Centenary Bank Malawi
Open a savings, student or current account, then bank by phone with *632#, the CenteMobileMw app or Flex Online. Every fee below is from the bank’s own 2026 price list.
- Savings from MK1,000
- Students from MK500
- Toll free 358
Quick answer: Pick an account (the Ordinary Savings account opens with MK1,000, the Students account with MK500), take your National ID and proof of where you live to any Centenary branch, or open a Linga, Ordinary Savings or Personal Current account online on the bank’s Self Onboarding site. Then register for *632# mobile banking at the branch.
What do you need?
Centenary Bank accounts for individuals
Minimum opening deposits and interest are from the bank’s 2026 Product Catalogue; fees are from its tariffs effective 27 February 2026. None of these accounts charges a monthly service fee.
Ordinary Savings account. The everyday savings account for anyone in Malawi who wants to start saving small.
Official Ordinary Savings account page ›
- Opening deposit
- MK1,000
- Interest
- 2.00% a year
- Monthly fee
- Free
- Open online
- Yes
Linga Savings account. A savings account with funeral cover built in, for you and your family.
Cover starts when the first premium is taken from your account by direct debit. Entry age is up to 75 for you, your spouse and parents, and up to 23 for children; no medical check. Claims must be made within 6 months and are paid within 48 hours. The bank does not publish the premium amounts, so check with the bank.
Official Linga Savings account page ›
- Opening deposit
- MK2,000
- Interest
- 5.00% a year
- Funeral cover
- Up to MK1,000,000
- Open online
- Yes
Students account. For students at secondary schools, colleges, universities and technical or vocational schools in Malawi.
Transaction fees still apply at ATMs and on mobile banking.
Official Students account page ›
- Opening deposit
- MK500
- Interest
- 2.00% a year
- Visa card
- Free
- Mobile banking
- No monthly fee
Personal Current account. For your salary and day to day spending, with a cheque book and a Visa debit card.
The 2026 catalogue says MK30,000 to open; an older answer on the bank’s FAQ page says MK20,000, so check with the bank. Cheque books cost MK36,000 (50 leaves), MK65,000 (100) or MK105,000 (200).
Official Personal Current account page ›
- Opening deposit
- MK30,000
- Interest
- 0.05% on MK10 million and above
- Mobile banking
- No monthly fee
- Open online
- Yes
Fixed Deposit account. Put away a lump sum for a fixed time and earn more interest. You can borrow up to 50% of it for up to 12 months.
Official Fixed Deposit account page ›
- Opening deposit
- MK20,000
- 30 / 60 / 90 days
- 3.50% / 4.00% / 5.00%
- 6 to 12 months
- Negotiable
- Early exit
- 35% of interest earned
Call account. Savings you can reach after giving notice; the longer the notice, the better the rate.
- Opening deposit
- MK500,000
- 7, 14, 21 days notice
- 2.00%
- 30 days notice
- 3.00%
- Early exit
- 30% of interest earned
Personal FCDA. A foreign currency account (USD, GBP, ZAR, CAD or EUR) for people who already have a Centenary Bank kwacha account.
Cash withdrawals are free for individuals and diaspora customers, per the tariffs. A SWIFT charge of USD 45 applies to some foreign transfers.
- Opening deposit
- USD 1,000 or equal
- Monthly fee
- Free
- To your kwacha account
- Free
- Forex to other banks
- 1%, max USD 60
No diaspora, junior or children’s account is listed on centenarybank.co.mw. If you live abroad, the Personal FCDA is the closest product the bank publishes; check with the bank before you apply. Farmers can also ask about the Tobacco Savings account, and microfinance clients about the MFI Savings account (both open with MK1,000).
Sending money home? See what your dollars, pounds or rand are worth in kwacha at today’s official Reserve Bank of Malawi rate with our kwacha converter. The bank’s own exchange rate and fees decide what actually arrives.
Documents to take with you
What the bank asks for
- ID. Malawians: National ID card (the bank also lists a driving licence, Traffic Registration Card or passport). Foreigners: passport.
- Proof of residence. A utility bill (for example ESCOM or water board), or a sketch map with a letter from your chief.
- Proof of income for savings, current and FCDA accounts, or proof of source of funds for a fixed deposit.
- Students under 18: a letter from the school signed by the registrar, plus your student ID card.
- The application form, filled in. Get it at the branch or download it below.
- Your opening deposit (see the account cards above).
The bank’s pages do not mention passport photos; ask the branch if you need them.
How to open a Centenary Bank account
Opening online works for the Linga Savings, Ordinary Savings and Personal Current accounts and is free. For every other account, go to a branch.
Online: open the Self Onboarding site
Go to onboarding.centenarybank.co.mw (the Open Account button on the bank’s website), on your phone or computer. You need your National ID or passport, a working phone number, an email address and internet.
Choose your account and add your details
Pick Linga Savings, Ordinary Savings or Personal Current. Fill in your details and upload a clear photo or scan of your ID, then follow the steps on screen.
Or: walk into any branch
Take the documents from the checklist and your opening deposit to a Centenary Bank branch. Staff give you the form and open the account there.
Find the nearest one with the bank’s branch locator.
Add mobile banking and a card
At the branch, ask for the mobile banking form (for *632#) and a Visa debit card. Your mobile banking PIN comes by SMS.
Banki Pakwathu agents are Centenary’s local agents. Once you have an account, you can withdraw cash, check your balance, transfer to another Centenary account and buy TNM or Airtel airtime there. Agents set their own withdrawal charges.
