Standard Bank has joined the Department of Home Affairs’ (DHA) drive to make Smart ID and passport services more easily available than, you know, going to Home Affairs. The South African bank joins FNB and Capitec in making DHA services more accessible to the average citizen.

Standard Bank on it

Eventually, that is. The bank said in a statement that “will enable clients to apply for and renew their smart ID cards and passports through our digital banking channels in the near future.” The service, according to Standard Bank, has been available through nine of its branches, but it’ll be throwing its weight behind the Department’s plan for 1,000 bank branches to be involved by 2029.

Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber said, “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.”

“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 head Funeka Montjane. More specific details on how South Africa’s Big Blue Bank intends to join the party, including branch and digital rollouts, will be shared “in the coming months.”