Curaçao, a constituent jurisdiction of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, has been for many years one of the main offshore financial and business centers of the region, primarily popular for its offshore e-gaming sector, which has attracted during the last two decades thousands of companies operating online casinos and sports betting facilities.
Despite its very large offshore gaming sector, and primarily due to the lenient regulatory requirements and limited oversight that such online gaming businesses have traditionally been subject to, Curaçao's banking institutions rarely service companies operating in the online gaming sector.
Curaçao boasts a significant banking sector compared to its peers in the Caribbean region.
Banks in Curaçao are regulated by the Central Bank of Curaçao and Sint Maarten (CBCS), which also supervises securities intermediaries, money service businesses, and trust companies, among other financial services.
Unlike in other offshore financial centers, in the jurisdiction, there is not a dual domestic-international banking licensing scheme. All banks operate under the same banking license and may serve both residents and nonresidents in local and foreign currencies. However, the type of services offered by a bank may determine the specific requirements and regulations they need to adhere to. Banks engaging in international or offshore banking activities typically need to comply with additional regulations and standards due to the cross-border nature of their operations.
The banking sector in Curaçao is predominantly composed of local banks without significant international presence.
However, there are also a number of regional foreign banks, such as Exprinter International Bank N.V., Banesco and Republic Bank, operating within the jurisdiction; as well as multinational banking groups such as First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB), Royal Bank of Canada (RBC), Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC), and Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria (BBVA), among others.
Curaçao has been widely popular among Latin American clients, particularly those from neighboring countries such as Venezuela and Colombia.
Small banks can be divided into two groups, those providing domestic retail banking for residents only, and those serving nonresident clientele.
Those banks serving a nonresident clientele provide services to offshore companies incorporated in both Curaçao and outside of Curaçao without any major restrictions other than high-risk countries and high-risk businesses such as gambling or cryptocurrency-related activities, as well as nonresident individuals without major restrictions either (other than those residing in considered high-risk jurisdictions or with high-risk sources of wealth).
They tend to focus on transactional banking such as payment services and basic investment products such as certificates of deposits.
Initial deposit requirements tend to be relatively low for offshore banking standards - between USD 20,000 to USD 50,000.
Larger regional and multinational banking groups tend to focus on facilitating commerce within the region and with countries where the bank has a presence. For instance, a typical client profile is a medium-sized or large trading company importing and exporting goods within the region. They also provide wealth management services to high-net-worth persons, typically, from other Dutch jurisdictions or neighboring countries.
At Flag Theory, we assist companies incorporated in Curaçao and elsewhere, as well as nonresident individuals, in opening business and personal bank accounts in Curaçao.
We work with 3 different banks in Curaçao, each bank has different eligibility requirements, types of accounts available and onboarding processes.
We invite you to carefully review each banks requirements and services to better understand if their banking services meet your needs.
Curaçao, known officially as the Country of Curaçao, is a small autonomous country that is part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. It is situated in the southern Caribbean Sea, within the Lesser Antilles and it covers an area of approximately 444 square kilometers. It is located approximately 65 kilometers (40 miles) to the north of the Venezuelan coastline. Along with Aruba and Bonaire, it forms the ABC islands. Collectively, Curaçao, Aruba, and other Dutch islands in the Caribbean are often called the Dutch Caribbean. Curaçao is the biggest island among the ABC islands and the largest in the Dutch Caribbean, both in size and population. Its capital city is Willemstad, a vibrant hub of commerce, and the official languages are Dutch, Papiamentu, and English. The official currency is the Antillean Guilder (ANG), which is also known as the Florin. The exchange rate for the Antillean Guilder is fixed at 1.80 ANG for every 1 US Dollar (USD).
The history of Curaçao is a tale of exploration, colonization, and resilience. The island was initially inhabited by the indigenous Arawak people and later came under Spanish and Dutch control. In the 17th century, it became a center for the transatlantic slave trade. Today, Curaçao's cultural mosaic is shaped by African, European, and indigenous influences, creating a unique blend of traditions and customs.
Curaçao is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, and its governance takes place in a form of a parliamentary democracy system led by a Prime Minister. While the Dutch monarch, currently King Willem-Alexander, is the head of state, the island enjoys a high degree of self-governance. Executive power is exercised by the government. Legislative power is vested in both the government and parliament. Curaçao has full autonomy over most matters; the exceptions are outlined in the Charter for the Kingdom of the Netherlands under the title "Kingdom affairs".
Curaçao's political landscape is characterized by stability and a strong commitment to democratic principles. The island actively participates in democratic processes, with regular elections and a multi-party system.
Curaçao maintains diplomatic relations with countries around the world and is a member of various international organizations. It collaborates with the Kingdom of the Netherlands on foreign affairs matters, benefiting from shared resources and representation on the global stage.
Curaçao's economy has evolved significantly over the years, diversifying beyond its historical role in oil refining, oil storage, and bunkering. The island has become a hub for international trade, financial services, and tourism.
The stable financial services sector and attractive tax framework, drawing foreign investments and businesses to establish a presence on the island. The banking and insurance industries are thriving, serving both local and international clients.
Our banking support service is not just a mere introduction to the bank. We assist you in filling out the business questionnaires appropriately and help you understand and provide business details, commercial information and purpose/use of the bank account that a given bank wants to know in order to approve your account application. Banks want certainty and clarity on how the account will be used. Everything must be watertight. We will work with you to make sure there is minimal 'back and forth' and a smooth account opening process.
Bank Account opening requirements are subject to change at the discretion of the bank. There might be additional fees charged by the bank itself. Bank account opening is not guaranteed and is subject to the bank policies and compliance department. There might be restrictions on UBO nationalities, business activities and/or jurisdictions. A refund is available if the account is not successfully opened subject to our terms of service (30% to partly cover service and payment processing and administrative costs apply).