Mobile banking: *632#, the app and Flex Online
You must already have a Centenary Bank account. All three are registered at a branch.
*632# on any phone
Fill in the mobile banking application form at your nearest branch. When your PIN arrives by SMS, dial *632#. No internet or data needed.
Check your balance, get a mini statement, buy airtime, pay bills and MRA, send to other banks and to Airtel Money or TNM Mpamba, and pay school fees.
CenteMobileMw app
The bank’s mobile banking app, on Google Play (the link the bank posts on its Facebook page; no iPhone version is posted). Balance, mini statement, transfers, bills, DSTV and GOtv, and QR payments. Register with the same mobile banking form at a branch; your PIN comes by SMS.
Flex Online (internet banking)
Download and fill in the Flex Online form and hand it in at your branch. Your login details arrive by email or SMS; then log in at flexonline.centenarybank.co.mw or in the Flex Online app for Android or iPhone.
Free for personal customers: no registration or monthly fee, free balance, statements, bills, MRA and transfers inside Centenary.
What it costs (tariffs from 27 Feb 2026)
- Mobile banking (USSD, app, WhatsApp): free to register, K1,000 a month. No monthly fee on Students and Personal Current accounts.
- Transfer to another Centenary account: free on all channels.
- Transfer to another bank: K840. To a mobile wallet: K900 on mobile banking, K840 by EFT.
- Bills, DSTV, GOtv, MRA tax and airtime: free.
- Own Centenary ATM withdrawal: free. Another bank’s Natswitch ATM: K500.
The bank’s older FAQ answer says MWK450 a month for mobile banking, and one catalogue page calls *632# free; the February 2026 tariffs say K1,000. Check with the bank.
Visa debit card
- Visa Classic: K9,360 to issue, then K813 a month. Daily limit K500,000 at ATMs and shops.
- Visa Silver: K10,625 plus K800 a month. Gold: K25,000 plus K1,500 a month. Platinum: K33,000 plus K1,500 a month.
- Student card: free (replacement K7,150).
- Apply with the card form at any branch. Forgot your PIN? Take your card and ID to a branch.
Lost your card or forgot your login? The bank says to email [email protected] or call +265 999 111 632 or +265 999 222 632. A replacement card is charged (Visa Classic K16,380). WhatsApp banking: as posted on the bank’s Facebook page, save +265 999 222 632 and text Hi on WhatsApp. The website lists +265 999 111 632 for WhatsApp contact.
Centenary Bank SWIFT code and branch codes
Centenary Bank does not publish its SWIFT (BIC) code or branch sort codes on centenarybank.co.mw. Its FAQ says the funds transfer details were changing after the takeover and would be announced.
Before someone sends you money
- Ask your branch, or call the toll free line 358, for the current SWIFT code and the branch code for your account.
- Give the sender your full name and account number exactly as on your account.
- Transfers between Malawi banks settle instantly, the bank says. A local transfer at the counter (ATS) costs K20,000 before 3 pm and K30,000 after.
- Sending money abroad by SWIFT: 1.5% commission (max K65,000) plus a USD 25 message charge.
Who owns Centenary Bank Malawi?
Centenary Bank Malawi is the former MyBucks bank. In 2023 it became part of the Centenary Group of Uganda, which owns 51%, with the Catholic Archdiocese of Lilongwe owning 49%. Your old account number stays the same, the bank says.
It is regulated by the Reserve Bank of Malawi and runs 14 branches, 3 microfinance outlets, forex bureaux in Lilongwe and Limbe, and Banki Pakwathu agents across the country.
- Owners
- Centenary Group, Archdiocese of Lilongwe
- Formerly
- MyBucks
- Regulator
- Reserve Bank of Malawi
- Toll free
- 358
Centenary Bank FAQ
Can I open a Centenary Bank account online?
Yes, for the Linga Savings, Ordinary Savings and Personal Current accounts, on the bank’s free Self Onboarding site (onboarding.centenarybank.co.mw). You need a valid National ID or passport, a phone number, an email address and internet.
What is the cheapest Centenary Bank account to open?
The Students account, from MK500, with no monthly fee and a free Visa card. For everyone else, the Ordinary Savings account opens with MK1,000.
How do I register for Centenary *632# mobile banking?
Fill in the mobile banking form at any Centenary branch. Your PIN comes by SMS; then dial *632#. It costs K1,000 a month under the February 2026 tariffs, except on Students and Personal Current accounts.
What is the Centenary Bank Malawi SWIFT code?
The bank does not publish it on its website. Ask your branch or call 358 for the current code before you share your details.
Is Centenary Bank the same as MyBucks?
Yes. Centenary Bank Malawi is the former MyBucks bank, bought by the Centenary Group and the Archdiocese of Lilongwe. The bank says account numbers did not change, and old MyBucks cheque books were accepted until it announced otherwise; check with the bank if you still have one.
Do I need a payslip to open an account?
The bank lists proof of income for savings and current accounts. Students give a school letter and student ID instead. If you have no payslip, ask the branch what they accept.
How do I contact Centenary Bank?
Call the toll free line 358 or +265 887 879 612, WhatsApp +265 999 111 632, or email [email protected].
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GuideKwacha rate and converterConverter and today’s official rateSources: Centenary Bank Malawi’s own website, centenarybank.co.mw (account and digital banking pages, FAQs, Who we are), its tariffs effective 27 February 2026 and its 2026 Product Catalogue. Checked 20 October 2026. Fees change; the bank reviews them every year.
