Prime rate South Africa today: 10,75%
Prime lending rate
10,75%
Since 25 September 2026, when the Reserve Bank raised the repo rate by 0,25% to 7,25%. Checked 2 October 2026.
What today's rate means for your bond
| Bond amount | At 10,75% (now) | At 10,5% (before) | Change per month |
|---|---|---|---|
| R 500 000 | R 5 076 | R 4 992 | +R 84 |
| R 1 000 000 | R 10 152 | R 9 984 | +R 168 |
| R 1 500 000 | R 15 228 | R 14 976 | +R 253 |
| R 2 000 000 | R 20 305 | R 19 968 | +R 337 |
| R 3 000 000 | R 30 457 | R 29 951 | +R 505 |
Monthly repayment over 20 years at prime. Your bank may charge prime plus or minus a margin.
Work out your own bond repayment, or see how much home you can afford at today's rate.
Prime rate history
| From | Repo rate | Prime rate | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25 September 2026 | 7,25% | 10,75% | +0,25% |
| 29 May 2026 | 7% | 10,5% | +0,25% |
| 21 November 2025 | 6,75% | 10,25% | −0,25% |
| 1 August 2025 | 7% | 10,5% | −0,25% |
| 30 May 2025 | 7,25% | 10,75% | −0,25% |
| 31 January 2025 | 7,5% | 11% | −0,25% |
| Before 31 January 2025 | 7,75% | 11,25% |
From the South African Reserve Bank's Monetary Policy Committee statements. Only changes are listed; at other meetings the rate was kept unchanged.
How prime affects what you pay
Most home loans, vehicle finance and credit cards in South Africa are priced against prime: your bank quotes prime, or prime plus or minus a margin based on your credit record and deposit. When prime moves, your repayment changes from the next payment.
The National Credit Act caps how much lenders may charge, as a margin above the repo rate (7,25%):
| Type of credit | Maximum interest rate |
|---|---|
| Home loans (mortgages) | 19,25% |
| Credit cards and overdrafts | 21,25% |
| Personal loans (unsecured) | 28,25% |
| Other credit, including vehicle finance | 24,25% |
National Credit Regulations, regulation 42.
Quick answers
What is the prime rate in South Africa today?
10,75%, since 25 September 2026. The Reserve Bank's repo rate is 7,25%.
How is the prime rate set?
Banks set prime at the Reserve Bank's repo rate plus 3,5 percentage points. When the Monetary Policy Committee changes the repo rate, prime moves by the same amount, usually from the following day or two.
When does the Reserve Bank next decide on rates?
The Monetary Policy Committee meets six times a year, usually in January, March, May, July, September and November. ZARWise checks the rate every week and updates every calculator when it changes.
What does a 0,25% rate change mean for my bond?
On a R 1 500 000 bond over 20 years, about R 253 a month at today's rate.