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Bidvest Bank: Bank overview
A practical starting point for understanding Bidvest Bank, with five focused guides to help you find the details you need.
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Explore Bidvest Bank
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Bidvest Bank Guide
Source: existing AfrifinHub article. Original WordPress modification: 2026-09-18. This is not a new fact-check date.
- Long-established leader in South African travel foreign exchange, tracing back over a century to Rennies Foreign Exchange
- Grow Accountâ„¢ combines everyday transacting, a savings pocket, and linked EasyEquities share trading in one account
- World Currency Cardâ„¢ lets travellers load and spend multiple foreign currencies without a South African bank account tied to a single currency
- Fixed Deposit accounts from 2–12 months with no monthly account fee
- Strong business banking specialisation: working capital loans, trade finance, commercial property finance and fleet/vehicle asset finance
- SARB-licensed and a registered Financial Services Provider and credit provider (NCRCP17)
Who owns Bidvest Bank now?
Bidvest Bank was founded in 1998 when the Bidvest Group acquired Rennies Foreign Exchange; the business was licensed as Rennies Bank in 2000 and rebranded to Bidvest Bank in 2007. On 12 December 2024, the JSE-listed Bidvest Group agreed to sell Bidvest Bank to Access Bank South Africa, the local subsidiary of Nigeria's Access Bank Group, for approximately R2.8 billion. That deal did not go through: both companies confirmed in February 2026 that the transaction was terminated after the agreed long-stop date (26 January 2026) passed without certain conditions, including regulatory approvals, being met. Bidvest Group's CEO said the bank had seen a "flurry of interest" from other potential buyers and has relaunched the sale process. Until a new deal completes, Bidvest Bank remains a subsidiary of The Bidvest Group Limited, and it continues to operate as normal under its own brand and banking licence.
Bidvest Bank at a glance
Key facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Registered name | Bidvest Bank Limited (Reg. No. 2000/006478/06) |
| Regulator status | Licensed by the South African Reserve Bank; registered Financial Services Provider (FSCA); registered credit provider, NCRCP17; compliant with the Financial Intelligence Centre Act (FICA), South Africa's anti-money-laundering legislation |
| Head office | 1 Park Lane, Wierda Valley, Sandton, Johannesburg |
| Parent company | The Bidvest Group Limited (a planned 2024 sale to Access Bank South Africa fell through in February 2026; Bidvest Group is currently seeking a new buyer) |
| Branch code | 462005 |
| Branches & forex outlets | Multiple branches and foreign exchange bureaux across South Africa — use the official branch locator for the current count and locations near you |
What products does Bidvest Bank offer?
Grow Accountâ„¢
The Grow Account is Bidvest Bank's core personal transactional account, combining day-to-day banking with a savings pocket and linked EasyEquities share trading through the Bidvest Bank mobile app. It's available on two pricing options: Pay-As-You-Transact, which charges a monthly admin fee plus per-transaction costs, or All-In, a fixed flat monthly fee covering unlimited transacting. The account supports cash deposits at selected retailers, tap-and-go card payments, buying airtime, data and electricity, and instant transfers between Grow Account holders.
Foreign exchange & World Currency Cardâ„¢
Foreign exchange is Bidvest Bank's founding specialisation, built on the Rennies Foreign Exchange heritage. The bank sells and buys foreign currency cash, and offers the World Currency Card, a prepaid multi-currency travel card that lets customers load several currencies and spend abroad without carrying cash or relying on a single-currency debit card. A duplicate card is available as a backup while travelling.
Fixed Deposit Account
Bidvest Bank's Fixed Deposit account is offered over terms ranging from 2 to 12 months, with no monthly account fee, and interest that can be paid out monthly or at the end of the term.
Business banking
The Bidvest Bank One-to-One Business Account comes with a dedicated business banker as a single point of contact. Business clients also have access to a prepaid business payment card for expense management, merchant acquiring services for card processing, and business savings and investment options.
Vehicle, fleet & asset finance
Bidvest Bank finances and manages company vehicles and other movable assets through instalment sale finance, full maintenance leasing and rental finance, alongside working capital loans and commercial property finance for offices, retail and industrial premises. These facilities are primarily structured for businesses; the bank does not prominently market a general-purpose unsecured personal loan for individuals in the way large retail banks do, so anyone wanting personal finance from Bidvest Bank should confirm current eligibility directly with the bank.
Who is Bidvest Bank best suited for?
Bidvest Bank suits South Africans and businesses whose priority is foreign exchange and international travel money, given its long history and specialisation in that space, plus customers who want an all-in-one Grow Account with built-in share trading rather than a large multi-branch retail bank. It's a particularly strong fit for small and medium businesses needing a dedicated business banker, working capital, trade finance or fleet and asset finance. It's a weaker fit for anyone who wants a wide branch and ATM footprint on the scale of South Africa's "big five" retail banks, or who specifically needs a large unsecured personal loan, since Bidvest Bank's lending strength is concentrated on the business side.
Frequently asked questions
Is Bidvest Bank still part of the Bidvest Group?
Yes. A planned sale to Access Bank South Africa, agreed in December 2024, collapsed in February 2026 after regulatory conditions weren't met. Bidvest Group remains the owner and is seeking a new buyer.
Is Bidvest Bank a registered bank?
Yes. Bidvest Bank is licensed by the South African Reserve Bank as a locally-controlled bank and is a registered Financial Services Provider and credit provider (NCRCP17).
What is Bidvest Bank best known for?
Foreign exchange and travel money, tracing back to Rennies Foreign Exchange, alongside its Grow Account and business banking and asset finance services.
Does Bidvest Bank offer personal loans?
Bidvest Bank's lending is concentrated on business and asset finance (vehicles, fleet, commercial property, working capital). It does not prominently offer a general unsecured personal loan; confirm current options directly with the bank.
What is the Bidvest Bank branch code?
462005.
Is Bidvest Bank part of FNB, Nedbank, Absa or Investec?
No — Bidvest Bank is independently licensed by the SARB and isn't part of any of South Africa's other major banks. It's a subsidiary of The Bidvest Group Limited, a separate JSE-listed company.
Is Bidvest Bank safe and financially stable?
It's SARB-licensed and FSCA-registered, with regulatory ratios described as healthy in Bidvest Group's latest results — though Moody's downgraded its rating in January 2026 citing the (then-pending) ownership sale, and revenue growth was described as challenging in the same period. As with any bank, do your own due diligence for your specific needs.