When I first opened an account with Capitec—back in the chilly winter of June 2024, in Stellenbosch (yes, I went there)—I didn’t think much of “investments.” To me, the idea of investing seemed reserved for hedge-fund folks in New York or London. But little by little I discovered that Capitec isn’t just about checking accounts and debit cards—it offers a variety of ways to save and invest. And sometimes, the best lessons come from chasing interest rates and watching your balance inch up (even if slowly). So: let’s unpack what Capitec offers in their investment/saving side, how the experience looks (with some of my stumbles), what to watch out for—and how you might make the most of it.
What Capitec offers in the savings/investment space
Here are the main features I found—and yes, there are nuances, so hang in there.
1. Saving plans + “invest in shares” via the app
Capitec lets you open up to 10 savings plans (crazy—I had to Google “why ten?”) in their app. You can name each plan to match your goal.
Capitec Bank
Also: you’re able to invest in local or international shares via their partner platform EasyEquities.
Capitec Bank
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My anecdote: I opened “Vacation 2026” and “Rainy Day” plans. On the Vacation one I tried an easier route—I transferred a small amount to EasyEquities via Capitec and bought a fractional share (yes, I owned 0.07 of a share of a foreign company). Felt weirdly grown-up.
2. Fixed-Term Savings
This one is “set your money aside, lock it in for a term, get a fixed interest rate.” Capitec’s “single deposit fixed-term savings” lets you pick a duration (6–60 months) and deposit a lump sum (from R10 000 up to R20 million) and you earn a fixed rate.
Capitec Bank
Rates example: For R10 000–R49 999, at 6 months the nominal rate is 6.70%, effective rate 6.91%. At longer terms (49–60 months) it goes up to 7.70% nominal/7.98% effective for that band.
Capitec Bank
My mistake: I once locked in R15 000 for 24 months thinking “I'll forget about this and it will just sit”. Two things: a) I paid attention and found it harder to touch than I thought; b) interest rates rose after I locked in, so I felt “oh man I could’ve done better.” Lesson: locking in is comfortable, but you give up flexibility.
3. Notice Deposit, Access Anytime, Tax-Free Savings
Capitec’s savings suite is broader:
Access Anytime: you can withdraw at will. Interest is lower.
Capitec Bank
Notice Deposit: you give a 7- or 32-day notice, get better rates.
Capitec Bank
Tax-Free Savings Account: save up to R36 000/year, interest earned is tax-free.
Capitec Bank
Personal grin: For a while I ignored the tax-free savings because I thought “tax-free? That sounds like hustle.” But once I realised I was paying taxes on even a modest interest amount, I kicked myself for not starting earlier.
4. Investing via EasyEquities & brokerage discounts
Capitec has a tie-in: if you use EasyEquities via the Capitec app, you get a 20% discount on brokerage fees for trades.
Capitec Bank
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Also: they give a “R50 free” voucher to new EasyEquities users coming in via Capitec.
Capitec Bank
My attempt: I used that R50 voucher—bought some “fun stock” just to test the platform. Result: I made a 3% gain in a week (yes, fun), withdrew immediately (yes, small fees). The point: you can experiment without massive amounts.
My Journey: From “What’s a fixed-term?” to “Hey I built something”
I still remember sitting on my balcony in Cape Town, sipping my rooibos tea, pulling up the Capitec app and thinking “Right—what do I do with this money?” I had a little lump sum I’d been keeping in a regular savings account (earning like 2%—not even enough to fight inflation). I thought: if I’m storing money, let me store it better.
Step 1 – Educate myself
I read through Capitec’s blog: “How small investments can build wealth” (posted 1 July 2025) where they emphasise you don’t need huge salary—just consistency, time, and a clear goal.
Capitec Bank
That hit home: I’m not some millionaire; I’m a mid-earner. If I start now, I might give myself a shot.
So I set two small goals:
Goal A: Build a 24-month “emergency buffer” locked-but-not-too-locked. I set R20 000 for 18 months with Capitec’s fixed-term.
Goal B: Start investing in shares via EasyEquities (through Capitec). Just R500/month.
