Payment methods in Palau

Pacific Savings Bank is a locally-owned community bank providing basic banking services to Palauan residents and businesses. It offers savings and checking accounts, ATM access, and limited card services. It serves primarily the local residential and small business market rather than the tourist sector.

International card schemes are the primary electronic payment method in Palau, with Visa and Mastercard broadly accepted across the tourism-oriented economy. Hotels, dive operators, restaurants, and souvenir shops in Koror and Airai typically accept international cards. Bank of Guam and Pacific Savings Bank are the main card-issuing institutions for residents.

The US Dollar is the sole legal tender in Palau. Cash is widely used for smaller transactions, local markets, informal services, and among residents who may not have bank accounts. Given the small size of the economy and the absence of a central bank or domestic currency issuance, cash management relies entirely on commercial bank distribution.

Bank of Guam is the largest financial institution operating in Palau, providing retail and commercial banking services including deposit accounts, ATM access, and card issuance. As a US-territory bank, it connects Palau to the US banking system and enables USD wire transfers internationally. It operates the most extensive ATM network in the country.