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When a domestic bank needs to handle foreign transactions, they can establish a nostro account with a foreign or correspondent bank, which holds the funds and makes transactions on behalf of the domestic bank. Nostro comes from the Latin, meaning “ours.”

Having a nostro account enables the bank to process transactions for their customers in other countries without having to set up a base of operations abroad. The correspondent bank in the other country handles deposits and other transactions, which are denominated in the local currency, minus any foreign transaction fees.

Since nostro accounts are bank-to-bank accounts, not personal ones, it’s unlikely you’ll encounter one of these. But it’s useful to know how financial matters work between countries, in case you’re thinking about what to do with leftover foreign currency, or other financial dealings while traveling or doing business.

What Is a Nostro Account?

A nostro account is set up by a bank in one country, let’s call it the domestic bank, and the funds are held and partly managed by a bank in another country (the foreign bank).

The foreign bank holds all the funds needed for the domestic bank’s transactions in that country, denominated in the local currency, within the nostro account.

When customers of the domestic bank have relocated, or are traveling or doing business abroad, they can use the foreign bank to make deposits and withdrawals, and so on. The foreign bank works with the domestic bank to ensure that the currency exchange for all transactions is accurate.

A nostro account is the bank’s bank account in another country. Individuals do not have nostro accounts. This system operates behind the scenes, and isn’t something you need to think about if you’re wondering how to invest in a foreign currency, although nostro and vostro accounts do help with foreign currency trading.

How Does a Nostro Account Work?

When opening a nostro account, you open an account with another bank in a foreign country. The foreign bank is also sometimes called the facilitator bank or correspondent bank.

Financial institutions and large corporations that are involved in international trade will typically set up nostro accounts. This gives the organization the ability to hold funds in a foreign currency (via the facilitator bank), without the need to convert its own currency into a foreign currency.

Interestingly, for accounting purposes, the foreign bank calls this account a vostro account, meaning “yours.” It is the same as the nostro account, but each bank uses a separate term for their accounting purposes.

Recommended: What Are Traveler’s Checks?

Example of a Payment Using a Nostro Account

What is a nostro account and how, exactly, does it work in real life?

Say that a small domestic bank located in Colombia has a number of customers who are traveling, living, and working in the U.S. temporarily. The Colombian bank might establish a nostro account with a bank in the U.S. to offer services to those customers.

The U.S. bank would be the facilitator bank in this arrangement. As such, the U.S. bank could accept deposits on behalf of the domestic Colombian bank into its nostro account. Those deposits would be denominated in U.S. dollars (which is also considered the world’s reserve currency).

Funds, such as deposits to the U.S. bank, could then be forwarded to the domestic bank in Colombia through the SWIFT system. SWIFT is the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunications, a cooperative that offers safe and secure financial communications to facilitate cross-border transactions.

The Colombian bank could then convert the deposits to its local currency, and credit customers’ accounts with the corresponding amount of money, minus any fees charged.

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Nostro Account vs. Vostro Account

The terns nostro and vostro both describe the same bank account, but from each bank’s perspective. That’s because the domestic bank looks at the funds in the other bank as “ours” — nostro.

Meanwhile, the bank in the other country that holds the account considers it a “vostro” account (vostro means “yours). The money in the account is held in a foreign currency (i.e., the currency of the correspondent bank), then converted to local currency once the funds are transferred to the domestic bank.

Essentially, the terms vostro and nostro simply help to distinguish between the two sets of records that must be kept and reconciled by the two banks.

Advantages of a Nostro Account

•   There are several advantages to having a nostro account.

•   Ease of transactions in conducting international currency exchanges.

•   Nostro accounts allow you to pay money in your currency without having to incur foreign exchange risk.

•   Nostro accounts allow holders to keep funds in a foreign currency.

Disadvantages of a Nostro Account

•   There are also some disadvantages that come along with maintaining a nostro account.

•   There may be some added expenses associated with money transfers using nostro accounts.

•   Since you are working with financial institutions outside of the U.S., there are rules and regulations you have to comply with.

The Takeaway

Nostro accounts are an important behind-the-scenes system that banks and large corporations rely on to make international and foreign exchange transactions seamless. This specialized system helps settle international trades and payments without one bank having to physically set up operations in a new country.

Nostro is Latin for “ours,” which is the term used by the domestic or originating bank. Vostro means “yours” and is the term used by the correspondent or facilitating bank that holds the funds on behalf of the other institution. The two terms refer to the exact same account, just from different perspectives for accounting reasons.

Despite the convenience, nostro accounts come with certain fees and expenses, along with regulations that must be adhered to when executing these transactions.

