How much the average employee gets paid at SA’s biggest banks (2024)

Staff Writer31 July 2017

How much the average employee gets paid at SA’s biggest banks (1)

While South African banking CEOs are some of the highest-paid executives in the country, that reward scheme largely trickles down the entire employment chain.

Jobs data by StatsSA for 2016 showed that average monthly earnings paid to employees in the formal non-agricultural sector was at R17,517 per month – translating to R210,200 annually.

Looking at payment data gleamed from the full year reports of South Africa’s five largest banks, the average salary paid to employees in the sector comes to R457,000 – more than double the national average.

Understandably, Investec emerges as the bank that pays its employees the most, on average. This is due to several factors, namely that it primarily serves as an asset manager for corporate clients, it has a smaller workforce than the other large banks (9,000 permanent employees), and all reporting is done in British pounds.

According to reported figures, the private banking and wealth group’s spend of R13.1 billion on staff costs (GBP757 million) averages to R1.45 million per employee. CEO,Stephen Koseff earned just short of R60 million for the year – 41 times greater than the average employee.

Read:Battle of the banks: how SA’s big five banks compare

While this gap seems significant, it is actually the smallest gap in the South African banking sector.

Capitec CEO, Gerrie Fourie, carried the largest salary gap – 183 times greater than the average employee – with his salary of R35.6 million for the 2017 financial year far outweighing the average paid to its 13,000 employees of R195,000.

The table below shows how much the average employee earned at SA banks in the latest financial year.

CompanyEmployeesTotal costAverage per employee
Investec9 029R13.12 billionR1 452 550
Standard Bank54 767R30.98 billionR565 600
FirstRand45 100R24.46 billionR542 400
Absa41 241R20.80 billionR504 350
Nedbank32 401R15.50 billionR478 380
Capitec13 069R2.54 billionR194 130

Recent reports by auditing firms PwC and Deloitte have raised debate around the levels of executive pay in South Africa, particularly when contrasted with employee pay.

While the high averages noted above are not a true reflection of how many employees are remunerated – the figures will be skewed by management, who receive much higher salaries than general workers – they do provide a basis through which pay disparity can be measured.

The table below shows how large these gaps are in the SA banking sector. For a look at the gaps among mobile operators you can read our previous coverage here.

CompanyCEO salaryCEO salary as % of totalPay gap
CapitecR35.6 million1.4%183
FirstRandR42.5 million0.3%115
Standard BankR44.5 million0.1%79
NedbankR36.8 million0.2%77
AbsaR29.5 million0.1%59
InvestecR59.1 million0.5%41

Read:The cheapest and most expensive bank accounts in South Africa

Show comments

How much the average employee gets paid at SA’s biggest banks (16)

How much the average employee gets paid at SA’s biggest banks

How much the average employee gets paid at SA’s biggest banks (2024)

FAQs

Which bank pays the most in SA? ›

Best 60 months fixed deposit rates 2023
  1. Access Bank. The highest interest rate in South Africa for a fixed deposit account is the Access Bank 60 months fixed deposit account which offers an interest rate of 11.60% pa. ...
  2. SA Retail Bonds. ...
  3. African Bank.
May 1, 2023

What is the average salary of a bank employee in US? ›

Salaries at U.S. Bank range from an average of $51,310 to $131,020 a year.

How much does a bank pay you to work? ›

Hourly rates for bank tellers in the US typically range between $12 and $18 an hour.

Which bank pays the most to employees? ›

Top companies for Bankers in United States
  • Citi. 3.9 $84.05per hour. 19,218 reviews6 salaries reported.
  • California Bank & Trust. 3.9 $46.13per hour. 116 reviews25 salaries reported.
  • Adams Bank and Trust. 3.5 $35.12per hour. ...
  • Fremont Bank. 3.4 $34.47per hour. ...
  • First Horizon Bank. 3.5 $30.11per hour. ...
  • Show more companies.

