South African banks say they have to keep funding at least some coal projects for now because an immediate halt would put huge political and economic strains on a nation that relies on the most polluting of fossil fuels. The top four banks have started to withdraw financing, with Nedbank (NEDJ.J) and FirstRand (FSRJ.J) setting deadlines of 2025 and 2026 respectively to end funding for new thermal coal mines. Both have stopped lending to new coal-fired power plants. But the banks still finance existing coal mines and power stations. Absa (ABGJ.J) and Standard Bank, South Africa’s other two leading lenders, have left the door open to funding some new coal mining or power projects. […]