Bank processes on deceased estates

The below and attachments detail the processes for each major South African bank when reporting a deceased estate for closure of accounts, bonds etc.

All info was given through to FISA as is by representatives at the respective banks and thus serves as a guideline to all members when dealing with the respective banks on deceased matters.

Any escalation where escalation contact details/addresses were not provided by the respective banks can be done through the FISA liaison at national level, currently Donice Perkins, donice@fisa.net.za. Please include your FISA member number in the email.


Standard Bank

To prevent multiple reworks and further delays in the process, please ensure all documents are submitted to DeceasedQueries@standardbank.co.za

The below CERTIFIED documents are required to process the request:

  • Death Certificate
  • ID of Deceased
  • Letter of Executorship/Authority
  • ID of Executor
  • Power of Attorney and ID of appointed individual where applicable, together with their proof of address not older than 3 months
  • Proof of the Estate Late banking account

Important to note:

  • Before escalating a matter please ensure that the process was followed and that no rejection email was received from the deceased estates team.
  • Ensure that both sides of the ID card are copied and that no parts of the documents are cut off.
  • Please use the correct email address to reach us which is DeceasedQueries@standardbank.co.za

Escalations are to be dealt with as follows:

Escalation
Email Address
Turnaround Time

1st level Escalation
48 hours

2nd level Escalation
48 hours

3rd level Escalation
48 hours

After no response on the third escalation the FISA liaison, Donice Perkins at email address donice@fisa.net.za can be contacted to put the member in touch with a manager at Standard Bank.

Click here for more information.


ABSA

  • Click here for the ABSA Process and Requirements document
  • Click here for the ABSA Escalation Matrix attached
    • Members need to use same as an escalation not as a means of submitting instructions.
    • ABSA would also appreciate if the specific query can be channeled to the relevant Department as per the matrix.

Any final or urgent escalation where no response has been given can be sent to FISA liaison.


Nedbank

Electronic Process for current, investment, saving and credit cards with a credit/debit balance:

Should hard copies be sent it can be given in at any Nedbank branch and asked that it be sent to branch 3408 or courierd to 1st Floor, Block H, 135 Rivonia Road, Sandton, Gauteng, South Africa, 2001

Electronic process for retail home loans:

The following documents are to accompany all notification and/or enquiries:

  • Original certified copies (by a commissioner of oaths):
  • Death Certificate;
  • Letter of Executorship;
  • Deceased’s valid identity card or document stamped (both sides of the identity card must be copied); and
  • Executor’s valid identity card or document.
  • Email address: DeceasedEstates-HomeloansD@Nedbank.co.za

Escalations through FISA liaison.


FNB

The initial contact will be:

Online:  FNB website to report a death; and/or
Email: deceasedestate@fnb.co.za; or
Call Centre:  087 736 7998

If anything needs to be escalated they can do so by contacting any one of the following people:

Lee-Roy Thomas
Telephone:  087 328 0803
leeroy.thomas@fnb.co.za

Sara-Lee Sanssoucie
Telephone:  087 328 0795
Sara-lee.sanssoucie@fnb.co.za

Suvesha Rampaul
Telephone:  087 335 5584
srampaul@fnb.co.za

Click here for the process in PDF format.


Capitec

When there is only the need to allocate a deceased status and stop on the account, the documents can be emailed to CCSDeceasedhandovers@capitecbank.co.za

When a certificate of balances is needed the documents can be emailed to CCSDeceasedbalances@capitecbank.co.za

When a transfer of funds needs to be attended to the documents can be emailed to CCSDeceasedtransfers@capitecbank.co.za

For only advising Capitec that the account holder has passed away and a stop should be allocated on the account, the following documents are required:

  • Death Certificate
  • Deceased ID

If someone is requesting a certificate of balance, the following documents are required:

  • Death Certificate
  • Deceased ID
  • Court letter instructing us to provide a certificate of balance

If funds need to be transferred, the following documents are required:

  • Death Certificate
  • Deceased ID
  • Letter of authority or Letter of executorship
  • Appointed executors ID
  • Appointed executors account confirmation letter from their bank or the estate late account confirmation letter which should be stamped by the bank and not be older than 3 months
  • Power of Attorney (Only if the executor appoints someone else to administer the estate)
  • Appointed Agent ID
  • Company Cover letter
  • Marriage certificate (if required)

Escalations through FISA liaison