May 03, 2021
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Whether as an individual or a business, you will need a bank account in order to be in Malta long-term. For individuals who have a satisfactory credit rating and have not ever been declared bankrupt, opening an account is straightforward if time-consuming.
Individual accounts
To open the most basic payment account you will need:
A basic payment account gives you access to checking and deposits, EU direct debits, SEPA transfers and online banking.
Note that many banks in Malta require an initial deposit amount to open any account.
Opening a business bank account
The first thing to know is that, while you can start the process online, in order to open a business bank account in Malta you will need to physically be in the bank in question at some point to complete the process.
Here is a list of the documents and information you will need to have ready for the bank you choose – this is a standard list of requirements across all brick and mortar banks in Malta:
Type of business account
All licensed banks in Malta offer the same choices of business account. You will choose yours based on your type of business and which financial requirements are relevant to you or can be met by you.
Business checking (deposit) account
More or less the same offering as a personal account – you can make withdrawals and deposits, access unlimited funds, make transfers and issue payments. No interest earned with this option.
Business Savings account
Does what it says on the tin. A larger deposit is required to open this account and it does earn interest. With this option there is limited access to funds only.
Business Loan Account
There are two available types of loan accounts: a Working Capital Finance Loan and an Asset Finance Loan. The former requires that the loan be used to cover the overhead daily costs of running a business and the latter finances the purchasing of equipment and products needed by the business.
How long does it take?
While Malta is a fantastic place to live and work… and own a business, it lags behind in terms of banking ease and accessibility. Contactless, for example, only really took off in mid 2020 as a consequence of COVID-19 social distancing restrictions. It is still required to go into a bank to complete the online process and the turnaround time – once all documents and other evidence has been completed on your side can take anywhere from a couple of weeks to a couple of months (or more). A lot of individuals looking to start their own business stumble at the hurdle of opening a bank account in order to make the initial deposit required to get the business registration process started. As with any traditional institutional process, it can be frustrating and feel infuriatingly out-dated. But, once it’s done, there are few better places to be doing business in Europe at the moment.
To talk about how wamo can provide an alternative option for opening a business account – one that is fast, simple and doesn’t require a deposit - get in touch, we’d be very happy to help.
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© wamo 2022, all rights reserved wamo & the wamo logo are trademarks and trade names of wamo technology Limited and may not be used or reproduced consent of the owner