Standard Bank and littlefish Evolve SimplyBLU, Expanding Support for South African SMEs

Standard Bank and littlefish are proud to announce their partnership, focused on driving the evolution of SimplyBLU, Standard Bank’s merchant platform. This collaboration combines Standard Bank’s trusted legacy and reach with littlefish’s cutting-edge merchant software, deepening SimplyBLU’s ability to meet the evolving needs of modern merchants and equipping them with the tools to grow, streamline, and succeed in an increasingly digital economy.

SimplyBLU’s growing impact on SMEs has already been recognised on the global stage—earning the Outstanding SME Payments Solution award at the 2025 Global SME Banking Innovation Awards. This recognition reflects Standard Bank’s ongoing commitment to innovation, and the platform’s success in meeting the real needs of South African small businesses.

SimplyBLU has long focused on delivering an elevated banking experience for merchants. Now powered by littlefish’s technology, the platform is evolving beyond payments and banking into a deeply integrated business management suite. With SimplyBLU merchants can now manage the full lifecycle of every transaction, from the moment a sale is made to order fulfillment and reporting. With integrated tools for order management, inventory control, customer engagement, and real-time performance insights, merchants gain a clear view of their operations—all in one place. No more juggling systems or losing sight of what is happening behind the scenes. SimplyBLU simplifies the complex, so businesses can focus on growth, efficiency, and customer satisfaction.

“Standard Bank is thrilled to have won the Outstanding SME Payments Solution award, recognising our commitment to innovation and meaningful impact. We are proud to continue delivering quality solutions that support SMEs and entrepreneurs. With SimplyBLU now available on the Apple App Store, business owners can seamlessly manage operations and enhance their customer experience”, said Norman Nyawo, Head of Merchant Solutions at Standard Bank South Africa.  

littlefish is an emerging leader in commerce solutions for banks, specialising in helping financial institutions serve their merchant base more holistically. Through this partnership, littlefish delivers the technology backbone behind SimplyBLU’s evolution, enabling Standard Bank to offer SMEs not only payment services but the tools to run every aspect of their business, all under one digital roof.

“At littlefish, we are passionate about building tools that make life easier for small businesses,” says Brandon Roberts, CEO of littlefish. “What makes this partnership with Standard Bank so special is the chance to take something already trusted, SimplyBLU, and help it do even more for merchants. Together, we are not just improving payments, we are giving business owners the confidence to take control, make smarter decisions, and grow with the backing of a truly supportive ecosystem.”

Additionally, littlefish’s broader collaboration with VISA strengthens SimplyBLU’s ability to deliver secure, reliable payment infrastrucure to merchants. This partnership supports littlefish’s ongoing commitment to empowering millions of small businesses on the continent with access to modern digital tools and inclusive financial services – benefiting not only Standard Bank’s merchant clients, but the wider SME economy. 

Built specifically with small businesses in mind, SimplyBLU deepens its commitment to lowering the barriers to digital commerce – offering fast onboarding, tailored financial services, and real-time business insights. For merchants looking to future-proof their operations, SimplyBLU, evolved by littlefish, remains a secure, scalable solution – delivered by Standard Bank, powered by littlefish, and backed by a shared vision to accelerate business growth across Africa.