Access Bank

Access Bank, originally known as The South African Bank of Athens, was established in 1947 to cater to the financial needs of Greek Immigrants.

After a huge buy-in by the Bank of Athens in 2018, the bank rebranded as Grobank. They have an extensive footprint globally, extending from Africa to the UAE and even the UK. With offices in India, China, and Lebanon, they truly count among the global leaders in financing.

Their primary focus is on the South African agribusiness industry. Soon after, in 2020, Access Bank took control of Grobank, and it officially became Access Bank South Africa. Access Bank currently has branches in Johannesburg, Cape Town, Pretoria, and Polokwane.

A vision of the future

The bank’s vision is to be the financial gateway to Africa for ordinary citizens like yourself and to become one of the most respected banks on the continent.

Although they pride themselves on core strengths such as business banking (SME), alliance banking, and foreign exchange products, they’re actively working on entering new markets and services.

A unique banking experience for all

• Households across Africa trust Access Bank with their family’s well-being.
• Sending cash across borders costs as little as R150 per transaction. You can send money to Botswana, Rwanda, the DRC, and Mozambique, with more destinations to be added soon.
• Payments are swift and reflect on the same day.
• There are no complex certification processes.
• The Diaspora Banking feature is a first of its kind and enables foreigners to open an account by using their valid passports.

Additional services include Forex options such as international investments and currency accounts, cross-border transactions and merchandising finance, as well as over-the-counter foreign currency undertakings.

Engaging in business has never been easier, and Access Bank is the smart choice for those who want to go places.

The three core fundamentals

Innovation creates opportunity. The bank partners with future-focussed businesses to create innovative products that enable even more people to enjoy unique banking solutions.

Why not? Access Bank enables businesses to co-create unconventional banking solutions to financial challenges. Cookie-cutters can’t be co-creators, therefore the bank ventures beyond the known to set the benchmark in unique finance innovations.

Access Bank operates over four primary segments, namely personal banking, business banking, corporate banking, and alliance banking.

Personal banking

Access Bank cares about people and wants every client to feel at home.

• Current account at a monthly fee of only R7.00.
• Current account with rewards costing only R20.00 per month.
• Diamond Advantage Business Account for small business owners with an annual turnover of less than R5 million.
• Accounts for non-residents.
• An Access to Africa Remittance Account that caters to cross-border interests.

Business banking

Access Bank sees the people behind the business. You’re now able to enjoy a personal relationship with your bank manager at a fixed monthly fee.

• Business More: Smaller businesses with turnovers of between R5 million and R50 million per year may qualify. The monthly fee for this product is R150.
• Business Excel: Larger businesses with turnovers of up to R750 million per year can access this banking product. The cost is R250 per month.

Products that enable growth and prosperity

• As a business owner, you can enjoy an overdraft facility tailor-made to your specific needs. Access Bank understands that cash flow is the lifeline of your business. As long as you honour the terms of your agreement and make regular deposits, there aren’t minimum monthly repayments. Interest on your overdraft is determined through a personal assessment of your needs. It’s calculated daily and payable monthly.
• They offer commercial loans to finance your working capital requirements. It’s a medium-term facility, payable over 60 months. Interest rates are based on the bank’s prime lending rate and are calculated via a personal assessment.
• They also offer asset and vehicle finance to enable mobility across Africa. A flexible repayment plan enables you to grow your business.
• You’ll always need space to grow and having access to property finance when needed is a game changer. The bank’s relationship manager, together with the credit team, will design a deal to suit your unique requirements. Factors such as property acquisition costs, deposits, transfer fees, value assessments, and registration costs will all be taken into consideration to structure a plan that’ll have you smiling from ear to ear.

Business accounts with a difference

• Decision-making is prompt as they understand that time is money
• One platform caters to all your business challenges
• Solutions are designed to help you achieve your business goals
• Products include overdrafts to strengthen your cash flow, as well as commercial and property loans You can also finance vehicles and other assets. You’ll only pay interest on what you use