Business bank account for performance marketing agencies with a Georgian company

We start with a detailed check of your business structure. This includes your Georgian LLC's status, the residency of the beneficial owners, and the declared source of funds and wealth. We then assemble a complete compliance file that anticipates the questions underwriters will ask about your agency's model, particularly regarding ad spend and client types.

Our next step is to identify the right financial institutions. We match your profile with banks and EMIs, both in the EEA and internationally, that have a proven appetite for performance marketing agencies based in Georgia. We manage the introduction, prepare you for the compliance interview, and handle any follow-up queries. Once your primary account is active, we can scope out a second provider for redundancy.

Underwriters focus on a few key areas for performance marketing agencies. They will scrutinise your source of funds and the personal source of wealth of the UBOs. Your business plan is vital, as it outlines your expected monthly volumes, cash flows, and how you manage ad-spend passthrough.

Compliance teams will analyse your counterparties and geographic exposure, looking closely at the jurisdictions of your clients and your advertising platforms. They will want to see a list of client verticals to assess risk exposure. Evidence of client contracts and proof of ownership of your advertising accounts are standard requirements to demonstrate legitimate business operations. We ensure your file presents this information clearly.

Using a Georgian LLC for your agency has distinct advantages, but it comes with banking challenges. While registration is fast, securing a bank account often requires a physical visit to the country. Local banks are accustomed to foreign founders but are applying increasing scrutiny, especially regarding any crypto-related flows. For international banking, demonstrating substance – such as a local director or a regular management presence in Georgia – significantly strengthens your application.

The National Bank of Georgia oversees financial institutions, but your primary regulator is the National Agency of Public Registry. We ensure your corporate documents, including the registry extract and charter, are correctly prepared for financial partners who may be less familiar with Georgian paperwork compared to, for example, a Hong Kong entity.

Accounts for performance marketing agencies are often rejected due to a poorly presented business model. Banks may misinterpret high volumes of ad-spend passthrough as high-risk turnover. Another common reason for rejection is servicing client verticals considered high-risk, such as gambling or unregulated financial products, without clear internal compliance controls. We help you articulate your client vetting process to address these concerns.

A file can also be declined if the beneficial owner's source of wealth is not clearly documented or if the ownership structure appears opaque. Our process ensures your KYB pack is comprehensive and transparent, pre-empting underwriter concerns and demonstrating the legitimacy of your Georgian operation from the outset. Xavion will not work with agencies promoting illegal products or services.

The timeline for a Georgian performance marketing agency to go live with a new bank account is typically between 2 and 8 weeks. The exact duration depends on the type of institution selected – an international bank may have a longer due diligence process than a more agile EMI. The complexity of the UBO's profile and the clarity of the submitted documents also play a significant role.

Our involvement is designed to streamline this process. After the account is live, we advise on best practices for maintaining a healthy relationship with your provider. This includes giving them advance notice of significant changes in your business model or transaction patterns, ensuring your Georgian entity remains in good standing.