We guide Colombian companies and international shareholders through the compliance requirements of traditional Colombian banks and international digital providers. Supporting founders from over 50+ countries.
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Securing a corporate bank account in Colombia requires navigating stringent Know Your Customer (KYC) frameworks, anti-money laundering regulations (SARLAFT), and direct liaison with the commercial risk departments of local credit institutions. As an experienced corporate service provider, we assist founders by structuring complete compliance dossiers before submission.
We ensure your Colombian Cámara de Comercio registration, tax identification (RUT), and shareholder registers meet local bank validation standards.
Our team reviews your beneficial ownership structure, source of funds, and business activities against Colombian financial sector risk parameters.
We coordinate directly with commercial account managers to identify the institutions most compatible with your operational model.
For foreign executives, we advise on certified apostilles, official translations, and legal representative requirements under Colombian law.
Colombia's traditional banking system is overseen by the Superintendencia Financiera de Colombia (SFC). These banks provide local clearing (ACH Colombia), tax collection integration with the DIAN, and foreign exchange accounts (cuentas de compensación) registered with the Banco de la República.
For international transactions, cross-border vendor payments, and early-stage flexibility, specialized digital account platforms complement local Colombian banking.
| Provider | Non-resident accepted? | Remote onboarding? | Local address/company requirements | Typical timeline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bancolombia | Yes (requires legal representative with local identification or legal power of attorney) | Needs confirmation (frequently requires in-person appearance or legalized power of attorney) | Colombian company (e.g., S.A.S.), active RUT (DIAN), local physical address, local phone number | 3 to 6 weeks |
| Banco de Bogotá | Yes (subject to corporate structure and SARLAFT review) | Needs confirmation (usually requires interview and in-person signature of legal rep) | Colombian incorporation (Cámara de Comercio), NIT, proof of operational address | 4 to 7 weeks |
| Davivienda | Yes (non-resident ultimate beneficial owners allowed with certified documentation) | Needs confirmation (dependent on the specific commercial branch policies) | Colombian registered entity, local tax filings, physical commercial lease or shared office contract | 3 to 5 weeks |
| BBVA Colombia | Yes (well-suited for foreign corporate parent companies) | Needs confirmation (commercial executive may require in-person identity verification) | Registered branch or Colombian subsidiary, active RUT, local tax domicile | 4 to 6 weeks |
| Global66 Empresas | Yes (accepts companies registered in Colombia with foreign directors, subject to platform terms) | Yes (fully digital platform onboarding) | Registered Colombian business entity with NIT/RUT or eligible foreign corporate registration | 3 to 7 business days |
| Wise Business (Holding / Foreign Entity) | Yes (available depending on the country of incorporation of your parent entity) | Yes (digital verification via platform) | International company registration; not an SFC-regulated local deposit account | 2 to 5 business days |
Colombian companies (such as an S.A.S. or foreign branch) seeking an operational checking account (cuenta corriente).
Foreign founders and multinationals operating in Colombia who need assistance navigating local SARLAFT risk controls.
Export-driven tech companies, service providers, and manufacturing businesses needing foreign exchange compliance guidance.
Companies with complex shareholder structures requiring legal apostilles, translations, and corporate document validation.
Businesses seeking guaranteed approvals without submitting mandatory tax and corporate documentation.
High-risk sectors not accepted by Colombian commercial banks, such as unregulated financial intermediaries or unlicensed betting.
Individuals seeking personal savings accounts (our service is exclusively for corporate and business structures).
Entities without a verifiable beneficial owner or those unable to provide tax status identification in their country of residence.
Colombian financial institutions require a fully registered legal entity before processing any corporate account application. If you have not yet incorporated your Sociedad por Acciones Simplificada (S.A.S.) or registered a foreign branch with the Cámara de Comercio, we can establish your complete corporate structure first. Explore our our corporate formation and governance services to obtain your commercial registration and RUT. For international corporate groups requiring local administrative representation, discover our our corporate formation and governance services for compliant Colombian legal representation options.
We evaluate your company's ownership chain, commercial activity, anticipated transactional volume, and the tax residency of all directors and beneficial owners.
Our compliance specialists gather the Certificado de Existencia y Representación Legal, DIAN RUT, financial statements, and prepare sworn declarations required under local anti-laundering regulations.
We introduce your file to banking officers or digital business platforms whose risk appetite aligns with your sector, submitting the application where authorized or coordinating your direct submission.
We monitor the compliance review, assist with supplementary documentation requests, coordinate the onboarding interview, and guide you through token setup and initial funding.
Colombian commercial banks can open accounts for companies with foreign shareholders and non-resident directors, but they apply elevated scrutiny under SARLAFT guidelines. Colombian corporate law mandates that every Colombian entity (such as an S.A.S.) has an appointed Legal Representative (Representante Legal). If the legal representative is a foreign national without a Cédula de Extranjería, banks frequently require either a local resident co-representative, a legalized power of attorney (Poder), or an in-person visit to execute account signature cards. Furthermore, all international equity contributions and cross-border currency exchanges must be registered with the Banco de la República under the appropriate exchange declaration forms. We help non-resident founders navigate each of these jurisdictional requirements systematically.
We guide international executive teams across multiple geographic regions to establish compliant banking channels in Colombia:
Everything you need to know about opening a corporate business bank account in Colombia.
