Financial Services Regulation

The Code of Banking Practice ("the Code") is a voluntary code that sets out the minimum standards for service and conduct you can expect from your bank with regard to the services and products it offers, and how we would like to relate to you.

The Corporation for Deposit Insurance (CODI) is South Africa’s Deposit Insurance Scheme (DIS), created, or mandated by law, to protect qualifying bank depositors in the event of their bank failing. CODI is a subsidiary of the South African Reserve Bank (SARB).

The Promotion of Access to Information Act, 2 of 2000 (PAIA) was passed into law to give effect to the constitutional right of access to information that is held by a private or public body and that is required for the exercise or protection of any rights.

The National Credit Act is a consumer credit legislation that promotes a fair and non-discriminatory marketplace for customers to access credit and that balances the rights of consumers and credit providers.
Debt Review is a process that was implemented through the National Credit Act 34 of 2005 (“NCA”). It allows over-indebted consumers to approach their credit providers with the assistance of a debt counsellor and reach an agreement on restructuring their debt obligations.

Financial Intelligence Centre Act 38 of 2001 Internationally, governments have agreed to fight organised crime and terrorism by, among others, seizing the proceeds of crime and making money laundering a criminal offence. Since the 1980s many countries have passed laws that demonstrate their commitment to this effort. South Africa has also adopted money laundering laws to help it comply with its international obligations to fight organised crime and terrorism.

The Financial Advisory and Intermediary Services (FAIS) Act regulates the providing of financial services (which may be advice and/or intermediary services on financial products (e.g. deposit, insurance and investment products) to you.  The FAIS Act is aimed at protecting you and professionalising the financial services industry.

The USA Patriot Act was signed into law by the US Government on 26 October 2001. Under this new law US banks are required to obtain a certificate from their overseas correspondent banks confirming their ownership structure, regulators and physical presence.

The Wolfsberg questionnaire acts as an aid to firms conducting due diligence and should not be relied on exclusively or excessively.

If you are not satisfied with our service you can raise a complaint at your nearest branch/suite or with your relationship manager. They will give you a reference number and a timeline to resolve your complaint.

If you suspect theft, fraud or corruption by any of our employees, customers or suppliers, report it immediately to our independent whistleblowing line.

POPIA was passed to promote the right to protection of personal information stipulated in the Constitution of South Africa.

All debit and credit cards issued by Standard Bank and Diners Club, including co-branded and virtual cards licensed by Diners Club, Mastercard, Visa, and Union Pay, may be used outside the Common Monetary Area (CMA). The CMA countries include South Africa, Namibia, Lesotho, and eSwatini. The use of these cards abroad is subject to the requirements of Currency and Exchanges Guidelines for individuals, business entities and Authorised Dealers, which guidelines can be accessed on SARB’s website. Cardholders are therefore required to comply with the applicable guidelines.

Private individuals resident in South Africa may avail of the Foreign Capital Allowance (FCA) which is an allowance of up to a total amount of R10 million per calendar year per private individual that can be used for investments abroad or converted to foreign currency to be held in a resident foreign currency account in the name of the private individual. The FCA can only be availed of once they have obtained approval of the Approval International Transfer (AIT) in line with SARS rules and can produce the TCS Pin Letter for verification by an Authorised Dealer.

Private individuals resident in South Africa residents who are 18 years or older can avail of a Single Discretionary Allowance (SDA) of up to R1 million per calendar year to be used for any legal purposes abroad without the requirement to obtain Approval International Transfer (AIT) in terms of SARS rules. This includes South African residents temporarily abroad (outside the Common Monetary Area) who do not intend to settle permanently abroad.