±User Info
Welcome Anonymous
Membership:
Latest: massery
New Today: 10
New Yesterday: 16
Overall: 55886
People Online:
Members: 0
Visitors: 44
Bots: 5
Staff: 0
Staff Online:
No staff members are online!
±Columnists
±Newsletter
Banking
Back to top Back to main Skip to menuCosta Rica - Banking
Costa Rica's financial sector includes the Central Bank, 3 state-owned commercial banks, 12 private commercial banks, 1 workers' bank, 1 state-owned mortgage bank and 3 mutual house-building companies, 9 private finance companies and 28 savings and loans cooperatives. In addition, there are 2 money exchange houses, 30 investment and retirement funds or trusts run by both state and private commercial banks and the state insurance company.
Government banks - These banks offer you the advantage of being safer for your money, since the Costa Rican government backs them. They also have better coverage; practically any town in Costa Rica has a Banco Nacional and/or a Banco de Costa Rica too. They have a wide range of services. The disadvantages are mostly the long lines that occur in busy locations and on peak days (Monday morning, Friday afternoon, 1st, 15th, & 30th of each month, etc.) Although they may have an English speaker on the staff in the larger branches, smaller branches are not as likely to.
Private Banks - These banks offer you several advantages over the state banks: shorter lines, faster service, more English speaking staff and more agility in bringing new products and services into the market. The greatest disadvantage is the lack of deposit insurance. You will have to look closely at the corporation and its behavior when you use a private bank. That said, the government regulations do offer a measure of protection and your funds are safe under normal circumstances with any of the larger private banks.
Useful links:
Costa Rica's Central Bank:
Costa Rica's State Banks:
Private Banks:
|
|
|
Tell your friends about this page! |
Information courtesy of American-European Real Estate Costa Rica. Visit their website to find prices and photos for 400+ properties in the most popular areas of Costa Rica.
Got something to add to this section? Spotted something which should be changed? Please let us know!
Click here to return to the contents page for "Costa Rica - an expatriate guide."














