Banks in Cambodia

Cambodia's formal banking system includes commercial banks, specialized banks, deposit-taking microfinance institutions and other regulated financial providers. At December 2025, NBC data listed 59 commercial banks, 7 specialized banks, 4 microfinance deposit-taking institutions, 85 microfinance institutions, 12 financial leasing institutions and 89 rural credit institutions. These figures describe different provider categories; a microfinance institution without a deposit-taking license should not be treated as a bank account provider. Check the current NBC license list before opening an account or using an unfamiliar app. The NBC is Cambodia's central bank. It handles licensing, prudential supervision, payment-system oversight and related regulation under the Law on Banking and Financial Institutions. The NBC Banking Code collects laws, prakas, directives and circulars. A specialized bank performs a limited banking function and should not automatically be treated like a full-service commercial bank. Individuals generally apply through a bank or a licensed deposit-taking institution, either at a branch or through an approved digital channel. Typical customer information includes name, date of birth, address and identity verification using a National ID, passport or another official photo ID. A company may need its registered name, incorporation or registration documents, tax identification number, address, telephone number, beneficial-owner information, intended purpose and, where requested, source-of-funds information. Providers carry out continuing customer checks and transaction monitoring. Missing or unreliable information can lead to refusal of an account, transaction or continued banking relationship. Residency rules, minimum balances, fees, required documents and processing times vary by institution and product. Common deposit products include current, savings and fixed-term accounts. The provider's terms determine interest, minimum deposits, lock-up periods, early-withdrawal conditions, dormancy treatment and account fees. A payment-service or mobile-wallet account provides payment functionality but is not automatically the same as a bank deposit. Bakong is a payment system linked to participating accounts and institutions, not a separate category of insured deposit. Cambodian banks support domestic payments through several systems. The National Clearing System processes interbank clearing and settlement for checks, direct credit, direct debit and credit remittance in Cambodian riel and US dollars. FAST supports domestic transfers and payments through participating commercial banks and deposit-taking microfinance institutions. Bakong enables real-time or near-real-time cross-bank and person-to-person transfers using a phone number, contact or personalized QR code instead of only an account number. KHQR is a standardized single QR code that can accept payments through participating Bakong and payment-service members. Depending on the integration, payment status usually appears within a maximum of about 10 seconds after the user confirms the transaction. Cards issued in Cambodia include credit, debit, ATM and prepaid cards. Many commercial banks connect cards to Visa or Mastercard networks and support ATM, point-of-sale and online payments. ATM access may also use the interbank Easy Cash switch. Issuers and networks set card limits and charges, including possible annual, ATM, foreign-exchange and replacement fees. A credit card also creates a repayment obligation, so it should be assessed as a payment product rather than assumed to be free account access. Digital banking is mainly delivered through licensed banks and payment-service institutions using mobile banking, internet banking, Bakong and KHQR. Bakong registration generally requires a National ID or passport, a locally valid mobile number, a linked account and SMS one-time-password verification. The Bakong Tourists App introduced in 2025 can link a foreign Visa card for QR payments; NBC reported access to approximately 4.5 million merchants. A digital channel does not remove the need to verify the institution, the recipient and the applicable fees or exchange rate. Current Cambodian materials do not establish a general deposit-insurance payout system or a single protection amount for all bank deposits. NBC's 2024 annual report records a Department of Deposit Protection, with mechanisms, rehabilitation arrangements and the legal framework still under development. Deposit safety therefore depends on using an NBC-licensed institution, reviewing its terms and financial position, and understanding the applicable supervisory and resolution framework. Larger balances deserve particular attention because no universal protection amount should be assumed. There is no uniform national schedule for account, card, ATM, transfer or foreign-exchange fees, and no single account-opening time applies to every provider. Check the provider's tariff, limits, cut-off times, currency rules, correspondent-bank charges and compliance requirements before confirming a transaction. Keep the transaction reference number, date, amount, recipient, charges and exchange rate shown by the service. Use only institutions, applications and web addresses listed or confirmed by the NBC. Never disclose an OTP, PIN or password. Check the personalized QR recipient before confirmation and enable SMS or app alerts. For a failed transfer, card loss or suspected fraud, contact the issuing bank or payment provider immediately. Start account, card and transfer complaints with the provider; NBC maintains central and provincial financial-service enquiry and complaint channels. Central contacts include 085 600 002, 085 600 003, 098 220 001, 098 220 002 and 097 278 3030. Bakong support is available at bakongsupport@nbc.gov.kh and +855 23 230 681.