Step 2 – Mistakes and caveats
Mistake: I locked too much for too long. At month 6 I realised I might need that money for a vehicle repair. Call it life. Lesson: leave some in flexible form.
Mistake: I didn’t clearly match a plan name to my goal. I had “Plan 1” and “Plan 2”, which meant I kept forgetting which one was which. So I renamed “Plan Roadtrip 2026” and “Plan Fix-Up-Emergency”. Naming matters.
Mistake: I ignored fees and tax implications for the share investing side. Brokerage discount is great, but trading every month eats you if you don’t watch. I ended up with some tiny gains but a few random trades that cost more than I gained (ouch).
Step 3 – The good stuff
By the 12-month mark I had a decent sum in the fixed-term account earning ~7% nominal (not life-changing but better than the earlier 2%). And the shares? Small growth, but more importantly: I learned. I realised markets wobble. I learnt that sometimes you hold for longer than you thought. I also got comfortable using the Capitec app interface for investments.
Step 4 – My reflections
I felt empowered. Using my bank’s app and knowing “I can invest via my bank” instead of feeling like I needed some secret club.
I realised time is my friend. Even that “small amount” monthly for shares—after 10 years might become meaningful. That blog post’s point stuck with me.
I’m more comfortable with risk—but also aware of limits. The fixed term gives me stability; the shares give me growth potential.
Pros & Cons (Because I believe in balance)
✅ Pros
Accessibility: You don’t need millions. With Capitec + EasyEquities you can start small.
Variety: Fixed-term, notice deposit, tax-free, share investing—lots of choices.
Clear rates: For fixed-term you see the interest bands. Eg. R10 000–R49 999 at 6 months earns ~6.70% nominal.
Capitec Bank
Integration: Using the same banking app for savings + investment is convenient.
Tax-free savings: R36 000/year limit is decent for many people.
Capitec Bank
⚠️ Cons
Lock-in risk: Fixed-term means you can’t touch early (or there’s penalty). If life throws a curveball—you might feel stuck.
Interest rate risk: If you lock in now and rates go up later—well, you’re locked at old rate. I felt that.
Share investing risk: Just because the bank makes it easier doesn’t mean it’s “safe”. You still face market risk.
Fees & notifications: Make sure you understand brokerage fees, costs of switching/investing.
Fraud caution: As one article warns: a scammer used Capitec’s FSP number (46669) to promote fake investment schemes.
Business Report
Always verify.
Practical Tips (Straight from My Work-in-Progress Experience)
Name your savings plans in the app so you know what you’re working toward. (“CarFund”, “Holiday2026”, “HomeRepair”, etc).
Match term to goal: If you may need the money within 12 months, don’t lock it in for 60 months.
Use the tax-free option if you can: It’s a gift to your future self.
Start the share-investing side slowly: Begin with a “fun money” portion—money you won’t lose sleep over.
Use the brokerage discount: Capitec gives 20% off brokerage via EasyEquities. Make it count.
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Educate yourself: Read blog posts (e.g., how small investments build wealth). Understand concepts like “compound interest”.
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Watch for lock-ins and penalties: Don’t assume you can withdraw anytime.
Keep some flexible cash: I maintain a small “access anytime” savings plan so I’m not entirely locked.
Revisit your goals every 6 months: Ask yourself, “Is this still serving me?”
Don’t chase rates blindly: Yes, higher rates are great—but if you’re sacrificing so much flexibility or taking risk you don’t understand, it may not be worth it.
Where Capitec’s Investment Offerings Fit in the Big Picture
Alright, let’s zoom out a bit (don’t worry—I’ll bring us back in a sec).
In South Africa, there is increasing interest in making investing accessible to everyday people (not just high-net-worth folks). Capitec's platform fits that narrative.
The blog said: “You don’t need a high salary or a lot of money – just consistency, time and a clear goal.”
Capitec Bank
That’s basically the credo I ended up operating by.
The banking culture is shifting: digital apps, low minimums, fractional shares (buying part of a share) – all these are making investing less scary.
