Banks and the Financial Regulator (SSF) in El Salvador
The banks
| Type | Institutions listed by the SSF |
|---|---|
| Private banks | Banco Agrícola, Banco Cuscatlán de El Salvador, Banco Davivienda Salvadoreño, Banco Promérica, Banco de América Central, Banco Atlántida El Salvador, Banco ABANK, Banco Industrial El Salvador, Banco Azul de El Salvador and Banco Apoyo Integral |
| State banks | Banco de Fomento Agropecuario (BFA), Banco Hipotecario and the Development Bank of El Salvador (BANDESAL) |
| Branch of a foreign bank | Citibank, N.A., El Salvador branch |
| Cooperative banks that take deposits from the public | Multi Inversiones Banco Cooperativo de los Trabajadores and Banco de los Trabajadores Salvadoreños (BTS) |
Source: SSF: Banks; SSF: State banks; SSF: Banks, cooperative banks and foreign branches1,2,3
The full list of supervised entities, including insurers, pension fund managers, brokerage houses and savings and credit societies, is on the SSF website. Check that a bank or adviser appears there before you deposit money.9
Size and growth of the banking system
- Assets: USD 29,523.9 million at the banks of the Salvadoran Banking Association (ABANSA) in June 2026, 10.7% more than a year earlier.
- Loans: USD 19,978.8 million, up 10.4%; lending to companies was USD 10,636.0 million, 53% of the total.
- Deposits: USD 23,259 million, up 13.4%.
Source: Revista E&N: Lending to companies in El Salvador up 13.6% year on year to June7
The deposit guarantee
- Amount: USD 12,054 per depositor and per member institution, valid from 1 January 2026 to 31 December 2027. It was USD 11,951 before.
- Updates: the IGD revises the amount every two years.
- Joint accounts: covered up to three times the limit.
- Members: banks, cooperative banks and savings and credit societies that take deposits from the public.
Source: IGD: New deposit guarantee amount in El Salvador; Law on the Stability of the Financial System and Deposit Guarantee (SSF, PDF, in Spanish); IGD: Our services4,5,6
The guarantee is per institution, so a company with large balances may spread them across banks. Deposits above the limit are not guaranteed.5
Investment banks for sophisticated investors
- The law: the Legislative Assembly approved the Investment Banks Law on 7 August 2025. The BCR issued its technical rules (NRP-94) in November 2025.
- Clients: only sophisticated investors with at least USD 250,000 in freely available liquid assets, which may include bitcoin and stablecoins.
- Requirements: minimum share capital of USD 50 million and a solvency ratio of 8%; the SSF authorises and supervises them.
- Digital assets: an investment bank may also seek authorisation as a digital asset or Bitcoin service provider.
Source: Diario El Mundo: New banking law for sophisticated investors approved; Central Reserve Bank: NRP-94 technical rules for investment banks (PDF, in Spanish)8,10
Frequently Asked Questions
How many banks are there in El Salvador?
In 2026 the SSF lists 10 private banks, 3 state banks and the branch of Citibank N.A., besides cooperative banks that take deposits.
Who protects bank deposits?
The Deposit Guarantee Institute (IGD) guarantees deposits up to USD 12,054 per person and per member institution from 1 January 2026 to 31 December 2027.
Who can bank with an investment bank?
Under the 2025 law, a client needs USD 250,000 of liquid assets to bank with an investment bank.
Sources
- SSF: Banks (in Spanish)
- SSF: State banks (in Spanish)
- SSF: Banks, cooperative banks and foreign branches (in Spanish)
- IGD: New deposit guarantee amount in El Salvador (in Spanish)
- Law on the Stability of the Financial System and Deposit Guarantee (SSF, PDF, in Spanish)
- IGD: Our services (in Spanish)
- Revista E&N: Lending to companies in El Salvador up 13.6% year on year to June (in Spanish)
- Diario El Mundo: New banking law for sophisticated investors approved (in Spanish)
- SSF: Supervised entities (in Spanish)
- Central Reserve Bank: NRP-94 technical rules for investment banks (PDF, in Spanish)
Figures checked 8 November 2026. Prepared by InvestSalvador.com for general information. It is not investment, tax or legal advice; please confirm details with a qualified adviser before acting.
