Stanford International Bank Ltd

The SEC sued Stanford International Bank and Allen Stanford on 17 February 2009 over an $8 billion certificate of deposit program it called a massive fraud^S1. A federal jury convicted Stanford on 13 of 14 counts on 6 March 2012, and he was sentenced to 110 years in prison on 14 June 2012^S2. The Fifth Circuit affirmed the criminal conviction and the Supreme Court declined review^S3. In the SEC civil case the judgment was affirmed on 1 April 2026 and certiorari was denied on 5 October 2026^S4^S5. A court receiver has recovered about US$2.7 billion for investors^S6^S7.

Also known as: SIB, Stanford Financial Group, Stanford International Bank
Headquarters: Antigua and Barbuda
Records from: United States, Antigua and Barbuda
Current status: Defunct and in court-ordered receivership in the United States since February 2009^S1. A court receiver has recovered about US$2.7 billion for defrauded depositors^S6^S7. Allen Stanford is serving a 110 year federal sentence^S2.

Scope. This record covers the Antiguan bank Stanford International Bank Ltd and the wider Stanford Financial Group. It has no link to Stanford University. It names Allen Stanford only where official court and regulator records name him.

Claims assessed

4 claims. Scores grade the evidence for each claim, not the organization.

Supported94
The SEC said on 17 February 2009 that Stanford International Bank ran a multi-billion dollar fraud, selling about $8 billion in certificates of deposit on false promises and fabricated return data.
Regulator statement, 17 February 20092 records citedFraud
Supported94
The Department of Justice said Allen Stanford was convicted on 13 of 14 counts and sentenced to 110 years in prison for a $7 billion investment fraud centred on the bank.
Government press release, 14 June 20122 records citedFraud
Contradicted91
Allen Stanford said in a 2016 BBC interview that he did not misspend any investor money.
Press report, 11 January 20162 records citedFraud
Partly supported70
FTI Consulting said the court receiver recovered about US$2.7 billion on behalf of more than 18,000 defrauded investors of Stanford International Bank.
Official report, 20253 records citedCorporate status

Cases and proceedings

United States v. Robert Allen StanfordUS District Court for the Southern District of Texas, appeal to the US Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. Criminal. Not published.Stage: Conviction and 110 year sentence affirmed in October 2015, certiorari denied in November 2016^S2^S3. Final.
- October 2015 Fifth Circuit affirms^S3
- November 2016 Supreme Court declines review^S3
Securities and Exchange Commission v. Stanford International Bank, Ltd., et al.US District Court for the Northern District of Texas, appeal to the US Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. Civil. 3:09-cv-298-N.Stage: Final judgment entered 29 January 2025^S9, affirmed by the Fifth Circuit on 1 April 2026^S4, certiorari denied 5 October 2026^S5.
- 1 April 2026 Fifth Circuit affirms^S4
- 5 October 2026 Supreme Court denies certiorari^S5

Responses on record

Allen Stanford, 11 January 2016, on The Department of Justice said Allen Stanford was convicted on 13 of 14 counts and sentenc...
He denied wrongdoing and said he did not misspend one penny ever.^S8

Revision history

25 October 2026 Profile and 4 assessments first published. Records checked to 25 October 2026.

Source records

S3Tier C Supreme Court declines to review Stanford's Ponzi scheme convictionJURIST. Press report. November 2016.Supports the denial of certiorari and the Fifth Circuit affirmance of the criminal conviction. It gives no exact ruling dates.
S2Tier A Allen Stanford Sentenced to 110 Years in Prison for Orchestrating $7 Billion Investment Fraud SchemeUS Department of Justice. Government press release. 14 June 2012.Supports the jury conviction on 13 of 14 counts, the 110 year sentence and the $7 billion misappropriation. It does not cover the appeal.
S4Tier A Securities and Exchange Commission v. Robert Allen Stanford, No. 25-10387 (per curiam)US Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. Court judgment. 1 April 2026.Supports the affirmance of the civil judgment against Stanford and the use of collateral estoppel from the criminal case. Unpublished.
S5Tier A Docket for 25-7624, Stanford v. Securities and Exchange CommissionSupreme Court of the United States. Court filing. 5 October 2026.Supports the denial of certiorari in the civil case on 5 October 2026 and the chain of appeal dates. It does not state the question presented.
S9Tier A SEC v. Robert Allen Stanford, et al., Litigation Release No. 26255US Securities and Exchange Commission. Regulator press release. 24 February 2025.Supports the final judgment entered against Stanford on 29 January 2025 in No. 3:09-cv-298-N and the disgorgement and penalty amounts. It does not cover the appeal.
S8Tier C Stanford talks to BBC about appeal and life in jailCayman News Service. Press report. 11 January 2016.Reports Stanford's denial from a BBC 5Live interview. It records his assertion of innocence, not any finding.
S1Tier A SEC Charges R. Allen Stanford, Stanford International Bank for Multi-Billion Dollar Investment SchemeUS Securities and Exchange Commission. Regulator press release. 17 February 2009.Supports the SEC allegation of an $8 billion CD fraud and the Dallas filing. The 2009 charge was an allegation, not a finding.
S6Tier D Recovering $2.7 Billion for 18,000 Victims of the Stanford Ponzi SchemeFTI Consulting. Commissioned report. 2025.Forensic firm account of recoveries of $2.7 billion and a first $100 million distribution. It is a self-published case study, not a court order.
S7Tier B Baker Botts Client Stanford Receiver Collects $1.3 Billion From Bank Litigation Settlements, Bringing Total Receivership Recoveries to More Than $2.5 BillionBaker Botts LLP (counsel to the receiver). Company statement. 1 July 2024.Receiver counsel statement on total recoveries over $2.5 billion and a planned distribution. It does not give a completed distribution total.