The Central Bank of Cuba reviewed banking changes in Guantánamo, including a monthly transaction limit of about CUP 2 million per customer, up from CUP 120,000. Agreements with economic operators support pension payments to 27,119 beneficiaries, using an approach similar to an earlier Havana pilot. The update also highlighted energy and agricultural lending, while noting that most local ATMs remain inactive despite reported cash availability at banks.
Policy & regulationImplementation, projects & pilotsPayments and payment systemsCurrency and cash managementFinancial inclusion
The Central Bank of Cuba has published an update on banking services in Guantánamo, drawing on a provincial radio discussion that reviewed higher transaction limits, pension payments and lending. Monthly banking transaction limits now stand at about CUP 2 million per customer, up from CUP 120,000. Oscar Mendoza Pérez, head of the Provincial Directorate of Labor and Social Security, reported that 1,462 contracts with economic operators support payments to 27,119 retirees and pensioners, representing 54.4% of those currently holding bank cards. An April pilot in Havana similarly involved businesses in distributing pension payments to bring services closer to beneficiaries and reduce branch congestion.
Cash access remains constrained by infrastructure problems despite reported availability at banks. Denys Boizan Romero, provincial director of the Bank of Credit and Commerce, reported sufficient cash to meet wage payments and economic operators’ needs, but most ATMs in Guantánamo are inactive because of obsolete technology and an inability to obtain replacement parts. Lending supports the energy transition and agricultural production. Yuri Guerra Oliva, provincial deputy director of the Popular Savings Bank, highlighted favorable financing rates for the energy transition, alongside profit and personal income tax exemptions for legal entities and individuals. Agricultural development loans carry preferential interest rates for projects approved at municipal level.
The Central Bank of Cuba updated a pilot scheme using the Caja Extra service and newly participating economic actors to deliver pension and retirement payments in La Lisa, Havana. The programme, implemented via Banco Metropolitano and local entities including Boscardo MSME, Las Delicias and Los Titis, maintains some home cash delivery and…
The Central Bank of Cuba reported on the rollout of a pilot programme to pay social security retirees and pensioners via the Caja Extra service in parts of Havana, in partnership with Banco Metropolitano, the Government of Havana, the Ministry of Labour and Social Security and the National Social Security Institute. Early implementation by MSME…
The Central Bank of Cuba is piloting the Caja Extra service with new economic actors, including micro, small and medium-sized enterprise MEC S.UR.L., to deliver social security payments to retirees and pensioners at home in selected areas of Havana. Implemented with the National Social Security Institute and other actors, the initiative aims to…