Includes special features of this country’s banking system and rules/laws that might impact U.S. business.
Last Published: 6/15/2016

STP has eight private commercial banks.  Portuguese, Angolan, Nigerian, Cameroonian, and Togolese interests (as well as those of STP) are represented in the ownership and management of the commercial banks.  The Gabonese Investment Bank opened its Sao Tomean operation in March 2012.  
In addition to retail banking, commercial banks offer most corporate banking services, or can procure them from overseas.  Local credit to the private sector is limited and expensive, but available to both foreign and local investors on equal terms.  The country's main economic actors finance themselves outside STP.  Commercial banks have transferred excess liquidity to correspondent banks outside the region.

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