GoTyme Bank Scales South African Footprint Toward 100 Mall Hubs After Pick n Pay Exit

GoTyme Bank expands to 100 mall-based hubs across South Africa, shifting away from retail kiosks to support 12 million digital-first customers.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 22, 2026, 6:18 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from MyBroadband

The Strategic Transition Toward Physical Brand Environments

GoTyme Bank has initiated an aggressive rollout of dedicated Customer Hubs across South Africa, marking a significant evolution in its physical presence. As of April 2026, the digital-first institution has established over 20 of these centers in high-traffic locations across Gauteng and the Western Cape, including sites at Rosebank Mall and Kenilworth Centre. This expansion follows a decisive move to terminate its long-standing kiosk partnership with Pick n Pay on March 31, 2026. By moving away from basic retail kiosks, the bank is shifting toward branded, standalone environments designed to facilitate more complex customer interactions beyond simple transaction processing.

Evolving Beyond The Retail Kiosk Model

The bank’s decision to pull its infrastructure from retail stores reflects a fundamental change in how South African consumers interact with financial services. According to GoTyme, the original retail kiosk footprint was essential for mass onboarding and establishing brand awareness during the bank's 2019 public launch. However, as the customer base matured, a growing number of users migrated toward mobile application interfaces for daily banking tasks. This shift rendered the traditional in-store kiosks less effective, prompting a data-driven optimization strategy that focuses on strategically located hubs where customers are most likely to seek hands-on assistance rather than just automated services.

A Phygital Approach to Modern Banking Engagement

The new mall-based centers are designed to operate under a phygital model, combining digital tools with human expertise. Each hub is staffed by two trained ambassadors who provide support for app navigation, account troubleshooting, and card issuance. This initiative aims to address the limitations of transactional kiosks by offering a richer, in-person experience that supports the full customer journey. GoTyme representatives indicate that these hubs will serve as centers for product education and deeper engagement, ensuring that the bank remains accessible to those who require physical confirmation or assistance with digital platforms.