In short: Store “PEP loans” are Capfin personal loans. Apply on capfin.co.za, SMS 33005, USSD *120*5566# (as published on PEP’s loan page), or at participating PEP / Ackermans stores. Capfin publishes loans of up to R50 000, with repayment terms that may include 6, 12 or 24 months depending on the offer and affordability. After approval they say payout is within 48 business hours to your nominated account (DebiCheck delays can push that out). Capfin is listed as registered credit provider NCRCP13053 on PEP’s apply page. Care line 087 354 0000. Not financial advice.
Sources: Capfin FAQ; Capfin: how a loan works; PEP: apply for a loan; National Credit Regulator.
What you need (Capfin FAQ / PEP)
- Valid South African ID; 18 or older
- Permanently employed with a monthly salary (Capfin FAQ)
- Three latest payslips or three latest bank statements
- Cellphone number and a Capfin-supported SA bank account. Capfin lists Standard Bank, Absa, FNB, Nedbank, Capitec, African Bank and TymeBank
Capfin’s “how it works” page also mentions a valid South African ID or passport and three months’ latest bank statements or payslips. Bring what Capfin and the store currently list for your application channel.
Apply in a PEP or Ackermans store
- Take your ID plus payslips or bank statements
- PEP’s page: staff scan documents on a FICA device and send the application to Capfin
- Capfin contacts you to finalise. The store does not “hand you cash over the counter” as the lender
Capfin’s FAQ likewise says you may apply at any PEP or Ackermans store nationwide, and that documents can be scanned in-store.
Apply online, by SMS or USSD
- Online: Apply Now on capfin.co.za. Capfin describes OTP login with your SA ID number to the cellphone number you registered
- SMS: Capfin publishes short code 33005 (send your ID number; standard SMS rates apply on Capfin’s how-it-works page)
- USSD: PEP’s loan page lists *120*5566#
- Document upload (Capfin FAQ after applying): website upload tab; in-store scan; email to docs@capfinmail.co.za with your ID in the subject line; fax 086 688 0000 with your ID as reference; or, with permission, Capfin may obtain documents at no extra cost if you bank with Absa, African Bank, Standard Bank or Nedbank
Payout and DebiCheck
Capfin’s FAQ: money is paid within 48 business hours after approval to your nominated account. You must approve the bank’s DebiCheck request; if you do not confirm in time, payout can be held back. Capfin says if you do not confirm the DebiCheck mandate within 48 hours, the loan will not be paid as it is subject to DebiCheck confirmation. Capfin will SMS you when DebiCheck is done and money is transferred.
If declined, Capfin’s FAQ says you may reapply after 30 calendar days.
Costs: use Capfin’s quotation
Capfin publishes worked repayment examples on its FAQ (interest, initiation fee, service fee, credit life) for sample R4 000 loans over 6, 12 and 24 months. Those examples change with rates and product rules. Use Capfin’s calculator / your own quotation, not an old blog table. Capfin states applicable fees, interest, credit life and repayment terms are disclosed upfront in the loan offer.
Still verify Capfin’s NCR registration on ncr.org.za before you borrow.
Related
Check your Capfin statement · Capfin approval time · Micro loans: what to check
Last checked: September 2026 against Capfin FAQ, Capfin how-a-loan-works, and PEP’s apply-for-a-loan page. Confirm amounts, banks, USSD/SMS codes and payout clocks on capfin.co.za / PEP. Not financial advice.