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Bank leverages Optasia partnership to deliver flexible funding and connectivity support when needed most
As household budgets remain under pressure, FNB has enhanced its eWallet Cash Advance solution and the FNB Connect Prepaid Advance, giving customers quick access to short-term credit when money is tight and provides access to airtime, data or minutes when needed.
The enhanced eWallet Cash Advance solution gives qualifying customers access to loans from R50 up to R500, with flexible repayment terms of 7, 14 or 30 days. Supported by enhanced affordability assessments and AI-enabled credit decisioning, the solution delivers a more personalised, convenient, and responsible borrowing experience.
The enhancement builds on the continued growth and evolution of eWallet, which today serves more than 7 million active users. While eWallet remains an important way for South Africans to send and receive money, it has evolved into a versatile digital payments platform that enables customers to manage and spend funds seamlessly. Beyond person-to-person wallet payments, customers can use eWallet for everyday transactions, including PayShap, EFTs, bill payments, purchasing airtime, electricity and vouchers, as well as withdrawing funds at participating retailers nationwide.
Over the past year, customers transacted more than R53 billion through the platform, underscoring its growing role in supporting day-to-day financial needs. Engagement through eWallet on WhatsApp has also gained significant momentum, generating more than 12 million interactions since its launch in March 2026. This growing engagement reflects customers’ appetite for accessible, digital financial solutions, with more than 18,900 Cash Advance applications initiated via WhatsApp over the past six months, highlighting the demand for convenient short-term funding integrated into customers’ everyday financial journeys.
Lytania Johnson, CEO of FNB says, “The growth we’ve seen across eWallet shows that customers want access to financial solutions that are simple, fast and available in the channels they already use every day. Customers are increasingly looking for practical ways to manage unexpected expenses and gaps between paydays, particularly as the cost of living continues to rise.
At FNB, our focus is on meeting customers where they are by providing relevant solutions that address real everyday needs. “Our partnership with Optasia combines our complementary strengths to solve real customer needs at scale. The collaboration brings together our digital reach with Optasia’s advanced lending technology, helping us deliver fast, responsible solutions to more customers. By leveraging these capabilities, we’ve enhanced an existing solution to provide customers with more flexibility, greater convenience and a better borrowing experience.”
Johnson says the partnership further reflects FNB’s approach to working with strategic specialist partners to bring new solutions to customers faster.
FNB Connect’s enhanced Prepaid Advance service, extends the bank’s commitment to providing customers with practical, everyday support when they need it most. The solution will enable qualifying customers to access airtime, data and voice bundles instantly, providing added flexibility and helping them remain connected.
“Whether it’s helping customers access short-term loans through eWallet Cash Advance or stay connected through FNB Connect’s Prepaid Advance, these solutions are practical examples of how we’re leveraging innovation and strategic partnerships to create real value and improve the everyday financial lives of South Africans,” says Johnson.
“Connectivity is an everyday necessity. Prepaid Advance is designed to help qualifying customers stay connected to what matters most, whether that’s supporting their families, accessing opportunities, managing their finances, furthering their education or participating in the digital economy. This partnership enables us to improve access to airtime, data and voice bundles, helping our customers continue with their lives uninterrupted.” says Sashin Sookroo, FNB Connect CEO.
“At FNB Connect, our focus is on making connectivity more accessible, rewarding and convenient. Qualifying customers can receive monthly benefits that include 35 all-network voice minutes, unlimited WhatsApp usage and 1GB of data, or up to 15% back in eBucks, depending on the qualifying reward. Customers also benefit from the latest data and device promotions.”
FNB Connect’s data usage has grown by more than 85% year-on-year to approximately 50 petabytes, reinforcing its position as the largest MVNO by usage. Customers have access to one of the most comprehensive recharge ecosystems available, enabling them to recharge anytime, anywhere using funds from an FNB account, eWallet or eBucks, or with cash at more than 170,000 recharge points across South Africa. Prepaid advance builds on this flexibility by providing qualifying customers with another way to stay connected when their available funds are needed elsewhere, helping them maintain access to family, opportunities, essential services and the digital economy.
Furthermore, with growing demand for flexible short-term loan solutions, Hema Morar, eWallet Executive at FNB, says the Cash Advance enhancements reflect FNB’s commitment to actively listen to customers and respond with solutions that address their realities and challenges.
“eWallet was built on a simple principle, to make financial services more accessible and useful to more South Africans. Today, it plays an important role in helping customers actively participate in the economy, manage their finances and access support when they need it most.”
“The enhanced Cash Advance solution gives customers more choice through flexible repayment options, while our improved lending capabilities enable us to better match funding offers to individual circumstances. Ultimately, it’s about providing responsible, accessible and convenient short-term credit that helps customers manage temporary cash flow pressures with greater confidence and control.”
Benefits of the enhanced eWallet Cash Advance solution
- Access to short-term credit from R50 to R500 for unexpected expenses and temporary cash flow needs.
- Choice of 7, 14 and 30-day repayment terms, subject to individual qualifying criteria.
- .AI-enabled credit decisioning and enhanced affordability assessments.
- Access to loan statements and transaction histories.
- Improved self-service and repayment functionality which will be available in October.
- Available through USSD and WhatsApp channels.
Benefits of Prepaid Advance
- Instant access to qualifying airtime, data and voice bundles.
- Available 24/7 through the FNB App and USSD, with no queues or paperwork.
- Accessible without requiring available airtime, minutes or data.
- Adds another convenient option alongside recharging from an FNB account, eWallet or eBucks, or using cash at more than 170,000 recharge points.
- Helps customers bridge the gap when available funds are required for other priorities.
- Helps customers remain connected to family, work, studies, entertainment and essential digital services.
“The true test of innovation is whether it solves real customer needs,” concludes Morar. “These solutions lay the foundation for future innovation that will deliver even more personalised, intuitive and valuable experiences across our broader digital ecosystem.”
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