Business accounts: Antigua and Barbuda

Updated 5 October 2026

An honest assessment before work starts, the quote is fixed in writing.

Antigua and Barbuda is a Caribbean island state using the Eastern Caribbean dollar, pegged to the US dollar at EC$2.70. Banking supervision is split: local commercial banks are supervised by the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank, while international banks, trust and insurance companies are licensed and inspected by the Financial Services Regulatory Commission. An account in Antigua is most often needed by people who became citizens by investment, bought property, are moving to the island or run a local business.

Banks in the country

• Local commercial banks serve residents and companies and take deposits in Eastern Caribbean and US dollars.
• International banks operate under a separate licence with foreign clients. The Commission audits them annually, requires a beneficial ownership attestation and approves changes of directors.

Taxes

Corporate income tax in Antigua and Barbuda is 25% for the 2025 tax year. It applies to companies incorporated there and foreign companies with a permanent establishment. More on our Antigua and Barbuda: all programs page.

What the bank checks

• the client's identity, citizenship and address;
• the link to the country: citizenship, residence, property, business;
• the source of funds and wealth;
• the purpose of the account and payment countries.

Documents

• passport, and for citizens by investment the Antigua and Barbuda passport and citizenship certificate;
• a second identity document;
• proof of address;
• a bank reference letter;
• proof of income and source of wealth.

Currency and transfers

Antigua and Barbuda is a member of the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union, so the Eastern Caribbean dollar is shared with neighbouring islands. An account in Eastern Caribbean and US dollars is convenient: property deals and large payments are in US dollars. Banks in the country work through correspondents in the US and Canada, so they ask in advance for documents on large incoming payments.

Timing

Timing depends on the completeness of the file and the correspondent bank's review: with a full set of documents, reference letters and a source-of-funds explanation the bank decides faster, while sending documents piecemeal drags the process out. So we assemble the whole file before applying.

Why applications are refused

• no link to the country;
• an unverified source of funds;
• links to sanctioned countries;
• activity risky for correspondent banks in the US and Canada.

What we do

We assess the chances, choose a local or international bank, prepare documents and a source-of-funds explanation, and handle the application until the decision. A manager will calculate the cost in the chat.

An account for a company in Antigua and Barbuda

A business account at a local bank is opened for a company registered in the country and operating there: trade, tourism, services. The bank checks registration, directors and beneficial owners, contracts and expected turnover. Companies with international activity sometimes choose an international bank supervised by the Financial Services Regulatory Commission, which works with foreign clients but requires a detailed file on owners and source of funds.

Documents for a business account

• certificate of incorporation, articles and director details;
• passports and proof of address of owners;
• a business description, contracts and business plan;
• proof of the origin of capital;
• bank reference letters.

How it is opened

1. Bank. We decide between a local and an international bank.
2. Documents. We prepare the file on the company and owners.
3. Review. We answer the bank's questions.
4. Opening. The bank opens the account after its checks.

What we do

• Corporate account - opening assistance

See also

Company formation · Personal account · Investment property · All country programs

FAQ