FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

New Fast Payment System will interoperate with existing RTGS, ACH, and Sand Dollar CBDC infrastructure — a first-of-its-kind integration in the Caribbean 

Nassau, Bahamas /May 05, 2026 /Montran/ — The Central Bank of The Bahamas has selected Montran to design and implement a nationwide Fast Payment System (FPS), enabling real-time, near 24/7 domestic payments for individuals, businesses, and government entities. The system is expected to go live in Q1 2027. 

The selection follows a competitive international procurement that attracted 16 proposals from domestic and global providers. 

The FPS will be built for full interoperability with The Bahamas’ existing payment infrastructure — including the Automated Clearing House (ACH), the Bahamas Interbank Settlement System (RTGS), and the Sand Dollar, one of the world’s first central bank digital currencies. The result is one of the first environments globally where real-time payments and a live CBDC will operate within a single, connected infrastructure. 

The system will be owned and operated by the Central Bank, with participation from commercial banks, credit unions, licensed payment service providers, and public institutions such as the National Insurance Board. The inclusive participation model is designed to expand financial access and improve transaction efficiency across the economy. 

Montran will deliver an ISO 20022-aligned platform built for reliability and scale, designed to accommodate increasing transaction volumes, evolving regulatory requirements, and future use cases including digital wallets and cross-border connectivity. 

Implementation planning is underway, with stakeholder onboarding and phased rollout milestones expected to be announced in the coming months. 

About Montran 

Montran is a global provider of payment and capital market infrastructure solutions, servicing the world’s foremost financial institutions with operations in over 90 countries. Discover more at www.montran.com. 

About The Central Bank of The Bahamas  

The Central Bank of The Bahamas is the nation’s monetary authority, responsible for promoting monetary stability, ensuring a sound financial system, and supporting sustainable economic growth. 

SOURCE Montran