Banrural and BAM typically lead on retail CDP rates in Guatemala (12-month GTQ around 6.0-6.8% reference). Banco Industrial matches for higher minimum deposits. Caveat: rates change weekly with the Banguat policy cycle — confirm at the branch before signing. Early withdrawal usually means zero interest.
A Certificado de Deposito a Plazo (CDP) is Guatemala’s version of a fixed-term deposit or CD. You commit your money for 3, 6, 12, or 24 months and get a fixed rate that beats a regular savings account. With Banguat in an easing cycle since 2024, retail CDP rates have come down from the highs of 2023 — but they still pay 3-5x what you would earn on a regular cuenta de ahorro.
This page compares 8 banks tracked daily in our scraper coverage, across the four standard CDP terms. Use it to shortlist 2-3 banks before walking into a branch — the actual rate offered to you will depend on amount, currency, and your existing relationship with the bank.
Comparison Table: 8 Banks × CDP Rates
Reference rates Q2 2026. Always verify directly with the bank — rates change frequently.
| Bank | 6-month GTQ | 12-month GTQ | 24-month GTQ | Min Deposit (ref) | USD CDP? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Banrural | 4.8-5.5% | 6.0-6.8% | 6.5-7.5% | Q5,000 | Yes | Best rural network; rates most competitive on retail |
| Banco Industrial (BI) | 4.5-5.3% | 5.8-6.5% | 6.3-7.2% | Q10,000-Q25,000 | Yes | Higher minimums; better app/online experience |
| BAM (Agromercantil) | 4.7-5.5% | 6.0-6.8% | 6.5-7.4% | Q10,000 | Yes | Modern app; competitive across all terms |
| G&T Continental | 4.5-5.2% | 5.7-6.5% | 6.2-7.0% | Q10,000 | Yes | Mid-tier rates; strong for existing customers |
| BAC Credomatic | 4.5-5.0% | 5.5-6.3% | 6.0-7.0% | Q10,000 | Yes | Lower headline rates; better USD rates than peers |
| Banco Promerica | 4.7-5.4% | 5.8-6.6% | 6.3-7.2% | Q10,000 | Yes | Often runs short-term promos |
| Bantrab | 5.0-5.7% | 6.2-7.0% | 6.7-7.5% | Q5,000 | Limited | Highest retail rates; geared to public-sector workers |
| BI Banco (Inmobiliario) | 4.6-5.4% | 5.9-6.6% | 6.4-7.3% | Q5,000-Q10,000 | Yes | Smaller bank; competitive to attract deposits |
Reading the ranges: The lower number reflects “walk-in retail” rates. The higher number is what you should be able to negotiate with a larger deposit (Q100,000+) or premium-tier customer status.
How CDPs Work in Guatemala
A CDP is a contract between you and the bank: you deposit a fixed amount for a fixed term, and the bank pays a fixed rate. Three things make Guatemalan CDPs different from US CDs worth knowing:
- Insured up to Q20,000 only. FOPA (Guatemala’s deposit insurance) covers Q20,000 (~$2,591) per person per bank. If you are parking Q500,000, split it across multiple banks to stay insured on each.
- Negotiable rates. Posted “tarifario” rates are starting points. With a Q100,000+ deposit or existing relationship, ask explicitly for a “tasa preferencial” — banks will almost always offer 0.3-0.7 percentage points more than the public rate.
- Auto-renewal is the default. Most CDPs roll over at maturity at the bank’s then-current rate. If rates have dropped, you may end up locked into a worse rate. Set a maturity calendar alert.
Interest is paid in one of two ways: monthly into a linked savings account (good for income), or compounded and paid at maturity (better total return). Choose at signing.
How to Choose a CDP
1. Match the term to your real liquidity needs. Early withdrawal in Guatemala usually means zero interest — you get only your principal back. If you might need the money in 8 months, do not sign a 12-month CDP for an extra 0.3%. Use a 6-month CDP and renew, or split the amount across two terms (a “CDP ladder”).
2. Compare the actual amount, not just the rate. A 6.5% CDP that pays interest monthly to a savings account earns slightly less in total than a 6.3% CDP that compounds at maturity. Do the math (or ask the banker to show you the “monto final”). On Q100,000 over 12 months the difference can be Q150-300.
3. Check the early-withdrawal clause specifically. Some banks pay savings-account rate (0.5-2%) on early withdrawal. Others pay zero. The difference matters if there is any chance you might need the funds. Ask: “Que pasa si necesito cancelar antes? Pierdo todo el interes o me pagan algo?”
4. Ask about USD vs GTQ side by side. If you earn or hold USD, a USD CDP avoids exchange-rate risk but pays 2-3 percentage points less than GTQ. Over 12 months on $10,000, GTQ at 6% earns ~Q4,200 more than USD at 3% — but only if Q stays stable. Q has held Q7.60-7.90 vs USD for years (see today’s exchange rate), so most foreigners going long-term lean GTQ.
5. Bigger deposit, better rate. Almost every bank has a tier system: rates jump at Q50,000, again at Q100,000, again at Q500,000. If you are close to a tier boundary, top up to clear it. The marginal rate gain on the entire deposit can outweigh the extra cash you parked.
Required Documents
For most banks, opening a CDP requires you to already have an account at the bank, plus:
| Document | Required? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| DPI or passport | Yes | Foreigners use passport |
| NIT (tax ID) | Yes | Free at any SAT office |
| Existing account at the bank | Usually | Some banks open CDP + account same visit |
| Source of funds proof | If amount > Q200,000 | Bank statement, employment letter, sale contract |
| Initial deposit | Yes | Cash, check, or transfer from existing account |
If you do not yet have an account, see our best banks for foreigners guide for which banks open accounts most easily for non-residents.
Related Steps
- Get your NIT first — required to open any CDP. Free at SAT offices; takes ~30 minutes.
- RTU registration — required if your CDP earns more than the threshold for tax reporting.
- Best banks for foreigners — open the account first, then layer the CDP.
- Best banks Guatemala (blog) — head-to-head bank comparison with ATM fees, app ratings, branch counts.
- Cost of living in Guatemala — calibrate how much liquidity you really need before locking funds.
- Today’s USD/Q exchange rate — relevant if comparing USD vs GTQ CDPs.
For Diaspora
Most Guatemalan banks require physical signature in Guatemala to open a CDP. A few accept a Power of Attorney (Poder Especial) executed at the Guatemalan consulate in your US city — but the process takes 4-8 weeks and costs $80-150 in legalization. If you are diaspora and want to invest in a Guatemalan CDP, easier paths:
- Open the account during a visit home. Once the bank account exists, some banks let you open additional CDPs by calling your relationship manager — especially BI, BAM, and BAC.
- Have a trusted family member with a poder. They can transact on your behalf in person.
- Compare against USD remittance rates — sometimes simply parking money in a US high-yield savings account and remitting when needed beats the FX risk on a GTQ CDP.
For the full diaspora-side workflow including NIT setup from abroad and apostille requirements, see our moving to Guatemala diaspora guide.
All rates on this page are reference ranges for Q2 2026. CDP rates in Guatemala change weekly with Banguat policy moves and bank competition. Always confirm the actual rate, minimum, and early-withdrawal clause directly with the bank before signing. Daily scraper coverage: 8 banks × CDP rates × GTQ + USD.
