South Africa
We're here for you
During the uncertain times that we face, not only as a country, but as a continent, there are those who are working tirelessly to keep our society together. There are those who keep us healthy, who keep us safe and who are committed to keeping food on our tables for our families, regardless of the current situation.
We understand that the COVID-19 pandemic may create uncertainty or financial pressure for some of our customers.
Keeping your business going
COVID-19 Term Loan Scheme for SMEs
We have been in consultation with Government to provide financial relief to businesses that have been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 lockdown.
SAFT Employer Relief Fund
Please note that all funds allocated by SAFT to Standard Bank have been allocated and applications are now closed.
Business loan instalment relief for SMEs
If you have a small to medium-sized business and have been affected by COVID-19, we'll assist you with payment relief
Personal loan instalment relief for SME owners
To help small business owners meet their personal financial commitments at this difficult time we're offering our business account holders them 90 day instalment relief on all their loans with us
Supporting our personal banking customers
Financial relief for all customers
If you are struggling to manage your debt repayments, please contact us.
Credit Insurance: You could have a claim
With Credit insurance you could have cover if you face difficult circumstances and are unable to earn an income.
Insurance relief
Keep protecting what matters. Don't put your cover at risk. Contact us to see how we can help restructure your insurance cover.
ATM cash withdrawal Saswitch fee waived during COVID-19 lockdown period
You can now withdraw cash from other bank's ATMs without being charged the Saswitch fee.
Important news
We remain operational through lockdown Banking is an essential service during lockdown. We remain committed to serving you through the 21-day nationwide lockdown.
Add your phone to the COVID fight
Help break the chain of COVID-19 transmission by downloading the COVID Alert SA contact tracing app. The power is in your hands.
Keeping our customers safe
Find out what protocols and measurements we have in place to minimise COVID-19 risks.
Keeping our employees safe
Find out what steps we have taken to ensure the health and safety of our employees and communities.
Keeping our suppliers and partners safe
We have implemented measurements to keep our clients, suppliers and other third parties safe.
Frequently Asked Questions
We have consolidated our most popular questions and provided some answers that we hope will be helpful. To read these, please follow the link.
Economic Impact
Episode 2
08 April 2020
Standard Bank’s Chief Economist Goolam Ballim with an update on the impact of COVID19 on the South African economy and political landscape
“The second half of 2020 will be more favourable. The currency could conceivably appreciate to near R16 to the US dollar by year-end. Inflation will remain benign. It is further conceivable that the Repo Rate could fall from a prevailing 5,25 percent to even 4 percent.” – Standard Bank Chief Economist, Goolam Ballim discusses the impact of COVID19 on the South African economy.
Episode 1
23 March 2020
Standard Bank Chief Economist Goolam Ballim on the impact of COVID-19 on South Africa’s Economic and Political outlook
Despite having limited past data on global pandemics to draw from, this is undoubtedly a global health crisis that will have a marked impact on economies and cause dislocation in financial markets – Standard Bank Chief Economist, Goolam Ballim discusses the impact of COVID19 on South Africa’s Economic and Political outlook.
Standard Bank continues insurance cashback offering
Standard Bank continues insurance cashback offering
20 May 2020 - Standard Bank Insurance will continue its 25% cashback relief on car insurance premiums for a second month to the end of May 2020.
Standard Bank South African Future Trust allocation fully subscribed
Standard Bank South African Future Trust allocation fully subscribed
19 May 2020 - All the funds, totalling R250 million assigned to Standard Bank by the South African Future Trust (SAFT) have been allocated to the employees of qualifying SMMEs, after six weeks of administering the fund.
Standard Bank welcomes COVID-19 loan relief scheme
Standard Bank welcomes COVID-19 loan relief scheme
29 April 2020 - As one of the largest business lenders in South Africa, Standard Bank welcomes the announcement of the COVID-19 Term Loan Scheme for Small and Medium Enterprises by President Cyril Ramaphosa.
Standard Bank offers free digital literacy course
Standard Bank offers free digital literacy course
21 April 2020 - Standard Bank offers a free online Microsoft Digital Literacy Course to all South Africans in partnership with Pioneering Solutions Studio.
SA driving data shows people are staying in lockdown more than US and UK
SA driving data shows people are staying in lockdown more than US and UK
20 April 2020 - South Africans have been generally more observant of lockdown rules than their peers in countries such as the US and UK, car-usage data from Standard Bank Insurance suggests..
Standard Bank launches COVID-19 Chatbot
Standard Bank launches COVID-19 Chatbot
16 April 2020 - Standard Bank South Africa has launched a chatbot on WhatsApp to keep its customers up to date with its services, debt relief offerings and other important information relevant during this COVID-19 period.
Top executives heed the President’s call for COVID-19 donations
Top executives heed the President’s call for COVID-19 donations
12 April 2020 - Standard Bank is fully behind the initiatives by the South African government to fight the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
Credit life insurance products
Credit life insurance products
6 April 2020 - Standard Bank wishes to advise its customers on potential relief through its credit life insurance products.
