Banks
06 June, 2024
Reading Time: 5 min

Top 5 banks in St Kitts and Nevis for investors

The banks operating in St Kitts and Nevis offer their clients current, settlement, savings, trading and escrow accounts, as well as term deposits. Clients can also apply for mortgages, as well as educational, automobile, business development, and other types of loans.

All the main banks offer clients online banking and mobile applications to manage their accounts.

Lyle Julien

Author •Lyle Julien

Discusses the reliable banks operating in St Kitts and Nevis

Top 5 banks in St Kitts and Nevis for investors

Top 5 banks in St Kitts and Nevis for investors

The Eastern Caribbean Central Bank controls the banks in St Kitts and Nevis. The East Caribbean dollar (EC$ or XCD) is the main currency in St Kitts and Nevis and five other Caribbean countries.

The East Caribbean dollar is pegged to the US dollar at 37 US cents, which reduces the currency risk for the local currency. Bank accounts in St Kitts and Nevis can be opened not only in East Caribbean dollars but also in 10 other currencies: US dollars, euros, pounds sterling and other currencies.

EC$1 = USD$0.37

Both St Kitts and Nevis citizens and foreigners can open an account at most banks.

National banks of St Kitts and Nevis

St Kitts-Nevis-Anguilla National Bank (SKNA), founded in 1971, is the oldest national bank. It has 6 branches and 18 SKNA ATMs, making it the largest bank in the country in terms of branches and ATMs.

At ATMs clients can deposit money, make a transfer, pay utility bills, top up their mobile phone accounts, and change their PIN code, as well as carry out other transactions.

Clients can carry out the following activities through online banking:

  • receive statements;

  • transfer money between their accounts and accounts of the bank’s other clients;

  • make interbank and international transfers via the SWIFT system;

  • pay bills;

  • turn on and disable auto payments;

  • activate and block debit cards.

The same services are available in the mobile application, except for receiving statements, SWIFT transfers, management of auto payments, and card activation or blocking. It also allows clients to set up transaction alerts.

The Bank of Nevis (BON) has been in operation for 37 years. It has 4 branches and 4 ATMs in the country. The Bank of Nevis bought out all the branches of the Canadian Royal Bank of Canada in St Kitts and Nevis in September 2021.

Clients can withdraw up to EC$1,500 daily from ATMs, make a payment to their credit card, transfer money between their accounts and change their PIN code.

$40.95

Fee for international transfer at the Bank of Nevis

Clients can carry out the following operations online:

  • transfer money between their accounts;

  • pay bills;

  • create regular auto payments and transfers;

  • send transaction data to applications to account for income and expenses;

  • change their PIN code;

  • set up notifications;

  • send international money transfers, which are processed by the bank within 24 hours for a fee of $40.95.

St Kitts-Nevis-Anguilla National Bank and the Bank of Nevis are members of the Caribbean Association of Banks, an association of the most reliable banks in the Caribbean countries.

St Kitts Co-operative Credit Union has been in business for over 30 years. The bank specializes in issuing loans and credit cards, but it also offers its clients current and savings accounts, and issues debit cards. When opening an account, the client needs to transfer EC$100 to activate the account.

The bank has only one branch. Most services are available through online banking, mobile applications, sending a request by e-mail or calling. Through online banking clients can transfer money between accounts, edit their profile, open new accounts and pay loans.

Nevis Cooperative Credit Union was founded 50 years ago. The bank serves only citizens and residents of St Kitts and Nevis: foreigners cannot open an account at this bank.

Clients need to transfer EC$700 into the account in order to activate a current account, which has a maintenance fee of EC$11.70 for individuals and EC$17.55 for legal entities.

Online banking and mobile applications are available. Clients can pay utility bills, transfer money between their accounts or to the bank’s other clients online.

The bank does not carry out either incoming or outgoing international money transfers.

Individual cost calculation for St Kitts and Nevis citizenship

Individual cost calculation for St Kitts and Nevis citizenship

Hamilton Reserve Bank is a popular bank among foreigners. The bank can communicate with its clients in 8 languages and accounts can be opened in 10 currencies: US Dollar, euro, British pound sterling, Canadian dollar, Australian dollar, Singapore dollar, Hong Kong dollar, Swiss franc, UAE dirham and Japanese yen.

There is no commission charged for opening an account and there is also no fee for maintaining and servicing an account. To activate an account, individual clients need to transfer $50,000 and legal entities $100,000 into their account. Cash and checks are not accepted at the bank: clients must make a bank transfer from another bank.

$50,000

Must be transferred to an individual’s account to activate it at Hamilton Reserve Bank

Incoming and outgoing SWIFT money transfers, including international transfers, are processed within a few hours, faster than at any other bank in St Kitts and Nevis.

Accounts can be opened remotely by filling out an online application on the bank’s official website and sending scans of the required documents. The documents must be notarized copies in English or translated into English and notarized. The bank does not require original documents to be sent by mail. The account opening procedure takes up to 10 days.

All banking services are available online. Internet banking is automatically connected upon activation of the account and is available round the clock.

Hamilton Reserve Bank is the only bank in St Kitts and Nevis that is licensed directly by the government to open escrow accounts and provide real estate escrow services for the citizenship by investment program.

An escrow account is used to secure transactions for purchasing real estate during the construction phase. After the developer and the buyer sign the sale-purchase agreement, the buyer deposits money into the escrow account. This money is transferred to the developer only after the fulfillment of the developer’s obligations under the contract, and until then it is kept in the bank’s escrow account.

St Kitts and Nevis citizenship may be obtained by investing at least $175,000 in real estate. The property can be sold after 5‑7 years of ownership.

