Which institutions can provide regulated banking services in Bolivia?

Regulated providers include Bancos Múltiples, Bancos PYME, public and development banks, housing finance entities, development finance institutions and authorised savings and credit cooperatives. ASFI's register shows whether a provider is licensed and whether intervention or liquidation proceedings affect its status.

What documents are required to open a bank account in Bolivia?

The institution normally checks identity and may request proof of residence, business activity or other information required for customer identification. Exact documents, minimum balances and access for non-residents depend on the provider, product and opening channel.

How are bank deposits protected in Bolivia?

The Fondo de Protección del Ahorrista provides protection through resolution procedures and for insured deposits in compulsory liquidation. The rules do not establish a blanket, unlimited guarantee for every account balance or financial product.

How can a customer complain about a bank in Bolivia?

First submit the complaint to the institution's Punto de Reclamo and request its registration number. If the response does not resolve the issue, use ASFI's Defensoría del Consumidor Financiero; the process is free and the institution's first-level response should take no more than five working days under ASFI guidance.

Which payment methods are available through banks in Bolivia?

Customers can use cash in bolivianos, OETF transfers, cheques, debit, credit or prepaid cards, QR BCB Bolivia and mobile wallets. QR payments can operate between authorised banks, cooperatives and other participating financial institutions.

Banks in Bolivia

Banks in Bolivia provide accounts, deposits, payments, cards and digital financial services. The system also includes savings and credit cooperatives, housing finance entities and development institutions, all subject to different functions and access conditions. ASFI supervises licensed financial institutions, while the BCB regulates national payment systems.

bySofia&Mateo

Financial intermediation entities, called Entidades de Intermediación Financiera (EIF), include several types of providers in Bolivia. Bancos Múltiples serve individuals and companies of different sizes. Bancos PYME focus on small and medium-sized businesses and microenterprises. Public banks and the Banco de Desarrollo Productivo have state or development functions. Entidades Financieras de Vivienda concentrate on housing finance, Instituciones Financieras de Desarrollo support development activities, and Cooperativas de Ahorro y Crédito operate as member-based cooperatives while also serving the public. ASFI licenses and supervises these institutions, maintains the relevant registers, oversees consumer protection and publishes tariff information. Before opening an account, check the provider's ASFI license and whether the institution has an intervention, liquidation or insolvency status. There is no single nationwide account-opening requirement: identification, proof of residence or business activity, minimum balances, account type, distribution channel and access for non-residents can vary by institution and product. Common products include a Caja de Ahorros for everyday liquidity, a Cuenta Corriente for payment transactions and a Depósito a Plazo Fijo (DPF) for money held for a contractually agreed term. Digital accounts and mobile wallets can provide similar payment functions, but a wallet is not automatically a bank deposit. Account holders should review information about inactivity, closure and possible statutory treatment of dormant funds. Payments can use cash in bolivianos, transfers through the Orden Electrónica de Transferencia de Fondos (OETF), cheques, debit or credit cards, prepaid cards, QR BCB Bolivia and mobile wallets. The BCB's LIP handles central settlement for high-value payments. QR payments are interoperable among authorised banks, cooperatives and other participating financial institutions, and digital channels are increasingly relevant alongside branches and ATMs. A debit card uses available account funds, while a credit card uses an approved credit line and a prepaid card uses money loaded in advance. Cards may be physical or virtual and can work at points of sale, ATMs or online. Since April 2026, foreign and online card use has been authorised again under the applicable conditions; debit-card use has a minimum monthly limit of USD 500, while higher limits may be available from the issuing bank. Credit-card use depends on the approved limit and repayment conditions. Check the current status and limits with the provider before relying on international transactions. A DPF and a savings account are core deposit products, but their terms differ in liquidity, duration and return. Under D.S. 2055, the minimum savings interest rate of 2% per year applies only to accounts in bolivianos held by natural persons with an average monthly balance of up to Bs70,000. DPF minimum rates depend on the term and the applicable regulatory conditions. The Fondo de Protección del Ahorrista protects deposits through resolution procedures and covers insured deposits in compulsory liquidation; this does not amount to a blanket, unlimited guarantee for every balance or product. Customers have rights to equal treatment, clear and timely product and tariff information, confidentiality, quality service and effective complaint channels. Start a complaint at the institution's Punto de Reclamo and request the registration number. The institution should respond within a maximum of five working days under the ASFI guidance. If the first-level process does not resolve the matter, the customer can approach ASFI's Defensoría del Consumidor Financiero. Complaints are free, and ASFI provides the Línea 800 103 103, online services and offices across Bolivia. Protect PINs, passwords, tokens and one-time codes, and never save access data on a card. Use the institution's official domain or application, close active sessions and request an immediate card or wallet block after detecting irregular activity. The BCB security framework covers authenticity, integrity, confidentiality, non-repudiation and availability. Unlicensed financial intermediation is prohibited, so unusually high-return offers or pyramid schemes without ASFI authorisation require particular caution.

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