Insurance clients to receive 25% cashback
Insurance clients to receive 25% cashback
6 April 2020 - Standard Bank Insurance is implementing a 25% cash back relief on its car insurance premiums.
Business continues during lockdown period
Business continues during lockdown period
27 March 2020 - As South Africa enters its official lockdown period, Standard Bank has activated its business continuity measures to ensure that we continue...
Outbreak of COVID-19 escalates
Outbreak of COVID-19 escalates
27 March 2020 - As Standard Bank, we are taking this pandemic extremely seriously, and have been working closely...
Operational through lockdown
Operational through lockdown
25 March 2020 - Standard Bank wishes to inform customers that it will remain fully operational through the national lockdown...
Financial relief for customers
Financial relief for customers
22 March 2020 - Standard Bank offers Covid-19 financial relief for customers.
Minimise risk for customers and staff
Minimise risk for customers and staff
18 March 2020 - Standard Bank takes precautions to minimse risk for customers and staff.
Encouraging customers to use online capabilities
Encouraging customers to use online capabilities
17 March 2020 - As South Africans continue to face challenges around precautionary measures to minimise the risk of spread of the Covid-19 virus...
National Institute for Communicable Disease (NICD)
Emergency Hotline: 0800 029 999
WhatsApp Support Line: 0600-123456
COVID-19 South African Resource Portal
https://www.healthestablishments.org.za/
http://www.health.gov.za/
Follow these simple guidelines to help protect your family, colleagues and yourself.
Follow these simple guidelines to help protect your family, colleagues and yourself.
What is COVID-19?
Human Coronaviruses are common throughout the world. There are many different coronaviruses identified in animals but only a small number of these can cause disease in humans.
On 7 January 2020, ‘Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2’ (SARS-CoV-2) was confirmed as the causative agent of ‘Coronavirus Disease 2019’ or COVID-19. The majority of the case-patients initially identified were dealers and vendors at a seafood, poultry and live wildlife market in China. Since then, the virus has spread to more than 100 countries, including South Africa.
Infection prevention measures
How to protect yourself and others from infection:
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Stay home when you are sick, except to get medical care.
Symptoms* of COVID-19 can include:
- Fever
- Cough
- Shortness of breath
*Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure and can be mild or severe cases of the above.
Seek medical advice if you develop symptoms, and have been in close contact with a person known to have COVID-19 or if you live in or have recently been in an area with ongoing spread of COVID-19.
-
What is COVID-19?
-
Infection prevention measures
Human Coronaviruses are common throughout the world. There are many different coronaviruses identified in animals but only a small number of these can cause disease in humans.
On 7 January 2020, ‘Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2’ (SARS-CoV-2) was confirmed as the causative agent of ‘Coronavirus Disease 2019’ or COVID-19. The majority of the case-patients initially identified were dealers and vendors at a seafood, poultry and live wildlife market in China. Since then, the virus has spread to more than 100 countries, including South Africa.
How to protect yourself and others from infection:
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Stay home when you are sick, except to get medical care.
Symptoms* of COVID-19 can include:
- Fever
- Cough
- Shortness of breath
*Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure and can be mild or severe cases of the above.
Seek medical advice if you develop symptoms, and have been in close contact with a person known to have COVID-19 or if you live in or have recently been in an area with ongoing spread of COVID-19.
Keeping Updated and latest information
Standard Bank News
Standard Bank News
For the most recent official new visit our news centre or if you have media enquiries related to Standard Bank management of COVID-19 please contact our media relations team.
Useful Links
Useful Links
These sites continue to provide more detailed information regarding the pandemic
OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASES
Banks Respond to COVID-19
Banks Respond to COVID-19
President Ramaphosa announced that the COVID-19 outbreak has been declared a national state of disaster in terms of the Disaster Management Act
President Ramaphosa announced that the COVID-19 outbreak has been declared a national state of disaster in terms of the Disaster Management Act
Covid-19 Situational reports - NICD
Covid-19 Situational reports - NICD
Covid-19 infographics - NICD
Covid-19 infographics - NICD
World Health Organisation Situational reports
World Health Organisation Situational reports
More than 600 confirmed cases of Covid-19 in Africa
More than 600 confirmed cases of Covid-19 in Africa
Contacting us during the COVID-19 pandemic
If you need assistance during this time please click on the button below for the best ways to reach us.
- Most of our call centre lines are available between 8am and 5.30pm on weekdays, 8am to 4pm on weekends. Our Risk, Lost & Stolen Cards, Fraud and Emergency Lines are available 24/7
- Send us an email
- Send us a message on social media
- Contact your Relationships Manager, Private Banker or Business Banker Visit our open branches
Click here to get in touch with us
We are doing our best to keep up with the volumes of incoming calls and emails. Please keep trying and we will get back to you as soon as we can. We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience this may cause you
