Automated risk classification
Most banks apply blanket risk policies to anything labeled "defense" or "dual-use." Applications are declined at the screening stage, before individual circumstances are reviewed.
Banking for Defense & Dual-Use Companies
Bank Accounts for
Defense Companies
The defense sector is classified as high-risk by most banks, making account opening difficult even for established companies. We connect defense businesses with financial institutions that have the appetite and frameworks to work with this sector.
Book a Free Consultation → Initial consultation is free · No commitment requiredWhy banking is difficult for the defense sector
The industry faces structural banking challenges that go beyond individual compliance.
Account closures
Existing accounts can be closed with limited notice. Due to anti-tipping-off regulations, banks are often unable to explain the reason — even to long-standing clients with clean records.
Currency exposure
Companies that buy in one currency and sell in another face unhedged FX risk across the life of each contract. Access to hedging instruments through banking partners is often unavailable.
Cross-border complexity
Multi-jurisdiction supply chains require banking partners that can navigate the compliance requirements of each leg — procurement, logistics, and settlement across different countries.
About Bienrock
Bienrock is a Geneva-based consulting company that connects businesses with banks and financial institutions worldwide. We specialise in sectors that mainstream banks classify as high-risk — not because the businesses are risky, but because banks lack the internal frameworks to evaluate them.
Our team has over 10 years of experience in banking, trade finance, and compliance across the EU, UK, MENA, and Asia. We work directly with decision-makers inside financial institutions — the compliance heads and relationship managers who actually approve accounts — not with salespeople or front desks.
We've helped over 100 companies establish banking relationships, from commodity traders and crypto firms to energy companies and fintechs. Defense trade is a natural extension of this work: complex, compliance-heavy, international — and systematically underserved by banks.
Banks and payment platforms in our portfolio
Years of experience
Banks and payment platforms in our portfolio
Trade finance attracted
How Bienrock supports defense companies
We maintain relationships with financial institutions that have established internal frameworks for working with the defense sector.
Pre-vetted bank matching
We match your company with banks and EMIs that have experience working with defense-related businesses — reducing the risk of rejection at the screening stage.
Full disclosure from day one
We never obscure what your business does. Every financial institution we introduce you to understands your activity upfront. We work directly with decision-makers who accept defense trade deliberately — so there are no surprises six months in.
SEPA & SWIFT access
Full access to SEPA and SWIFT payment rails in EUR, USD, GBP, and other major currencies through proper banking infrastructure.
Multi-jurisdiction options
We work with financial institutions across Switzerland, UK, EU, UAE, and Asia. Your corporate structure and trade routes determine the best jurisdiction.
Fiat + crypto accounts
If your business involves cryptocurrency alongside fiat transactions, we work with institutions that offer corporate accounts supporting both — under one banking relationship.
Currency hedging for defense trade.
When you're buying equipment in EUR and reselling in USD — or sourcing components in GBP and delivering to a buyer paying in a third currency — unhedged exposure can wipe out your margin before the deal closes.
We connect you with banking partners that offer FX instruments tailored to trade flows: forward contracts, spot hedging, and structured FX facilities. You lock in your margin at deal signing, not at settlement.
Contract signed at fixed marginFX locked
Procurement in EURHedged
Sale in USDHedged
Settlement — margin protected✓ No surprises
Bank Account Opening Process
- 1
Free consultation
We review your company structure, licensing, trade geography, and volumes. We assess which banking options fit your specific case.
⏱ 30-minute call - 2
Document collection
You prepare the required corporate and compliance documents. We guide you through what each institution expects — no unnecessary back-and-forth.
⏱ 1–2 weeks - 3
Bank introduction & application
We submit your application to selected banking partners with full disclosure of your business activity, and manage the compliance dialogue on your behalf.
⏱ 2–4 weeks - 4
Account is live
Account opens with the currencies and instruments you need. We remain available for ongoing support and additional banking needs.
⏱ Total: 4–8 weeks typical
Required Documents
- Company registration documents (certificate of incorporation, articles of association)
- Shareholder and director identification (passport copies, proof of address)
- Business description — what you trade, supply chain structure, end-use destinations
- Export licenses and relevant permits
- Source of funds documentation
- Projected transaction volumes and currencies
- Contracts or LOIs with counterparties (if available)
Service Fees
From €3,000 / per account
Paid in two instalments — 50% after pre-approval from the provider, 50% after the account is open. You only pay the second half when you're banking. Bank's own account fees apply separately.
We ensure a risk-free approach - you only prepay once we have confirmed preliminary interest from a financial institution in your case.
- Assessment of your banking and compliance needs
- Matching with suitable banking partners
- Application preparation and submission
- Compliance dialogue support
- Currency hedging setup guidance
100+ banks and payment platforms in our portfolio
We work with banks and payment institutions across major financial centres. Your agency's jurisdiction and structure determine the best match.
Switzerland, United Kingdom, European Union,
UAE, Singapore, Hong Kong, Turkey,
Africa
Frequently asked questions
Why do banks reject defense companies?
Banks apply automated risk frameworks that flag anything related to defense, arms, or dual-use goods. The core concern is AML compliance complexity, sanctions exposure, and the reputational risk of making a mistake. Most banks would rather decline the entire sector than invest in understanding individual cases. We bypass this by going directly to decision-makers at institutions that have already built internal frameworks for the defense sector — your business activity is disclosed in full, and the approval is genuine.
We have valid export licenses. Isn't that enough?
Unfortunately, no. Having a government-issued export license is necessary, but banks apply their own risk criteria on top of regulatory requirements. A license means you're legally permitted to trade — it doesn't mean a bank's internal compliance team will approve you as a customer. Our role is to connect you with institutions where the compliance appetite already matches your activity.
Can you help with USD accounts?
Yes — and we understand how critical this is for defense trade. Very few banks will open a USD account for companies in this sector. We work with the ones that do, so you can settle contracts in dollars without relying on intermediary conversions.
What about currency hedging?
We connect you with banking partners that offer FX instruments suitable for trade flows — forward contracts, spot hedging, and structured facilities. If you're buying in one currency and selling in another, hedging protects your margin from exchange rate movements between contract signing and settlement.
Do you work with dual-use goods traders?
Yes. Companies trading in dual-use items face similar banking challenges to defense traders — sometimes worse, because the classification is less clear-cut. We work with institutions that have experience evaluating dual-use businesses on a case-by-case basis.
Do I need an existing company?
Yes, bank accounts are opened for registered legal entities. If your company isn't yet incorporated, we can recommend trusted partners who handle company formation in suitable jurisdictions.
Can I get a crypto account alongside a fiat one?
Yes. We work with financial institutions that offer corporate accounts supporting both traditional fiat currencies and cryptocurrency under a single relationship.
How long does the process take?
Typically 4 to 8 weeks from the initial consultation to an active account. Document preparation takes 1–2 weeks on your side, and the bank's review process takes another 2–4 weeks. Complex structures or multiple jurisdictions may take longer.
Is Bienrock a bank?
No. Bienrock is a consulting company based in Geneva, Switzerland. We act as an intermediary — connecting businesses with banks and financial institutions from our partner network. We don't hold funds or provide banking services directly.
Request a Defense Banking Consultation
Share your company profile and trade structure. We'll assess which banking partners are a fit and arrange an introduction.
Book a Free 30-Min Call →Or email directly: info@bienrock.ch