Quick Facts

• Main transactional account: 2.25% per year (flat rate)
• Savings accounts: 2% to 6.25% per year
• Fixed deposits: 7.35% to 8.28% per year
• Notice accounts: 4% to 7.55% per year
• Interest is calculated daily and paid monthly

Understanding How Capitec Calculates Interest

Capitec does not give you interest “per month”. Instead, they give you an annual interest rate that is calculated daily and paid out once per month. This is called Nominal Annual Compounded Monthly (NACM).

For example, if Capitec says 6% interest per year, you don’t get 6% every month. You get approximately 0.5% per month (6% divided by 12 months). The exact amount depends on how many days are in that month.

The interest is added to your account automatically at the end of each month. You don’t need to do anything.

⚠️ Important Changes in 2025

In February 2025, Capitec made big changes to their interest rates. The main transactional account interest dropped from up to 7.25% to a flat 2.25% for all balances.

Why the change? Capitec wants customers to move money into proper savings accounts instead of keeping it in the main account. This helps you save better and helps the bank manage money more efficiently.

The good news: dedicated savings accounts now offer the same good rates that the main account used to offer.

Main Account (Transactional Account) Interest

Your Capitec main account is where your salary gets paid and where you do your daily banking. As of 2025, it pays a flat interest rate of 2.25% per year on any positive balance.

What This Means Per Month:

Monthly fee: R7.50 per month. So if you have a small balance, the fee might be more than your interest.

✅ Access Anytime Savings Account

This is Capitec’s main savings account. You can take money out anytime you want. The interest rate depends on how much money you have saved.

Interest Rates by Balance (2025):

Notice Accounts (Better Interest, But You Must Wait)

Notice accounts pay higher interest than regular savings. But when you want your money, you must give Capitec notice first. They have two types:

7-Day Notice Account

You must tell Capitec 7 days before you want to take money out.

32-Day Notice Account

You must tell Capitec 32 days before you want to take money out. This pays the best interest for savings accounts.

Fixed Deposits (Best Interest, But Money is Locked)

Fixed deposits pay the highest interest at Capitec. But you cannot touch your money until the end of the investment period. If you take it out early, you pay a R300 penalty fee.

Fixed Deposit Interest Rates (2025):

✅ Real Examples: How Much You Actually Get Per Month

Example 1: You have R5,000 to save

• Main account: R9.38 per month (2.25% yearly)
• Access Anytime savings: R8.33 per month (2% yearly)
• 7-day notice: R16.67 per month (4% yearly)
• 32-day notice: R26.25 per month (6.3% yearly)
• 1-year fixed deposit: R31.00 per month (7.44% yearly)

Example 2: You have R50,000 to save

• Main account: R93.75 per month
• Access Anytime savings: R208.33 per month (5% yearly)
• 32-day notice: R331.67 per month (6.3% yearly on first R25k, higher on rest)
• 1-year fixed deposit: R310.00 per month (7.44% yearly)

Example 3: You have R300,000 to invest

• Access Anytime savings: R1,562.50 per month (6.25% yearly)
• 32-day notice: R1,887.50 per month (7.55% yearly)
• 3-year fixed deposit: R1,895.00 per month (7.58% yearly)
• 5-year fixed deposit: R2,000.00 per month (8% yearly)

Which Capitec Account Should You Choose?

Choose the Main Account if:

• You need your money for daily expenses
• You only have small amounts of money (under R1,000)
• The interest doesn’t matter much to you

Choose Access Anytime Savings if:

• You have R5,000 or more to save
• You might need the money in an emergency
• You want better interest than the main account
• You want no monthly fees

Choose a Notice Account if:

• You have R10,000 or more
• You can wait 7 or 32 days when you need money
• You want higher interest than regular savings
• You’re saving for something in the next few months

Choose a Fixed Deposit if:

• You have R10,000 or more you don’t need right now
• You can lock your money away for 6 months to 5 years
• You want the highest interest Capitec offers
• You’re saving for something specific in the future

✅ 8 Tips to Maximise Your Capitec Interest

🚨 Important Things to Know

Interest Rates Can Change

Capitec can change savings and notice account interest rates at any time. Fixed deposit rates are locked in for the full period.

Tax on Interest

If you earn more than R23,800 per year in interest (if you’re under 65), you must pay tax on it. SARS will want to know about it.

Inflation Eats Your Money

In 2025, inflation in South Africa is around 4-5%. If your interest rate is lower than inflation, your money is actually losing value over time.

Capitec’s Rates Are Below Average

According to independent comparisons, Capitec’s fixed deposit rates are often lower than other South African banks. Always compare before choosing where to invest.

How to Open a Capitec Savings or Investment Account

Step 1: You Need a Capitec Main Account First

All savings plans are linked to your Capitec main account. If you don’t have one, visit any Capitec branch with your ID and proof of address.

Step 2: Download the Capitec App

You can open savings plans directly on the Capitec banking app. It’s free to download from Google Play Store or Apple App Store.

Step 3: Choose Your Savings Plan

In the app, go to “Save” and choose which type of account you want. You can open up to 10 different savings plans.

Step 4: Transfer Money

Move money from your main account to your new savings plan. Even R50 is enough to start.

Alternative: Visit a Branch

If you prefer, visit any Capitec branch. The staff will help you open the right savings plan for your needs.

Quick Comparison: All Capitec Investment Options

For most people: Don’t leave large amounts in your main account. Move extra money to the Access Anytime savings account to earn 2% to 6.25% instead of just 2.25%.

For emergency funds: Use the Access Anytime account. You get decent interest and can take money out immediately if something urgent happens.

For money you don’t need soon: Consider a fixed deposit if you can lock money away for at least 6 months. The 7% to 8% interest is much better than savings accounts.

Important: Always compare Capitec’s rates with other banks. Many South African banks offer better fixed deposit rates than Capitec, especially for large amounts.

Remember: Interest rates quoted are per year, not per month. Divide by 12 to get your approximate monthly interest.