In the dynamic realm of banking, where convenience, accessibility, and innovation reign supreme, TymeBank emerges as a beacon of change, revolutionizing the traditional banking paradigm in South Africa. Founded in 2015 with a mission to provide inclusive banking solutions, TymeBank has swiftly evolved into a trailblazer in the digital banking sphere. This comprehensive review delves into the essence of TymeBank, its array of products, the advantages it offers, potential drawbacks, and a step-by-step guide on how to embark on your banking journey with TymeBank.
TymeBank stands as a transformative force in the South African banking sector, revolutionizing traditional banking norms with its innovative approach and unwavering commitment to financial inclusion. Founded in 2015 with a vision to democratize banking services, TymeBank has rapidly evolved into a digital banking powerhouse, leveraging cutting-edge technology to reach millions of customers across the nation.
Headquartered in Rosebank, Johannesburg, TymeBank operates exclusively in the digital realm, eschewing traditional brick-and-mortar branches in favour of a streamlined, user-centric approach to banking. This forward-thinking strategy enables TymeBank to transcend geographical boundaries, ensuring that banking services are accessible to all South Africans, regardless of their location or socioeconomic status.
As of 2024, TymeBank boasts a customer base exceeding 8.5 million, a testament to its unparalleled success and unwavering popularity among consumers. This remarkable milestone underscores TymeBank’s pivotal role in fostering financial empowerment and inclusion, empowering individuals to take control of their financial futures with confidence and ease.
At the heart of TymeBank’s success lies its strategic partnerships with leading retail chains such as Pick n Pay and Boxer, which host a network of self-service kiosks facilitating seamless account opening and banking transactions. This innovative approach eliminates the need for physical branches, reducing operational costs and barriers to entry while maximizing convenience for customers.
In 2017, TymeBank made history by becoming the first bank in South Africa to operate exclusively online, earning the approval of the Prudential Authority of the South African Reserve Bank (SARB). This groundbreaking milestone underscored TymeBank’s commitment to innovation and excellence, paving the way for a new era of digital banking in the nation.
TymeBank offers a comprehensive suite of products designed to cater to the diverse needs and aspirations of its customer base. Rooted in the principles of accessibility, affordability, and innovation, these products empower individuals to achieve financial freedom and security while enjoying unparalleled convenience and flexibility.
While opening accounts with traditional banks may be a tedious process, according to the bank’s website, it only takes 5 minutes to open a Tyme Bank account. Well, I put this to test and opened a new account to check if I would able to open an account in 5 minutes or less.
Indeed, I opened my account in just 4:08 minutes to be exact. The process was fast and easy, it has a very user-friendly system with no complex terms. However, this doesn’t include reading the terms and conditions of Tyme bank.
It’s so surprising that you can open an account in South Africa so fast and easily without any need of a paperwork.
My team and I concluded that this is one of the best online business platforms in South Africa after the Companies Intellectual Property Commission platform.
It takes 15 minutes to apply for a bank account online with FNB as a first-time account applicant. The process can be significantly slowed down by the awfully lengthy FICA verification.
FNB seemed to be quicker when applying for a bank account compared to the other five big banks. For instance, Capitec bank requires you to visit your nearest branch to complete the account opening process.
To register for internet banking with Standard Bank, FNB and Nedbank you need to have a debit card. If you have done the application online you will have to wait for days to get started.
Capitec bank makes it even worse to register for internet banking. You will need to go to a Capitec branch to activate your internet banking. I find this laborious considering that in this age, banking has been made easy.
The bank charges are my most favourite part of TymeBank debit card. Considering that this is a first-time card, the benefits are just so much. Unlike many banks, you don’t have to pay a monthly fee to enjoy them.
Tyme Bank debit card is probably the best debit card in South Africa in terms of affordability. It is, of course, trailed closely by the Capitec bank debit card.
This card beats every debit card in its category when it comes to saving on bank charges. Almost everything is free except for withdrawals and debit orders.
You cannot find any debit card that charges R0 monthly service fees, obviously, except for student debit cards.
It might not be easy to pass TymeBank security check but surely the system can be bypassed. In as much as the system is still new, the vulnerability is there and has to be addressed.
While other banks in South Africa use a combination of TymeBank type of security check system along with physical verification, TymeBank is only using a digital security check for activating accounts. This exposes the bank to criminal exploitation because of this vulnerability.
Those that are not tech-savvy, using TymeBank might prove to be a bit difficult with the older generation, fond of old ways of banking finding TymeBank to be a bank for the youth and tech-savvy
There are still people who like going to the bank to get their bank statements or open a bank account. TymeBank doesn’t cater for such individuals.
Embarking on your banking journey with TymeBank is a straightforward process:
The short is answer is YES, Tyme Bank is owned by Africa Rainbow Capital a JSE Listed firm which was founded by South Africa’s first black billionaire Patrice Motsepe. It is therefore reasonable to say it has complied with all the regulatory frameworks around operating a bank of this nature. Furthermore TymeBank is an Authorised Financial Services (FSP 49140) and Registered Credit Provider (NCRCP 10774). Tyme Bank Limited Reg no: 2015/231510/06
Since we first published this review, we have received a number of complaints from clients. Most of which we have further reviewed but we haven’t experience much challenges with Tyme Bank as a bank. If you have a problem with any of their services you can email them on service@tymebank.co.za or call 0860 999 119
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How do I get my debit card when I apply on line?
Hi Motse, if you apply online, your account is activated and you can do transactions online, but to collect the card you need to go to your nearest Pick n Pay supermarket branch.
Hello. Please advise if I open a Tyme bank account online can I receive eft payments immediately. Can I make payments from my account online. Is the account app user friendly.
Hi Anthea Chetty, yes you can receive EFT payments as soon as your is active. Tymebank app is generally user friendly.
Hi, I would wish to get an experience of your banking service for my side hustle, but I do not have a South African ID as I am a foreigner.
What should I do?
Tymebank, I am trying to understand why you took the tyme to even write all these positive things about your bank when it's all bullshit. You are lying. Your bank is beyond pathetic. I'm actually disgusted as I write this. Please potential clients think 3 times before you want to open an account with this bank... They give no fucks about their clients.
Hi Sammy,
We are not Tyme Bank, we are Rateweb. We analyse financial companies and review their functionality and customer services. You are clearly unhappy with Tyme Bank. Please share with us what happened so that we follow up on your issue and update our ratings.
On the 21st of this month (August 2020), I made a payment for my Herbalife order using the Tymebank app, I paid an amount of R369.17, it has been 9 days now the Herbalife company hasn't yet received the payment, I am not happy at all, I do not know what happened to the money, and the amount is irreversible.
Tyme bank, open up a time bank account with tyme bank if you want to never see your salary again.
Tyme bank is a bunch of unqualified clowns that know nothing about customer service.
My salary was payed yesterday on the 23rd and everyone else received their salaries except for the one dumb ass which will be me. They have a campaign which states "get your salary one day earlier" more like a few days later as I am still waiting.
After more than 2 hours on the customer care line no one could tell me where my money is at or when shall I receive it .
Even worse was reading another review on this page where a man waited a month for his salary.. I hope this will not be the case so please guys if you ever think its a good idea to open up a tyme bank account then stay away and save yourself the disappointment and join any other bank. I have been calling nonstop now and after about 7 calls each time the consultant followed a complete different procedure which was very worrisome.
I cant really complain about the customer service as there is really no service at all.. I am disgusted by tyme banks inability to manage my money and I shall be joining FNB.