Last updated: Oct 2026
Whether you are opening a diaspora account, receiving remittances, or doing business in Ethiopia, picking a bank matters. Ethiopia has dozens of banks, but a handful are far larger than the rest. Here is a plain overview of the biggest. Asset figures are for the financial year that ended 30 June 2025, taken from each bank’s own annual report or announcement.
Commercial Bank of Ethiopia (CBE)
The state owned CBE is by far the largest bank in the country. Its audited accounts put total assets at about ETB 2.31 trillion at 30 June 2025 (consolidated), with more than 43 million customers. It reported 1,942 branches as of June 2024 and is the bank many families already use. CBE offers a Diaspora Account, a foreign currency deposit account for Ethiopians and foreigners of Ethiopian origin living abroad. SWIFT code: CBETETAA. CBE publishes its exchange rates daily on its website.
Awash Bank
Awash is the largest private bank, with total assets of about ETB 442.6 billion at 30 June 2025, according to its annual report. It offers diaspora foreign currency accounts that can be opened in person at a branch in Ethiopia or, for people abroad, through Ethiopian embassies, correspondent banks or remittance service providers. Eligible customers include non resident Ethiopians and foreign nationals of Ethiopian origin. SWIFT code: AWINETAA.
Bank of Abyssinia
One of the largest private banks, with total assets of about ETB 286.2 billion at 30 June 2025, according to its annual report. Bank of Abyssinia offers foreign currency diaspora accounts for non resident Ethiopians and foreign nationals of Ethiopian origin, in US dollars, pounds sterling and euros, and publishes a diaspora account opening form on its website.
Dashen Bank
Dashen reports total assets of about ETB 254.5 billion at 30 June 2025. Among its diaspora products is a Diaspora Non Repatriable Saving Account: a birr account funded from abroad with foreign currency, which can be spent only in birr and cannot be converted back. Dashen’s product page lists a minimum initial deposit of USD 100 and an interest rate of 14%. Rates change, so confirm with the bank.
Cooperative Bank of Oromia
Total assets of about ETB 197.4 billion at 30 June 2025, according to its annual report, making it one of the five largest banks by assets. It offers non resident accounts in foreign currency as well as transferable and non transferable birr accounts.
Also worth knowing
- Development Bank of Ethiopia, a state owned bank focused on project and investment finance.
- Other private banks include Hibret, Wegagen, Zemen, Nib and Siinqee. We plan to profile them in future updates.
Choosing a bank
- Reach: if family members live outside big cities, branch coverage matters.
- Diaspora products: compare foreign currency accounts and birr savings accounts, and ask whether the account can be opened from abroad.
- Exchange rates and fees: since the birr began floating in July 2024, each bank sets its own rate. Compare on the day.
- Digital banking: check mobile app and online banking options for account holders abroad.
Find bank listings on our Addis Ababa hub and in the Banks category.