At a glance
Your Visa Classic Card is an everyday credit card that accompanies you everywhere.
Security :
- Make everyday payments quick, easy and safe. Simply tap to pay with your new SBM Contactless Card
- Chip-enabled Card
- SBM eSecure Internet platform for online shopping
Features & Offers:
Discounts at partner merchants across Mauritius
Flexibility:
- Up to 45 days of interest-free credit on purchases
- Repayment option as from 5% up to 100%
- Multiple repayment modes: Automatic monthly repayment, branch counter and internet banking
- Card to Card (using debit card) payment up Rs 50,000 on ATM.
Emergency Assistance:
- 24/7 assistance through SBM’s cards Hotline
- Minimum income of Rs 5,000 per month
- Supplementary cards will be issued to immediate family members only
- Must satisfy the bank’s credit/lending criteria
- Copy of identification (Passport/National Identity Card)
- Original salary slip/letter from employer
- Copy of latest utility bill (CWA, CEB, MT)
- Occupation/Work permit and work contract (for expatriates only)
- Full passport copy (for expatriates only)
- Bank statement for last 6 months (only for self-employed individuals)
What is a credit card?
A credit card works in the same way as cash but is a safer alternative. You can use the card in lieu of cash; the bank pays the merchant and at the middle of each month the bank sends you a statement of all your purchases made during that period and the minimum amount you have to pay.
Who can apply?
Anyone over 18 years, with a regular monthly net salary of Rs 5,000 or more.
Can I apply for additional/supplementary credit cards?
Supplementary cards can be issued to close family members, that is spouse and children. The expenditure limit will be shared between primary and supplementary cardholder(s). However, the statement will list down each respective individual card expenditure.
How secure is a credit card?
SBM Credit Cards are chip-enabled which makes the card totally secure. Even if you lose your card all you need to do is to call us immediately on our cards hotline (230) 202 1256, available on a 24/7 basis, or (230) 207 0111 between 08h00 and 18h00 on weekdays and we will cancel your card.
Do I need to open/hold an account with SBM to have a credit card?
You do not need to have an account with us if you are applying for a Gold or Platinum card.
Will the credit card cost me anything?
You have to pay an annual fee. Any other charges are up to you. If you repay within the interest-free period and if you don’t withdraw cash there will be no extra fees or charges. All fees and charges are detailed in our tariff guide. Ask for your copy at any SBM Branch or contact your Private/Personal Banker.
Will the merchant charge me an additional fee for paying with my card?
No, the cost of an item is the same whether you pay by card or cash.
What is meant by the billing period and when is the payment due date?
Presently, the billing period for all your transactions starts from the 15th of the month until the 14th of the next month. The payment due date falls on the 30th/31st of the month after the last billing date. You have 15 days’ grace to repay your bill. All payments must be effected by the payment due date indicated on your bill. Overdue accounts are subject to late payment fees and finance charges.
What happens when I choose to pay less than the total amount charged?
As a credit cardholder, you have the flexibility to pay less than the total amount due on or before your due date. You must, however, pay at least 5% of your statement closing balance. If you pay less than 100% of the amount spent, you will need to pay finance charges (interest). The finance charge will be levied on your opening balance and on all new transactions posted to your credit card account within the statement period, accrued from the date of transaction until the end of the statement period.
What is a finance charge and how is it calculated?
A finance charge is the interest charged to your card account when you do not pay the total amount due. As such you will be charged interest (finance charge) if you only pay the minimum amount due or any amount between the total amount due and the minimum amount due, on or before the Payment Due Date. A finance charge is also levied on cash advance transactions from the date the cash advance is effected until it is fully paid irrespective of having chosen 100% repayment option.
What if I am not able to pay the minimum amount due by payment due date?
If you are unable to pay the minimum amount due by the payment due date, the current tariffs and charges will be applied, please refer to our tariff guide https://www.sbmgroup.mu/downloads/fees/BOM_Template.pdf
Can I use my credit card for online purchases?
Yes, you can. However, you first need to register your credit card for SBM eSecure at any SBM branch or contact your Personal/Private Banker.
What if I pay the total amount due in full?
If you pay the total amount due in full, on or before the payment due date, then no finance charges will be applied to your credit card account. This, however, does not apply if you performed cash advance, where interest accrues as from day one of the transaction. Quasi-cash transactions are considered as cash advance and will attract interest and cash advance fees. All forms of betting are quasi-cash transactions.
What to do if I lose my card?
You should immediately report the loss or theft of your credit card by calling our cards hotline (230) 202 1256, available on a 24/7 basis, or call centre on (230) 207 0111 between 08h00 and 18h00 on weekdays and we will cancel your card.
What is a contactless card?
Contactless allows you to make faster and secured low value payments by tapping your contactless-enabled bank card on a payment terminal without inserting your card into the payment terminal or entering your personal identification number (PIN).
How to make contactless payment?
Contactless payment can be effected at any merchant’s payment terminal bearing the contactless payment symbol.
When the merchant’s payment terminal prompts you, you are required to place your card within a few centimeters from the terminal. When the terminal accepts the reading, it signals with a beep, green light, or checkmark. Once the approval is received, the transaction is completed.
Where can I use the contactless card?
Please refer to question 2 above.
The majority of the SBM POS terminals accept payments by the contactless card.
Is there any contactless transaction limit I can use contactless?
The contactless card can only be used for transactions amounting up to MUR 10,000 per day (or the equivalent in foreign currency).
Can I use contactless to get cash out at an ATM?
No, you cannot get cash out of an ATM using contactless.
Are there any fees for paying with contactless?
Besides the standard fees and charges applicable to existing non-contactless card, there are no additional fees associated with the use of contactless service.
Can I use my contactless card abroad?
Yes, you can use your contactless card abroad. Contactless transactions will be accepted wherever the contactless symbol is displayed. Please be aware that the contactless transaction limit of MUR 10,000 (equivalent in foreign currency) may vary depending on the country in which you are transacting.
How can I get a contactless card?
You will automatically be issued a contactless card when your existing card is up for renewal or expiry. You will need to effect an ATM transaction or point of sale transaction to enable the contactless function.
What happens if the terminal is not contactless enabled?
Your card can still function as a regular card for Chip +PIN transactions.
What happens if I must do an online transaction?
Contactless transactions can only be done at physical terminals, which are contactless enabled. Online transactions will continue to be effected on the relevant platforms for online banking.
Is reloading of funds needed for the contactless features?
No, no loading of funds onto the contactless card is needed. The funds will be deducted on your account from the available balance.
SECURITY FOR CONTACTLESS PAYMENT
Could I unknowingly make a purchase as I walk past a reader?
No. The merchant must have keyed in the transaction amount for you to approve first, and your card needs to have been held within a few of centimeters of the terminal. You will also be provided with a RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) protection sleeve to protect your card.
Is contactless technology secure?
Yes. Contactless uses the latest secure encryption technology (same as Chip and PIN) so you can feel confident when using it to pay for items. There is a ceiling of MUR 10,000 on the aggregate value of transactions permitted per day, and from time to time, you may be asked to enter your PIN to verify you are the genuine cardholder. If your card is lost or stolen, please inform our hotline immediately on [230] 207 1111 so that the card can be blocked. You will not be held responsible for fraudulent charges or unauthorized purchases made using the contactless features on your card, after reporting the loss of your card to the Bank.
Why don't I need to enter my PIN or sign for purchases?
This is to ensure that using contactless technology is as simple and convenient as cash; merchants that accept contactless payments do not require you to sign or enter your PIN for transactions under MUR 10,000 (or the equivalent in foreign currency).