While petrol stations have to charge set prices for fuel, FNB's fuel rewards programme gives customers up to 15% back.

The bank is encouraging its customers to use cards - cheque, credit or linked petrol ones - for fuel purchases.

"It's a win-win situation. Using cards saves customers anyway because there will be no fees for fuel purchases, and our electronic channels are the cheapest in the market," said FNB's CEO Michael Jordaan.

"There is no complicated process to earning points - no big hurdles, hidden fees or tricks. By encouraging smarter banking behaviour through this kind of programme, we benefit from more efficient and profitable banking customers - it becomes a self-funding programme."

FNB pricing executive James Fowle said the more customers banked with FNB, the greater the rewards would be. "If you switch your monthly spend to electronic channels (for which there are no subscription fees), hold other FNB products like a home loan or credit card, display responsible credit behaviour, have had an account with FNB for more than three years, update your details regularly and have stipulated that you consent to receive FNB marketing messages, you stand to generate points towards the maximum of 15%. A rewards calculator is available at www.fnbfuelrewards.co.za and there is no need to register; existing FNB customers qualify automatically."

Existing eBucks members can get up to 15% paid into their eBucks accounts, while non-eBucks members can get up to 10% cash back in their accounts.

"Rewards are paid monthly, not at each transaction. Every customer will earn something, but you get rewarded more the further up the tiers of qualifying criteria you move," said Fowle.

FNB subsidises this programme entirely - there is no change to the price of petrol customers buy at the pump.

"We're trying to differentiate FNB, and it's really in the consumer's interest. This programme will reward the behaviour of smart customers and encourage others to bank better. It's actually incentivised education," said Jordaan.