Zimbabwe has a number of prepaid card (VISA or MasterCard) options for those who want to buy things online, pay for services like DStv or are frequent travellers. Here’s a comparison of some of the prepaid options available and what they will cost over a number of categories.
The list of fees won’t directly compare because some of the categories may not be listed by the respective bank. We will be looking at BancABC’s prepaid VISA, FBC’s MasterCard, CABS’ prepaid MasterCard, and Steward prepaid Globetrotter VISA.
Prepaid card requirements
CABS, Steward and FBC have on thing in common and that is they have more extensive KYC requirements. You’ll have to provide a copy of your identification document, a proof of residence, fill in an application form and a couple of photos.
BancABC, on the other hand, you can do it from home through the bank’s Dial-A-Visa program. All you need to is call Branch X and request a VISA card and they will deliver it to you. You’ll need to give the messenger a copy of your ID and fill in a form when they arrive.
We are under the assumption that transactions include the 2% IMMT
Card Issuing fees
| Bank | BancABC | CABS MasterCard | FBC MasterCard | Steward VISA |
| Fee | US$5.00 (US$5 for the card and the other as a deposit) | US$5.00 (minimum initial deposit of US$50.00) | US$5.00 (total card application fee is US$20 the rest goes into the account) | US$ 10.00 |
Prepaid card service fee
| Bank | BancABC | CABS MasterCard | FBC MasterCard | Steward VISA |
| Fee | US$0.50 per month | not specified | none | not specified |
Prepaid card deposit fee
| Bank | BancABC | CABS MasterCard | FBC MasterCard | Steward VISA |
| Fee | US$0.50 | not specified | 2.5% of amount deposited | US$1.00 |
Insufficient funds fee
| Bank | BancABC | CABS MasterCard | FBC MasterCard | Steward VISA |
| Fee | US$0.30 | not specified | none | US$0.50 |
POS/Swipe online transaction charge
| Bank | BancABC | CABS MasterCard | FBC MasterCard | Steward VISA |
| Fee | 1% Min US$1 | 1% of purchase amount (plus 5c stamp duty) | 1.88% of amount | 1.75% of transaction value with minimum $2 and a maximum of $100 |
Cash withdrawal same bank ATM
| Bank | BancABC | CABS MasterCard | FBC MasterCard | Steward VISA |
| Fee | US$2.50 | US$2.5 plus 1.5% of withdrawn amount (plus 5c stamp duty) | 3% minimum US$3.50 | 3% minimum $3.50 |
Cash withdrawal other banks (local) ATM fee
| Bank | BancABC | CABS MasterCard | FBC MasterCard | Steward VISA |
| Fee | US$2.50 | n/a | 3% minimum US$3.50 | 3% minimum $3.50 |
Cash withdrawal other banks (international) ATM fee
| Bank | BancABC | CABS MasterCard | FBC MasterCard | Steward VISA |
| Fee | 1.5% min US$2.50 | not specified | 3% minimum US$3.50 (there is a 3% conversion fee if withdrawing in a currency that is not US$) | 3% minimum $3.50 |
Prepaid card to card transfer fee
| Bank | BancABC | CABS MasterCard | FBC MasterCard | Steward VISA |
| Fee | US$1.00 | not specified | US$5.00 | 2% min US$2.00 |
Prepaid card to account transfer fee
| Bank | BancABC | CABS MasterCard | FBC MasterCard | Steward VISA |
| Fee | US$1.00 | not specified | n/a | n/a |
You should also check out the episode of Technikari where went back and forth about which card between FBC and BancABC’s prepaid card is the better one: