Any banks that take US citizens in Mauritius?

[acplo]

Hi are there any Mauritius banks that will take a US citizen?
I have family is Africa and would like to keep some money closeby. I would require transferring between my accounts in US and the Mauritius acct, possibly also my brokerage acct.

Any guidance appreciated.

 

[Sols]

As far as I know, they all do. Because of FATCA, requirements and expectations may be a bit higher and KYC a little stricter for US persons.

Just start sending emails and making phone calls. Some of them require an intermediary but for personal banking, they're often more lenient. You can start trying with Absa, Maubank, MCB, and SBM. I believe Bank One and AfrAsia also take customers directly, at least for personal banking.

By and large, banking in Mauritius is fine for small personal banking. Fees are usually reasonable and they are happy with relatively modest minimum deposits most of the time. MCB is an exception, requiring at least 500,000 USD for non-resident clients. IIRC, the rest just want a few thousand.

 

[acplo]

I am going there in person, will start in the sequence you suggested. I was reading on this forum about bankone having issues with us citizens and abc not accepting them.

 

[clemens]

I totally agree with @Sols. You may do phone calls to each of the banks and get an appointment to when you arrive. Most often personal visit works wonders compared to what you read almost everywhere around.

 

[Sols]

They are all FATCA compliant and shouldn't have a problem taking US person. There was a period of time before banks got comfortable with FATCA when US persons weren't welcome. Best you can do is just reach out to banks.

If you go in person, you increase your chances of success. Be sure to mention that when you contact them.

 

[Forester]

Just to add, there are some introducers to Mauritius banks here around the forum. See e.g. this Question - Abc bank in mauritius introduction