Expats: Banks in South America. Central Banks and Private Banks in Latin America

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INFO BY COUNTRY

Where to Locate Banks in South America

On this page we've listed the central banks of each South American country. The central bank is the government-owned and operated bank, usually where the state treasury is housed. Below these you'll find links to online sources that list both public and private banks in each nation, some in great detail.

Take note that although many banks in Latin America have websites, not all allow for online transactions, although in some countries they are fully equipped to do so. In addition, those that do allow online transactions may do so in a limited manner. For example, they may allow you to transfer funds between your own accounts, but not to someone else. As another example, in many countries in South America you can use ATMs (cash machines) to withdraw but not deposit.

One advantage is that in some countries banks allow for savings in both the local currency and dollars (and some in Euros as well). Few banks in Latin America take currencies other than these three.

Another advantage is that you may find banks in South America tend to offer higher interest rates than in the U.S. or Europe. This is because countries are often politically, and therefore economically, unstable and must increase their interest rates in order to better attract foreign investment. Keep this in mind when you decide whether to open an account in an Latin American bank or not. It can be quite advantageous, but only you can decide how much you are willing to risk.

When using banks in person, rather than online, you will find pretty much the same range of services available in banks all over the world.

If you find any of the information on this page is outdated, please contact us. Banks in South America are not as stable as in some other regions of the world and tend to change addresses, open and close branches frequently.

To suggest another source be included: contact us here

Argentina

Banco Central de la Republica Argentina Central Bank of Argentina
http://www.bcra.gov.ar

Reconquista 266
Capital Federal 1003
Buenos Aires
+54 11 4348 3500

For a full listing of banks in Argentina click here:
http://www.aaadir.com/continent/continent.jsp?cont_id=7&la=1

For information from The World Bank Group on doing business in Argentina click here:
http://www.doingbusiness.org/ExploreEconomies/?economyid=9

For an overview on doing business in Argentina from the US Department of Commerce US Commercial service click here:
http://www.buyusa.gov/argentina/en/

Return to Argentina country facts page.

Bolivia

Banco Central de Bolivia
http://www.bcb.gov.bo

Casilla Postal: 3118
La Paz
+591 237 4151

For a full listing of banks in Bolivia click here:
http://www.aaadir.com/continent/continent.jsp?cont_id=7&la=1

For information from The World Bank Group on doing business in Bolivia click here:
http://www.doingbusiness.org/ExploreEconomies/?economyid=25

For an overview on doing business in Bolivia from the US Department of Commerce US Commercial service click here:
http://www.buyusa.gov/bolivia/en/

Return to Bolivia country facts page.

Brazil

Banco Central do Brasil - Central Bank of Brazil
http://www.bcb.gov.br

SBS Quadra 3 Bloco B
P.O. Box: 08670
Brasília, 70074-900
061 214 2401
061 321 9453

For a full listing of banks in Brazil click here:
http://www.aaadir.com/continent/continent.jsp?cont_id=7&la=1

For information from The World Bank Group on doing business in Brazil click here:
http://www.doingbusiness.org/ExploreEconomies/?economyid=28

For an overview on doing business in Brazil from the US Department of Commerce US Commercial service click here:
http://www.focusbrazil.org.br/siteUSA/index.htm

Return to Brazil country facts page.

Chile

Banco Central de Chile
http://www.bcentral.cl

Agustinas 1180
Casilla 967
Santiago de Chile 8340454
Region Metropolitana
+56 2 670 2000
+56 2 670 2099 240461

For a full listing of banks in Chile click here:
http://www.aaadir.com/continent/continent.jsp?cont_id=7&la=1

For information from The World Bank Group on doing business in Chile click here:
http://www.doingbusiness.org/ExploreEconomies/?economyid=41

For an overview on doing business in Chile from the US Department of Commerce US Commercial service click here:
http://www.buyusa.gov/chile/en/

Return to Chile country facts page.

Colombia

Banco de la Republica de Colombia
http://www.banrep.gov.co

Carrera 7 No. 14-78
Santafe de Bogota
342 1111
571 286 1686

For a full listing of banks in Colombia click here:
http://www.aaadir.com/continent/continent.jsp?cont_id=7&la=1

For information from The World Bank Group on doing business in Colombia click here:
http://www.doingbusiness.org/exploreeconomies/?economyid=46

For an overview on doing business in Colombia from the US Department of Commerce US Commercial service click here:
http://www.buyusa.gov/colombia/en/

Return to Colombia country facts page.

Ecuador

Banco Central del Ecuador
http://www.bce.fin.ec

Avenida 10 de Agosto y Briceno
(Plaza Bo Quito
02 582 577
02 572 213 57001

For a full listing of banks in Ecuador click here:
http://www.aaadir.com/continent/continent.jsp?cont_id=7&la=1

For information from The World Bank Group on doing business in Ecuador click here:
http://www.doingbusiness.org/ExploreEconomies/?economyid=60

For an overview on doing business in Ecuador from the US Department of Commerce US Commercial service click here:
http://www.buyusa.gov/ecuador/en/

Return to Ecuador country facts page.

Paraguay

Banco Central del Paraguay
http://www.bcp.gov.py

Federacion Rusa y Cabo 1ro Marecos
Asuncion
+595 21 608011
+595 21 6192637

For a full listing of banks in Paraguay click here:
http://www.aaadir.com/continent/continent.jsp?cont_id=7&la=1

For information from The World Bank Group on doing business in Paraguay click here:
http://www.doingbusiness.org/ExploreEconomies/?economyid=151

Return to Paraguay country facts page.

Peru

Banco Central de Reserva del Peru
http://www.bcrp.gob.pe

Jr. Miroquesada #441
Lima
51 1 427 6250

For a full listing of banks in Peru click here:
http://www.aaadir.com/continent/continent.jsp?cont_id=7&la=1

For information from The World Bank Group on doing business in Peru click here:
http://www.doingbusiness.org/ExploreEconomies/?economyid=152

For an overview on doing business in Peru from the US Department of Commerce US Commercial service click here:
http://www.buyusa.gov/peru/en/

Return to Peru country facts page.

Uruguay

Banco Central del Uruguay
http://www.bcu.gub.uy

Diagonal Fabini 777
Montevideo
+598 2 1967

For a full listing of banks in Uruguay click here:
http://www.aaadir.com/continent/continent.jsp?cont_id=7&la=1

For information from The World Bank Group on doing business in Uruguay click here:
http://www.doingbusiness.org/ExploreEconomies/?economyid=198

For an overview on doing business in Uruguay from the US Department of Commerce US Commercial service click here:
http://www.buyusa.gov/uruguay/en/

Return to Uruguay country facts page.

Venezuela

Banco Central de Venezuela
http://www.bcv.org.ve

Av. Urdaneta esq. Las Carmelitas
Caracas 1010 Distrito Federal
+58 212 801 5111
+58 212 861 1649

For a full listing of banks in Venezuela click here:
http://www.aaadir.com/continent/continent.jsp?cont_id=7&la=1

For information from The World Bank Group on doing business in Venezuela click here:
http://www.doingbusiness.org/exploreeconomies/?economyid=201

For an overview on doing business in Venezuela from the US Department of Commerce US Commercial service click here:
http://www.buyusa.gov/venezuela/en/

Return to Venezuela country facts page.

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