Service Detail: Foreign Exchange
Changing Foreign Money into Local Money
The Bank of St. Helena is able to change, for St. Helenian Pounds, currency notes and travellers' cheques in the following world currencies:
|
GBP |
UK Pounds Sterling |
|
|
ZAR |
South African Rand |
|
|
USD |
United Stated Dollars |
|
|
EUR |
European Union euro |
The bank can also encash UK (Sterling) cheques (with a Guarantee Card)
Bank of St. Helena can advance cash against Credit or Debit Cards in the following schemes:
Visa® |  |
| MasterCard® |  |
| Maestro® |  |
| Visa Delta® |  |
All cash advances are subject to our service charges, which are published in the office.
Please note:
We need to see an identification document which has a signature and a photograph (e.g. a passport)
We can only advance cash where we can successfully achieve online authorisation using our card terminal.
We do not support signature verification for chip-and-pin cards.
Your card issuer may also charge you additional fees which are outside our control.
Please note that you will need identification with a photograph and signature to obtain cash on a credit or debit card.
Please see our Rates page for information about exchange rates.
Changing Local Money into Foreign Money
The bank is able to convert local currency to foreign currency cash in these currencies, but only subject to availability. If you wish to obtain foreign currency you are advised to give as much notice as possible of you requirements. When travelling abroad the bank strongly recommends carrying larger amounts of money in the form of Travellers' Cheques, which can be purchased from the bank.
About Local Currency
The currency in St. Helena and Ascension is the Saint Helena Pound (ISO code 'SHP') which is linked at parity to the British Pound (Sterling, ISO code 'GBP'). The notes and coins are similar to their British equivalents but feature local images. SHP banknotes and coins are issued by the St. Helena Government.
British money is also accepted on both islands at many outlets, and other currencies are accepted in a few places.
Please note that Falkland Island money is not normally accepted in St. Helena but Falkland Island coins can be exchanged at the bank.
Numismatic enquiries: St. Helena banknotes and coins are issued by the St. Helena Government, to whom all numismatic enquiries should be directed. The St. Helena Government website can be located at www.sainthelena.gov.sh. The Bank of St. Helena cannot send out banknotes or coins for collectors.
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