Practical money guides for South Africans
Step-by-step guides for Capitec, FNB, ABSA, Nedbank, Standard Bank, TymeBank, and other South African banks. Covers payments, reversals, transfers, and account management.
First-Time Home Buyers Guide for South Africa Complete step-by-step guide to buying your first home Last updated: December 2024 Quick Facts Government subsidy available for buyers earning R3,501 to R22,000 per month Minimum credit score of 610 needed for home loans Total buying costs are about 10% of purchase price Transfer process takes 8-12 weeks … Read more
In short: BetterBond and ooba are bond originators: they take one application to several banks and you choose an offer. SA Home Loans is a specialist home-loan lender (not a multi-bank originator in the same way). Using an originator is typically free to you because the lender pays them if a bond registers — confirm … Read more
Use the Standard Bank Instant Money Wallet to store and send money, create vouchers and buy prepaid services. See current limits, fees and safety steps.
Bank Zero South Africa: Complete Guide to Zero-Fee Digital Banking Everything you need to know about South Africa’s innovative digital bank Last updated: December 2025 Quick Facts About Bank Zero R0 monthly account fees for everyone Free EFTs, debit orders, and card payments Patented anti-fraud debit card technology Open account in 5 minutes from your … Read more
How to Apply for a Home Loan in South Africa Your complete guide to getting approved and buying your first home Last updated: December 2025 Quick Facts Current prime interest rate: 10.25% (as of November 2025) Minimum credit score needed: 610 points First Home Finance subsidy: R30,001 – R130,505 available Average approval time: 7-14 days … Read more
Understanding the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) Your complete guide to South Africa’s central bank Last updated: December 2025 Quick Facts SARB controls interest rates in South Africa Current repo rate: 6.75% (November 2025) Current inflation: 3.6% (October 2025) SARB is South Africa’s only issuer of banknotes and coins Does NOT hold money for individuals … Read more
Digital Identity Theft in South Africa: Complete Protection Guide How to protect yourself from identity theft, SIM swap fraud, and deepfake scams Last updated: December 2025 🚨 Critical Facts About Identity Theft in South Africa Over 8,000 identity theft cases reported in 2024 Digital banking fraud jumped from 31,612 to 64,000 cases in one year … Read more
Is Investec Right for You? Complete Guide for South Africans Honest breakdown of who should (and shouldn’t) bank with Investec Last updated: November 2025 Quick Facts Minimum income: R600,000/year (under 30) or R800,000/year (over 30) Monthly fee: R675 (R340 for young professionals under 30) Best for: High earners who need premium banking services Not for: … Read more
ABSA Bank Complete Guide for South Africans Everything you need to know about banking with ABSA Last updated: December 2025 Quick Facts About ABSA ABSA Transact is South Africa’s cheapest entry-level account at R6.50 per month Over 4.45 million customers across South Africa Free digital banking app with facial recognition security All accounts include free … Read more
Complete Guide to Capitec Bank Services Everything you need to know about South Africa’s largest digital bank Last updated: December 2025 Quick Facts South Africa’s largest bank by customer numbers – 24.1 million clients 880 branches across South Africa – more than any other bank Monthly account fee only R7.50 – lowest in South Africa … Read more