FNB Expands Smart ID Services Across South Africa With New Bank Branch Rollout

For many South Africans, a trip to Home Affairs has long meant blocked-off mornings, endless queues and a fair amount of patience. Now, that experience could soon feel very different.

First National Bank, better known as FNB, is stepping deeper into public service territory by rolling out Smart ID capabilities at select branches. It is part of a growing shift where banks are becoming the new front door for essential government services.

New Gauteng Branches Lead The Way

FNB has officially added four new branches offering Smart ID services, all based in Gauteng:

• Woodmead
• Lakeside Mall
• Krugersdorp
• Pretoria CBD

These branches do not require appointments, which is a major departure from the usual Home Affairs process.

The bank plans to scale up quickly, targeting 16 branches by the end of April 2026. This builds on seven existing pilot sites and signals a much bigger national push.

A Bigger Shift In How South Africans Access Services

This is not happening in isolation. Other banks are also stepping into the space. Capitec and Standard Bank have already rolled out dozens of Smart ID-enabled branches, while Nedbank and Absa are expected to follow once testing is complete.

In just a few weeks, the system has expanded rapidly, adding over 100 new service points to complement the country’s existing Home Affairs offices. That is a significant jump in access, especially for urban commuters who already pass these bank branches daily.

More than 25,000 Smart ID applications have already been processed through banks, with the system handling requests at a pace of over one per minute.

Why This Rollout Matters

For years, one of the biggest complaints about Home Affairs has been accessibility. Long travel distances, limited booking slots and hours spent waiting have made simple admin feel like a full-day task.

The new model changes that.

By giving banks direct access to Home Affairs systems, applications can now be processed without officials physically present at branches. That means faster service, fewer bottlenecks and more locations.

Even better, customers only pay the standard Department of Home Affairs fee of R140, with no added bank charges during this phase.

According to FNB CEO Lytania Johnson, the goal is simple: bring essential services closer to where people already are.

Faster Applications, Fewer Queues

One of the biggest wins for customers is speed. The Department of Home Affairs says certain applications, like replacing a lost Smart ID or upgrading from the green ID book, could take as little as five minutes.

There is no paperwork required upfront, and the system uses fingerprint and facial recognition technology to verify applicants. This reduces the risk of fraud while also cutting out manual processes that have historically slowed things down.

For anyone who has spent hours in a Home Affairs queue, that alone is a game changer.

The Bigger Vision: Home Affairs @ Home

This rollout is part of a broader reform strategy led by Leon Schreiber under the Home Affairs @ Home programme.

The long-term vision is ambitious. Government services, from ID applications to passport renewals, should eventually be accessible online or through everyday platforms like banking apps.

In the near future, South Africans can expect:

• First-time Smart ID applications through banks
• Passport applications at participating branches
• Secure courier delivery of documents
• Digital applications directly through banking apps

It is all part of a push to modernise how citizens interact with government.

What Comes Next

FNB is not stopping at Gauteng. The bank plans to scale Smart ID services to more than 240 branches over the next year.

Meanwhile, Home Affairs is aiming even higher, with a target of 1,000 bank branches offering these services by 2029.

If that goal is reached, it could fundamentally change how South Africans handle essential admin. No more early morning queues, no more taking leave just to renew an ID.

Instead, a quick stop at your local bank might soon be all it takes.