South African passport

by TINTSWALO BALOYI
JOHANNESBURG – FIRST National Bank (FNB) has issued about 160 000 smart identity document (ID) cards following a partnership initiated two years ago between banks and South Africa’s Department of Home Affairs.

The bank has issued 79 958 Smart ID cards and 78 529 passports.

Lee-Anne van Zyl, Chief Executive Officer of FNB Points of Presence, said there had been an increase in the number of issued documents on an annual basis.

“This is an indication that our customers find value in the service we provide in support of Home Affairs,” she said.

FNB has four designated branches where applications for identity documents are conducted.

The booking process for identity documents is facilitated through eChannel, a Home Affairs online booking portal that captures the applicant’s personal details.

Van Zyl said the partnership was in line with FNB’s approach of continuous innovation to provide services that play a meaningful role in society.

“In addition, identification is an essential part of banking, therefore, this service becomes much more essential in South Africa’s quest to broaden financial inclusion,” she added.

– CAJ News