Standard Bank has now expanded its Smart ID services to 50 branches across South Africa, marking a major milestone in its partnership with the Department of Home Affairs.
The bank confirmed that it reached the target by the end of April, making it the second-largest participant in the Smart ID banking rollout after Capitec.
The expansion forms part of a broader push to improve access to Smart ID and passport services through banks, easing pressure on traditional Home Affairs offices.
Faster processing and growing demand for Smart IDs
According to Standard Bank, the additional branches have significantly increased processing capacity and improved access for clients.
The bank said it has already completed more than 5 200 Smart ID applications through the newly added branches, with more than half of the cards already collected.
Despite the growing demand, clients reportedly spend less than 8 minutes completing applications in-branch on average.
The average turnaround time for receiving a Smart ID card is currently around two weeks from the date of application.
“We are now processing multiples of the number of applications compared to just a year ago,” the bank said.
More branches planned
Having reached its initial target, Standard Bank now plans to more than double its network to 112 branches by the end of 2026.
For now, the service remains limited to Standard Bank clients as the rollout continues to scale.
The bank said broader access is planned in future, particularly in areas where demand for Home Affairs services is high, and capacity remains constrained.
Most of Standard Bank’s Smart ID-enabled branches are located in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal, although the service is now available in all nine provinces.
Other banks are also expanding their participation in the programme.
Capitec has rolled out 86 branches under the new DHA partnership model, while FNB has also begun expanding its footprint.
Where the branches are
Here’s the full list of Standard Bank branches offering Smart ID services across South Africa:
Gauteng (22)
- Killarney Mall, Johannesburg (Old system)
- Simmonds Street, Johannesburg (Old system)
- Centurion Lifestyle, City of Tshwane (Old system)
- Jubilee Mall, City of Tshwane (Old system)
- Westgate Mall, Roodepoort
- Boksburg
- Carletonville
- Central City
- Golden Walk
- Greenstone
- Heidelberg
- Jabulani
- Key West
- Lenasia
- Lynnwood The Grove
- Mamelodi Crossing
- Maponya Mall
- Rosebank
- Sanridge
- Sky City
- Soshanguve Mall
- Tshwane Mid City
KwaZulu-Natal (11)
- 1 Kingsmead Way, Durban (Old system)
- Bridge City
- Chatsworth Centre
- Matatiele
- Midlands
- Newcastle Mall
- South Coast Mall
- Umhlatuze
- Vryheid
- Westown Square, Shongweni, Pinetown
- Westville
Western Cape (7)
- Canal Walk, Century City, Cape Town (Old system)
- CapeGate Shopping Centre, Cape Town
- Helderberg
- Khayelitsha, Cape Town
- Paarl
- Parow Centre, Cape Town
- Vredenburg
Mpumalanga (4)
- Kwagga Plaza Shopping Centre
- Nelspruit Crossing Shopping Centre
- Secunda
- Witbank
Eastern Cape (3)
- 1 Pickering Street, Newton Park, Gqeberha (Old system)
- East London
- Lusikisiki
Limpopo (3)
- Burgersfort
- Modimolle
- Tzaneen
North West (3)
- Klerksdorp
- Lichtenburg
- Vryburg
Free State (2)
- Bloemfontein
- Phuthaditjhaba
Northern Cape (1)
- Kimberley
