TymeBank and Home Affairs Introduce Digital Smart ID and Passport Services

TymeBank has officially become the eighth financial institution to partner with the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) to improve access to smart IDs and passports for millions of South Africans. Announced on 3 September, this collaboration aims to deliver more efficient, secure, and inclusive public services nationwide.

The digital bank, which serves over 11 million customers, will leverage its technology and broad reach to support Home Affairs in its modernization initiatives. This effort is part of DHA’s strategy to expand digital access to essential services, especially in remote and underserved regions.

Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber commented that this agreement will speed up efforts to enhance the accessibility of Home Affairs services.

“As one of the eight banks in South Africa participating in our digital partnership, TymeBank will help us realize our vision of ‘Home Affairs at home’,” he noted. He highlighted that this initiative marks “the most pro-poor and inclusive reform Home Affairs has implemented in its history.”

Read: Major banks support Schreiber’s initiative for smart ID and passport services

TymeBank CEO Karl Westvig remarked that this partnership showcases a shared commitment to technology-driven inclusion.

“TymeBank’s mission has always focused on expanding banking through an innovative, secure, and tech-driven approach, providing simple, accessible, and affordable products to all South Africans. We are thrilled to extend that same secure digital capability to assist Home Affairs in delivering reliable, citizen-focused services,” stated Westvig.

The initiative will begin with a trial phase at TymeBank’s headquarters in Johannesburg, followed by the rollout of DHA services to bank locations across the nation. Customers will be notified when Smart ID and passport applications are available at their nearest TymeBank branch.

Background: disputes over verification fees

This partnership follows a period of public tension between TymeBank and the Home Affairs department regarding the fees associated with the upgraded National Population Register (NPR) online verification service. Earlier this year, TymeBank criticized the substantial hikes in verification fees, from 15 cents to R10 per real-time check, warning that this change would negatively impact financial inclusion and make it unfeasible to serve low-income clients.

Tyme Group CEO Coenraad Jonker described the fee increase as “a regressive tax on the most vulnerable South Africans” and urged national leaders to intervene.

Schreiber quickly responded, defending the new pricing model as necessary to recuperate the actual costs of the service and uphold the integrity of the system. He accused TymeBank of benefiting from taxpayer subsidies under the previous fee structure and argued it was disingenuous for the bank to claim it had not been consulted.

Stay updated with Moneyweb’s extensive finance and business news on WhatsApp here.