Opening a bank account in Saint Lucia

Together with a few other islands in the Leeward & Windward Islands, St. Lucia uses the Eastern Caribbean Dollar EC$ (currency symbol XCD) pegged to USA Dollar.
For full information go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eastern_Caribbean_dollar

Foreign exchange controls have been lifted many years ago.

Major currencies circulate widely.

A complete list of Banks in SLU is at http://stluciayp.com/St-Lucia/Banks

Opening hours:  Monday - Thursday   8AM - 2PM
                        Friday  8AM - 5PM
1st National Bank has a branch in Rodney Bay JQ Charles Mall open on Saturdays 8AM - 12PM
Bank of St. Lucia has a branch operating inside the Mega J store in Choc Bay 8AM - 7PM (Monday - Friday) and 8AM - 12PM (Saturday).  You are charged EC$5 for every transaction which requires dealing with staff.

The only Bank branch open on public holidays is at Vieux Fort's Hewanorra International Airport, Bank of St. Lucia, because of tourists arriving/departing.

Major credit/debit cards are accepted at major businesses throughout SLU.

More and more Banks (local, regional and international ones operating here) introduce international procedures for safeguarding legal activities against money-laundering attempts.

Mortgage rates are steady at 8%. Commercial lending is around 10% with overdraft at 24%.

For the past years, there are small regional loans lenders with offices in SLU now offering fast loans of EC$8,000 - 10,000 (US$3,000 - 3,700) at 2% - 4%$/month.

The insurance industry is very well represented here with regional and international conglomerates maintaining offices mainly in Castries and up North.
Insurance industry is regulated and there is a Financial Supervisory Unit overseeing all activities.

Julien wrote:

Hi all,

is it difficult for expats to open a bank account in Saint Lucia ?

John answered:

No, it is not.

Which documents are required to open a bank account in Saint Lucia ?

- Two IDs,
- Copy of local utility bill,
- Copy of Bank statement from back home,
- Certificate of good standing from lawyer back home,
- Certificate of character from Police back home,
- Copy of local work permit (not needed if foreigner is just a tourist who wants to have a Bank account abroad).
- Minimum deposit required at Bank of St. Lucia: EC$50 = US$18.50

How long does it take to open it ?

One week.

Is there any restriction for expats regarding the services (loans for instance)  ?

One year employed in SLU.

Which bank would you recommend?

No recommendation from me, only two pieces of advice:

- Never do anything with borrowed money.
- Don't think that you can play the officials in SLU just because this is a small island. They will play you.

Thanks in advance for your participation,

Thank you for your good work!

Julien

John