Business Foreign Currency Account - BFCA | Banks in Sri Lanka

Searching for the best way to save and utilize you foreign exchange earnings? Business Foreign currency Account (BFCA) is an account designed for Individuals or business entities resident in Sri Lanka, who are earning foreign exchange. BFCA can be opened in any designated currency.

Internet Banking & Mobile banking facility
Withdrawal in foreign currency notes up to USD 5,000.00 or equivalent for travel purpose.
No exchange loss when engaging in foreign exchange transactions.
Conversion of your foreign exchange to LKR at favorable times.
Foreign Currency Loans for foreign exchange income earners.

Type of Accounts

The following account types could be opened in any designated foreign currency.

Savings Account
Fixed deposit
Current Account (without cheque drawing facility)

Eligibility

Sri Lankan resident aged 18 years and above who are earning foreign exchange.
A sole proprietorship or partnership registered in Sri Lanka where the proprietor or a majority of partners are resident in Sri Lanka.
A company incorporated in Sri Lanka.
A company incorporated outside Sri Lanka which is registered as an overseas company under the companies Act no.7 of 2007.
A state institution with the recommendation of the secretary to the relevant line Ministry or appropriate Authority.
A person authorized to carry on business as a shipping agent or a general sales agent in Sri Lanka on behalf of a foreign shipping line or airline with a valid license or authorization letter issued by the Director General of Merchant Shipping and Director General of Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka, respectively.

Documents Required

Individual

Copy of national Identity card / Valid passport
Proof of foreign exchange earnings

Proprietorship / Partnership/ Companies

Copy of national Identity card / Valid passport
Proof of foreign exchange earnings
Other relevant documents stipulated in the application

Note: Other documents / originals to be sighted may be requested by the bank to ensure better customer service in the future.

Remittances received in foreign exchange from abroad through the banking system in respect of, export of goods and services, entrepot trade, overseas projects undertaken by the account holder and goods supplied locally to a person resident outside Sri Lanka.
Foreign currency in the form of bank drafts or currency notes accepted by the account holder in Sri Lanka in respect of goods and services supplied by such person to a person resident outside Sri Lanka.
Where the account holder is a shipping agent or a general sales agent in Sri Lanka, remittances received in foreign exchange through the banking system from the respective foreign principal or from a designated third party on behalf of the foreign principal for the purposes under the respective agency agreements.
Freight collected in foreign exchange by the account holder who is a shipping agent or a general sales agent in Sri Lanka on behalf of the foreign principal, by way of a remittance against a BFCA or an account maintained in the Offshore Banking Unit (FCBU).
Foreign currency brought into Sri Lanka by the account holder upon declaration.(i.e., where such foreign currency notes exceeds or equals to USD 15,000 or its equivalent in other foreign currency, on a declaration to Customs Department. )
Transfers from a Personal Foreign Currency Account (PFCA), BFCA or an account maintained in the Offshore Banking Unit (OBU) of the same account holder.
Unutilized foreign currency obtained by the account holder debiting the BFCA.

Any outward remittances made outside Sri Lanka, in respect of current transactions and capital transactions of the account holder.
Disbursements in Sri Lanka in Sri Lanka Rupees.
Withdrawal in foreign currency notes up to USD 5,000 (or equivalent in any other foreign currency) for travel purpose as permitted by directions issued by the Central Bank.
Transfers to BFCA, PFCA or accounts maintained in the Offshore Banking Unit (FCBU),of the same account holder.
Withdrawal in foreign currency notes up to USD 50,000 (or equivalent in any other foreign currency) at a time ,by Gem and Jewellery dealers for the purpose of purchasing cut and polished or rough gem stones and other raw materials abroad upon submission of confirmation obtained from the National Gem and Jewelry Authority.
Where the account holder is a shipping agent or a general sales agent in Sri Lanka, withdrawal in foreign currency notes up to USD 50,000 (or equivalent in any other foreign currency) per vessel, per call as Cash-to-Masters, against inward remittance received from the foreign principal or from designated third parties on behalf of the foreign principal, on a request with the reasons acceptable to the authorized dealer or restricted dealer.
Transfers in respect of making investments in SLDB in foreign currency utilizing funds in the BFCA of the account holder.

Savings Accounts

Currency	Code	Minimum Balance	Interest Rates	Aer
US Dollar	USD	25	2	2.0184
Sterling Pound	GBP	15	1.5	1.5104
Euro	EUR	20	1	1.0046
Australian Dollar	AUD	35	2	3.0416
Japanese Yen	JPY	2850	0.125	0.1251
Swiss Franc	CHF	35	0.125	0.1251
Singapore Dollar	SGD	45	0.25	0.2503
Canadian Dollar	CAD	30	1.5	1.5104
Norwegian Kroner	NOK	200	1.5	1.5104
Danish Kroner	DKK	175	1.5	1.5104
Swedish Kroner	SEK	200	1.5	1.5104
Hong Kong Dollar	HKD	200	0.125	0.1251
New Zealand Dollar	NZD	35	1.5	1.5104
Chinese Yuan	CNY	500	0.25