Banking and payments in Guyana: the Guyanese dollar, exchange and deposit insurance
In Guyana you pay with the Guyanese dollar. At the end of September 2026 the Bank of Guyana's weighted rate was 208.5 dollars for one US dollar; banks bought a euro in cash for 217.44 on average. Savings at a bank are insured up to 2 million Guyanese dollars per person per bank, also in foreign currency, but paid out in Guyanese dollars.
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In Guyana you pay with the Guyanese dollar (GYD, also G$). You exchange money at a bank or at a cambio, an exchange bureau licensed by the Bank of Guyana. In the central bank's weekly overview for 18 to 24 September 2026, the weighted market rate was GYD 208.5 for one US dollar. For a euro in cash the banks paid GYD 217.44 on average and sold it for 233.60.
| Topic | What the Bank of Guyana states |
|---|---|
| Weighted rate, US dollar (week to 24 September 2026) | US$1 = GYD 208.5 |
| Euro, cash, banks' average | buying 217.44, selling 233.60 GYD |
| Euro, other (non-cash), banks' average | buying 235.70, selling 252.18 GYD |
| Commercial banks in the overview | Bank of Nova Scotia, Bank of Baroda, Citizens Bank, Demerara Bank, GBTI, Republic Bank |
| Deposit insurance | up to GYD 2,000,000 per person per bank |
| Payout after a failure | within 30 days, in Guyanese dollars |
How do you open an account?
The central bank does not open accounts for private individuals itself; the commercial banks under its supervision do. Which documents a bank asks for is up to the bank, and we found no official overview. In any case count on your passport. Anyone who wants to cash someone else's cheque shows identification of both parties, according to the Bank of Guyana.
In Guyana the tax authority's TIN is the number for dealings with the government and the central bank; see registration and numbers. Ask the bank in advance whether it also wants to see it at account opening, and whether it asks for proof of address; a signed lease helps with that.
For investors the Investment Act says they may open accounts in Guyanese dollars and in foreign convertible currency, with any licensed bank. After paying their taxes they may transfer their money abroad freely.
How well are your savings protected?
Since the Deposit Insurance Act 2018 there is the Deposit Insurance Corporation (DIC). Cover is automatic once you have an account with a member institution, up to GYD 2 million, interest included.
An account in dollars or euros is insured too, but the DIC pays out in Guyanese dollars, at the rate on the day of the failure, and up to the same GYD 2 million. More accounts at the same bank do not increase the cover; accounts at different banks count separately.
A joint account counts as one account, insured up to GYD 2 million, and is divided in equal shares. After a failure the DIC pays out within 30 days.
How do you get money from the Netherlands?
By bank transfer, or through a money transfer agency. The Bank of Guyana publishes the list of licensed agencies and agents (most recently in August 2026). You can exchange at the banks and at the cambios on the Bank of Guyana's list. Only use licensed offices: the central bank examines cambios under the Dealers in Foreign Currency Act of 1989.
Keep your Dutch account too, for your AOW, your pension and your Dutch payments; see keeping your bank account and DigiD. What your pension yields net is in AOW, pension and tax in Guyana.
Where can you go with a complaint?
First to your bank. If it is not resolved there, the Bank of Guyana says you can take your complaint to the central bank, "provided every attempt has been made to resolve the problem with the bank". The central bank only supervises institutions licensed under the Financial Institutions Act 1995.
In Vertrekklaar this is phase 5 of 5 of the journey, step 5.3: the same steps, but for your situation — in your order, tickable, and with the deadlines watched. See the whole journey to Guyana or go straight to step 5.3 in the open plan.
What this rests on
The facts in this article come from these official pages. Rules change. When in doubt, go by the source, not this article.
- Bank of Guyana — weekly rates overview with the banks and the euro, 18 to 24 September 2026 — bankofguyana.org.gy
- Deposit Insurance Corporation — the brochure, cover up to GYD 2 million and payout within 30 days — bankofguyana.org.gy
- Deposit Insurance Corporation — how cover is calculated, also for dollar accounts — bankofguyana.org.gy
- Bank of Guyana — frequently asked questions on banks, cambios and complaints — bankofguyana.org.gy
- Bank of Guyana — the list of licensed cambios (4 August 2026) — bankofguyana.org.gy
- Bank of Guyana — the list of licensed money transfer agencies (August 2026) — bankofguyana.org.gy
- Investment Act, Cap. 73:03, sections 23 and 24: accounts in Guyanese and foreign currency, and money abroad (Ministry of Legal Affairs) — mola.gov.gy
- Guyana Revenue Authority — when you need a TIN — gra.gov.gy
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