Which banks are good in SA? ›

Southern Africa's Top Banks in 2022
Regional rankingAfrica rankingBank
11Standard Bank Group
24FirstRand
36Absa Bank
47Nedbank
16 more rows
Sep 29, 2022

Which bank pays the fastest? ›

20 Best Banks for Early Direct Deposit
BankDirect Deposit Estimation
Freedom FirstPaycheck up to two days early
LendingClub BankPaycheck up to two days early
OneUnited BankPaycheck up to two days early
Pentagon Federal Credit UnionPaycheck up to two days early
16 more rows
Apr 26, 2023

What are the largest US banks by employees? ›

Leading banks in the U.S. 2022, by number of employees

JPMorgan Chase was the largest U.S. employer in the banking sector as of December 31, 2022. The bank had over 220,000 employees at the end of the year. Wells Fargo ranked second, with close to 210,000 employees.

What is the highest salary of Bank of America? ›

What is the highest salary in Bank of America? The highest-paying job at Bank of America is a Senior Vice President with a salary of ₹93.6 Lakhs per year. The top 10% of employees earn more than ₹28.62 lakhs per year.

What do you call a bank employee? ›

A bank teller (often abbreviated to simply teller) is an employee of a bank whose responsibilities include the handling of customer cash and negotiable instruments. In some places, this employee is known as a cashier or customer representative.

Are there benefits to working for a bank? ›

Many bankers enjoy generous benefits packages from their employers. Several banks offer their employees medical, dental and vision insurance. Other perks that may be available include life insurance, a retirement plan, flexible spending accounts and paid time off.

Do you get benefits working at a bank? ›

Salary and benefits

You also might receive discounts at local businesses, stock options, tuition assistance and special financing on loans and mortgages. Employee benefits can include private health care, dental and vision insurance, a 401(k) retirement plan, paid holidays and paid vacations.

Do people who work at banks make a lot of money? ›

Yes, bankers can make a lot of money.

For example, a motivated personal banker can make more than $50,000 in total compensation their first year and more than that after establishing a broad customer base. Meanwhile, an investment banker and other Wall Street bankers typically make around $100,000 a year on average.

Which work is best in bank? ›

Our Top 7 Picks for the Best Paying Jobs in Major Banks
  • Financial analyst.
  • Loan officer.
  • Investment banker.
  • Credit analyst.
  • Financial manager.
  • Portfolio manager.
  • Branch manager.
Dec 30, 2022

Which bank gives highest salary to bank manager? ›

Frequently Asked Questions about Bank Manager Salaries
  • IDBI Bank Bank Manager Salary - ₹15.3 Lakhs per year.
  • South Indian Bank Bank Manager Salary - ₹12.5 Lakhs per year.
  • Union Bank of India Bank Manager Salary - ₹11.6 Lakhs per year.
  • Central Bank of India Bank Manager Salary - ₹11.4 Lakhs per year.

Which bank in SA has the most clients? ›

As of December 2021, Standard Bank of South Africa, the largest financial institution in Africa in terms of assets, had 10 million clients in the country. Furthermore, Capitec bank had the largest number of customers in South Africa, reaching 19 million as of August 2022.

What is the cheapest bank in SA? ›

Bank Zero offers the cheapest low-cost banking service in South Africa, a MyBroadband analysis using a basket of transactions shows.

What bank is the safest bank to bank with? ›

5 Safest Banks in the U.S.
BankAssets
JP Morgan Chase$3.2 trillion
Bank of America$2.42 trillion
Citi$1.77 trillion
Wells Fargo$1.72 trillion
1 more row
May 16, 2023

What is the hardest bank to get into? ›

Goldman Sachs is generally regarded as the leading investment bank in most business areas, and is the toughest Bulge Bracket investment bank to break into.