Fortunately, most individuals don’t have to consider vostro or nostro systems when opening up their personal bank accounts. For example, if you open an all-in-one bank account with SoFi, you’ll just enjoy the convenience of banking easily and securely from your phone or computer, no matter what is happening across borders. If you set up direct deposit, you can earn a competitive interest rate. Also, SoFi members pay no account or overdraft fees, and can access complimentary financial advice from professionals as needed.

FAQ

What is a nostro account and why is it used?

A nostro account is a bank account a bank holds at a foreign bank denominated in a foreign currency where the account is held, and facilitates foreign exchange transactions with ease.

How do I open a nostro account?

Individuals don’t open nostro accounts. If you are part of a large bank or corporation, you would establish a nostro account with a bank overseas.

Does a nostro account earn interest?

A nostro account may earn interest, so it’s likely that deposits made with the foreign bank would offer competitive rates to customers relative to that location.

Photo credit: iStock/delihayat

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SoFi members with Qualifying Deposits can earn 4.60% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Qualifying Deposits means one or more deposits that, in the aggregate, are equal to or greater than $5,000 to an account holder’s SoFi Checking and Savings account (“Qualifying Deposits”) during a 30-day Evaluation Period (as defined below). Qualifying Deposits only include those deposits from the following eligible sources: (i) ACH transfers, (ii) inbound wire transfers, (iii) peer-to-peer transfers (i.e., external transfers from PayPal, Venmo, etc. and internal peer-to-peer transfers from a SoFi account belonging to another account holder), (iv) check deposits, (v) instant funding to your SoFi Bank Debit Card, (vi) push payments to your SoFi Bank Debit Card, and (vii) cash deposits. Qualifying Deposits do not include: (i) transfers between an account holder’s Checking account, Savings account, and/or Vaults; (ii) interest payments; (iii) bonuses issued by SoFi Bank or its affiliates; or (iv) credits, reversals, and refunds from SoFi Bank, N.A. (“SoFi Bank”) or from a merchant.

SoFi Bank shall, in its sole discretion, assess each account holder’s Direct Deposit activity and Qualifying Deposits throughout each 30-Day Evaluation Period to determine the applicability of rates and may request additional documentation for verification of eligibility. The 30-Day Evaluation Period refers to the “Start Date” and “End Date” set forth on the APY Details page of your account, which comprises a period of 30 calendar days (the “30-Day Evaluation Period”). You can access the APY Details page at any time by logging into your SoFi account on the SoFi mobile app or SoFi website and selecting either (i) Banking > Savings > Current APY or (ii) Banking > Checking > Current APY. Upon receiving a Direct Deposit or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits to your account, you will begin earning 4.60% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% on checking balances on or before the following calendar day. You will continue to earn these APYs for (i) the remainder of the current 30-Day Evaluation Period and through the end of the subsequent 30-Day Evaluation Period and (ii) any following 30-day Evaluation Periods during which SoFi Bank determines you to have Direct Deposit activity or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits without interruption.

SoFi Bank reserves the right to grant a grace period to account holders following a change in Direct Deposit activity or Qualifying Deposits activity before adjusting rates. If SoFi Bank grants you a grace period, the dates for such grace period will be reflected on the APY Details page of your account. If SoFi Bank determines that you did not have Direct Deposit activity or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits during the current 30-day Evaluation Period and, if applicable, the grace period, then you will begin earning the rates earned by account holders without either Direct Deposit or Qualifying Deposits until you have Direct Deposit activity or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits in a subsequent 30-Day Evaluation Period. For the avoidance of doubt, an account holder with both Direct Deposit activity and Qualifying Deposits will earn the rates earned by account holders with Direct Deposit.

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Interest rates are variable and subject to change at any time. These rates are current as of 10/24/2023. There is no minimum balance requirement. Additional information can be found at https://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet.

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What to know about how the New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq work.

Stock exchanges are platforms that allow investors to buy and sell stocks in a venue that is regulated and transparent. These exchanges enable investors of all stripes to trade stocks, potentially benefiting from a stock’s share price appreciation and dividend payments.

Stock exchanges help the stock market work and are a big part of the overall economy. Understanding stock exchanges and how they work may help you how they affect you and your investments.

What Is a Stock Exchange?

A stock exchange is a marketplace where the shares of publicly-traded companies are bought and sold between investors.

Exchanges are generally organized by an institution or association that hosts the market, like the New York Stock Exchange or Nasdaq. These organizations and government regulators–like the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in the U.S.–set up the rules and regulations of what companies investors can trade on a stock exchange.

