How to open a business account in Guatemala

How business banking works in Guatemala

Opening a business account in Guatemala starts with a registered company. Most businesses operate as a sociedad anonima registered with the Registro Mercantil, the Mercantile Registry, which issues the Patente de Comercio and the Patente de Sociedad. The company also needs a NIT, the tax identification number issued by SAT, the Superintendencia de Administracion Tributaria, under the unified tax registry known as the RTU. Banks are supervised by the Superintendencia de Bancos and apply in person onboarding with anti money laundering checks. Accounts are commonly held in quetzales or US dollars. The large local banks, including Banco Industrial, Banco de Desarrollo Rural known as Banrural, BAC Credomatic, Banco G&T Continental and Banco Agromercantil known as BAM, provide most business accounts.

Who can open a business account

A company registered in Guatemala can open a business account once it holds its Patente de Comercio, Patente de Sociedad and NIT. The legal representative normally provides official identification, proof of address and the document confirming authority to act for the company. Foreign owned companies can hold an account, but the company must be registered in Guatemala and usually needs a legal representative who can appear in person, because banks apply face to face onboarding. A non resident individual generally cannot open a company account directly. Verify your situation with the provider, as of 18 January 2026.

How long it takes

Once the company is registered and the documents are complete, banks commonly open an account within about two to three weeks, subject to anti money laundering review. Company registration with the Registro Mercantil and the NIT registration with SAT take their own time and should be completed first. Timelines vary by bank and by how quickly documents and translations are ready, so confirm current timelines with the bank.

Documents you usually need

Requirements vary by bank and by whether owners are resident in Guatemala. Typical items include the following. Verify with the provider

• A company registered with the Registro Mercantil, with its Patente de Comercio and Patente de Sociedad, the deed of incorporation, and a valid NIT registered under the RTU with SAT.
• Official identification and proof of address for the legal representative and for the beneficial owners, together with the document confirming authority to open accounts.
• Proof of the company address such as a utility bill, a description of the business activity, and, for foreign issued documents, notarized Spanish translations. Confirm the current list with the bank.

Steps to open an account

1. Register the company with the Registro Mercantil to obtain the Patente de Comercio and Patente de Sociedad, then register for a NIT with SAT under the RTU.
2. Gather the deed of incorporation, the patentes, the NIT, identification and proof of address for the legal representative and beneficial owners, and a description of the business activity.
3. Book in person onboarding at the chosen bank, present the documents for anti money laundering review, and confirm the account currency, fees and online banking before funding the account.