List of Popular Banks in South Africa.

Absa Bank, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Absa Group, offers a range of retail, business, wealth management, corporate and investment solutions to customers and clients across South Africa. The bank's ambition is to sustainably create shared value and play an integral role in its customers’ and clients’ life journeys, empowering them to achieve more and to recommend to family, friends, and business associates.

Absa Bank, also known as Absa Group Limited, is a financial services company based in Johannesburg, South Africa. The company operates in several African countries, including South Africa, Botswana, Ghana, Kenya, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia. The bank has a strong presence in South Africa, where it operates over 900 branches and more than 10,000 ATMs. The company also has a significant presence in other African countries, where it operates through subsidiaries and affiliates.

African Bank was established in 2014 as a retail bank that provides unsecured personal loans, transactional banking, and insurance products to individuals. The bank was formed from the remnants of African Bank Investments Limited (ABIL), which was placed under curatorship in August 2014 due to financial troubles.

Capitec Bank is a South African retail bank that was founded in 2001. The bank offers a range of financial services, including personal loans, savings accounts, and transactional accounts, among others. Capitec Bank has over 850 branches and more than 5,200 ATMs across South Africa. Their branches are open 7 days a week, and they also offer extended hours at selected branches.

Capitec Bank is known for its low fees and charges. They have a transparent fee structure that is easy to understand, and they do not charge monthly account fees or transaction fees on their Global One accounts. Capitec Bank has received numerous awards and recognition for its innovative products and services. In 2020, they were named the best bank in South Africa by Forbes magazine, and they have also been recognized for its customer service and digital banking capabilities. The bank is a well-respected and trusted financial institution in South Africa. Their commitment to transparency, low fees, and innovative products has made them a popular choice for South Africans looking for affordable and convenient banking services.

FNB was founded in 1838 as the Eastern Province Bank. It later changed its name to the First National Bank of South Africa and has since grown to become one of the largest banks in the country.

FNB provides a range of financial products and services to individuals and businesses, including savings accounts, loans, and investment products.

Guaranty Trust Bank Limited (GTBank) is a multinational financial institution that provides individuals, businesses, and private and public institutions across Africa and the United Kingdom with a broad range of market-leading financial products and services.

Headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria, and with subsidiaries in Cote D'Ivoire, Gambia, Ghana, Liberia, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, Sierra Leone, and the United Kingdom, the Bank currently employs over 12,000 professionals and has Total assets and Shareholders’ Funds of ₦4.057trillion and ₦661.1Billion respectively.

The history of the Bank can be traced to the end of the Second World War (WWII). Agitations from the indigenes against foreign imports led to a general boycott by the local population led by the Association of West African Merchants (AWAM). The colonial administration decided to establish an entity that would facilitate the involvement of private indigenous persons in business.

The Gold Coast Industrial Development Corporation (GCIDC) was therefore established in 1952 with budgetary appropriations to enable it to provide financial support to the indigenes for the establishment of their own businesses.

Bidvest Bank Limited is a commercial bank based in South Africa that provides a range of banking and financial services to individuals, businesses, and institutional clients. Bidvest Bank was founded in 1998 as a subsidiary of Bidvest Group Limited, a large conglomerate with interests in various industries including automotive, freight, and financial services.

Bidvest Bank is licensed by the South African Reserve Bank as a commercial bank and is regulated by the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) and the Prudential Authority.
The Bank provides a range of banking and financial services, including personal banking, business banking, foreign exchange, and wealth management. Its personal banking services include transactional accounts, savings and investment accounts, personal loans, and credit cards. Its business banking services include deposit accounts, merchant services, trade finance, and foreign exchange services. Bidvest Bank is a well-established and respected commercial bank in South Africa, offering a range of banking and financial services to individuals, businesses, and institutional clients.

Grindrod Bank is a registered Financial Services (FSP 6317) and Credit Provider (NCRCP25), regulated by the South African Reserve Bank and Financial Services Conduct Authority, authorized to offer a range of products and services. The bank operates within the bounds of good corporate governance and ethical business practice, which is informed by King IV, making sure that the strategy and operations are also aligned with the requirements and guidelines set in the Basel III framework.

Grindrod Bank is regulated by the South African Reserve Bank, which is responsible for overseeing the country's financial system and ensuring its stability. The bank is committed to supporting the communities in which it operates and has a range of social responsibility initiatives focused on education, health, and environmental sustainability.

Investec Bank Limited's journey is something that sets us apart — from a small finance company founded in South Africa in 1974 to an international organization with listings on the London and Johannesburg Stock Exchanges. The bank operates through its two main divisions: Investec Asset Management and Investec Wealth & Investment.

Investec Bank Limited is licensed by the South African Reserve Bank and is regulated by the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) and the Prudential Authority (PA). The bank has a strong focus on providing innovative financial solutions to its clients, which include individuals, businesses, and institutional investors. Investec provides a range of investment management services, including discretionary portfolio management, financial planning, and advisory services. The bank has a strong presence in South Africa, as well as operations in several other countries, including the United Kingdom, Switzerland, and Australia. The bank is committed to ethical and responsible business practices and has a strong focus on sustainability and environmental stewardship.

Sasfin was listed on the JSE in 1987 and is a bank-controlling company that comprises three business pillars: Asset Finance, Business and Commercial Banking, and Wealth. The Group has regional offices in four South African provinces and eight cities. Sasfin is a B-BBEE 1 contributor. The bank enables entrepreneurs and investors to grow their businesses and global wealth, supporting job creation and sustainable socio-economic development as well as a culture of savings.

Sasfin Bank is regulated by the South African Reserve Bank and the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA). As of September 30, 2021, Sasfin Bank had total assets of ZAR 14.4 billion (approximately USD 951 million) and a net profit after tax of ZAR 34.9 million (approximately USD 2.3 million) for the year ending June 30, 2021. The bank is a well-established financial institution in South Africa, providing a range of banking and financial services to its customers.