Access Bank South Africa at a Glance
Access Bank South Africa Limited is a fully licensed commercial bank operating in Johannesburg, South Africa, and a subsidiary of the Access Bank Group — one of Africa's largest and most geographically diverse banking institutions. Headquartered at Building 3, Inanda Greens Business Park, 54 Wierda Road West, Wierda Valley, Sandton, 2196, the bank serves both individual savers and corporate clients, offering a focused suite of savings, notice, call, and fixed-term deposit products designed to deliver competitive returns in the South African market.
What distinguishes Access Bank South Africa from many of its peers is its pan-African ownership structure. The Access Bank Group, incorporated in Nigeria, operates in more than 20 countries across Africa, the United Kingdom, and the United Arab Emirates. This international footprint means that South African depositors benefit not only from local regulatory oversight but also from the financial resilience and infrastructure of a multinational banking group with total assets exceeding USD 28 billion across the continent.
Registration and Licence
Access Bank South Africa Limited is a registered bank under the Banks Act, 94 of 1990, supervised by the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) Prudential Authority. The bank is also registered with the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) as an Authorised Financial Services Provider.
Key registration details:
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Company Registration Number | 1947/025414/06 |
| FSP Licence Number | 5865 |
| Regulator (Prudential) | South African Reserve Bank (SARB) |
| Regulator (Conduct) | Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) |
| Registered Address | Building 3, Inanda Greens Business Park, 54 Wierda Road West, Sandton |
How to Verify the Licence (Step-by-Step)
- Go to the FSCA Financial Service Provider search page: https://www.fsca.co.za/Fais/Search_FSP.htm
- In the "FSP Name" field enter Access Bank South Africa
- Click Search
- Confirm FSP Number 5865 and that the status shows Authorised
- For banking supervision, visit the SARB Prudential Authority register at https://www.resbank.co.za and confirm Access Bank South Africa under the list of registered banks.
Performing this verification is a recommended best practice before placing any significant sum on deposit with any South African financial institution.
Ownership Structure and Group Context
Access Bank South Africa came into existence through the acquisition of Grobank Limited (formerly known as Habib Overseas Bank) by Access Bank Group in March 2021. The SARB approved the transaction, and the bank obtained its retail commercial banking licence shortly thereafter, commencing full commercial operations in June 2021. Access Bank Group CEO Herbert Wigwe described the acquisition as a major milestone in delivering the group's stated ambition of becoming "Africa's Gateway to the World" and serving 100 million unique customers across the continent.
The Access Bank Group is majority-owned by Sigma Golf-Mixta Netherlands B.V. alongside other institutional investors and the Nigerian Stock Exchange-listed Access Holdings Plc. The group has operations in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ghana, Kenya, Rwanda, Zambia, Uganda, Mozambique, Sierra Leone, The Gambia, and several other African markets, along with representative offices in the UK and UAE.
History and Milestones
- 1947 — Grobank (then Habib Overseas Bank) established in South Africa
- 2021 (March) — Access Bank Group acquires controlling stake; SARB grants approval
- 2021 (June) — Bank rebrands as Access Bank South Africa; retail commercial banking licence activated
- 2021–2024 — Rollout of consumer deposit products, PRIMUSPlus internet banking, and AccessMore mobile application
- 2026 — Bank offers competitive fixed deposit rates reaching 9.20% p.a. for 60-month terms
Contacts and Customer Support
| Channel | Details |
|---|---|
| Call Centre (Local) | 0861 102 205 |
| International | +27 11 634 3000 |
| infosa@accessbankplc.com | |
| Website | southafrica.accessbankplc.com |
| Address | Building 3, Inanda Greens Business Park, 54 Wierda Road West, Wierda Valley, Sandton |
| Hours (Call Centre) | 24/7 telephone support |
| Hours (Email) | Monday–Friday, 08:00–16:30 |
Editorial Ratings
According to Creditdeals.io editors, Access Bank South Africa earns strong marks for its transparent fee structure (no monthly banking fees or commissions on deposit accounts) and its competitive tiered interest rates relative to comparable specialist deposit providers in South Africa.
Rating: 4.3 / 5.0
FAQ — About the Company
Is Access Bank South Africa a legitimate bank? Yes. Access Bank South Africa Limited is a registered commercial bank, supervised by the South African Reserve Bank under the Banks Act 94 of 1990, and is an Authorised Financial Services Provider under FSCA FSP number 5865. FSP verification can be completed via the FSCA website.
Who owns Access Bank South Africa? Access Bank South Africa is a subsidiary of Access Bank Group, a Nigerian-headquartered pan-African banking group listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange through Access Holdings Plc. The group holds operations in over 20 countries globally.
When did Access Bank start operating in South Africa? Access Bank South Africa began full commercial operations in June 2021 following the acquisition of Grobank and the grant of a retail commercial banking licence by the SARB.
Is my deposit safe at Access Bank South Africa? Access Bank South Africa is a member of the Corporation for Deposit Insurance (CODI), which provides coverage to eligible depositors. Check the SARB website for current CODI coverage limits and eligibility criteria.