Yes, you can open a USD business bank account for your Irish LTD company — fully remotely, without an EEA-resident director and without visiting a branch in Ireland. Hollis & Co. provides FDIC-insured USD accounts for Irish-incorporated companies through Column N.A., Member FDIC.
Why Ireland companies need a USD bank account
Ireland is a popular incorporation jurisdiction for founders targeting European markets, and many Irish LTDs operate globally with USD as their primary transaction currency. Whether you're invoicing US clients, receiving payments from US payment processors, or paying international vendors, a USD business account under your Irish entity keeps your finances clean and your business running. It also avoids currency conversion losses on USD income that would otherwise land in a EUR account first.
The problem with traditional banks
Opening a bank account for an Irish LTD as a non-resident founder is one of the more frustrating experiences in international banking.
- 6–14 weeks realistic timeline: AIB and Bank of Ireland can take 6–14 weeks for non-resident directors — and that's when they accept the application at all.
- In-person branch visit required: Ireland's major banks typically require at least one director or authorized signatory to visit a branch in person for ID verification. For founders based outside Ireland, this means booking flights.
- Section 137 bond requirement: Under Irish company law, a company without at least one EEA-resident director must either maintain a bond under Section 137 of the Companies Act — essentially an insurance policy costing around €1,250 per year — or obtain an exemption from the CRO. This affects UK directors since Brexit.
- UK directors no longer count as EEA-resident: Post-Brexit, a UK-only directorship does not satisfy the EEA-resident director requirement, which means Section 137 questions arise for a large number of Irish companies with UK-based founders.
What documents you need
- 1Certificate of Incorporation and company constitution from the Companies Registration Office (CRO)
- 2Register of Beneficial Owners filing (RBO) reference or confirmation
- 3Government-issued photo ID and proof of residential address for every director, shareholder, and UBO
- 4Board resolution authorizing the account opening and naming the authorized signatories
- 5Specific business description: what the company sells, who its customers are, and how money flows in and out of the account
How to open a USD account for your Irish LTD
- Pull your CRO documents. Download your Certificate of Incorporation and constitution from the CRO portal. Confirm your RBO filing is current.
- Prepare director and shareholder KYC. Passports and proof of address within 90 days for every director, shareholder, and UBO.
- Apply with Hollis & Co. Submit your application fully remotely — no branch visit, no EEA director requirement, no Section 137 questions.
- Get approved and start banking. Complete applications are typically reviewed in days. Once approved, your FDIC-insured USD account is ready for wires, ACH, and payment platform integrations.
How long does it take?
AIB and Bank of Ireland routinely take 6–14 weeks for non-resident-directed companies, with no guarantee of approval. Hollis & Co. processes complete applications in days, not months. Having your CRO documents and KYC materials ready before you apply keeps the timeline short.
How much does it cost?
Hollis & Co. charges a $500 setup fee and a $400 annual fee for Irish companies. There is no minimum deposit required to open or maintain the account.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can an Irish LTD without an EEA-resident director open a USD bank account?
Yes. Hollis & Co. does not require an EEA-resident director. The EEA director requirement (and the associated Section 137 bond) is a matter of Irish company law and applies to Irish domestic banks — it doesn't affect your ability to open a USD account with Hollis & Co.
Do I need to visit Ireland to open a business bank account for my Irish LTD?
No. Hollis & Co. is fully remote. No branch visit, no in-person verification, and no requirement to travel to Ireland at any stage.
Will a Hollis USD account work if I need to invoice US clients from my Irish LTD?
Yes. A Hollis USD account gives your Irish LTD a US-based USD account number for receiving wire transfers and ACH payments directly. You can invoice US clients in USD and receive the funds without the currency conversion friction of routing through a EUR account first.