Which bank pays early? ›

Financial institutions with early direct deposit
Financial institution (Click on the name to see our review)Direct deposit details
OneUnited BankUp to 2 days early.
PayPalUp to 2 days early.
PenFed Credit UnionUp to 2 days early.
Regions BankUp to 2 days early.
28 more rows
May 1, 2023

Who owns the largest bank in the US? ›

1. JPMorgan Chase & Co. Established in 1799, JPMorgan Chase & Co. is a global investment bank and financial services company that's based in New York. It offers a wide range of banking products including deposit accounts, credit cards, home loans, auto loans and business banking.

What are the big 4 banks in USA? ›

The largest four banks that form The Big Four in America are as follows:
  • JPMorgan Chase & Co. Total Assets: $3.405 Trillion. Total Deposits: $2.533 Trillion. ...
  • Bank of America Corp. Total Assets: $2.419 Trillion. Total Deposits: $2.042 Trillion. ...
  • CitiGroup Inc. Total Assets: $1.767 Trillion. ...
  • Wells Fargo & Co.
May 3, 2023

What is the largest bank holding company in the US? ›

Bank Name / Holding Co NameNat'l RankIBF
JPMORGAN CHASE BK NA/JPMORGAN CHASE & CO1Y
BANK OF AMER NA/BANK OF AMER CORP2Y
CITIBANK NA/CITIGROUP3Y
WELLS FARGO BK NA/WELLS FARGO & CO4Y
37 more rows
Mar 31, 2023

Does Bank of America pay employees well? ›

(BOFA) range from an average of $54,687 to $147,815 a year. Bank of America Corp. (BOFA) employees with the job title Executive Director make the most with an average annual salary of $153,846, while employees with the title Relationship Banker make the least with an average annual salary of $41,359.

Does Bank of America give raises? ›

The raises will start at 3% for workers who joined the bank in 2021, the wire service reported. That would be the second pay-related initiative the bank has launched this week — after announcing Monday that it is boosting its minimum hourly wage to $22 from $21.

What are the highest paid post in a bank? ›

The highest paying jobs in retail banking usually belong to loan officers and major corporate executives, such as the chief financial officer (CFO) and chief risk officer (CRO).

What is the boss of a bank called? ›

Other Meanings. Although the term branch manager commonly refers to the leader of a bank location, it can also refer to an individual responsible for the office of any type of corporation.

Is it hard to be a bank teller? ›

You only need a college degree to become a bank teller, and teller positions are not difficult to find. Although being a teller does not pay well, it does open the door to new job opportunities. Finally, being a bank teller means having a relatively stress-free job that has a great work-life balance and benefits.

Is being a teller a good job? ›

Yes, being a bank teller is a good job.

This also means that you can usually find a position within a decent driving distance from home. One of the best aspects of a bank teller position is the schedule. This is a great job for parents or workers who need a structured schedule.

Do bank tellers get commission? ›

Average salary

Bank teller salaries vary depending on location, experience and the type of bank. Some branches offer commission for opening new accounts or credit card signups.

What do bank tellers wear? ›

Bank tellers generally wear professional, or corporate casual clothing with a name tag. However, requirements and regulations vary from bank to bank. Some bank employers dictate a bank uniform for tellers, or specify clothing colors and styles, such as white button-down shirts and black slacks.

Why should you be hired to work at this bank? ›

Example: “I feel that a career in the financial industry would be the most beneficial use of my knowledge and skills in accounting and problem-solving. I have always been fascinated by the financial world, am ambitious and hard-working and can bring great value to your company.”

What are the disadvantages of working in a bank? ›

One of the biggest disadvantages of bank careers is that serving the public can often be extremely stressful. Money issues are sensitive topics for most people, and customers can be quite rude and may become irate if the transaction is not correct or not handled perfectly to their satisfaction.

What skills are banks looking for? ›

Bank tellers should have the following skills:
  • Cash handling and mathematics.
  • Customer service.
  • Computer knowledge.
  • Organization.
  • Problem-solving.
  • Written and verbal communication.
  • Processing transactions.
  • Attention to detail.
Dec 9, 2022

Why do banks pay so well? ›

Bankers sell companies just like Ari Gold sells movie stars. And they get paid the same way as well: commission. Just like movie agents, the higher the price, the more investment bankers can earn in commissions. Think about a used car salesman: they're paid a commission based on the profit earned on the cars they sell.

