Banks in Antigua and Barbuda

The main retail banks in Antigua and Barbuda are Antigua Commercial Bank Limited, also known as ACB Caribbean, Caribbean Union Bank Limited, Eastern Caribbean Amalgamated Bank Limited and CIBC Caribbean Bank (Barbados) Limited–Antigua. Scotiabank Antigua’s banking business moved to ECAB, while RBC Antigua’s business moved to ACB. Barbuda has an ACB agency and an automated banking machine in Codrington, but physical access is more limited than on Antigua. Customers can also use branch services, online banking and mobile banking. The Eastern Caribbean Central Bank supervises locally regulated banks, manages the currency framework, oversees payment systems and issues prudential standards. The Financial Services Regulatory Commission supervises international banks under the International Banking Act 2016, as well as credit unions and money-services businesses. International banks are regulated separately from ordinary retail banks. The FSRC register dated 7 May 2026 lists BRS Banque S.A, D Bank Ltd, International Investment Bank Ltd, NIBank Ltd, Tolomeo Bank Limited and Unicorp Bank Overseas Ltd as Class 1 international banks. The register separately records institutions in distress, including Global Bank of Commerce Limited in Official Administration, Meinl Bank (Antigua) Limited in Receivership, Stanford International Bank Ltd in Liquidation, Nexo Bank Inc in Voluntary Liquidation and BOI Bank Corporation in Official Administration. A licence and current status should be verified before making a deposit. Common products include savings accounts, current or chequing accounts, certificates of deposit or fixed deposits and corporate accounts. Interest rates, minimum balances, fees and withdrawal conditions depend on the bank and product. One published First Step Savings Account is for ECCU residents aged 18 or older who are opening their first bank account in the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union. It requires one valid photo ID, pays interest, has no minimum balance and no opening or monthly fee, allows up to EC$36,000, does not provide an overdraft and does not support international wire transfers. Its published transaction limits are EC$3,000 per month and EC$36,000 per year. Banks usually require a valid photo ID, proof of address issued within the previous three months and information about the source of money. Nationals may also need a National Insurance Scheme number or other requested identification. Non-nationals may need a residence or work permit. Non-residents generally need evidence of a connection with Antigua and Barbuda, the purpose of the account, expected transactions and the source of funds. Companies normally provide incorporation and good-standing documents, articles or by-laws, a board resolution, director, shareholder and ultimate-beneficial-owner details, authorised signatories and financial records. An online ECAB application can prepare the process, but account opening generally still requires personal identification, original documents and a signature. The banking system supports cheque services, electronic funds transfers, standing orders, peer-to-peer payments, bill payments, merchant payments, cards and international wires. The Eastern Caribbean Automated Clearing House supports cheque truncation and electronic funds transfers, with settlement in central-bank money. ACB offers electronic transfers to commercial banks in the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States using Eastern Caribbean dollars. ECAB services include internal transfers, bill payments, wires and card payments. International wires normally pass through correspondent banks, so incorrect or incomplete beneficiary details can cause delays or returns. Banks issue Visa or Mastercard debit, credit and prepaid cards for point-of-sale payments, online purchases and cash withdrawals through automated banking machines, also called ABMs or ATMs. ACB Smart App and Web provide features such as alerts, balances, peer-to-peer payments, merchant and bill payments, cheque orders and transfers. ECAB MOREBanking provides balances, real-time internal transfers, bill payments, wires, card payments, stop-payment requests, secure messages and electronic statements. Available functions depend on the account and bank. Charges also vary: one published ECAB digital banking account costs XCD10 per month, while its USD current account requires a US$400 daily minimum balance. Banks apply Know Your Customer, or KYC, and anti-money-laundering controls. Customers must keep identity, address, source-of-funds and tax-residency information accurate and provide Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act and Common Reporting Standard information when required. Banks can make access to an account or product subject to compliance checks. Customers should never send a PIN, password or account details by email, should access banking through a trusted address and should review statements regularly. Suspected fraud should be reported to the bank immediately. The Eastern Caribbean Deposit Insurance Corporation framework has advanced in Antigua and Barbuda: the national bill was passed and the agreement was signed. The reviewed information does not establish a live coverage amount, an operational fund or a claims procedure, so no insurance limit should be assumed. Customers should ask the relevant bank or authority for the current protection position. Complaints normally begin with the bank. ECAB requires a signed complaint form and complaint number; a uniform independent banking ombudsman and binding complaint deadline were not established in the available information. Dormant or abandoned balances appear on an Eastern Caribbean Central Bank list and can pass to the state after 15 years when statutory conditions are met.