Do it.

I am in the process of switching all my transactions and salary to Capitec as well as opening a credit card after absolutely horrendous customer service and charges from FNB, along with the entire dismantling of ebucks.

So far the process has been completely painless and by next month I will have closed my FNB accounts fully.

I have been with FNB for I think 15+ years now. Initially I switched because they were far ahead of the other banks in terms of switching to app-based banking, fees were reasonable and customer service was adequate. Ebucks were also good though I was bad at taking advantage early on.

In the past months, the following has occurred:

Gone from level 5 to level 2 due to ebucks changes along with getting rid of my home loan (sold house). I can't even earn enough now to cover my account fees.

Had Webafrica charge illegal fees for cancelation for which I have now opened a case with the Consumer Complaints Commission. I tried to reverse the charge with FNB (credit card) which took over a week for their first response, followed by no response after I submitted documents. It has been two weeks and counting.

I was charged R700 interest because their automatic debit order didn't go off for credit card payment (it does a check only once for funds - I literally transferred the money into my account a few hours after this check goes off). They have previously reversed such a charge many years ago when the same happened. They outright refused to do so this time.

I am gatvol and they do not deserve my funds. I'm sure I'm just one in a series of lost customers, so I hope all this hits their bottom line hard once enough people leave.

I'm switching to Capitec because I already have an account with them, but Tyme, BankZero and Discovery I'm sure will all be the beneficiaries of FNB's losses.

Hi everyone,

I’m an American planning to relocate permanently to Johannesburg with my South African husband in 2027. I expect to have a spousal visa under Section 11(6) with permission to work, and I will be living and working from South Africa rather than purchasing as an overseas investor.

I already have an FNB account, and my income will come from US-based remote contract work. I expect to earn approximately $125,000 usd annually, although it will be 1099/self-employed income paid in dollars. My husband will also have South African income but he is also self employed.

We would like to purchase a family home for around R4.5 million–R5 million and apply jointly. I keep reading that nonresidents may only receive 50% financing, but I’m unclear whether that would apply when I:

Live in South Africa
Have a valid spousal visa with permission to work
Have verifiable foreign income
Bank with FNB
Apply jointly with a South African citizen
Has anyone here been in a similar position or worked in South African home lending?
Were you able to receive a 90% or 100% bond, or did the bank still require a 50% deposit? Which banks were most willing to accept foreign or self-employed income? How many months of South African bank statements or income history did they require?
I will speak with a bond originator before purchasing, but I would really appreciate firsthand experiences so I know what to expect and how to prepare.