Types of bank accounts

From a cheque account to foreign currency account, finding the right bank account that ticks all the boxes can be challenging. When you understand the features of different types of accounts, you will know which benefits you.

couple looking on laptop for bank accounts

Types of bank accounts

In South Africa, some common types of bank accounts include:

Cheque account

Transmission account

Savings account

Fixed deposit account

Business account

Cheque account

Cheque account (sometimes called current account), perfect for day-to-day transactional banking needs. It offers easy access to funds, allowing you to make in-store and online transactions, EFTS, other payments, plus withdrawals at ATMs and manage expenses.

Some financial institutions not only offer services such as linking credit cards to current accounts, but they also provide various other services like rewards and loyalty programmes. While some banks charge a fixed monthly fee, others may have banking fees for specific transactions and services.

Transmission account

Not to be confused with a cheque account, a transmission account is used for transmitting funds between financial institutions. It is is typically needed by businesses or individuals who frequently transfer funds between different financial institutions (eg international transactions or large-scale money transfers).

Savings account

Ideal if you’re looking to save for the short term. It often offers attractive interest rates, growing your funds while keeping your money safe. It is often a reliable choice to save for a specific goal, build an emergency fund or set future financial goals. Some banks also offer the option to save in dollars, pounds or euros, etc in a foreign currency account.

Fixed deposit account

A sound option if you’re seeking a higher interest rate offered by a standard savings account. This is a secure and predictable account guarantees a return on your capital investment at maturity. A good choice if you’re saving towards a home or other larger lifestyle assets.

Business account

Account which allows for the efficient management of finances in a business. It often allows for multiple-user access, which means you can authorise others in your business to make transactions or have visibility of the account.

Often you can enjoy business-specific benefits (eg merchant services, payroll management and business loans).

An instant access savings account allows you to deposit and withdraw funds at any time without penalties or restrictions. It offers flexibility and liquidity, making it easy to access your money whenever you need it. Keep in mind, the interest is variable on this type of account.

A notice deposit account requires you to give a notice period before withdrawing your funds (the period may range from a few days to several months). During the notice period, you cannot access your funds. Keep in mind, the interest is also variable on this type of account and you can usually add funds to the account at any time.

A fixed-term savings account (also known as a fixed deposit) requires you to deposit a specific amount of money at a fixed interest rate for a set period of time (ranging from a few months to several years). Once you deposit the money, you cannot withdraw it until the end of the fixed term without incurring penalties or losing interest. For this type of account, you cannot add funds during the fixed term. The interest paid is fixed for the term.

Become a Private Banking client

When you partner with Investec, you gain access to our award-winning Private Banking offering, which includes a suite of banking services, both locally and internationally, enabling you to create, grow, preserve, and protect your wealth.

Before you open any bank account, make an informed decision based on your financial goals and preferences. Always do your own research.

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Types of bank accounts

From a cheque account to foreign currency account, finding the right bank account that ticks all the boxes can be challenging. When you understand the features of different types of accounts, you will know which benefits you.