From my professional person self (I’ve done some financial-modelling for clients in the last 5 years) I can say: accessibility is great—but many people still forget costs, risks, and the “behavioural side”. The best product doesn’t automatically make the best result; the person using it matters. Your mindset, habits, and consistency will often matter more than whether you chose a 7.00% vs 8.30% interest rate.
A Few “But What If?” Questions
What if I need the money early but it’s locked in?
→ Then you may face penalty or lower return. That fixed-term option is best when you’re confident you won’t touch it.
What if the market for shares crashes?
→ Then your “investing” side may suffer short-term. That’s why I keep a balance: some “safe” savings, some “growth”.
What if I’m earning very little and can’t afford even R10 000 for fixed-term?
→ Then use the “Access Anytime” or tax-free savings as stepping stones. Even small regular deposits help (compounding is magical). The blog emphasises that.
Capitec Bank
What about inflation and currency risk (especially with international shares)?
→ Yep. If your interest rate is 7% but inflation is 6% (and maybe rising), your real return is only ~1%. And with international shares you might have currency swings. Things to understand.
My Emotional Roller-Coaster (Yes, I Confess)
I’ll be honest: there were moments when I wondered if I was too slow.
When I locked my R20 000 for 24 months and then saw someone else lock at 30 months for a slightly better rate—yep, I felt pangs of “should have waited”.
When I bought a small share and it dipped 8% in a week—I panicked (just a little). I reminded myself: this is long-term.
When I got the quarterly statement and saw “interest earned: R XXX” (small amount) I laughed—“Wow this is not going to buy a yacht any time soon.” But I also smiled, because the habit was building.
And when I told a colleague about my “Vacation 2026” savings plan, she said: “Are you really going to wait till then?”—and I shrugged. I said: “Yes … and I’ll enjoy getting there.”
The point: investing isn’t just numbers. It touches your feelings. When your balance grows you feel “yes!”, when it declines you feel “uh oh”, when you’re consistent you feel proud. Don’t ignore that. Emotions matter (especially if you let them derail you).
Circling Back: Key Takeaways (without boring you)
Capitec offers accessible investment/saving options (fixed-term, notice, access anytime, tax-free, share investing).
My personal experience: started small, made mistakes, learned, and got comfortable.
Your success will depend less on which product you choose than how you use it. The habits matter.
Be aware of the trade-offs: lock-in vs flexibility, rate vs risk, small vs big amounts.
Use the tools: name your goals; align term with purpose; educate yourself; keep flexible cash; monitor regularly.
Investing = more than just picking good rates; it’s about mindset, behaviour, time.
A Little Bonus: If I Had to Start Today, Here’s My Game-Plan
If I were back at square one today with Capitec, here’s what I would do (and you could too):
Open a Capitec savings plan “Goal1 – Emergency (12 months)”. Deposit R5 000 now, then monthly R500. Use Access Anytime or Notice-Deposit (depending on liquidity needs).
Open “Goal2 – 24-Month Lock” in fixed-term. Maybe R15 000 lock for 24 months at ~7% (just an example—check current rate).
Open EasyEquities via Capitec. Deposit R300/month (or whatever you’re comfortable with). Buy fractional shares in a global diversified ETF + maybe one local stock you understand. Keep it simple.
Every 6 months: review your plan. Did your term align with your purpose? Are rates still competitive? Are you saving regularly?
At the end of each year: look at inflation vs your interest. If rates for fixed-term drops behind inflation, consider switching (for next time).
Always keep at least one pot (even small) that you can access. Life happens.
Final Thoughts
When I first thought of investing via a bank, I imagined complicated paperwork, financial advisers in suits, and big entry tickets. But thanks to Capitec’s model (and my willingness to learn), I realised: investing doesn’t have to be intimidating. Sure, there are risks and trade-offs. But you can start with what you have, right now. (Yes, even if you’re reading this in Accra or somewhere else—some of the principles cross borders.)
So ask yourself: What are you saving for? A holiday? A car? Retirement? Then pick the tool that fits that goal. Name the plan. Set a term. Commit. Watch it grow (even slowly). And don’t beat yourself up if you make mistakes. I did. I’m still doing it. The difference is, now I’m doing it with a plan.