BANKING income is no longer skewed by massive revaluations, which previously made up over half of all income — with revaluations of investment property contributing 25,2% and revaluation of foreign currency assets contributing 28%. By June 2025, the contribution of revaluations, if any, was minimal, such that it would fall into the “other” category.
Why did revaluation gains disappear? Two things are happening at once. First, the accounting reality. With the ZiG more stable, banks no longer need to constantly revalue assets upwards to keep pace with the exchange rate.
But the second factor is more telling: USD property prices are likely levelling off. If real estate values were increasing in USD terms, we would still see healthy revaluation gains, especially since banks hold significant investment property. The fact that this line item has essentially disappeared suggests property values are reaching their peak.
How revenue actually looks
The biggest category is still fees & commissions, making up 45% of all income in 2025, with net interest income from loans, advances, and leases (core lending) at 32%. Banks still make money primarily from charges rather than interest income.
In South Africa, for example, net interest income is typically around 60%; Standard Bank of South Africa was at 59% and Nedbank was at 56%. Part of this is due to policy conditions that make lending, especially in ZiG, challenging.
However, making money from charges is actually a much easier way to generate income as a bank, and so there may be a temptation to continue that way even if the environment changes. With lending, there is a risk you won’t get the money back. You have to monitor the loan book, perform credit assessments, etc. With charges, it’s guaranteed, recurring, and low-risk income.
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It will be interesting to see if the new additional taxes will have any impact on banking margins. Based on the new regulations, if you have already withdrawn over US$10 000 in USD cash in a month and you want to make another withdrawal, you will be taxed 3%. Then add another 2,5%, which is the typical fee banks charge. So, taking out another US$10 000 will cost a company US$550. Ouch! Considering how high this is, will banks absorb part of the tax and reduce their fees on cash withdrawals?
When the Sugar Tax was introduced, which increased the cost of most soft drinks, most players absorbed some of that cost rather than pass it all to the customer. Will banks do the same? If they don’t but manage to maintain business, then it would further prove that it’s much easier to make money with charges than lending!
Naturally, the most likely response from customers will be never to let your money enter the bank. I suspect the amount of cash outside the banking sector will only increase.I wouldn’t be surprised if there is more money in safety deposit boxes than in actual bank accounts.
The FX trading income drop
The final interesting point is the decrease in FX trading income from 28% to about 9%. This is a big swing and one which I am still trying to comprehend. Could this indicate that more individuals and companies are finding ways to settle foreign currency obligations outside of traditional banking platforms? Or is this just lower volumes of trades since ZiG is harder to obtain, so people are settling with their USD balances?
Or could it just be the removal of the 5% trading margin for the interbank market? Is it the move to a Willing Buyer, Willing Seller market? What could it be? Where’s the money, where’s the move? As long as fees primarily drive banking, there will always be excess demand for lending. This is still a massive untapped opportunity.
When you also consider that gold mining, for example, is performing so well and that it’s also predominantly a cash-based sector, the amount of money outside the banking sector is enormous.
- Mukogo is a finance and strategy professional with over 18 years of experience and the publisher of Money & Moves, where this article was taken.
