Business accounts: Saint Kitts and Nevis

Updated 6 October 2026

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

The Federation of St Kitts and Nevis has two islands with different company law: companies on St Kitts are registered by the state registrar of companies, while Nevis has its own financial legislation with limited liability companies and business corporations. Banks in the Federation of St Kitts and Nevis are supervised by the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank, and the Eastern Caribbean dollar has been pegged to the US dollar at 2.70 since 1976. Local banks open accounts for companies with real activity on the islands; holding and asset protection structures usually bank in another jurisdiction.

Which company for which account

• A St Kitts company: for business on the islands, such as tourism, property, trade, services. A local bank account is opened for it.
• A Nevis company or trust: for holding assets and protecting capital, more often banking in another country. More on our business account on Nevis page.
• A company owned by a federation passport holder: the bank assesses its business like any other company; the passport does not replace a business rationale.

Registering and maintaining the company

• St Kitts: the state registrar registers the company, a registered office on the island is required, and an annual return is filed with updated director details.
• Nevis: registration goes through the financial services regulation department via a local registered agent; government fees are about $320 in the first year and $330 for annual renewal under the schedule updated in April 2025.
• Owner details are kept by the registered agent and disclosed to the authorities on request.

An account for buying property under the programme

Buyers of approved property under the citizenship programme often open a local company or personal account for payments to the developer, property management and rental income. The bank checks such payments against the developer contract and programme documents.

What the bank checks

• articles, certificate of incorporation and good standing;
• directors, shareholders and ultimate owners, with all their nationalities;
• origin of capital and a description of business on the islands;
• contracts, payment countries and expected turnover;
• for tourism and trade, local licences and tax registration.

Taxes the bank will see

• VAT: 17%, lower for hotel services.
• Corporate income tax for companies active on the islands: under local rules; the rate and any incentives are checked at registration.
• There is no personal income tax in the federation.

How opening works

1. Choosing the island and company form for your goal.
2. Company registration, tax registration and licences.
3. Bank file: documents, beneficial owners, origin of capital.
4. A meeting between the director and the bank, and answers to its questions.
5. An account in Eastern Caribbean and US dollars, with online banking.

Why banks refuse

• The company has no activity on the islands.
• Ultimate owners or origin of capital not disclosed.
• The owner's first nationality is hidden.
• Payments with higher-risk countries without a clear explanation.
• The annual return or annual fee is overdue and the company has lost good standing.

What we do

Murblz specialists choose the island and company form, register it with locally licensed partners, prepare the bank file and the origin-of-capital explanation, and support the opening until the decision. We quote the cost after a short consultation; the decision always rests with the bank.

What we do

• Corporate account - opening assistance

See also

Personal account · Investment property · All country programs

FAQ