Bank Zero

Last updated
Bank Zero
Company type Mutual bank
Industry
FoundedJanuary 16, 2018;7 years ago (2018-01-16)
Area served
South Africa
Owner Lesaka Technologies
Website bankzero.co.za

Bank Zero is a South African digital mutual bank. It offers banking to both individuals and businesses. Bank Zero joins other new banks in South Africa, such as TymeBank and Discovery Bank. [1] The bank registered with the South African Reserve Bank in 2018 and launched in 2021. [2] [3] [4] [5]

Contents

History

In 2018, Bank Zero was co-founded with a few former First National Bank employees. [6] The bank is 45% black-owned and 20% female-owned. [7] Instead of outsourcing traditional pre-ready banking packages, Bank Zero relies on a core banking platform. [8] By the end of 2018, after integration with the South African Reserve Bank, Bank Zero was a full settlement bank. In early 2019, Bank Zero integrated into the rest of the national payments system [9] to become a full clearing bank with an independent licence. [8]

Bank Zero had originally planned to soft launch some of its products at the end of 2019, but decided to delay its launch to 2020. [2] [3] After disruption due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the launch was delayed until 2021. [5] [10] The bank does not offer credit. [7]

Acquisition

In June 2025, Lesaka Technologies (formerly Net1 UEPS Technologies) acquired Bank Zero for R1.091 billion. [11]

Security

Mainframe

Bank Zero uses IBM Z mainframe computers and LinuxONE, [12] as a secure platform that can protect against data breaches with IBM's Secure Service Container. [13]

Debit card

In November 2019, a patented debit card obtained with an agreement with MasterCard, combined with in-house patented security procedures, [14] operate on the latest Mastercard EMV technology and multi-layered security protocols. [15] Instead of storing the card number that is embossed on the card on both the magnetic stripe, and in the card chip, the debit card would have three different card numbers for each: the embossed number, the magnetic strip, and the card chip. [15] This would allow Bank Zero to limit specific types of transactions to each card number. For example, the magnetic strip card number could only be used at an ATM and at a point-of-sale terminal; the card chip card number could only be used at point-of-sale devices; and, the embossed number could only be used for online transactions. [15]

The bank said, "[this] will dramatically minimise the negative impact of card data theft and card skimming," [15] allowing for a claimed virtually secure card.[ citation needed ]

References

  1. ↑ Mungadze, Samuel (2019-11-13). "Countdown begins for Michael Jordaan's Bank Zero launch". ITWeb. Retrieved 2019-11-14.
  2. 1 2 "Bank Zero will launch business offering with personal account in 2020". BusinessLIVE. Retrieved 2021-06-18.
  3. 1 2 "Bank Zero says it's set to launch in South Africa in middle of this year". The Africa Report.com. 2020-02-07. Retrieved 2021-06-18.
  4. ↑ Staff Writer. "Bank Zero launch plans ongoing amid Covid-19 disruption" . Retrieved 2021-06-18.
  5. 1 2 Malinga, Sibahle (2021-08-10). "Bank Zero finally launches after numerous hiccups". ITWeb. Retrieved 2025-04-24.
  6. ↑ Muller, Rudolph. "The FNB dream team who built Bank Zero" . Retrieved 2021-06-03.
  7. 1 2 Shapshak, Toby. "Bank Zero Aims To Shakeup South African Banking With Tech-Savvy Offering". Forbes. Retrieved 2021-06-03.
  8. 1 2 Staff Writer. "The story behind Michael Jordaan's decision to start Bank Zero" . Retrieved 2021-06-03.
  9. ↑ "Michael Jordaan's Bank Zero prepares to shake up the banking system". BusinessLIVE. Retrieved 2021-06-03.
  10. ↑ "Bank Zero will now – maybe – launch by mid 2021, after yet another missed date". BusinessInsider. Retrieved 2021-06-18.
  11. ↑ Gavaza, Mudiwa. "Lesaka's shares jump on deal to acquire Bank Zero for R1.1bn".
  12. ↑ StevenDickens3 (2018-10-31). "Bank Zero disrupting Banking on LinuxONE". Mainframe Debate. Retrieved 2021-06-03.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  13. ↑ Staff Writer. "Bank Zero's IT infrastructure – Photos" . Retrieved 2021-06-03.
  14. ↑ Muller, Rudolph. "The FNB dream team who built Bank Zero" . Retrieved 2021-06-18.
  15. 1 2 3 4 "Here's how Bank Zero's patented debit cards work – and why your card number will never have to change". BusinessInsider. Retrieved 2021-06-18.
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