Absa | Switch your business debit orders to Absa

Whether you’re an existing or new business customer, you can easily switch your debit orders online or by simply downloading and completing an application form.

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A guide on how to switch switch your business debit orders

How to switch your debit orders
Once you have opened an Absa business current account you can switch your debit orders. All you need is to complete the Debit Order Switching Request form. Alternatively, you can do this yourself by downloading and emailing your fully completed form to switching@absa.co.za.

Once your request has been received, the Switching Department will:

Send progress notifications via your preferred method of communication.

Send instructions submitted to the service provider and follow up until all instructions to switch are finalised.

Notify you should there be any issues with instructions sent to your service providers.

To avoid any disappointments, it is important to note the following:

Please refer to the list of service providers that do not permit us to facilitate switching on behalf of customers.

Some service providers can take up to four weeks to complete a switching process after we've sent an instruction.

Due to banking regulations, we are not allowed to close the old account held at another bank.

There are some service providers that need more information to switch. To ensure that you remain updated, we will inform you immediately to obtain the required detail until the switching process is completed.

Should there be outstanding debit orders not successfully switched within four weeks, we will contact you with an updated report and the next steps to be taken.
Documents to download
Download documents you may need.

Debit Order Switching Request form

Providers who don’t switch

Switch your business debit orders T&Cs

Frequently asked questions

What is switching?

Who can use this service?

Can this service be used for debit orders into an Absa account?

Why switch my debit orders to my Absa account?

Who do I contact when switching debit orders?

What do I need to know before switching my debit orders?

How long does it take to switch?

Is there a limited number of debit orders I can switch?

Is there a limited number of accounts with debit orders per account holder that can use this service?

Is this service available to everyone?

How much does it cost?

How long does it take to complete the switching form?

How do I make sure my switching request is not rejected?

Do all service providers accept debit order switching instructions from Absa?

Where do I check service providers that don't support switching instructions facilitated by Absa?

Will Absa be able to switch my internal stop orders and beneficiary payments?

Can Absa change the date when a debit order is due?

Can the Switching Department facilitate closure of the old account held at another bank?

When do I need to close my old account at another bank?

How will I be able to send an instruction to amend the details sent or cancel the instruction to switch?

What is switching?

Switching is a value-add service where we use our resources on behalf of our customers to facilitate the transfer of debit orders to an Absa transactional account.
Who can use this service?
The following is a profile of customers to benefit from this service:

Any Absa business transactional account holder with a need to transfer debit orders from accounts held at other banks
Can this service be used for debit orders into an Absa account?

No. This service cannot be used to switch debit orders from an Absa account to an account held at another bank.
Why switch my debit orders to my Absa account?

This service aims to assist our customers to reduce transactional costs incurred when operating two bank accounts from different banks. Moreover, it is an additional convenience to the customer to centralise all transactional activities in one primary account with immediate access without having to reconcile two bank accounts simultaneously.
Who do I contact when switching debit orders?

Customers have an option to contact their banker or visit the Absa.co.za website to send the instruction to switch.
What do I need to know before switching my debit orders?
The following must be noted:

You must hold an active transactional account with us

Customer information must be up-to date at BOTH banks as inaccuracies can cause rejections

Note the service providers that we don’t facilitate debit order switching by referring to the list of non-participating service providers available on our website

If two people must sign to authorise transactions on an account, both of them must sign the switching instruction.
How long does it take to switch?

The process can take 4 – 8 weeks.
Is there a limited number of debit orders I can switch?

No. There is no limit provided the debit orders to be switched are going to be linked to one account number.
Is there a limited number of accounts with debit orders per account holder that can use this service?

No. There is no limit. However, each account number must have a separate instruction sent.
Is this service available to everyone?

This service is only accessible to active business transactional accounts.
How much does it cost?

The debit order switching service is free of charge.
How long does it take to complete the switching form?

It takes a few minutes to complete the form.
How do I make sure my switching request is not rejected?
Complete all your personal details and don’t forget to provide us with your contact details.

It is important to complete the person that will receive correspondence from the bank about the switching instruction.

When completing debit order information, you'll need:

Full name of the service provider and no abbreviations must be captured. For example, 'MultiChoice instead of 'Mult. Choice'.

Full details of the previous account number held at another bank must be captured.

Full amount to be switched must be captured correctly. For example, R2, 914.50 instead of R2914, 50.

Reference number for each debit order must be completed. This will assist in reconciling all debit orders successfully transferred to the desired Absa account.

Full details of the Absa account must be captured.

Always refer to the list of service providers that we can successfully facilitate debit order switching for plus a list of service providers that refuse to accept debit order switching instructions from us.
Do all service providers accept debit order switching instructions from Absa?

No. There is a handful of service providers that prefer to accept written instructions directly from their customers without third party involvement.

In such instances, we will help you initiate the process by providing you with switching letters to send to these service providers.
Where do I check service providers that don't support switching instructions facilitated by Absa?

Refer to the list of all service providers that don't accept Absa-facilitated debit order switching instructions.
Will Absa be able to switch my internal stop orders and beneficiary payments?

No. This can be done by either visiting your nearest Absa branch or Absa Online for Business
Can Absa change the date when a debit order is due?

No. The bank will only communicate the debit order dates as instructed by the customer.
Can the Switching Department facilitate closure of the old account held at another bank?

No. As banks are governed by regulatory requirements, such an instruction can only be facilitated directly by the account holder in their personal capacity.
When do I need to close my old account at another bank?
We recommend that you close your old account after:

Confirmation has been received from the switching team that all required debit orders have been successfully switched

All switched debit orders are successfully running from the required Absa account
How will I be able to send an instruction to amend the details sent or cancel the instruction to switch?

A signed letter quoting the company name and date when the switching instruction was sent can be sent to switching@absa.co.za.

Any queries can be sent to switchingqueries@absa.co.za.

Please note: To provide our products and services, we collaborate with other companies, some of which may use our branding. Our Privacy Policy does not apply to these companies' websites. For their privacy policies, please refer to the respective service provider's site.

Need more help?

Let one of our consultants assist you.

Call us on:

0861 000 734

If you’re a new customer or you don’t bank with us call Business Banking on:

Switch your business debit order to us