Running a small business in South Africa comes with its share of financial challenges. Between managing cash flow and tracking expenses, many business owners struggle to keep everything organised.
The FNB Gold Business Credit Card offers a practical solution that combines flexible credit with meaningful rewards through the eBucks programme.
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Below are helpful, related guides.This card is specifically designed for businesses with annual turnover between R0 and R5 million. Whether you’re a startup finding your footing or an established SME looking to optimise operations, this financial tool can help streamline your business expenses.
What makes this card stand out in the crowded business credit card South Africa market? It’s the combination of no transaction fees on most purchases, automatic eBucks rewards, and comprehensive management tools that give you real visibility into your spending patterns.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know. From understanding how the eBucks rewards business programme actually works to navigating the application process, you’ll get practical insights to help you decide if this card fits your business needs.
We’ll also cover the real costs involved, compare it with other options, and share strategies to maximise the value you get from your card. Let’s dive into what the FNB Gold Business Credit Card can do for your business.
Understanding the FNB Gold Business Credit Card: What Sets It Apart
The FNB Gold Business Credit Card is positioned as a mid-tier business banking solution for South African SMEs. It bridges the gap between basic business banking and premium offerings, making it accessible for companies still building their financial foundation.
At its core, this card provides revolving credit with three flexible payment options. You can choose full settlement within 35 interest-free days, minimum monthly repayments of 10% plus interest and fees, or a budget facility that lets you spread purchases over 3 to 24 months.
The turnover requirement of R0 to R5 million per annum is deliberately inclusive. This range covers everything from solo entrepreneurs and startups to growing small businesses.
If your business generates less than R1 million annually, you might also consider the First Business Zero account, while companies exceeding R5 million would qualify for the FNB Platinum Business Credit Card.
Unlike a basic business debit card, this credit card offers actual credit facilities with rewards. Every qualifying purchase earns you 2.5% back in eBucks, with elevated rates of up to 15% on fuel, prepaid electricity, prepaid airtime, and purchases at Checkers and Shoprite.
The card comes with Chip and PIN technology for security, plus Verified by Visa for online transactions. You’ll also receive free comprehensive global travel insurance when you purchase return travel tickets using the card, a benefit that can save hundreds of rands on standalone travel insurance policies.
One practical advantage is the Visa IntelliLink Spend Management system. This tool helps you track expenses, view spending patterns, and analyse transaction details. You’ll receive standard reports, email notifications, and consolidated reports in your selected currency, making tax time and financial planning significantly easier.
For businesses with employees who need purchasing power, you can issue additional cards. Each cardholder operates under the same credit limit, but you maintain control through the management system. This eliminates the need for expense reimbursements while keeping spending visible and accountable.
eBucks Rewards for Business: How to Actually Earn and Spend Your Points
The eBucks Rewards for Business programme is South Africa’s longest-running bank loyalty programme, launched in 2000.
It’s automatically included with your FNB Gold Business Credit Card at no extra cost, which immediately sets it apart from programmes that charge membership fees.
Here’s how the earning structure works in practice. Your base earning rate is 2.5% back in eBucks on qualifying card swipes.
So if you spend R10,000 on office supplies in a month, you’ll earn R250 in eBucks. That might not sound dramatic, but over a year, regular business expenses can generate substantial rewards.
The accelerated earning categories deserve attention. Fuel purchases earn up to 15% back, depending on your reward level.
For a business spending R5,000 monthly on fuel, that’s potentially R750 back each month. The same elevated rates apply to prepaid electricity, prepaid airtime, and shopping at Checkers and Shoprite.
Your reward level is determined by how you use your FNB Business Account overall. The more you engage with FNB’s digital banking, maintain healthy account activity, and use various services, the higher your reward level.
FNB reviews this monthly, so your earning potential can improve as your banking relationship deepens.
Spending your eBucks is straightforward. You can redeem them at the eBucks partner shop for everything from office equipment to tech gadgets.
The eBucks Travel platform offers discounts on flights, accommodation, and car rentals. You can also use eBucks to pay for fuel at Engen stations, which effectively doubles down on fuel savings.
Many business owners overlook that eBucks can offset certain FNB banking fees. If you have an FNB SpeedPoint device, you can earn back up to 40% of the rental fees.