St Kitts and Nevis citizenship by investment can be obtained not only by the investor but also by members of their family included in the application:

  • spouse;

  • parents over 55 years old;

  • children under 25 years old;

  • brothers and sisters under 25 years old.

St Kitts and Nevis citizens can travel without a visa to the UK, the Schengen countries, Singapore, Hong Kong, and numerous other countries throughout the world.

Comparison of online services in reliable banks of St Kitts and Nevis

Online banking and mobile banking through apps for iOS and Android

Online banking and mobile banking for iOS and Android

Online banking

Online banking and mobile banking through iOS and Android apps

Online banking and mobile banking through iOS and Android apps

Comparison of service fee in reliable banks of St Kitts and Nevis

No monthly service feefor a current account held by an individual

EC$11.70 per annum for current, settlement and deposit accounts for an individual


EC$23.40 per annum for current or settlement accounts for legal entities


$23.40 or EC$58.50 per annum for credit cards


US$23.40 per month
for wire transfers

No monthly service fee

EC$11.70 for accounts held by individuals


EC$17.55 for accounts held by legal entities

No information available

Comparison of amount to activate an account in reliable banks of St Kitts and Nevis

EC$100 or $200 for a current account opened by an individual


EC$500 or $200 for a current account opened by a legal entity


EC$25 or $200 for a savings account


EC$500 or $1,000 for a term deposit

No information available

$50,000 for individuals


$100,000 for legal entities

EC$500 for savings account


EC$700 for current account

EC$100 for current account


EC$10 and purchase of 20 shares at EC$5 share for a savings account


$500 for a savings account in US dollars

Comparison of commission in reliable banks of St Kitts and Nevis

No information available

$2.34 for an online transfer to another bank and online bill payment


$1.76 per transaction at SKNA ATM


$11.70 per transaction up to $500 at another bank’s ATM 


2% of transaction above $500 at another bank’s ATM

No commission for opening an account

EC$1 per transaction for cash withdrawal at branch office ATM


US$3 per transaction
cash withdrawal from other ATMs

No information available

Foreign bank branches in St Kitts and Nevis

  • FirstCaribbean International Bank (CIBC), registered in Barbados, has a branch in St Kitts and Nevis. The bank has branches in 16 Caribbean countries.

  • Republic Bank is the holding bank of Republic Financial Holdings Limited (RFHL). The headquarters of the holding is located in Trinidad and Tobago. In 2019, Republic Bank bought all the branches of the Canadian Scotiabank in St Kitts and Nevis. There are 3 bank branches and 7 ATMs in St Kitts and Nevis.

Documents required for opening an account

Individuals must provide the following documents:

  • a passport and another identity document, i.e., any valid government document with a photograph;

  • a document issued in the previous three months confirming the applicant’s registered residential address. This could be a utility bill, a letter from another bank or landlord, a postmarked envelope;

  • a completed bank opening form, including information about the purpose and use of the account.

The bank may also additionally request the following information:

  • certificate of employment on the letterhead of the company, which indicates the applicant’s position, date of employment and annual income;

  • bank statement confirming the source of income;

  • a letter of recommendation from another bank or from a highly qualified professional such as a lawyer or doctor.

Foreigners opening an account must provide the following additional information:

  • certificate of citizenship;

  • passport of their country of origin;

  • information on the selected investment option when a foreigner applies to open a bank account in the process of obtaining St Kitts and Nevis citizenship by investment.

To open an account for a company, the beneficiary or their authorized representative must provide the following information:

  • a passport and another identity document;

  • recent utility bill to verify their registered residential address;

  • certificate of registration of the company or its articles of association;

  • bank statements, contracts or invoices to confirm the legality of the source of their income;

  • a letter of recommendation from another bank, at which the applicant has been a client for more than a year;

  • a letter of recommendation from a highly qualified specialist who has known the applicant for more than two years;

  • decision of the board of directors to open an account and appoint a proxy;

  • Proof of shareholder structure;

  • Certificate of Good Standing or its equivalent.

If original documents are not sent to the bank, they must be translated into English and notarized.

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Frequently asked questions

  • How do I open a bank account in St Kitts and Nevis?

    To open a bank account in St Kitts and Nevis, you can apply online, in person at the bank, or through a representative by proxy. If you open an account remotely, the documents required must be translated into English, notarized and sent to the bank by mail. The average processing time for an application is 10 business days. When the application is approved, the initial amount required to activate the account must be transferred to the account. This also automatically enables online banking.

  • How can I find a reliable bank in St Kitts and Nevis?

    The Caribbean Association of Banks, an association of the most reliable banks in 35 Caribbean countries, includes two banks in St Kitts and Nevis: St Kitts-Nevis-Anguilla National Bank and the Bank of Nevis.

  • Which bank has the lowest service fees?

    At some banks in St Kitts and Nevis, accounts are maintained free of charge, for example, at Hamilton Reserve Bank. However, to activate an account at this bank, you need to transfer at least $50,000 to it. In other banks, account maintenance fees can be EC$11.70 per annum. However, usually a much smaller amount, for example EC$700, is required to activate an account.

    A comparison of services offered by the largest and most secure international banks in St Kitts and Nevis

  • What banks are in St Kitts?

    The banks operating in St Kitts and Nevis offer their clients current, settlement, savings, trading and escrow accounts, as well as term deposits. Clients can also apply for mortgages, as well as educational, automobile, business development, and other types of loans.

    All the main banks offer clients online banking and mobile applications to manage their accounts.

    A comparison of services offered by the largest and most secure international banks in St Kitts and Nevis

  • Can I open a bank account in St Kitts and Nevis?

    Yes, you can. To open a bank account in St Kitts and Nevis, you can apply online, in person at the bank, or through a representative by proxy. If you open an account remotely, the documents required must be translated into English, notarized and sent to the bank by mail.