Johannesburg 20 September 2022 – TymeBank, South Africa’s fastest-growing digital bank, is helping South African businesses reduce their employees’ financial stress with TymeAdvance, a zero-interest solution that gives staff early access to their earned salary, while protecting them from expensive debt.
“Consumers are having a tough time making ends meet, even those fortunate enough to be employed. TymeAdvance makes it easy for employers to offer much-needed relief to cash-strapped employees,” says TymeBank CEO Coen Jonker.
Launched at the beginning of the year, TymeAdvance has found favour with companies of all sizes. The latest company to sign up is Hollard Insurance, which has over 2000 employees who can now access TymeAdvance.
“Employers that have adopted TymeAdvance as an employee benefit are already reporting positive results, including improved productivity and reduced absenteeism,” says TymeBank executive Jarred Deacon.
The greatest benefit, however, is for employees themselves. According to Deacon, staff members at participating companies are reporting reduced financial stress, decreased credit use and an improved ability to budget and save for the future. “What we are seeing is that people are opting to use TymeAdvance rather than expensive credit options that penalise you with high interest rates,” he says.
How it works
- TymeAdvance is only available to employees whose employers have signed up with TymeBank.
- TymeBank will receive real-time payroll data from the employer to calculate the available advance for each employee.
- Employees will be invited by the employer to use TymeAdvance. They can apply directly via the TymeBank app or by SMS (USSD)
- The employee can then select how much they need (up to R5000 per transaction).
- Once approved, the money will be deposited immediately into the employee’s account.
- The cost to the employee per transaction is R30
Because TymeAdvance is not a loan, there are no interest rates, no credit checks and no awkward conversations that could upset smooth working relationships. TymeAdvance will also not impact credit scores.
“It’s not uncommon for cash-strapped individuals to pay ‘loan sharks’ interest rates that are 10 times higher than they would pay at a bank. These unsavoury lenders have no qualms about turning up at the individual’s place of employment to collect their debt,” says Deacon. “With TymeAdvance, employees have early access to their own hard-earned money, along with tools that help them manage their finances and improve their financial well-being.”
TymeBank works with employers to help HR teams improve their employees’ financial wellness by providing anonymised trends and insights on spending habits while providing employees a full suite of free banking services.
Ends
Key Features of TymeBank’s offering
TymeBank offers a zero monthly fee transactional account to consumers from the age of 16* and sole proprietors. Features available on this account include a money transfer service, a free GoalSave tool, as well as MoreTyme™, the bank’s interest-free buy now pay later product. The GoalSave tool allows customers to open up to 10 savings pockets, earning a maximum interest rate of 8% per annum, with the option to access the money immediately. Other products include affordable medical insurance (TymeHealth) and a credit card. The bank recently announced an expanded business banking offering.
About TymeBank
TymeBank is currently one of the world’s fastest-growing digital banks, having acquired well over 5 million customers since launching in February 2019. The bank is founded on simplicity, transparency and affordability and is designed to make digital banking accessible and affordable to all South Africans across the economic spectrum.
TymeBank is majority owned by Dr Patrice Motsepe’s African Rainbow Capital (‘ARC’). Recent investors include Tencent, an internet and technology company based in China and CDC Group, the UK’s development finance institution and impact investor. Others include UK based Apis Growth Fund II (‘Apis’), a fintech private equity fund based in the UK, JG Summit Holdings (JG Summit) a Philippines based conglomerate owned by the Gokongwei family, African Fig Tree (AFT), a ring-fenced vehicle established by the founders along with key individuals, and the Ethos AI Fund.
TymeBank is a member of the Tyme Group of companies with headquarters in Singapore.
For more information, please visit www.tymebank.co.za
Issued by Aprio on behalf of TymeBank.
For media enquiries, please contact:
TymeBank
Pontsho Ramontsha 0724717357 or pontsho.ramontsha@tymedigital.com
Aprio
Cecilia Pinto Taylor 083 325 169 or cecilia@aprio.co.za
