Central Bank: ‘It Is An Offence’ For Persons To Buy, Sell, Borrow And Lend Foreign Exchange Without Its Authorization

The Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago (“Central Bank”) said it has “observed with concern” an increasing number of advertisements on social media platforms purporting to offer foreign exchange to the public.

In a Public Notice issued on Wednesday 10th September, 2025, the Central Bank said, “It is an offence under Section 6(1) of Exchange Control Act, Chap. 79.50, for persons to buy, sell, borrow and lend foreign exchange without the required authorization of the Central Bank.”

The Central Bank added, “Members of the public who conduct business with unauthorized persons do so at their own risk, including the risk of non-recovery in the event of financial loss, fraud and disputes. As such, the public is strongly urged to conduct transactions for the buying, selling, borrowing or lending of foreign currency through authorized dealers.”

The Central Bank is advising that the following institutions are licensed as authorized foreign exchange dealers in Trinidad and Tobago, as at 31st August, 2025:

1. ANSA Bank Limited.
2. Citibank (Trinidad & Tobago) Limited.
3. First Citizens Bank Limited.
4. CIBC Caribbean Bank (Trinidad & Tobago) Limited.
5. JMMB Bank (T&T) Limited.
6. RBC Royal Bank (Trinidad & Tobago) Limited.
7. Republic Bank Limited.
8. Scotiabank Trinidad & Tobago Limited.
9. ANSA Merchant Bank Limited.
10. Development Finance Limited.
11. Massy Finance GFC Ltd.
12. NCB Merchant Bank (Trinidad and Tobago) Limited.
13. Export - Import Bank of Trinidad and Tobago (EXIMBANK).

Additionally, the following Bureaux de Change operators are authorised to:

a) Buy and sell currency notes and coins as well as purchase traveler cheques; and/or

b) Conduct foreign exchange conversions which are incidental to primary remittance business.

1. Global Exchange Trinidad and Tobago Limited. 
2. GraceKennedy (Trinidad & Tobago) Limited.
3. Massy Remittance Services (Trinidad) Ltd.
4. Millennium Finance and Leasing Company Limited.

The Central Bank said it “shall continue to monitor activities concerning foreign exchange and advise the public accordingly.”