Standard Bank USSD Code to Check Balance

Quick Answer

Last Verified: July 2026

Official USSD Code: *120*2345#

Zero-Airtime Emergency Code: *130*2345# (for basic top-ups when your airtime balance is flat)

Here is how to check balance on Standard Bank without app access, data, or a smartphone: dial *120*2345# from the mobile number registered to your bank profile, enter your 5-digit Cellphone Banking PIN, pick the account, and your Standard Bank account balance appears on screen straight away. Standard network session rates apply, typically 20c per 20 seconds.

What the Service Is and Who Can Use It

Standard Bank Cellphone Banking is a text-based service reaching core banking functions from any handset, basic feature phones included, with no internet connection and no mobile data. That is the entire point of it: when the app will not load, this still works.

Eligibility and Requirements

• Eligible account holders: Personal accounts such as MyMo, Cheque, Access, or Savings, registered with Standard Bank South Africa.
• Registered mobile number: Dial from the active SIM linked to your Standard Bank profile.
• Cellphone Banking profile: First-time users register the SIM by dialling *120*2345# with their card number, card PIN, and South African ID number.
• Exclusions: Standard Bank Mobile Connect SIM balances use a separate telecoms code (*136# or *140#). Corporate and complex business profiles need Internet Banking or the app instead.

How to Check the Balance

Before You Start

1. Check the phone holds the SIM linked to your Standard Bank account.
2. Have your 5-digit Cellphone Banking PIN ready. This is not your 4-digit ATM card PIN, and the two are not interchangeable.
3. Keep a little airtime available, roughly R0.50 to R1.00, to cover the session. On a flat balance, use *130*2345# first.

Verified Step-by-Step Process

1. Open the dialler: Launch the phone app.
2. Dial: Enter *120*2345# and press call.
3. Enter your PIN: Type the 5-digit Cellphone Banking PIN when the menu opens.
4. Select balance enquiry: Choose the option for “Check Balance” or “Balances”.
5. Choose the account: With several linked accounts, pick the one you want.
6. Read the balance: It appears in the session, on screen.

Confirmation or Expected Result

The session returns a pop-up with two figures, and the difference between them matters:

• Current balance: The total nominal balance in the account.
• Available balance: What you can actually withdraw or transfer right now, after pending card authorisations, holds, and any overdraft limit.

Note: If the session drops before showing a result, or times out, redial *120*2345#. Sessions auto-close after roughly 20 seconds of inactivity, which is a security feature rather than a fault.

Fees, Limits, Eligibility, and Processing Times

Common Problems and Troubleshooting

Code, Session, SIM, or Account Errors

• “User not registered” or “Invalid Profile”: Either the SIM is not linked, or Cellphone Banking was never activated. Dial *120*2345#, choose “Register”, and work through the prompts with your card details and ID number.
• “Session Timeout”: The network disconnects when input takes longer than 15–20 seconds. Redial and answer faster.
• “Connection Problem or Invalid MMI Code”: Congestion or weak reception. Switch to 2G/3G mode, or move somewhere with better signal.
• Dual-SIM phones: The request must leave from the exact SIM slot linked to your Standard Bank profile.

When the Service Has Changed or Is Unavailable

During maintenance or an outage:

1. Wait 15 to 30 minutes and retry.
2. Otherwise switch to one of the official channels below.

Official Alternatives

If USSD is delayed or down, these official routes still show your balance:

• Standard Bank Mobile App: From Google Play, the Apple App Store, or Huawei AppGallery, using your App Code or biometrics. Zero-data access on selected SA networks.
• Internet Banking: experience.standardbank.co.za in any browser.
• Standard Bank ATM: Insert your card and choose “Balance Enquiry”.
• Customer support: 0860 123 000 for automated phone banking balance enquiries.

Safety and Privacy

• Keep credentials confidential: Standard Bank staff will never ask for your 5-digit Cellphone Banking PIN, ATM card PIN, CVV, or password.
• End the session: Close it fully once you have read the balance, so nobody picking up your phone sees it.
• Stolen phone or SIM: Call Standard Bank Fraud on 0800 020 600 immediately, and block the SIM with your network provider.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check my balance on Standard Bank without the app?

Dial *120*2345# from your registered number, enter the 5-digit PIN, and select balances. No app, no data, no smartphone needed. With no airtime at all, dial *130*2345# to top up first.

Which balance does the code show?

Both. Your current balance (total funds) and your available balance (spendable, after holds and uncleared deposits). The second is the one that governs whether a payment will go through.

Must I dial from the registered number?

Yes. The registered number is how the bank verifies it is you.

Is the amount real-time or delayed?

Real-time. It reflects posted transactions, debit orders and ATM withdrawals immediately.

What should I do if the USSD route does not work?

Check coverage, confirm the SIM selection on a dual-SIM handset, then fall back to the app, Internet Banking, or an ATM.

Related USSD Guides

• Standard Bank USSD Code