If a company is “listed” on an exchange, it means that the company can be traded on that exchange. Not all companies are listed because each exchange regulates which companies meet their requirements. Companies not listed on the exchange are traded over-the-counter, or OTC for short.

Investors who want to buy or sell stocks commonly go through an investment broker, a person or entity licensed to trade on the exchanges. Brokers aim to buy or sell stock at the best price for the investor making the trade, usually earning a commission for the service. Most investors will now use online brokerage firms for this service, paying little to no commissions for trades.

Historically, stock exchanges were physical locations where investors came together on a trading floor to frantically buy and sell stocks, like what you may have seen in the movies or on TV. However, these days, more often than not, stock exchanges operate through an electronic trading platform.

Major Stock Exchanges

Why Do We Have Stock Exchanges?

Stock exchanges exist because they provide a place for buyers and sellers to come together and trade stocks. Stock exchanges are also important because they provide a way for businesses to raise money. When companies issue stock to raise capital, investors will then trade the company’s shares on the stock exchange in which it is listed.

The stock exchanges set the rules for how stocks are traded. Stock exchanges are also regulated markets, which means that a government agency oversees the activity on the exchange. These rules and regulations provide a level of safety for investors and help to ensure that the market is fair, transparent, and liquid.

💡 Not sure what a stock is? Here we explain what stocks are and how they work.

What Is the Stock Market?

The stock market is made up of a network of different stock exchanges, including OTC markets, and the companies that are traded on these exchanges.

When you hear mentions of the stock market and its performance, it is usually in reference to a particular stock market index, like the S&P 500 or Dow Jones Industrial Average. However, the stock market is more than the specific companies that make up these stock market indices.

Generally, stock markets facilitate the buying and selling of shares between companies and institutional investors through initial public offerings (IPOs) in the primary market. Once a company has an IPO, the company’s shares are traded in secondary markets, like stock exchanges.

Stock Market Volatility

Volatility in the stock market occurs when there are big swings in share prices. Share prices can change for various reasons, like a new product launch or the most recent earnings report. And while volatility in the stock market usually describes significant declines in share prices, volatility can also happen to the upside.

Pros of the Stock Market

As mentioned above, the stock market allows companies to raise capital by issuing shares to investors. Raising money was one of the main reasons why stock issuances and trading began. It allows businesses to raise money to expand a business without taking out a loan or issuing bonds.

And because investors can own shares of companies, they can benefit from the growth and earnings of a business. Investors can profit from a company’s dividend payments, realize a return when the stock’s price appreciates, or benefit from both. This helps investors build wealth.

The relationship between stock markets, companies, and investors has arguably led to more economic efficiency, allowing money to be allocated in more productive ways.

Cons of the Stock Market

For companies, issuing shares on the stock market may be onerous and expensive due to rules and regulations from the stock exchanges and government regulators. Because of these difficulties, companies may be wary of going through the IPO process. Instead, they are more comfortable raising money in the private markets.

💡 Recommended: How Many Companies IPO Per Year?

There are several potential risks associated with investing in the stock market. For example, the stock market is subject to market volatility, resulting in losses. Investors must be willing to take on the risks of losing money for the possibility of gains in the future.

Additionally, there is the potential for stock market fraud and manipulation by companies and investors, which harms individual investors, companies, and the economy.

The Takeaway

Knowing the ins and outs of stock exchanges and how they influence the broader stock market can help you become a better investor. By learning about stock exchanges, their different rules, and their advantages and disadvantages, you may better understand the stock market as a whole. This may allow you to invest confidently and prepare for future stock market volatility.

At SoFi, members have access to financial planners who can offer personalized advice. If you’re ready to start investing, SoFi Invest® offers an online brokerage account, where investors can buy stocks, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), fractional shares, or invest in IPOs. For a limited time, funding an account gives you the opportunity to win up to $1,000 in the stock of your choice. All you have to do is open and fund a SoFi Invest account.

FAQ

What is the stock market?

The stock market is a collection of markets where stocks are traded between investors. It usually refers to the exchanges where stocks and other securities are bought and sold.

What are the benefits of investing in the stock market?

Some benefits of investing in the stock market include the potential for earning income through dividend payments, experiencing share price appreciation, and diversifying one’s financial portfolio beyond cash.

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New offerings generally have high demand and there are a limited number of shares available for distribution to participants. Many customers may not be allocated shares and share allocations may be significantly smaller than the shares requested in the customer’s initial offer (Indication of Interest). For SoFi’s allocation procedures please refer to IPO Allocation Procedures.

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