I tried to use Scotiabank DR, I really did. I have Scotiabank accounts in 3 other countries so continuity made sense, but it's a circus run by clowns in bad pant suits. At the end of the failed experiment I sat down with Scotiabank and asked them to name one single advantage to banking with them and the branch manager simply couldn't because no such advantage exists.
* US Dollar accounts are worthless. You will not get any type of debit/cc so no purchasing online or in local stores/shops. You also will not be able to access your money at ATM's. Every time you wish to withdraw you will need to drive there, wait in line and make your deposit/withdrawal. When you do withdraw dollars you might want pesos, in which case you'll have to go to a casa de cambio or get screwed (BIG TIME!) on the exchange rate. You can not transfer funds to/from another Scotiabank you might have in another country without paying international bank wire fees + a % of the transfer.
* Your Peso account there will be almost as worthless. They have no affiliation with Visa/MC so while you will be able to use your Scotiabank DR debit locally you will not be able to make any purchases online, like plane tickets, etc. Also, buyer beware using ATM's as they're infamous for stealing from their customers. I know several unhappy Scotiabank DR customers who've been short changed at ATM's in this country and not one was ever compensated. On the contrary they we all accused for all intents and purposes of trying to pull a scam. I believe there are one or two posters on this site that have encountered this.
* Want a loan, lol? I asked point blank "do you lend in dollars?", "Yes we do sir" was the answer. I got all the requirements to apply for a loan and asked a few basic questions at which point I found out they lend in dollars on a handful of pre-approved beach properties, nothing else. When I did inquire, a US200k loan was $1850 a month over 30 years. I have a US$200k loan over 20 years in another country with them and the quote is $1350. TEN EXTRA YEARS + $500 a month extra? Pass, lol.