Discovery Bank has emerged as South Africa's most loved bank in 2025, according to the latest South African Banking Sentiment Index. The bank achieved a record-breaking 61 Net Sentiment score, marking a remarkable 14-percentage-point increase compared to the previous year. This score not only set a new high for Discovery Bank but also positioned it well ahead of competitors, outperforming the second-ranked bank by 15 percentage points and more than doubling the industry average of 27.
The 2025 Banking Sentiment Index, compiled by DataEQ through the analysis of over 4.8 million social media posts, highlights Discovery Bank's dominance across all key sentiment metrics: Overall, Operational, and Reputational. The bank's operational excellence stood out, with clients praising the quality and reliability of its services. Its digital platforms, particularly the Discovery Bank app, were commended for user-friendly navigation and seamless functionality. Additionally, the bank reported the lowest levels of negative complaints related to service, reliability, and fraud among its peers.
Customer loyalty and advocacy were further strengthened by Discovery Bank's innovative rewards ecosystem and engagement campaigns. The bank's model, which includes personalized benefits such as cashback, share access, gym perks, and strategic partnerships like those with Checkers, resonated strongly with clients. Campaigns leveraging hashtags such as DiscoveryBestBank and TreatMeTuesday also contributed to enhanced reputational sentiment, encouraging significant brand advocacy and social media engagement.
