Bank Fees Comparison South Africa 2026
Compare monthly fees, ATM withdrawal costs, EFT charges, cash deposits, and more across all major South African banks in one complete table.
Complete Bank Fee Comparison Table 2026
All fees are indicative. Hover any bank row for context. Fees vary by account tier — confirm current rates with each bank before switching.
| Bank | Monthly Fee | Card Swipe | EFT Out | ATM (Own) | ATM (Other) | Branch Withdrawal | Cash Dep. (ATM) | Cash Dep. (Branch) | Debit Return | Immediate EFT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
TymeBank Best zero-monthly-fee option. Limited branch access via Pick n Pay/Boxer kiosks. No branch cash deposit. | R0 | Free | Free | R2–R5 | R5–R8 | N/A | R1.50/R100 | N/A | R15 | R1–R2 |
Capitec Best overall value low-fee account. Wide ATM and branch network. Transaction fees are low across all categories. | R5.50 | Free | R2–R3 | R3–R6 | R7–R10 | R15–R30 | R1.20/R100 | R1.10/R100 | R15 | R3 |
FNB Higher monthly fee but includes eBucks rewards. Higher transaction fees offset by rewards for active FNB users. | R70–R95 | Free | R5–R10 | R5–R9 | R9–R14 | R40–R60 | R1.50/R100 | R1.50/R100 | R30 | R5–R10 |
Absa Traditional banking fee structure. Absa Rewards partially offset transaction costs for engaged customers. | R65–R85 | Free | R5–R10 | R5–R9 | R9–R14 | R35–R55 | R1.40/R100 | R1.40/R100 | R30 | R5–R10 |
Standard Bank Similar to Absa and FNB fee structure. UCount Rewards available at higher-tier accounts. | R68–R90 | Free | R5–R10 | R5–R9 | R9–R14 | R35–R55 | R1.40/R100 | R1.40/R100 | R30 | R5–R10 |
Nedbank Greenbacks rewards program. Higher monthly fees than digital-first banks. Strong traditional banking infrastructure. | R70+ | Free | R5–R10 | R5–R9 | R9–R14 | R40–R60 | R1.50/R100 | R1.50/R100 | R30 | R5–R10 |
Discovery Bank Behaviour-linked monthly fee. Fees reduce as Vitality Health score improves. Strong digital experience. | R40–R120 | Free | Free–R3 | R3–R7 | R7–R12 | N/A (digital) | R1.20/R100 | N/A (digital) | R20 | Free–R3 |
Fees shown are indicative. Actual fees depend on your account tier and package. Verify current rates with each bank before switching accounts.
Bank Fee Types Explained
Monthly Account Fee
Fixed charge per month regardless of usage. Ranges from R0 to R120+ across tiers.
Card Swipes (POS)
Point-of-sale purchases at card machines. Free at all major SA banks.
EFT Out (Scheduled)
Scheduled internet banking payments (24–48 hour settlement). R0–R10 per transaction.
Immediate Payment (IMPS)
Real-time electronic payment (same-day settlement). Higher fee than scheduled EFT at most banks.
ATM Withdrawal (Own ATM)
Cash withdrawal at your own bank ATM. Typically R2–R9 per withdrawal.
ATM Withdrawal (Other ATM)
Cash withdrawal at another bank's ATM. Higher cost — R5–R14 per withdrawal.
Branch Withdrawal
Teller-assisted cash withdrawal in branch. Significantly higher — R15–R60 per transaction.
Cash Deposit (ATM)
Depositing cash at your own bank ATM. Typically R1.20–R1.50 per R100 deposited.
Cash Deposit (Branch)
Teller-assisted cash deposit. Similar cost to ATM deposit at most banks.
Debit Order Return
Failed debit order return fee charged to account holder. R15–R30 per return.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which bank has the lowest transaction fees in South Africa?
TymeBank has the lowest transaction fees with free card swipes and free EFT payments. Capitec follows with very low per-transaction fees and the lowest monthly account fee among banks with a full ATM network.
Are card swipe fees charged to customers in South Africa?
No. Card swipes at point-of-sale terminals are free for account holders at all major South African banks. Merchants pay an interchange and processing fee — not the cardholder.
Why are branch withdrawal fees so much higher than ATM fees?
Branch withdrawals require teller time and physical cash handling infrastructure. Banks deliberately price branch transactions higher to incentivise use of ATMs and digital channels.
What is an immediate payment vs a scheduled EFT?
A scheduled EFT settles within 24–48 business hours and is the cheapest electronic payment method. An immediate payment (IMPS) settles in real-time within minutes but costs significantly more — typically 2–5x the scheduled EFT fee.
How much does cash deposit cost in South Africa?
Most banks charge approximately R1.20–R1.50 per R100 deposited. Depositing R2 000 per month therefore costs R24–R30 in deposit fees alone. TymeBank has no branch cash deposit option.
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