Bank Accounts in 2025 - What You Need for Smooth Onboarding
Previously, it used to be a routine part of launching a company. In 2025, opening a bank account has become one of the most complex and critical hurdles for international entrepreneurs to overcome. Stricter regulatory oversight and a focus on risk management within global banking systems have turned account onboarding into a very detailed and time-consuming procedure.
Whether you're establishing a holding structure, setting up operations in a new market, or launching a digital venture, being prepared for this new reality is key to avoiding delays and rejections.
What drives the increasingly meticulous compliance checks
Over the past decade, regulatory frameworks have intensified, particularly around anti-money laundering (AML), counter-terrorist financing (CTF), and tax transparency. Banks are under pressure from regulators to demonstrate that they fully understand their clients, their businesses, and the flow of funds through their systems.
Especially in US and European jurisdictions, this has made banks highly selective in onboarding new corporate clients, especially those based offshore, with ownership and controls spread across jurisdictions or engaged in high-risk activities like fintech, crypto, or gaming.
Common challenges faced by international founders
Having a registered company and corporate documents is no longer enough. Founders face the most common challenges:
- Incomplete or poorly structured KYC documentation
- Unclear company activities or business models, especially for tech-driven or digital businesses
- Complex ownership structures without a proper identification of Ultimate Beneficial Owners
- Lack of proof of funds, contracts, or invoices to support the expected transaction activities
- Difficulties in identifying suitable local signatories or directors
These factors may contribute to an elevated risk rating of your business from the bank’s standpoint, jeopardize your onboarding process and put you under more scrutiny from compliance later on.
Even once the account is opened , further delays may occur due to increased monitoring when trying to activate online banking, add users, or make payments.
How to Prepare for a Successful Account Opening
Success begins with preparation. To streamline the process and improve your chances of approval:
- Prepare a complete and well-organized KYC pack, including ID documents, proof of address, business plans, and contracts
- Ensure your company’s structure is bank-ready — this includes documented shareholder relationships and governance rules.
- Craft a transparent and straightforward business description that aligns with the company’s expected transactional behavior.
- Appoint reliable signatories who can attend onboarding calls and manage bank correspondence effectively.
- Prepare a detailed explanation of the source of funds and expected transaction flows.
Anticipating the bank’s questions — and answering them before they’re asked — can make all the difference.
Jurisdiction matters. How to choose the right bank
There are a variety of banks and money institutions in the market, and you should consider a number of factors to make the right choice:
- Your industry and activity type
- Transaction volumes, currencies, and counterparties
- Whether the bank supports remote onboarding
- The bank’s reputation, responsiveness, and fintech-friendliness
Whether you're evaluating options in Cyprus, the Baltics, Switzerland, the UAE, or beyond, alignment with your operational goals is essential.
The MARILEX approach: making banking work for you
At MARILEX, we support clients at every stage of the banking process — from selecting the most suitable jurisdiction and institution to preparing fully compliant onboarding documentation. We liaise directly with bank representatives, anticipate roadblocks, and provide ongoing support even after the account is live.
Our aim is simple: to get you onboard with the best money institution without hindering your business growth.
Book a free consultation with MARILEX to learn how we can help you open the correct account, in the right place, with the right level of support.
