Discovery Bank adds new features, security, rewards

Discovery Bank has introduced new product features and updates to its rewards for banking customers, centred around financial planning, well-being and security.

Some of its highlights include:

• Crypto trading with Luno inside the banking app
• A new real-time Trust alert system using AI
• Quote and activate Discovery Insure for your car
• Partnership with DStv, admyt and more ways to earn

Discovery Bank says its integration with crypto trading platform Luno is a first of its kind in Africa and will go live in December. It will allow banking customers to trade in over 50 crypto assets.

CEO of Discovery Bank, Hylton Kallner says the financial world is evolving fast, and crypto assets have matured to become an accessible, mainstream asset class.

“Our clients – and South Africans more generally – are already engaged in this market, with 1 in 10 people holding crypto assets, and our regulation leading in the region and aligning with global norms,” says Kallner.

He adds that not only will customers easily invest in crypto assets and trade on the app but will be rewarded.

“We’ll also reward them with Vitality Money Savings points for crypto balances in their secure Luno wallets. It provides Discovery Bank clients with access to the full liquidity and breadth of crypto-asset options provided by Luno, in the convenience of their Discovery Bank app.”

Luno has over 15 million users on the platform, and banking customers with existing accounts can link their Luno accounts seamlessly, for buying and trading Bitcoin or Ethereum and the like. The banks adds that funds can be transferred instantly with no fees.

Trust Alert System with real-time AI

Discovery Bank has also introduced a new Trust Alert system that it says will intelligently protect every transaction, which will be individually risk-assessed in real time.

“Our intelligent Trust Alert system monitors potential fraud threats and identifies transactions that pose a risk, based on personal patterns, behaviours and other known financial safety threats. Every in-app and secure payment is analysed in real time, with a prominent Trust Alert warning being displayed to clients about transactions when needed, explains Kallner.

“The Trust Alert gives an explanation about the elevated risk, providing a key moment for clients to pause and confirm transaction details – and decide what action to take. Incorporating continuous learning in this system, we help our clients identify and manage suspicious transactions to protect their money.”

Integration of Discovery products

The Discovery Bank app will offer integration with other products like car insurance, so customers can get a quote and activate Discovery Insure directly on the app.

There will be a unified portfolio view for full visibility and control over all Discovery products in one place.

The app also introduce in-app calling earlier this year, offering a secure way to get in touch with a banker, available 24/7, from anywhere in the world, without additional authentication.

Lifestyle and entertainment rewards

Discovery Bank’s new partners included DStv under its entertainment benefits, which allows customers to earn 25% back in Discovery Miles on DStv decoder packages, and up to 50% back in streaming packages. This will kick in from the second quarter of 2026.

Additionally, clients will get 25% back in Discovery Miles when paying for Multichoice debit orders, as of December 2025.

“It’s now also possible for clients to earn up to 15% back in Discovery Miles across an expanded network of home, fashion, and lifestyle partners in the Discovery Miles+ Network. Clients can also access exclusive offers in the Vitality Mall, such as deals on the Nespresso Vertuo POP coffee machine and Nespresso coffee pods when paying with Discovery Miles,” says Kallner.

Its partnership with automated parking app Admyt, bank clients can earn Discovery Miles when using the ticketless service. Customers need to link their Discovery Bank cards to the app first.

“It’s completely seamless. When clients make an in-store purchase of R250 or more with a Discovery Bank card between December 2025 and January 2026, and park using the admyt app, we will automatically refund the parking costs in Ðiscovery Miles. Clients simply park, shop, go and get rewarded. It’s a great example of the integrated data, ecosystems and payment rails that underpin Discovery Bank.”

“The Discovery Bank app now serves as a gateway to lifestyle, financial, and rewards ecosystems, with instant connection. With every enhancement, we’re focused on value, providing a seamless experience that’s consistent, yet personalised, and to deepen engagement that increases the benefits for every client over time,” says Kallner.