BANKING SYSTEM OF MONACO

Monaco’s banking sector dates back to the end of the nineteenth century, when the first deposit banks opened in the Principality. Most of these banks were French.
The banking industry was very slow to develop and did not really take off until the 1970s, when expansion was stimulated by an imaginative and active policy on the part of public authorities and by the effect of a long period of economic growth and political and social stability.
Today, Monaco has a very extensive banking network, comprising 43 credit institutions (at 1 November 2004), divided between various categories:
-19 Monacan banks;
-1 bank with special status;
- 9 branches of banks having their headquarters in another country;
- 13 branches of French banks;
- 1 branch of a French bank under foreign control.
The total asset base amounts to nearly EUR 60 billion, of which 70% are non-resident funds.
Monegasque financial institutions now employ nearly 2200 people, an increase of more than 40% over the past ten years. Almost all work for major leading banking groups.
As a result of various agreements between France and Monaco, French banking law is applied in the Principality. Monegasque banks are therefore subject to the same rules of prudence and supervision as French banks. All supervisory activities are, of course, strictly regulated, which guarantees the confidentiality of transactions carried out by financial institutions in Monaco.
Monaco’s banks offer both commercial and retail banking services, although many of them have focused increasingly on private banking and wealth management in response to the Principality’s specific features and the expectations of a sophisticated international clientele.
This trend has been encouraged by the recent arrival of a large number of portfolio management companies wishing to take advantage of Monegasque legislation regulating their business (law no. 1.194 of July 9, 1997, as completed by law no. 1.241 of July 3, 2001).
Monaco’s banking sector faces the future with confidence and is preparing for a new phase of growth driven by its own critical mass, in addition to opportunities created by increased competences and European consolidation.

Some of the banks operating in Monaco include:

ABN AMRO Bank N.V.
American Express Bank(Switzerland)SA
Banque Populaire Cote D’Azur
Banque Privee Fideuram Wargny
Banque Monegasque de Gestion
Banque de Gestion Edmond de Rothschild-Monaco
Banque du Gothard Monaco
Banca di Roma International
Banque Pashe Monaco
Banque Martin-Maurel
Banque Von Ernst (Monaco)
BNP Paribas
Banca Popolare di Disondrio (Suisse)
Barclays Bank PLC
Banco Atlantico (Monaco) SAM
Caisse Regionale de Credit Agricole Mutuel Provence Cote D’Azur
Caisse Mediterraneennee de Financement
CAIXA General de Depositos
Coutts & Co.
Credit Suisse (Monaco)
Credit Mobilier de Monaco
Credit Lyonnais
Credit du Nord
Credit Foncier de Monaco
KB Luxembourg (Monaco)
Compagnie Monegasque de Banque
Enetenial
Lloyds TSB Bank PLC
Monte Paschi Banque
Natexis Private Banking Luxembourg SA
Societe des Paiements Pass
SA Lyonnaise de Banque
Societe Generale
Societe Marsellaise de Credit
Societe Generale Bank & Trust (Monaco)
UBS (Monaco)SA