Beneficial Ownership Regulations: New Obligations for Companies in Honduras
On September 18, 2026, the National Banking and Insurance Commission (CNBS) approved the Implementing Regulations of the Law on Transparency and the Centralized Beneficial Ownership Registry. The procedures for companies to comply with the new law have therefore been established.
Who must register. Domestic and foreign commercial companies registered with the Mercantile Registry, and legal arrangements such as trusts and public companies with partial state ownership.
Who is the beneficial owner. The natural person who owns, directly or indirectly, 25% or more of the capital, or who exercises effective control over the company. When ownership is held through several companies, the entire chain must be documented until the natural person is identified.
Key obligations:
Impact on banking relationships. The regulations require reporting institutions to request proof of their clients’ registration in the registry as part of their due diligence procedures. Companies that are not registered may encounter difficulties in their banking operations.
Expected timeline. Although the registry’s opening date has not yet been officially announced, the CNBS has indicated that a pilot program will take place in the coming months, with the formal launch expected in early 2027. With the GAFILAT evaluation on the horizon, active oversight is anticipated, making it advisable to begin preparing in advance.
Who must register. Domestic and foreign commercial companies registered with the Mercantile Registry, and legal arrangements such as trusts and public companies with partial state ownership.
Who is the beneficial owner. The natural person who owns, directly or indirectly, 25% or more of the capital, or who exercises effective control over the company. When ownership is held through several companies, the entire chain must be documented until the natural person is identified.
Key obligations:
- Digital registration. Registration is completed using a form accompanied by supporting documents and an affidavit. Documents issued abroad may require an apostille or legalization and an official translation into Spanish.
- Deadlines. Initial registration must be completed within four months following the opening of the registry. Newly formed companies have one month from the date of their incorporation.
- Updates. The information must be updated annually no later than May 30, and any changes must be reported within the first ten business days of the following month.
- Record retention. Records must be retained for at least five years.
Impact on banking relationships. The regulations require reporting institutions to request proof of their clients’ registration in the registry as part of their due diligence procedures. Companies that are not registered may encounter difficulties in their banking operations.
Expected timeline. Although the registry’s opening date has not yet been officially announced, the CNBS has indicated that a pilot program will take place in the coming months, with the formal launch expected in early 2027. With the GAFILAT evaluation on the horizon, active oversight is anticipated, making it advisable to begin preparing in advance.
Recommendations. To prepare, companies should identify the beneficial owners of each company and its corporate group, convert bearer shares into registered shares, gather and legalize supporting documentation, and determine who will sign the affidavit.
By: Valeria Osorio, Associate at ARIAS Honduras