FNB is driving the growth of South Africa’s local business sector, with a community economy book worth R18 billion supporting even more.
In the last year alone, the bank has grown this portfolio by more than R2 billion, helping business owners access vital capital to sustain and grow their businesses.
Beyond the numbers, this investment will lead to thousands of jobs, stronger families, and thriving local economies. In a sector that employs almost one in five South Africans and contributes an estimated R750 billion to the national economy, access to finance can be the difference between survival and expansion.
Simplify cash flow
For many informal businesses, spaza shops, salons, taverns, hair salons and local logistics businesses, traditional banking was out of reach. FNB’s approach changes this by going beyond red tape and collateral to use real-world metrics such as timely payments to suppliers and staff. For example, a salon owner can access working capital based on daily card sales.
When demand spikes before the Christmas season, owners can quickly secure funding, stock up, and hire additional staff. Repayments are made as a small percentage of daily sales, so cash flow is stable. For pub owners, owning a payment device outright, rather than paying a monthly rental fee, means one less monthly expense impacting cash flow and offering customers an alternative payment method to cash.
The impact is obvious:
– R18 billion in loans to community economies, enabling thousands of businesses to expand, innovate and employ more people.
– Expansion into micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) increased by 20% in 2025, and by 28% for businesses with a turnover of up to R5 million.
– Deposits from MSMEs increased by 20% overall and 27% in the Rand 0-million to R5-million turnover segment.
– Sectors such as spaza shops, salons, taverns and local logistics operators continue to perform well, with demand for working capital solutions increasing by 28% to 30% in the R0-1 million and R1-500,000 segments respectively.
investment in growth
The impact goes far beyond what is reflected in financial statements and represents new opportunities for business owners who have long been excluded from traditional finance.
Spaza shops can survive the tough months, salons can hire and train young people, and taverns can invest in safer and more efficient operations. In a country where the community economy is a lifeline for millions of people, especially young people who cannot find work, every rand of funding is a step towards greater inclusivity and resilience.
FNB’s efforts go beyond lending. More than 3,400 entrepreneurs attended business literacy workshops this year, and hundreds participated in networking events and mentorship programs. Digital payment solutions and platforms like nav» Marketplace help businesses reach new customers and suppliers.
“Our approach is to understand the realities of the community economy,” says Jose Gomez, Director of Business Development at FNB Commercial.
“We’re looking at how businesses manage their day-to-day finances, paying suppliers, staff and landlords on time, rather than just paperwork. This means more entrepreneurs can access finance, manage cash flow and grow their businesses.”
These are not just statistics, they are stories of resilience, growth, and hope. FNB’s goal is to help businesses in the community economy overcome barriers, build a sustainable future and contribute to a more inclusive South African economy.
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