Search
Log in
Menu
Log in
Personal
- Personal
- Business
- Corporate
Absa Online
- Absa Online
- Online Share Trading
- Wealth and Investment Management
- eContract
- Business Online Banking
- Electronic Mailbox
- International Trade Finance
- International Cash Management
- iMX Extranet
- Business Integrator Online
- Online Share Trading
- Absa Investments
- Cash Self Service
- Data Security Manager
- eContract
- ISO Merchant Onboarding
- Bank Codes
- Commercial Online Banking
- Electronic Mailbox
- International Trade Finance
- International Cash Management
- iMX Extranet
- Fleet Management System
- Business Integrator Online
- Online Share Trading
- Absa Investments
- Cash Self Service
- Data Security Manager
Understanding FICA
What is FICA
The Financial Intelligence Centre Act 38 of 2001 (FICA) protects you from financial crimes such as money laundering and terrorist financing.
Why is FICA important
FICA helps us provide you with relevant, safe and secure banking.
How does FICA work
FICA requires financial institutions to verify identities and report suspicious transactions.
Is my information safe?
Yes, your personal information is safe with Absa, as we prioritise data protection and comply with all privacy laws.
Let’s help you become and remain FICA compliant
-
Updating your FICA details
- We will periodically contact you via various channels like SMS and email to update your FICA information. Please ensure your contact details on your profile are up to date
- Confirm or update your information as soon as you get the notification to avoid your accounts being placed in a ‘lock’ state
- You can also update your personal information at any time as your personal information changes using our digital platforms.
-
Data privacy
At Absa, we prioritise the collection and processing of your personal information. We ensure that all your data is protected and handled in accordance with privacy laws.
As an Absa customer, you have the right to:
- Access your personal information
- Update your personal information
- Delete your personal information
- Object to processing of your personal information
- Port your personal information from Absa to another party.
For more information, please contact privacy@absa.co.za
-
Submitting your documents
Individual customers can submit their FICA documents through the following channels:
- Banking App
- Absa Online
- Email us at submitfica@absa.africa
- Visit your nearest branch
Business customers:
- Contact your banker
- Call us on 0800 227 592
- Email us on mybusinessbanker@absa.co.za
-
Accounts in FICA lock
Why is my account in FICA lock?
Your account will be locked if your information is incorrect and we cannot contact you. For your safety, it will remain locked until we receive the correct, up-to-date information. Please stay connected and respond to any messages we send you.
What do I need to do to have the 'lock' removed from my Individual profile?
You need to access our digital channels, call us, or visit a branch to update or confirm the following details (if they haven't changed):
- Your occupation
- Occupation status
- Source of funds
- Proof of latest ID book or smart card
- Proof of residence (not older than 3 months)
Our Quality Assurance specialists will verify and update the details on your profile when you have provded all the required documents. It can take up to 48 business hours to have your account and profile unlocked.
What do I need to do for the lock to be removed on my business profile?
- Contact your banker who will check what your specific business requires
- To verify your business detail we'll need the latest business documents and regulatory specific information
Our Quality Assurance specialists will verify and update the details on your business profile when you have provded all the required documents. It can take up to 48 business hours to have your account and profile unlocked.
Documents Required
Proof of identification
- Valid copy of your latest smart ID card. Please ensure both back and front of your smart ID card is uploaded
- Note: A green ID book can only be accepted if you do not have a smart ID card. Outdated identity documents will be rejected
- Note: A green ID book can only be accepted if you do not have a smart ID card. Outdated identity documents will be rejected
- If your green ID book or smart ID card is lost, stolen or not yet issued, we can accept any one of the following means of identification:
- Valid passport (applicable to foreign nationals)
- Valid birth certificate (applicable for minors)
- A sworn affidavit or police statement, proof of ID re-application from the Department of Home Affairs
- If you have changed your name due to marriage or divorce we will need a marriage certificate or divorce documents.
Proof of residence
- To verify your residential address, you need to provide an approved document which bears your name and physical address or stand number and suburb.
- It is important to ensure that the documents are:
- Not older than 3 months e.g Utility documents
- Not a Subsidiary of Absa, e.g. Woolworths
You can also update your personal information at any time as your personal information changes proactively using our digital platforms.
Contact us:
Call us on: 08600 08600
Email us at: FICAhelp@absa.co.za for more information
Please note you need to visit an Absa branch to complete and sign declaration forms.
Proof of identification
- A valid passport
- A valid visa will be required for temporary visits that exceed the 90-day period.
Foreign nationals who are temporary residents in South Africa
- Evidence that you are visiting the country on a temporary basis for 90 days or less.
Proof of residence
- You need to provide an approved document containing your name and physical address or stand number and suburb.
- NOTE: PO Box numbers are not accepted.
- NOTE: PO Box numbers are not accepted.
- We accept any of the following documents containing your name and physical residential address:
- Bills e.g. municipal water and lights account or property managing agent statement
- Bank statements from another bank on an official bank document or form
- It is important to ensure that the documents are:
- Not older than 3 months, e.g. Utility documents
- Not Subsidiary of Absa, e.g. Woolworths
Foreign nationals - Non-resident individuals
- You can also update your personal information at any time as your personal information changes proactively, using our digital platforms, as your personal information changes.
Contact us:
Call us on: (+27) 11 501 5110
Email us at: FICAhelp@absa.co.za for more information
Proof of ID
- Verified copy your green bar-coded ID or identity card (back and front of smart ID card)
- If the green bar-coded ID or identity card (smart card) is lost, stolen or not yet issued, then one of the following means of identification is acceptable:
- Valid passport, which is also suitable for foreign nationals, (only applicable to foreign nationals that are Individuals, and not Stokvels)
- Valid birth certificate (for minors)
- A sworn affidavit or police statement, proof of ID reapplication from Department of Home Affairs is required.
- Name change due to marriage or divorce will require a marriage certificate or divorce documents.
Proof of residence
- To verify your residential address, you need to provide an approved document containing your name and physical address or stand number and suburb.
- It is important to ensure that the documents are:
- Not older than 3 months e.g Utility documents
- Not a Subsidiary of Absa, e.g. Woolworths
Contact us:
Call us on: (+27) 11 501 5110
Email us at: FICAhelp@absa.co.za for more information
Please note you need to visit an Absa branch to complete and sign declaration forms.
Birth certificate:
- Unabridged Birth Certificate containing details of the minor and both parents
- Abridged Birth Certificate containing details of the minor only
- NOTE: If the parent opening the account has a different surname to the minor, an unabridged birth certificate must be provided to confirm the parental information.
Proof of residence:
- Proof of residence of the accompanying parent
- It is important to ensure that the documents are:
- Not older than 3 months e.g Utility documents
- Not a Subsidiary of Absa, e.g. Woolworths
Contact us:
Call us on: 08600 08600
Email us at: FICAhelp@absa.co.za for more information
- Proof of Head Office or Trading registered business address
- Registration documents
- Proof of Authority document
NOTE: If you have related parties you’ll need to provide:
- List of all members
- South African identity documents or passports of related parties
- Passports are not accepted for South African citizens with a valid ID book or smart ID card
NOTE: Only the following documents are acceptable as proof of registered business address:
- Letter from municipality confirming business address
- Tribal authority letter confirming business address
- Signed letter from an independent auditor/accountant on their company letterhead confirming physical/trading/operational address for the business
Contact us:
Call us on: 08600 08600
Email us at: FICAhelp@absa.co.za or more information
The information required depends on the type of business. To find out which documents are required for your business, download our FICA documents guideline.
Contact us:
Call us on: 0800 227 592
Email us at: mybusinessbanker@absa.co.za or more information
