The Central Bank of Ecuador, reporting on a financial inclusion dialogue in Quito, said access to bank accounts for refugees and migrants in Ecuador increased to 48% in 2025 from 11% in 2022, citing the annual monitoring survey by the U.N. refugee agency UNHCR. The update framed the increase as a result of regulatory and market efforts to reduce barriers to formal financial services for people in human mobility, while the president of the Financial and Monetary Policy and Regulation Board said work is underway on a public financial inclusion policy that treats refugees and migrants as a priority group. The event highlighted regulatory changes that facilitate the opening of basic and savings accounts by allowing a broader set of identification documents, including an Ecuadorian identity card, a valid passport, any type of visa and, in specific cases, documents applicable to the Venezuelan population. UNHCR data presented at the event also pointed to broader use of formal finance among supported groups: 81% of entrepreneurs backed by the agency use financial services, 36% have access to credit, 88% of participants in its employment programs hold a formal savings account and 9% reported higher savings.
Central Bank of Ecuador2026-07-07
Central Bank of Ecuador reports refugee and migrant bank account access rose to 48% amid inclusion policy work
The Central Bank of Ecuador said access to bank accounts for refugees and migrants rose to 48% in 2025 from 11% in 2022, citing UNHCR data presented at a financial inclusion event in Quito. The update linked the gain to regulatory changes that broaden the documents accepted for opening basic and savings accounts, while officials said a public financial inclusion policy is being developed with refugees and migrants as a priority group.