WILLEMSTAD – Starting April 1, 2026, Banco di Caribe N.V. will serve as the new treasury bank for the government of Curaçao.
The government uses a treasury bank to handle its daily banking operations, including the payment of social assistance benefits. As part of this transition, new ATM cards will be distributed to all welfare recipients.
One of the key advantages of the switch to Banco di Caribe is that clients will be able to check their account balances online and make transfers and payments electronically.
Card Distribution Schedule
The new cards will be distributed at Sambil Curaçao between March 11 and March 20, 2026, from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., excluding Saturdays and Sundays. Distribution will take place according to the alphabetical order of recipients’ last names.
Recipients must visit the distribution stand of the Ministry of Social Development, Labor and Welfare of Curaçao (SOAW) and Banco di Caribe at Sambil on the assigned date to collect their new card.
The schedule is as follows:
- March 11 – Last names beginning with A–B
- March 12 – Last names beginning with C–D
- March 13 – Last names beginning with E–G
- March 16 – Last names beginning with H–L
- March 17 – Last names beginning with M
- March 18 – Last names beginning with N–R
- March 19 – Last names beginning with S–V
- March 20 – Last names beginning with W–Z
Access to the distribution stand will be through the Caracasbaai entrance of Sambil, where signage will direct recipients to the correct location.
Transportation Available
To assist clients who do not have transportation, a special bus service will operate between Otrobanda and Sambil during the distribution period. The bus will depart hourly from the bus stop in Otrobanda near Arubastraat between 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.
The last bus from Otrobanda to Sambil will leave at 4:30 p.m., while the final return trip from Sambil to Otrobanda will depart at 6:00 p.m.
Required Documents
Recipients must bring the following documents when collecting their card:
- A valid identification document (ID card, driver’s license or passport)
- If married, a marriage booklet
- If someone is collecting the card on behalf of the recipient, an authorization letter issued by SOAW along with valid identification for both the authorized person and the beneficiary
Clients who cannot attend on their assigned date must contact their local neighborhood service center (Kas di Bario) to schedule a new appointment.
For additional information, residents can contact the nearest neighborhood service center in Punda/Banda Ariba, Brievengat, Otrobanda/Banda Abou or Santa Maria.