FNB now gives self-employed South Africans a single banking platform

FNB has bolstered itsSolopreneuroffering, a dedicated banking platform for self-employed earners, freelancers, and independent workers. This allows customers to manage both personal and business finances in one place, combining accounts, payments, tools, and rewards within a single banking profile — without needing to register a business or open a separate account. This move forms part of FNB’s broader strategy to support individuals operating as “teams of one” (solopreneurs).

According toStatistics SA,the informal sector now accounts for 21.4% of all employment as of Q4 2025, reflecting the scale of income-generating activity taking place outside traditional structures. CEO of Private Banking and Wealth Management Sizwe Nxedlana explains that freelance and contract work are growing, with more South Africans earning outside conventional employment through project-based or entrepreneurial work. “SA’s self-employed community — estimated at around 4-million people — is becoming an increasingly significant part of the country’s economic landscape,” he says.

This shift represents a structural evolution in how South Africans earn a living. Millions of South Africans are earning independently across a range of sectors and the opportunity to support their financial journeys has never been more important. This trend is already evident within FNB’s client base, where just over 54% of Private Bank clients are self-employed.

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“The ‘business of one’ is transforming how people work and participate in the economy — and how they manage and grow their money,” Nxedlana says. “Many individuals begin their entrepreneurial journeys informally, often managing both personal and business activity through a single account. We built Solopreneur to bring those worlds together, giving customers the tools to manage, grow, and formalise their finances as they scale.” The way South Africans earn is shifting.

More people are freelancing, consulting, or running small enterprises alongside traditional employment. This creates blended income models that challenge long-held assumptions about how financial services are structured. And it has driven demand for banking solutions that reflect the realities of modern work.

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