Standard Bank is pleased to announce that it has joined the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) new digital partnership model to make smart ID and passport services more accessible to South Africans.

Standard Bank in partnership with the DHA will enable clients to apply for and renew their smart ID cards and passports through our digital banking channels in the near future. For almost a decade, Standard Bank has provided services in nine branches and will be working with the Department to fully scale the offering across the country.

The initiative forms part of the DHA’s plan to expand these services to 1,000 bank branches by 2029, improving convenience for citizens and reducing long queues at traditional Home Affairs offices.

“We welcome Standard Bank to this important partnership, which brings us closer to our vision of delivering smart ID and passport services conveniently and efficiently across South Africa,” said Minister of Home Affairs, Leon Schreiber.

“By working with leading financial institutions like Standard Bank, we are ensuring that more citizens whether in rural or urban areas can access these essential services without enduring long queues, as we move towards a truly digital-first era of public service delivery.”

More details on participating Standard Bank branches and digital service rollouts will be shared in the coming months.

“We are proud to be part of this forward-thinking collaboration that will save our clients time and make it easier to access essential identity services,” said Standard Bank Personal and Private Banking CEO, Funeka Montjane.

SUPPLIED.