Can a banker make 6 figures? ›

While an investment banker's annual salary is typically in the six-figure range, bonuses and commissions can easily put a successful banker's salary into the seven-figure range.

Why do people in banking make so much money? ›

The economics answer is the best one to describe banker pay. Large transactions warrant bigger payouts. Because there are more transactions, there are more of those large payouts to go around. To incentivize juniors, they get pay that speaks to that.

Do bankers make good money? ›

Yes, bankers can make a lot of money.

For example, a motivated personal banker can make more than $50,000 in total compensation their first year and more than that after establishing a broad customer base. Meanwhile, an investment banker and other Wall Street bankers typically make around $100,000 a year on average.

How much does a bank assistant earn in USA? ›

Banking Assistant Salary
Annual SalaryMonthly Pay
Top Earners$55,000$4,583
75th Percentile$47,500$3,958
Average$39,803$3,316
25th Percentile$29,000$2,416

Is banking a good job in USA? ›

A career in banking can be a lucrative and rewarding experience, with many entry-level jobs that can help you build your resume and network. Many banks also offer competitive salaries and benefits.

Is banker a stressful job? ›

No, being a personal banker is not a particularly stressful job. However, like all jobs, it does come with some stress levels, which can be more or less depending on the company a person works for and the individual level of responsibility within the role.

Is it stressful to be a banker? ›

If you work in an investment banking division (IBD), or pretty much any other sector of financial services, you are likely spend a healthy part of your day dealing with career-related stress. The working hours, the responsibilities, the external pressures to deliver consistent compelling results – they all add up.

What is the minimum starting salary at Bank of America? ›

In the last five years, Bank of America raised the minimum hourly wage to $15 in 2017; in 2019 it rose to $17; in 2020, to $20 — and in October 2021, to $21. The company's increase to paying $22 per hour, effective end of June, will increase annualized salary for full-time employees to more than $45,000.

What is the average salary in the United States? ›

National average income: The national average U.S. income in 2021 was $97,962. The median U.S. income in 2021 was $69,717. Highest paying jobs: Chief executives and nurse anesthetists earned over $200,000 a year on average in 2021, making them the highest paid occupations.

How do bankers get paid? ›

Banks earn money in three ways: They make money from what they call the spread, or the difference between the interest rate they pay for deposits and the interest rate they receive on the loans they make. They earn interest on the securities they hold.

What is the lowest position in a bank? ›

Bank tellers are typically entry-level positions at banks that directly interact with and service customers. Most employers require at least a high school diploma, but advancement will often require a bachelors degree.

What is the best position to work in a bank? ›

Our Top 7 Picks for the Best Paying Jobs in Major Banks
  • Financial analyst.
  • Loan officer.
  • Investment banker.
  • Credit analyst.
  • Financial manager.
  • Portfolio manager.
  • Branch manager.
Dec 30, 2022

Is it hard getting a job at Bank of America? ›

No, it is not hard to get a job at Bank of America. Being one of the largest banking institutions in the country, they have a myriad of branches in nearly every state. Entry-level roles in the company's banks are fairly easy to obtain.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Neely Ledner

Last Updated:

Views: 6180

Rating: 4.1 / 5 (42 voted)

Reviews: 81% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Neely Ledner

Birthday: 1998-06-09

Address: 443 Barrows Terrace, New Jodyberg, CO 57462-5329

Phone: +2433516856029

Job: Central Legal Facilitator

Hobby: Backpacking, Jogging, Magic, Driving, Macrame, Embroidery, Foraging

Introduction: My name is Neely Ledner, I am a bright, determined, beautiful, adventurous, adventurous, spotless, calm person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.