Discovery Bank says AI-driven security has stopped estimated R100m in fraud, as it rolls out enhanced security AI-powered payments and DStv rewards

Johannesburg – 14 May 2026 – Discovery Bank today announced a major expansion of its AI-powered’ banking capabilities, alongside new security and servicing enhancements, streamlined access to life insurance, and a rewards partnership with DStv, as it continues to build a single, intelligent digital banking platform for everyday spending, protection and rewards.

Hylton Kallner, CEO of Discovery Bank, says, “We are entering the next phase in Discovery Bank as we deepen the integration of banking, protection, rewards and investments into a single digital experience. At its core, this is about building a platform that works more intelligently for our clients – connecting payments, data and security in a way that simplifies their financial lives and improves outcomes over time. As we expand our partnerships and embed AI across the experience, clients benefit from a more seamless, personalised way to manage their money, with rewards that reflect how they live.”

The updates form part of Discovery Bank’s next phase of development as a ‘super bank’ – a model that brings banking, lifestyle rewards, insurance and investments together in one digital experience.

“For the first time, we are also offering Discovery Bank clients access to the Vitality Health programme, even if they don’t have a Discovery Health or Life product. This gives our clients the ability to access a wide range of Vitality Health benefits and discounts across fitness, food and healthcare,” Kallner adds.

Discovery AI is changing the banking experience: service, payments and much more

In 2025, Discovery Bank introduced Discovery AI, a smart banking assistant that is now embedded into the Discovery Bank app, with voice, image and text inputs. Every hour, it helps hundreds of clients with their banking queries, fully resolving approximately 55% of cases in the first interaction - in under 30 seconds in most cases.

“We’ve used the power of advanced AI technology to address some of the most common pain points for clients. For example, while our onboarding is fast and fully digital, document verification can sometimes slow applications. Discovery AI now checks document accuracy and guides clients through corrections in real time. Beyond onboarding, it is also changing how clients make payments – clients can simply photograph an invoice or text who to pay, how much and what for, and Discovery AI will complete the transaction,” explains Kallner.

Discovery AI also recommends the most relevant priority banking actions for each client, setting personalised goals such as creating debit orders, activating virtual cards or managing a budget – helping improve financial behaviour and unlock value.

Deepened security that protects clients in banking and life

As fraud tactics become more sophisticated, Discovery Bank has continued to invest in a multi-layered, real-time defence framework that proactively identifies fraudulent transactions, protects clients if forced to transact under duress and dispatches emergency support when required.

A layered set of real-time security features, including proactive fraud alerts and enhanced card and device controls, work together to reduce risk and give clients greater control. These protections are built directly into the app, without adding friction to everyday banking.

Since the introduction of the TRUST Alert in late 2025, Discovery Bank has recorded an 85% decline in confirmed fraud on flagged transactions and prevented an estimated R100 million in potential losses for clients.

Building on this, TRUST Alert is now being expanded across more payment types, with the ability to block transactions mid-call to counter social engineering scams, and to place accounts into a secured Defence Mode instantly when unusual account activity manifesting in a serious threat is detected.

New partners and rewards: DStv, Old School, Exclusive Books

Discovery Bank also announced DStv as a new rewards partner, adding entertainment to its growing network of everyday partners. Clients can get up to 25% back in Discovery Miles on their DStv packages, whether using a decoder or DStv Stream, when paid by debit order or card from a qualifying Discovery Bank account. Plus, as a special offer, the reward will double to up to 50% back between 11 May and 30 June 2026.

“Partnering with Discovery to give our customers such great value is an obvious choice,” says Willington Ngwepe, CEO of MultiChoice, the broadcasting services licensee in South Africa. “DStv customers who bank with Discovery will now earn up to 50% of the cost of their subscription back in Discovery Miles to spend on whatever they want while they tune in for FIFA World Cup 2026 ™. DStv is really making this the most accessible World Cup ever.”

Exclusive Books and Old School have joined the Discovery Miles+ Network, giving clients even more places to earn Discovery Miles at a selection of home, fashion and lifestyle partners.

admyt, a license plate recognition parking solution, which started as a limited-time offer is now also a permanent Discovery Bank partner. Qualifying clients get up to 100% of their parking fees back in Discovery Miles when they link their Discovery Bank card to the admyt app and spend at least R250 with their Discovery Bank card in-store at an admyt location.

Discovery products and investment partners in a single app

Discovery Bank allows clients to access their full Discovery product portfolio in one place with the ability to activate short-term insurance, life cover, and manage Discovery Invest plans, self-directed shares and ETFs through a linked EasyEquities account, as well as trade cryptocurrencies through Luno where clients can link an existing account or activate a new account directly in the Discovery Bank app.

On Discovery products, Kallner says, “We have simplified the process to activate short-term insurance from Discovery Insure and have now also added a Digital Life Plan allowing clients to activate up to R3 million life cover in a matter of minutes. They will also get up to 20% of their premiums back in Ðiscovery Miles when paid from a Discovery Bank account.”

Vitality Active for Discovery Bank clients

Discovery Bank clients can soon join Vitality Health seamlessly through the Discovery Bank app. For only R159 a month, clients can add everyday health and wellness benefits and discounts to their banking experience with the Vitality Active program. Discovery Bank clients can now also get 14-days free access to a Virgin Active Club of their choice, which they can claim directly from the Discovery Bank app.

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

Vitality programmes and plan types

Vitality is made up of three programmes: Vitality Health, Vitality Money, and Vitality Drive, which are designed to reward clients for getting physically healthier, managing their money well and driving responsibly. Within Vitality Health, clients have a choice between the Vitality Premium and Vitality Active plans. Historically, these plans required clients to have a Discovery Health or Discovery Life product. However, eligible Discovery Bank clients can now activate Vitality Active through the Discovery Bank app.