Standard Bank
SA's widest bank SME product shelf. Flagship digital unsecured working capital via BizFlex, plus deep agri / solar / asset / trade / property finance.
Standard Bank has the deepest SA bank product shelf, full stop. BizFlex is the category-leading revenue-based facility among traditional banks — as close to a Lula or Merchant Capital in shape as a big bank gets, with the balance sheet to go bigger. Worth comparing against the fintech panel for merchants doing R1m+ monthly; usually cheaper per rand if you already bank with them.
About Standard Bank
Standard Bank Business Banking serves SMEs up to R300m turnover with loan sizes up to R40m under the 2025 African Development Bank social-bond framework. The flagship is BizFlex: revenue-based, 100% digital, ~6-month term with no early-settlement penalty and automatic top-up. Disbursed over R6.5 billion to 11,000+ SMEs since 2019. Alongside BizFlex, Standard Bank offers Business Term Loans, Revolving Credit, Overdrafts, Agricultural Production Loans, Business Solar Loans (prime +2.5%), Vehicle & Asset Finance with Shari'ah (Murabaha/Ijarah) options, Commercial Property Finance, Debtor Finance, Banker's Acceptance + full trade finance via TradeSuite, a Shari'ah Merchant Capital Cash Advance (partnership with Merchant Capital), and a full business credit card suite. Active referral to SEFA/SEDFA and IDC; participant in Khula Credit Guarantee and the Spaza Shop Support Programme (R15k per shop, 70% grant + 30% loan).
Is Standard Bank a fit?
Typically fits
Established SMEs wanting a full-service relationship bank, especially agribusinesses, solar/energy investors, importers/exporters, and asset-heavy SMEs (manufacturing, construction, transport). BizFlex is the strongest digital unsecured working-capital option for revenue-stable businesses with >R1m turnover banking primarily with Standard Bank.
Probably not a fit if
Pre-revenue startups or SMEs under R1m turnover looking purely for unsecured digital credit — Tyme Business Advance or Capitec scored lending is a better fit.
Products
BizFlex Loan
Revenue-basedRevenue-based, fully digital. Repayment is a customer-chosen % of daily account revenue, fixed rand interest quoted upfront, no monthly fees, no early-settlement penalty, automatic top-up.
- Rate
- Fixed rand fee (no APR shown)
- Speed
- Funds in hours
- Amount
- R50k – R5m
- Term
- 3-12 mo
Best for: Revenue-stable businesses with R1m+ turnover already banking primarily with Standard Bank.
Apply directly with Standard BankBusiness Solar Loan
Renewable Energy FinanceCapped at prime + 2.5%. Loans over R500k paid direct to supplier. 12-60 month term. For VAT- or CIPC-registered businesses up to R300m turnover.
- Rate
- Prime + 2.5%
- Speed
- A few business days
- Amount
- R10k – R10m
- Term
- 12-60 mo
Best for: SA SMEs investing in solar generation, battery storage, or energy resilience assets.
Apply directly with Standard BankBusiness Term Loan
Term loanFrom R50k, 3-10 years, prime-linked. Initiation fee R75-R3,775, monthly service fee R69-R290. For existing or new Standard Bank clients.
- Rate
- Prime-linked (risk-based)
- Speed
- A few weeks
- Amount
- R50k – R40m
- Term
- 36-120 mo
Best for: Established SMEs wanting a predictable fixed-instalment loan for capex, expansion, or structured working capital.
Apply directly with Standard BankFunding types Standard Bank covers
FAQ
Is Standard Bank a registered credit provider in South Africa?+
Standard Bank operates in the South African SME lending market. For specific regulatory status (NCR registration, FSP licence), check their website or the regulator's public register.
How fast can Standard Bank fund a business?+
Decision times depend on the specific product and your documentation. Frank shows typical speed per product, your specific application can go faster or slower based on the docs you have in hand.
What documents does Standard Bank need?+
Standard SA lender paperwork: last 3-6 months of bank statements, CIPC company documents, director IDs, and, depending on size, latest financials or management accounts. Frank surfaces the exact requirements per product before you apply.
Why apply via Funded by Frank rather than directly?+
Same rates, same application, but Frank walks you through it and compares Standard Bank to alternatives before you commit. If Standard Bank isn't the right fit, Frank points you at the better option.
Does Funded by Frank charge me to apply?+
No. Frank is free for businesses. We earn a referral fee from Standard Bank only if your application lands, that doesn't change the rate or terms you get from them.
Not sure if Standard Bank is the right fit? Let Frank walk you through the options.
Answer a few quick questions about your business and Frank will show the funding shapes that typically fit, with the lenders who offer them.
See your funding options