If you are looking for a no-frills, low-cost bank account in South Africa, FNB’s Easy range is likely one of the first options you will consider. Positioned as the bank’s entry-level offering, the “Easy” suite includes the completely free Easy Zero and the pay-as-you-use Easy PAYU (often simply called the FNB Easy Account).
Recent adjustments have introduced slight increases to fees, but FNB has simultaneously slashed digital payment costs and kept the Zero account entirely free.
FNB Easy Account Fees: A Complete Guide
Here is the complete breakdown of the fees, features, and recent changes for FNB’s Easy accounts.
The Two Types of Easy Accounts
Before diving into the specific costs, it is crucial to distinguish between the two products in this range, as their fee structures are very different.
| Account Type | Monthly Fee | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Easy Zero | R0 (Free) | Customers who primarily swipe cards, use digital banking, and want to avoid monthly fees entirely |
| Easy PAYU (Standard Easy) | R6.95 | Customers who want access to physical cash withdrawals but prefer to pay only for what they use |
Note: The term “Easy PAYU” stands for “Pay As You Use”.
FNB Easy Zero Fees (R0 Monthly)
The Easy Zero account remains completely free of monthly bank charges. You will never pay a subscription fee. However, because there is no monthly fee, the bank charges for certain transactions to recover costs.
Updated Transaction Costs for Easy Zero
According to FNB’s latest pricing guides, here is what you can expect to pay for standard transactions on the Easy Zero account:
– Monthly Fee: R0 (Free)
– Cash Withdrawal (FNB ATM): R8.50 per R1,000 withdrawn
– Cash Withdrawal (Other Banks’ ATMs): R12.00 + R2.40 per R100
– Cash Withdrawal (Cash@Till): Flat fee of R8 per withdrawal
– Cash Deposit (FNB ATM): Free (This is a unique benefit of Easy Zero)
– Card Swipe/Online Payments: Free (unlimited)
– Electronic Transfers (FNB App): R1.00 per payment
Key Advantage: Easy Zero is the only free account that offers free cash deposits. If you need to deposit cash frequently, this is a significant saving compared to other accounts that charge for deposits.
FNB Easy PAYU (Standard Easy) Fees: R6.95 Monthly
The Easy PAYU account has a low monthly fee and generally offers lower transactional costs than the Zero account for heavy cash users.
Monthly Fee
The monthly fee for the Easy PAYU account increased to R6.95.
Transaction Costs
Here is how the PAYU account charges for usage:
| Transaction Type | Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Subscription | R6.95 | – |
| Cash Withdrawal (FNB ATM) | R12.00 per R1,000 (sliding scale) | – |
| Cash Withdrawal (Cash@Till) | R12 per withdrawal | – |
| Cash Deposit (FNB ATM) | R1.40 per R100 | – |
| Debit Order (Internal/External) | R1.00 per external debit order | – |
| eWallet Send | R5.00 per send | – |
Major Update: Cheaper Digital Payments
FNB has made a significant move to encourage digital transactions. The cost of Real-Time Payments (instant EFTs, often called “Pay & Clear”) has been drastically reduced for Easy PAYU customers.
FNB slashed the real-time payment fee by 43%, bringing it down from R8.00 to just R3.50 per transaction.
This makes sending instant money to other banks much more affordable for entry-level account holders.
What About the “Easy Smart” and “Easy Bundle”?
Previously, FNB offered an Easy Smart option and an Easy Bundle. However, recent pricing updates suggest a simplification of these mid-tier options.
The Easy Bundle offered data benefits and free instant payments up to a threshold. Currently, customers looking for a “middle ground” (with unlimited free app transactions) often look toward the FNB Aspire account, which is the step-up from the Easy range.
How to Get Fees Waived or Reduced
Because the Easy accounts are already budget-focused, the fee structures are straightforward.
Stick to Easy Zero: If you rarely or never use cash, the Zero account is unbeatable because it has no monthly fee.
Use Cash@Till: Withdrawing cash at retail tills (like Checkers or Pick n Pay) is often cheaper than using competitor ATMs.
Use the App: Electronic payments cost only R1.00 compared to the high cost of drawing physical cash to pay for goods.
Take Advantage of Lifestyle Benefits: Easy PAYU and Easy Bundle account holders can save on everyday essentials, such as purchasing four loaves of bread per month from Shoprite at 99c per loaf, receiving grocery vouchers of up to R100 when swiping their qualifying card, and a monthly allocation of free WhatsApp messaging on their active FNB Connect SIM.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a completely free bank account at FNB?
Yes. The FNB Easy Zero account has a R0 monthly fee. It includes unlimited card swipes and free cash deposits at FNB ATMs.
How much is the FNB Easy monthly fee?
The Easy Zero account is free. The Easy PAYU (pay-as-you-use) account costs R6.95 per month.
Does FNB charge for eWallet sends from an Easy account?
Yes. For Easy PAYU users, the fee is R5.00 per eWallet send. Easy Zero users typically get 1 free eWallet send per month.
Can I deposit cash into an Easy Zero account?
Yes. The Easy Zero account is unique because it offers free cash deposits at FNB ATMs. Other accounts usually charge for this service.
What is the difference between Easy PAYU and Easy Bundle?
Easy PAYU is a pure pay-as-you-use account with a low monthly fee. Easy Bundle includes a bundle of free transactions and data benefits, such as free real-time payments up to a threshold.
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Conclusion:
These FNB Easy Accounts are great options for day to day management of money. Apart from managing money; you also get security and peace of mind. Furthermore, these are cheque accounts so you can make third-party payments. You can get a funeral plan, have access to instant loans and overdrafts, and have your bank take care of your communication needs.
Disclaimer
FNB fees are subject to change. Always check the official FNB website or App for the most current pricing guides before conducting high-value transactions.