insurance solutions tailored around depositor and borrower requirements rather than institutionalised policies and practices. Dr van Aardt founded Finbond Group Limited in January 2003. Finbond’s South African micro credit division currently operates through 377 branches in South Africa, 173 Finbond Mutual Bank branches and 204 Supreme Finance branches. Finbond’s North American micro credit division currently operates through 198 branches operating in 16 US states. In addition, Finbond also has a presence in Ontario, Canada and a limited presence in Panama. Finbond believes it can be the best in the world at short-term unsecured lending, which drives its economic engine. Finbond’s management is deeply passionate about being the best shortterm lending company in South Africa and North America. In addition to its short-term lending products, Finbond also offers savings and investment products, secured lending products and transactional banking products. Please tell us a little about how your career to date. What led you to pursue opportunities in both law and financial services? Whilst qualified in law, I am an entrepreneur at heart with the ability to identify, analyse and pursue entrepreneurial business opportunities and to establish sustainable, profitable businesses in the financial services sector. As such, I have experience in establishing and managing businesses in the financial services and banking sectors. How does Finbond seek to empower the disasdvantaged in South Africa and other nations through its services? CEO Willem Van Aardt - 58 - CEO Today Af r i ca Award s 2022 - SOUTH AFRICA - www.finbond.com
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