Providers of financial services

Introduction

“Money makes the world go round”, a quotation from the musical Cabaret, is a saying with which most of us are familiar. It is not literally true, of course, but does point to our heavy reliance on money and financial services.

While there may be very little that you can personally do about it, remember for a moment the unacceptably large percentage of our population who are not included in our economy, to whom providers of financial services would be a meaningless term.

This page is a look at some institutions behind the provision of financial services in the country.

Education and training

Associations

Consumer recourse: who can help you?

  • Council for Medical Schemes www.medicalschemes.co.za/ If there is something bothering you about your medical scheme … 
  • The new National Financial Ombudsman (NFO) (2024) has the Ombudsmen for short-term insurance, long-term insurance, banking and credit as members. See https://nfosa.co.za
  • The Ombudsman for Short-Term Insurance, an independent body which may be able to assist you if your insurer refuses to pay e.g. for damage to your vehicle. The service is free to insured consumers. You must complain to the insurance company first, and only if you are unable to resolve the dispute with your insurers, then you can refer the matter to their offices. The Ombudsman’s decisions are binding on the insurance company, but not on you. 
  • The Ombudsman for long-term insurance mediates in disputes between insurers and policy holders (life assurance). 
  • The Ombudsman for Banking Services 
  • Credit OMBUD 
  • For investment problems, talk to the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA). Its website is www.fsca.co.za
  • The FAIS Ombud deals with “complaints against financial institutions, which do not fall within the jurisdiction of any other ombud scheme or where there is uncertainty over jurisdiction”. Visit www.faisombud.co.za.
  • National Consumer Commission www.thencc.gov.za
  • For debt counselling problems, but also for disputes that are not resolved by the Credit Ombudsman, speak to the National Credit Regulator (NCR). NB Only credit grantors that are registered with the NCR may grant credit. Visit www.ncr.org.za.
  • The Fiduciary Institute of Southern Africa (FISA) is a self-regulating body for matters such as wills, trusts, estate planning. See www.fisa.net.za.
  • Pension Funds Adjudicator www.pfa.org.za

Other financial bodies and associations

 

Southern African Venture Capital and Private Equity Association (SAVCA) – Wondering where to find capital to expand your business? SAVCA provides a comprehensive and well-structured directory which lists the details and investing preferences of all members and associated members of the association. Find details at www.savca.co.za.

Banks

  • The Banking Association of South Africa is the industry body for banks. Visit www.banking.org.za.
  • BankservAfrica is the “automated Clearing House that provides interbank electronic transaction switching and settlement services”. See www.bankservafrica.com.
  • Prudential Authority c/o The Reserve Bank – responsible for regulating banks, insurers, cooperative financial institutions, financial conglomerates and certain market infrastructures. www.resbank.co.za
  • The South African Banking Risk Information Centre (SABRIC) was established to assist the banking industry to combat organised crime. See www.sabric.co.za.     

          

Absa Find the notes about the AgriBusiness Team, and the AgriBusiness range of products and solutions at www.absa.co.za. See also www.absa.africa.

Access Bank https://southafrica.accessbankplc.com

Bidvest www.bidvest.com

CAPITEC www.capitecbank.co.za

Discovery Bank www.discovery.co.za/portal

First National Bank  www.fnbagricomms.co.za and www.fnb.co.za

Land Bank – see notes under the “State owned development banks and agencies” heading.

Nedbank AgriBusiness Ltd Find the notes on Nedbank AgriBusiness on the website, www.nedbank.co.za.

Rand Merchant Bank www.rmb.co.za

Standard Bank  Read about the bank’s agricultural expertise and offerings at www.standardbank.co.za

WesBank www.wesbank.co.za

The new digital banks — TymeBank, Bank Zero and Discovery

State owned development banks and agencies

See also the “Regional/province-specific role players” heading.

Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) www.dbsa.org

The Financial and Fiscal Commission (FFC) makes recommendations to Parliament, provincial legislatures, organised local government and other organs of state on financial and fiscal matters. See www.ffc.co.za.

Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) www.idc.co.za 

Regional offices:

  • Bloemfontein – 051 411 1450
  • Brits – 012 252 0007
  • Cape Town – 021 421 4794
  • Durban – 031 337 4455
  • East London – 043 721 0733/4
  • Emalahleni – 013 658 2960
  • George – 021 421 4794
  • Gqeberha – 041 363 1640
  • Kimberley – 053 807 1050
  • Klerksdorp – 018 462 6586
  • Mahikeng – 018 397 9942
  • Mbombela – 013 752 7724
  • Polokwane – 015 299 4080
  • Rustenberg – 014 591 9660/1
  • Secunda – 013 752 7724
  • Tzaneen – 015 299 4080
  • Vryburg – 053 927 0590


IDC finance is for entrepreneurs in the agricultural, food, beverage and marine sectors wanting to expand and develop their businesses. The minimum financing is R1 million. An economically viable business plan must be submitted.

Land Bank www.landbank.co.za

The Land Bank’s objectives are food security, bringing those from a previously disadvantaged background into agriculture, and developing commercial farming in South Africa. Regional contact details are available on the website and on the “Finance for new farmers and SMMEs” page.

The National Treasury www.treasury.gov.za

Read about various government institutions, grants and incentives on the “Finance for new farmers and SMMEs” page. These include The Jobs Fund, which “is targeted at established companies with a good track record and which plan to expand existing programmes or pilot innovative approaches to employment creation, with a special focus on opportunities for young people.”

Regional / province-specific role players

Eastern Cape

Free State, Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal

  • Free State Development Corporation (FDC) www.fdc.co.za
  • Gauteng Enterprise Propeller www.gep.co.za Satellite offices in Soweto, Ekurhuleni, Tshwane, Bronkhorstspruit, West Rand, Mohlakeng, Sedibeng and Heidelberg
  • Gauteng Growth and Development Agency (GGDA) www.ggda.co.za
  • InvestSA Gauteng https://investsagauteng.co.za
  • Ithala Development Finance Corporation www.ithala.co.za Ithala has presence across KwaZulu-Natal, from Izingolweni in the south to Qotho in the north. The website provides contact numbers and addresses for all branches.
  • Lejwe Le Putswa Development Agency (LDA) www.lejwelda.org.za
  • Trade and Investment KwaZulu-Natal www.tikzn.co.za
  • Tshwane Economic Development Agency (TEDA) www.teda.org.za

Limpopo, Mpumalanga and the North West

  • Limpopo Economic Development Agency (LEDA) has offices across Limpopo. See www.lieda.co.za.
  • Trade and Investment Limpopo (TIL) Tel: 015 295 5171 
  • Mpumalanga Economic Growth Agency (MEGA) www.mega.gov.za
  • North West Development Corporation http://nwdc.co.za Branches in Mmabatho, Lehurutshe, Ganyesa, Mothibistadt, Taung, Temba, Rosslyn, Mogwase, Rustenburg and Klerksdorp

Northern Cape and Western Cape

  • Cape Agency for Sustainable Integrated Development in Rural Areas (CASIDRA) www.casidra.co.za
  • Northern Cape Economic Development Agency Tel: 053 833 1503 
  • Western Cape (WESGRO) www.wesgro.co.za

Agribusinesses

See the “Agribusiness” page. Companies like AFGRI, Kaap Agri, OVK and VKB offer credit, insurance and other financial services.

Embassies and foreign financial support

Find details of foreign embassies and high commissions in South Africa at https://dirco.gov.za.

Some international role players with a presence in Southern Africa:

Co-operatives

See the “Co-operatives” page.

Companies

Find the “Finance and administration” heading on the “Consultants” page, and the separate page on agribusinesses. See “Digital agriculture” for providers of financial software packages.

 Several large global players work from South Africa, using this country as a springboard into Africa. Examples are HSBC and Citibank and international traders Archer Daniels Midland, Bunge, Cargill, Louis Dreyfus and Noble. Various groups offer agricultural equipment finance at cheaper rates tha banks e.g. John Deere and Barlowrand.

See the “Accessing government incentives” heading on the “Consultants” page.

Websites and publications

See websites listed earlier on this page.

Some articles:

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