Visitors to Joburg will find banking easy. There are bank branches, ATMs and foreign exchange offices wherever you look. And if you don’t want to carry cash, most places take credit cards.

BANKS are easily accessible – and there are various branches and automated teller machines (ATMs) spread across Johannesburg ready to cater for any need.

The four major banks are: Absa Bank; First National Bank, or FNB; Nedbank; and Standard Bank. Most will issue cash off a credit card.

But you will need proof of identity and physical address for transactions. Banking hours are short compared with shopping hours - they are open from 9am to 3.30pm on weekdays and 9am to 11am on Saturdays.

ATMs are in generous supply, however, and can be found at most shopping malls as well as 24-hour petrol stations and in hotel lobbies.

Visitors bringing along foreign currency need to change it to rands. Besides at banks, foreign exchange transactions can be done at Rennies, Master Currency and American Express.

South African currency is the rand; in keeping with the metric system there are 100 cents in a rand. There are five notes - R200, R100, R50, R20 and R10. And there are nine coins - R5, R2, R1, 50c, 20c, 10c, 5c, 2c and 1c. But any amount below 10c is practically useless in terms of buying power.

It is useful to carry a mix of notes and coins. Most widely used are the denominations between 50c and R100. Most major hotels and shops accept credit cards.

At OR Tambo International Airport there are Absa and Nedbank branches, Absa foreign exchange offices, Rennies Bank, Master Currency and American Express, and ATMs.

Banking services at the airport are open two hours before and two hours after the arrival and departure of international flights, 24-hours a day.

Useful telephone numbers

• American Express: +27 11 359 0111
• Diners Club: +27 11 358 8406
• Master Card: +27 800 990 418
• Visa Card: +27 800 990 475
• Absa Bank:+27 11 350 4000
• First National Bank:+27 11 371 2111
• Nedbank: +27 860 115 060
• Standard Bank:+27 860 123 000