What is Foreign Banks?
The term “foreign bank” generally refers to any United States operation of a banking organization headquartered outside of the U.S.
The first foreign banks established their presence in the United States in the mid-1800’s, with New York being the first state to license or regulate these institutions.
Below Are The List Of Foreign Banks In South Africa
Following are the list of foreign controlled banks, local branches of foreign banks and representative offices of foreign banks.
Foreign Controlled Banks
| Institution | Phone number | Website | |
| 1 | ABSA Bank Limited | (011) 350 4000 | www.absa.co.za |
| 2 | Albaraka Bank Limited | (031) 366 9000 | www.albaraka.co.za |
| 3 | Commonwealth Bank of South Africa Ltd | 087 286 8833 | |
| 4 | Habib Overseas Bank Limited | (011) 8347441 | www.habiboverseas.co.za |
| 5 | HBZ Bank Limited | (031) 267 4400 | www.hbzbank.co.za |
| 6 | Mercantile Bank Limited | (011) 302 0300 | www.mercantile.co.za |
| 7 | The South African Bank of Athens Limited | (011) 634 4300 | www.bankofathens.co.za |
Registered Local Branches of Foreign Banks
| Rank | Company | Total assets R million (31.12.2016) | Total assets R million (31.12.2015) | Annual growth (%) |
| 1 | Citibank NA | 64 944 | 76 511 | -15.12 |
| 2 | HSBC Bank, Johannesburg Branch | 45 106 | 49 806 | -9.44 |
| 3 | China Construction Bank, Johannesburg Branch | 37 567 | 32 621 | 15.16 |
| 4 | Bank of China Johannesburg Branch | 32 670 | 35 836 | -8.85 |
| 5 | Standard Chartered Bank (Johannesburg Branch) | 32 281 | 34 420 | -6.21 |
| 6 | JPMorgan Chase Bank, NA (Johannesburg Branch) | 28 524 | 57 059 | -50.01 |
| 7 | BNP Paribas South Africa | 11 204 | 14 499 | -22.72 |
| 8 | Deutsche Bank AG | 10 388 | 22 757 | -54.35 |
| 9 | Societe Generale Johannesburg Branch | 7 874 | 11 726 | -32.85 |
| 10 | State Bank of India | 7 438 | 6 995 | 6.34 |
| 11 | Bank of Baroda | 3 940 | 2 269 | 73.70 |
| 12 | Bank of Taiwan South Africa Branch | 2 008 | 1 592 | 26.14 |
| 13 | Bank of India | 427 | 478 | -10.76 |
| 14 | Canara Bank | 328 | 400 | -17.88 |
| 15 | ICICI Bank Limited | 269 | 250 | 7.75 |
How many foreign banks are in South Africa?
Foreign Controlled Banks
| Institution | Phone number | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | ABSA Bank Limited | (011) 350 4000 |
| 2 | Albaraka Bank Limited | (031) 366 9000 |
| 3 | Commonwealth Bank of South Africa Ltd | 087 286 8833 |
| 4 | Habib Overseas Bank Limited | (011) 8347441 |
Can a foreigner open a FNB bank account in South Africa?
Documents needed
Certified* copy of passport and if currently in South Africa we would require a certified* copy of the visa, entry stamp or letter of introduction.
Three months latest bank statements from your bank abroad. Proof of physical address aboard, not older than 3 months.