FNB debt review

No. FNB's own answer is that the FRB Debt Review Centre does not offer debt review. It facilitates the debt review process in conjunction with a consumer's debt counsellor.

FNB describes debt review as a legislated process. You approach a registered debt counsellor, who then liaises with all your credit providers to try to reach an acceptable repayment arrangement. FNB says debt review is for over-indebted customers who cannot meet their monthly obligations and who have a regular income, and that entering it means no access to credit during that time.

When you apply for debt review, the counsellor notifies your credit providers and the credit bureaus. From then on FNB is one of your creditors, and the FRB Debt Review Centre deals with the bank's side of the plan.

After a plan is agreed you can pay your credit providers directly or through a payment distribution agent registered with the NCR. The NCR does not make the agent compulsory.

Once a credit provider has been notified, section 88(3) of the National Credit Act says it may not enforce its rights or security by litigation until you are in default and one of the events listed in the section has occurred. Protection starts when you apply, not when a court makes an order. We have not verified how FNB's separate legal and collections teams work, so we do not describe them.

• FNB says it does not recommend a specific debt counsellor and points customers to the NCR's list of registered debt counsellors. (fnb.co.za (archived copy))
• FNB defines debt review as a legislated process where a consumer approaches a registered debt counsellor, who then liaises with all the consumer's credit providers. (fnb.co.za (archived copy))
• FNB states that entering debt review means no access to credit during that time. (fnb.co.za (archived copy))
• FNB says debt review is for over-indebted customers unable to meet monthly obligations who have a regular income. (fnb.co.za (archived copy))
• FNB's contact page lists the National Credit Regulator on 0860 627 627 and the National Consumer Tribunal on 012 683 8140, and still labels ombud contacts 'Banking Ombudsman' and 'Credit Ombudsman' (stale relative to the NFO merger of March 2024). (fnb.co.za (archived copy))
• FNB's Legal Matters contact page: FNB customers can contact FNB via Secure Chat on the FNB App, on 087 575 9408, or [email protected]. (fnb.co.za (archived copy))

Fees as FNB states them on its own website on 30 September 2026. Debt counselling fees are capped by the National Credit Regulator's fee guideline, and the counsellor must give you the fees in writing before you sign.

Sources: fnb.co.za (archived copy).

Checked on 30 September 2026 against FNB's official website. Before you sign anything with a debt help firm, confirm the debt counsellor's registration with the National Credit Regulator, and never pay a "removal" or "clearance" fee to someone who contacts you out of the blue.

Sources: fnb.co.za (archived copy), fnb.co.za (archived copy).

FNB lists 087 730 1166 and [email protected] for the FRB Debt Review Centre. FNB customers can also contact the bank through Secure Chat on the FNB App, on 087 575 9408 or at Care@fnb.co.za.

Confirm any number on the official FNB website before you call, because scammers impersonate banks. Use the contact details on the official website, the banking app or the back of your card.

FNB's contact page also lists the National Credit Regulator on 0860 627 627. It still labels ombud contacts Banking Ombudsman and Credit Ombudsman. Those schemes are now part of the National Financial Ombud.

If you are under debt review, your counsellor liaises with FNB for you, so you may not need to contact the bank at all.

If FNB suggests some other arrangement, that deals with FNB debt only. Debt review covers all your credit providers. See NCR registered debt counsellors to check a counsellor's registration.

You may apply for debt review through any NCR-registered counsellor. You apply voluntarily, and placing a consumer under debt review without their knowledge and consent is prohibited conduct.

For a complaint about how FNB handled a credit agreement, the National Financial Ombud is free and can help once you have complained to the bank first. It took over the Credit Ombud on 1 March 2024. Its number is 0860 800 900.

Complaints about a debt counsellor go to the National Credit Regulator on 0860 627 627 or [email protected]. It also handles complaints from the public about credit providers and credit bureaus.

You are entitled to one free credit report a year, and you can challenge anything inaccurate on it free of charge.