Question 1

Is Ankele legitimate?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Ankele is a registered credit provider, regulated by the National Credit Regulator (NCR), with offices in Sandton, Gauteng and permanent staff and founders. Our mission is to provide access to short-term loans in a way that is private, secure, safe and fast.

Question 2

Is my data safe?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Ankele uses industry best practices for data security, encryption and technology. Ankele does not sell your information to third parties and does not store your information with third parties.

Question 3

Where does Ankele operate?

Accepted Answer

Ankele currently operates in South Africa only.

Question 4

Do I need to be a South African citizen?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Only South African citizens can take out a loan with Ankele at this time.

Question 5

Will Ankele ever ask me to pay a fee upfront?

Accepted Answer

No. Ankele never asks for any upfront payment to release a loan. Treat any such request as a scam.

Question 6

How do I contact Ankele for support?

Accepted Answer

For now, complete the support form on the Ankele website. Set out your issue clearly and include your account name, and our team will get back to you. WhatsApp support is coming soon.

Question 7

What do I need to apply?

Accepted Answer

You need your South African ID, a South African bank account in your name where your salary is paid, and your phone to verify your number. Connecting your bank account takes care of the rest.

Question 8

What are the age and income requirements?

Accepted Answer

You must be at least 18, a South African citizen, and earning a regular salary paid into your bank account.

Question 9

How long does it take to get a loan?

Accepted Answer

For first-time customers, the full process takes about 5 to 15 minutes. If you already have an Ankele account, it takes less than 2 minutes.

Question 10

Why do I need to connect my bank account?

Accepted Answer

Ankele uses the open banking principles introduced by the South African Reserve Bank. Connecting your account securely lets us pre-fill information you would otherwise enter by hand, saving you around 30 minutes and roughly 40 input fields.

Question 11

Does Ankele check my credit record?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Ankele runs a credit and affordability check as part of every application, as required by the National Credit Regulator.

Question 12

Can I get a loan with bad credit or existing debt?

Accepted Answer

Ankele looks at your full affordability picture, not only your credit score, so existing debt does not automatically mean a decline.

Question 13

What happens if my application is declined?

Accepted Answer

A decline is usually about affordability at that time. You can reapply once your circumstances change.

Question 14

Can someone take out a loan on my behalf?

Accepted Answer

No. Only you, as the owner of the bank account that will receive the loan, can take out the loan.

Question 15

How much can I borrow?

Accepted Answer

Your loan amount is based on what you can afford, which Ankele assesses during your application. The minimum loan amount is R500.

Question 16

How long does it take to get paid?

Accepted Answer

Once your loan is approved and accepted, the money is paid out immediately. There is no waiting period after acceptance.

Question 17

Which banks does Ankele support?

Accepted Answer

Ankele works with all major South African banks. Your salary must be paid into a bank account in your name so we can verify affordability and collect repayment.

Question 18

Can I get cash instead of a bank deposit?

Accepted Answer

Your loan is paid into your bank account, not cash, with cash withdrawal coming soon.

Question 19

Can I have more than one loan at a time?

Accepted Answer

Ankele allows one loan at a time. Multiple loans are coming soon.

Question 20

How does Ankele charge?

Accepted Answer

Ankele charges a flat fee based on the amount you borrow. For each set amount you take up, a set fee is applied, so the cost is simple and predictable. The total amount payable is shown to you clearly when you apply.

Question 21

How do I see how much interest Ankele charges?

Accepted Answer

Once your affordability check is complete, Ankele shows you suggested loan amounts with the interest rate for each, so you can choose. Ankele's rates are among the best in the industry.

Question 22

When do I need to repay?

Accepted Answer

Any amount you borrow from Ankele is repayable on your next payday. Repayment is collected automatically by debit order from your account on that date.

Question 23

Can I repay early?

Accepted Answer

Yes. You can settle your loan early and reduce the interest you pay, with no penalty for paying sooner.

Question 24

Will taking a loan affect my credit score?

Accepted Answer

Applying is recorded on your credit profile, and repaying on time builds a positive credit history that helps future applications.

Question 25

What if there isn't enough money in my account on payday?

Accepted Answer

Ankele retries the debit order over the following days. If it keeps failing, our team contacts you to arrange payment before any further steps.

Question 26

What happens if I don't pay?

Accepted Answer

Ankele automatically debits your account on your next payday. If the payment fails, we retry over the following days and our team contacts you to arrange payment. Continued non-payment may be reported to the credit bureaus and handed to debt collectors or legal proceedings, which add further costs. Contact us early if you are struggling, so we can arrange a workable plan.

Questions? We've got answers.

About Ankele

Applying for a loan

Your loan & money

Costs, repayment & interest

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