Banks in Paraguay

Paraguay's formal banking system includes private banks, foreign bank branches or subsidiaries, locally controlled banks, Banco Nacional de Fomento (BNF) and regulated deposit-taking financieras. The current BCP list includes 15 private banks covered by the Fondo de Garantía de Depósitos (FGD), while BNF operates separately with state-backed obligations. Financiera Paraguayo-Japonesa, Finlatina, Tu Financiera and FIC S.A. de Finanzas are deposit-taking financieras. Cooperativas supervised by INCOOP and electronic-money providers can offer functional alternatives, but they do not have bank status. The BCP is the central authority for authorization, banking rules and payment-system regulation. The SIB is responsible for inspection, control and ongoing supervision. Banks and financieras apply risk-based customer checks that can include identity, residence, income, source of funds and, for companies, RUC and proof of representation. A foreign resident's access to a particular account or service depends on the bank's policies, status assessment and documents; no institution has to approve every product for every applicant. Individuals can request a Cuenta Básica de Ahorro, including through remote or in-person procedures where the institution offers that channel. It requires an identity document and simplified SEPRELAD due diligence, has no minimum opening amount or minimum average balance, and is held only in local currency. It can support deposits, withdrawals, balance information, statements and SIPAP services under the applicable rules. Foreign remittances may be credited in local currency, subject to the monthly accreditation limit set by the current SEPRELAD risk level and the bank's terms. Cuenta Básica MIPYMES is designed for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, uses the central Cédula MIPYMES, has no minimum opening amount or balance, and is subject to a limit of 20 minimum salaries and product-specific restrictions on holding conventional deposit accounts at the same time. Other accounts include checking accounts, demand savings accounts, term savings and CDA products. A CDA is a certificate of deposit with a defined term and conditions. Accounts may be denominated in local or foreign currency, but minimum balances, terms, interest and charges are set by each institution. A deposit is not the same as an investment or securities product. The FGD protects eligible deposits at private BCP- and SIB-supervised banks and financieras up to 75 minimum salaries per person or legal entity and institution. The current BCP figure is ₲228,300,000. Deposits held by the same person at one institution are combined for the limit, joint accounts are counted according to each holder's share, and debts owed to the institution can be offset before payment. Certain related-party, simulated, illegal, trust or mortgage-letter arrangements are excluded. BNF deposits do not receive FGD coverage because BNF obligations are guaranteed by the state. If the FGD process begins, the BCP states that payment can take up to 30 days, within a legal framework of 15 days plus a possible 15-day extension. SIPAP is Paraguay's national payment infrastructure. LBTR handles high-value real-time settlement, ACH handles batch clearing, and SPI handles instant low-value transfers. Banks and other authorized providers support transfers, salary payments, automatic debits, remittances and cheque services. Payment aliases can use a CI, RUC, mobile number or email address. Interoperable QR payments connect providers through the national payment framework, while EMPEs are BCP-authorized electronic-money providers that do not perform financial intermediation or pay interest on electronic money. Wallets and cooperatives can replace a bank account for some payment uses, but not for every deposit or banking service. Debit, credit and prepaid cards are governed by provider terms and consumer-protection rules under Law 5476/2015. Annual fees, cash-withdrawal charges, foreign-exchange costs, limits and other card prices differ by provider. Simple credit transfers are generally free under Law 7503/2025, but the detailed rules and the actual service must be checked. Banks must publish current tariffs, contract models and complaint channels. For a disputed charge or service, first use the institution's internal complaint system and keep the complaint, identity copy, contact details and supporting evidence. If the response is missing or inadequate, the matter can be taken to the Oficina de Atención al Consumidor Financiero or the SIB. The BCP does not normally resolve an individual bank's operational dispute directly. Automatic debits are not irrevocable: the customer can suspend or revoke them under the applicable 2025 rules. Digital banking requires an OTP or other strong authentication for digital SIPAP transactions. The BCP warns against phishing, fake websites and fraudulent WhatsApp or email links. No legitimate institution should request a login or transaction password through such a message. Keep credentials secret, update the registered device and phone number, and immediately block and report unauthorized activity.