FNB’s digital banking platform is adding two new tools – nav» Youth and nav» Payroll – aimed at younger customers and small‑business payroll needs.
New features target financial literacy and employee payments
The bank says the nav» Youth module is built around the challenges South African youth face as they move toward financial independence, career changes and side‑hustle entrepreneurship. The offering bundles a refreshed Learning Hub that covers credit basics, budgeting and growing a side business, a “Life’s Keys” suite for major first‑time expenses, and a Career Compass podcast. In the first half of the financial year, the tool logged more than 450,000 interactions, reaching 94,000 young users.
Meanwhile, nav» Payroll is an on‑platform service that lets businesses generate compliant payslips and automate SARS‑aligned reporting. The service provides five free payslips each month, charging R25 for each additional slip. By issuing professional payslips, the tool aims to give employees proof of income that can be used when applying for credit, housing or other essentials.
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Growth of the nav» ecosystem
FNB notes that its broader nav» suite has attracted more than 6 million users, who have collectively set R1.75 billion in savings goals. Engagement with the service has risen 7.5‑fold since its launch. The nav» Home component has backed over R76 billion in home loans, while nav» Car records show 1.34 million vehicles in a virtual garage and 728 000 digital licence renewals – a 40 percent year‑on‑year increase.
Other modules include nav» Care, which has directed more than R10.5 million to verified charities, and nav» Marketplace, which generated R4.7 million in revenue for small businesses and listed 9 500 service providers.
“The last decade has taught us that being better off means something different for everyone,” says Clair Brenner, CEO of nav». “For some people it’s having enough savings to manage an unexpected setback. For others it’s buying a first home, starting a business or creating an additional income stream.”
Data from the platform shows that 74 percent of active nav» Money users engage at a deeper level, and those users are financially better off than non‑users. The bank argues this reflects a shift from simple tracking to proactive budgeting, saving and planning ahead.
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The rollout of nav» Youth and nav» Payroll comes as the bank reports that its nav» Home service has helped 61 000 customers find homes, while nav» Car and nav» Marketplace continue to connect users with trusted providers. The new payroll tool is positioned as a low‑cost, compliant alternative for small employers who need to issue payslips that meet South African Revenue Service (SARS) standards.
“The traditional financial journey is becoming less common,” Brenner adds. “Customers are adapting to a world that’s changing faster than ever before. They’re building multiple income streams, exploring new opportunities and looking for greater financial certainty.” The bank’s strategy, according to its executives, is to align product development with these evolving behaviors.
For users interested in learning more about the bank’s broader digital strategy, the First National Bank page provides an overview of its history and recent innovations.
