South Africans are threatening to close their bank accounts

Loading player...
Sarah Lamb, head of client service at DataEQ talks about Capitec Bank is at risk of losing customers – and if customers make good on their threats to close their accounts and leave, banks like Discovery Bank stand to be the biggest winners.

This is one of the key findings from the latest DataEQ Banking Sentiment Index.

The index is based on over 4 million consumer social media posts about South African banks from 1 September 2021 to 31 August 2022. DataEQ then analysed posts for sentiment and conversation themes.

One big area analysed by the group is churn – the movement of banking customers from one bank to the next – where the analysis of conversation topics looked specifically at author intent.

Acquisition intent speaks to the purchase intent of consumers – ie, customers looking to join a bank – while cancellation intent tracks the threads made by current customers to leave a specific bank, DataEQ said.

The net score – derived by subtracting the acquisition intent from cancellation intent – indicates how likely a bank will see customers leaving or entering their business (churn).

Using this metric, DataEQ’s data shows that among the major banks, Capitec, FNB and Standard Bank are the most likely to see customers leave, with the other banks being more likely to gain new business.

Here, Capitec is the biggest potential loser with a net intent score of -1.7%, while Discovery stands to get the most business with a net intent score of +6.5%.
8 Dec 2022 10AM English South Africa Business News · Investing

Other recent episodes

Mine 2026: The New Battleground for Global Mining

PwC’s Mine 2026 report shows miners posting record profits — yet facing unprecedented structural pressures. Energy Utilities and Resource Assurance Partner Vuyiswa Khutlang breaks down the three imperatives reshaping mining: policy stability, capital mobilisation, and technology‑driven productivity. We explore copper’s surge, coal’s decline, selective M&A, and why geology alone no…
29 Jun 2PM 16 min

How Middle East Shocks Hit Africa’s Politics & Economy

The Middle East ceasefire may hold — or unravel. Either way, Africa is already feeling the tremors. Political analyst Jervin Naidoo maps how geopolitical shocks strain fiscal balances, fuel inflation, election stability, capital flows and sovereign risk premiums across the continent. A deep dive into Africa’s political vulnerability and the…
29 Jun 2PM 18 min

R316 Million for Impact: How E Squared Is Rewiring Entrepreneurship

E Squared’s 2025 Impact Report showcases a powerful model of patient capital, responsible entrepreneurship and transformation-driven investing. CEO Gladwyn Leeuw explains the shift to “lives meaningfully improved", the pipeline‑to‑scale approach, backing Black and female founders, and building businesses that endure — all while delivering commercial and social returns.
29 Jun 2PM 14 min

Inside Siyakhokha: How Ekurhuleni Is Modernising Municipal Payments

Ekurhuleni’s finances — and its ability to deliver reliable services — depend on a strong partnership with residents. MMC for Finance Alderman Jongizizwe Dlabathi explains how the City’s Siyakhokha platform is transforming municipal payments through convenience, security and digital efficiency. From registering online to logging queries and making payment arrangements,…
25 Jun 1PM 15 min

African Bank sees R624mn half-year loss, Capital ratio 25.8% keeps ops standing

African Bank has entered a new chapter shifting from years of acquisitive expansion to a disciplined phase of consolidation. Interim Group CEO Zweli Manyathi breaks down the R624m loss, the credit environment, cost‑to‑income pressures, and the bank’s strategy to unlock value from its diversified platform.
25 Jun 1PM 21 min