Oscar Siziba_Head of Coverage for Business Banking at Standard Bank South Africa
Johannesburg, South Africa – 17 September 2025
As South Africa accelerates into an increasingly digital economy, Standard Bank is once again setting the pace by reshaping its physical footprint. With over 4,100 points of representation nationwide—including branches and ATMs—the continent’s largest lender is reimagining how banking spaces function, introducing cashless branches, next-generation ATMs, and innovative cash management solutions to ensure a seamless, secure, and inclusive experience for its customers.
Cashless Branches: From Transaction Counters to Advisory Hubs
In certain regions, Standard Bank has observed a significant decline in traditional cash transactions. Rather than clinging to outdated models, the bank is pivoting branches into digitally focused, advisory-driven spaces.
These cashless branches will no longer serve as cash deposit or withdrawal points but will instead specialise in:
- Sales and Financial Advisory – from mortgages to personal loans.
- Digital Services – onboarding clients onto online and app-based channels.
- Complex Staff-Assisted Services – including account opening, fund transfers, and tailored support.
Kabelo Makeke_Head of Personal and Private Banking at Standard Bank
“With cash volumes declining in some areas, we decided to review our branch network and streamline our footprint,” explains Kabelo Makeke, Head of Personal and Private Banking at Standard Bank. “Cash services have been consolidated into central branches with improved processing capabilities to enhance access, efficiency, and client experience.”
In other words, Standard Bank isn’t simply closing the gap on traditional banking—it’s expanding what a branch can be in the digital-first era.
Meeting Businesses Where They Are
Yet, in a country where cash remains king in many sectors, Standard Bank is ensuring that businesses are not left behind.
“We recognise that cash plays a critical role in many of our clients’ day-to-day operations,” says Oscar Siziba, Head of Coverage for Business Banking at Standard Bank South Africa. “Our focus is to ensure our clients’ cash needs are met by making access to cash services seamless and dependable through the Branch, ATM, and Cash Centre channels.”
To back this up, Standard Bank has rolled out a comprehensive suite of cash management solutions for businesses, including:
- CashSecure devices for safe onsite deposits.
- Enhanced cash systems to streamline reconciliation.
- Cash-in-transit (CIT) services for high-volume operators.
This ensures that while some branches evolve into advisory hubs, cash-dependent businesses continue to enjoy uninterrupted and improved access to liquidity.
Next-Generation ATMs: Faster, Safer, Smarter
Complementing the branch transformation is the nationwide upgrade of Standard Bank’s ATM network. Every ATM in South Africa has now been replaced with next-generation touchscreen machines, and the results are already attracting attention.
The new ATMs boast:
- Ultra-fast withdrawals – cash in hand within 45 seconds from card insertion.
- Large touchscreens with intuitive app-like navigation.
- Enhanced fraud protection and cutting-edge security features.
- Reduced legacy issues such as card retentions and screen delays.
These improvements have driven higher-than-expected foot traffic, with many non-clients opting to use Standard Bank ATMs simply because of the faster, smoother experience.
“Reduced transaction times and fewer delays are among the key reasons we’re seeing such high foot traffic,” says Makeke. “These new ATMs represent a leap forward. We’ve moved beyond legacy issues to a sleek, responsive system built for the future.”
Balancing Innovation with Inclusion
Crucially, Standard Bank’s strategy is not about abandoning cash or alienating customers less digitally inclined. Instead, it reflects a carefully calibrated balance:
- Cash-dependent clients gain more reliable, centralised cash access and expanded business solutions.
- Digitally inclined clients benefit from advisory-rich branches and ATMs that feel like extensions of mobile banking apps.
“We are making every effort to ensure minimal disruption to customers as we refine our branch operations and upgrade our ATMs,” concludes Makeke. “Our goal is to deliver a banking experience that is modern and secure, while remaining inclusive.”
A Bank for the Future
Standard Bank’s evolving footprint speaks to a larger truth: as financial services migrate into the digital sphere, physical infrastructure is not vanishing—it’s being redefined. Branches are transforming from cash counters into consultative spaces, while ATMs are becoming digital gateways in their own right.
By embracing this dual path—honouring the realities of cash-dependent clients while pioneering tech-driven solutions—Standard Bank is positioning itself as the institution that bridges South Africa’s present with its financial future
