07/09/2026
A bank balance that sits untouched for 15 years is presumed abandoned under the Banking Act. The rule is the same across all eight member countries of the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union.
“Untouched” means no deposit, withdrawal or written communication with the institution during that period. The rule also covers more than savings and current accounts — including matured fixed deposits, dividends, prepaid credit-card funds, certain share payments, certified cheques and the interest on those balances.
Once a balance reaches that point, the institution publishes the owner’s details and subsequently transfers the balance to the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB). The ECCB maintains a public list of owners and updates it monthly.
The important part: the money remains claimable for another 15 years.
Claims are made through the financial institution where the account was held — not directly to the Central Bank. A deceased relative’s balance can also be claimed through the same route. After 30 years in total, the balance passes to the government of the country where the account was held.
Learn more on the ECCB website: https://www.eccb-centralbank.org/abandoned-property-balances