Online payment transaction fees between FNB accounts (when paid between the 6th and 25th of the month) can earn you up to 100% back in eBucks.
The practical value becomes clear when you consider common business expenses. A company spending R20,000 monthly on qualifying purchases at the base 2.5% rate earns R500 in eBucks monthly, or R6,000 annually. Add in fuel and utilities at accelerated rates, and the annual return can exceed R10,000 for active businesses.
Application Process and Requirements: Getting Your Card Approved
Getting approved for the FNB Gold Business Credit Card starts with one non-negotiable requirement: you must have an existing FNB Business Account in good standing. If you don’t have one yet, you’ll need to open that first.
The good news for new businesses is that FNB allows you to register your business on CIPC directly through their platform. This streamlines the entire process, letting you handle business registration and banking setup in one workflow.
For the credit card application itself, FNB evaluates several factors. Your business turnover needs to fall between R0 and R5 million per annum. They’ll look at your business account history to assess transaction patterns and account health. If you’re a sole proprietor, your personal credit history will also come into play.
The documentation requirements typically include your South African ID, business registration documents, and recent financial statements. The specific documents can vary based on your business structure, whether you’re a sole proprietor, CC, PTY Ltd, or trust. It’s worth calling ahead or checking with your FNB relationship manager for the exact list relevant to your situation.
New businesses can definitely apply, but they may need to provide additional documentation or demonstrate a solid personal banking relationship with FNB. The bank considers the overall picture, not just a credit score, which works in favour of businesses building their credit profile.
You have multiple application channels. The easiest route is through your FNB relationship manager, who can guide you through the process and answer questions specific to your business. You can also apply online through FNB online banking, visit any FNB branch, or call the contact centre.
Once you submit your application, FNB will assess your eligibility. If approved, you’ll receive a facility letter outlining your credit limit and terms. You’ll need to sign this documentation before your credit facility becomes active. The card itself will be delivered to your registered address, and you’ll need to activate it before first use.
Activation is simple. You can activate through FNB online banking, the FNB app, any FNB ATM, or by calling the activation number provided with your card. Once activated, you’re ready to start using it and earning eBucks on your business expenses.
Understanding Your Credit Limit
FNB determines your credit limit based on several factors. If you have an existing business account in good standing, that’s a positive signal. Your ability to afford minimum monthly repayments matters significantly. The bank will review your financial records to assess business health and cash flow patterns.
Your credit record plays a role, showing how you’ve managed credit obligations in the past. Valentine Jingura, Head of Pricing for FNB Business, has emphasised that the bank takes a holistic view, considering the full business relationship rather than relying solely on credit scores.
Comparing FNB Gold Business with Other South African Business Credit Cards
How does the FNB Gold Business Credit Card stack up against other options in South Africa? Let’s look at some practical comparisons.
The Nedbank small business credit card offers similar flexibility with up to 55 days interest-free credit instead of FNB’s 35 days. Nedbank’s reward programme is Greenbacks, where you earn points for card usage, digital platform engagement, and timely repayments. The minimum annual turnover requirement is R150,000, which is higher than FNB’s R0 starting point.
The Absa business credit card provides automatic travel insurance and access to Bidvest lounges at a discounted rate. While cards like the Absa business credit card focus on travel perks, FNB’s eBucks programme offers more versatile redemption options including everyday business expenses.
Similar to the Standard Bank business card, FNB provides expense management tools and reporting capabilities. Standard Bank offers UCount Rewards through their business programme, which functions similarly to eBucks but with a different partner network.
For international travel needs, some businesses combine the FNB Gold with an American Express business gold card. American Express offers Membership Rewards and extensive international acceptance, while FNB provides better value for local spending and South African business needs.
Within FNB’s own lineup, the comparison is straightforward. The First Business Zero suits startups with turnover under R1 million and offers basic functionality. The FNB Gold Business Credit Card serves the R0 to R5 million segment with eBucks rewards and moderate perks. As your business grows beyond R5 million turnover, you may consider upgrading to the FNB Platinum Business Credit Card, which includes enhanced travel benefits and SLOW lounge access.
The FNB Black Business Credit Card sits at the top tier for discerning business owners and directors who travel internationally frequently. It offers unlimited SLOW lounge visits and the highest reward rates, but comes with higher fees justified only by significant spending volumes.
