Despite what you may have read or heard, anyone is free to open an offshore bank account nowadays! In fact, banking offshore has been used successfully for tax reduction and asset protection by both individuals and worldwide organisations for decades.
And opening an offshore bank account in this day and age couldn't be simpler either! Here are five straightforward steps to take towards opening an offshore bank account.
Step One ? Understand The Advantages Of Banking Offshore
There is no point in opening a bank account offshore if it is going to be of no use to you! So you need to understand some of the general advantages of banking offshore.
Depending on an individual account holder's personal circumstances it's possible to reduce tax liability, increase wealth potential and maximise privacy with the use of an offshore bank account.
Further advantages for an expatriate or internationally focused individual are the flexibility, ease of access and global reach that an offshore bank account may provide.
Other general benefits may include asset protection, estate planning, better interest rates and the chance to exploit active business interests overseas.
At this point it's essential to point out that each individual's circumstances are unique and a person should seek personalised professional advice before venturing into the offshore world. This article does not constitute direct personal advice.
Step Two ? Pick Your Jurisdiction Carefully
There are so many offshore banking providers offering a wide variety of account type and they are located in low to no tax jurisdictions worldwide so how do you choose which country to bank in? Again, depending on an account holder's personal circumstances certain offshore jurisdictions will present themselves as being more favourable.
Jurisdictions range in quality from highly regulated, politically and economically stable centres like the Isle of Man, Jersey and Guernsey to high risk jurisdictions that few would recommend!
Remember that an offshore centre that is suitable for an American expatriate might not be so suitable for an English international investor! Consider your circumstances, your country of residence, country of domicile and any reporting restrictions placed upon you. Further examine the reporting requirements of any jurisdiction that you're interested in.
Step Three ? Select Your Offshore Banking Provider
Do your due diligence carefully and find out who's the financial security behind a particular bank. Research the bank's history in terms of its stability and security. This research is mainly applicable to those thinking considering banking with a lesser known offshore provider.
Clearly if you're thinking about opening an offshore bank account with HSBC then your research needn't necessarily be so intense!
You need to make sure that you're comfortable with your chosen bank's attitude towards you, its customer, and if you're considering online banking be sure that your connection to the bank will be secure.
Much of this essential information can be found online.
Step Four ? Choose The Right Bank Account
With so many providers vying for customer attention there are more account types on offer now than at any other time before. Each account structure claims to offer something the others don't, but remember that the more bells and whistles you add to an account structure, the more expensive the charges for running and marinating such a structure will be! And who will bear the brunt of these costs? Most likely you - the customer!
So, think carefully about exactly why it is you need an offshore bank account and what are the features of that account that are essential to you. Do not be tempted to add to this list any unnecessary complexity.
Stay in touch with your immediate money management requirements; do not be tempted to deviate!
Then work through what's on offer and pick the account type that best suits your needs.
Step Five ? Opening The Bank Account
Nowadays you neither have to visit the offshore jurisdiction in which you wish to bank, nor do you have to travel to the country for the continuance of your banking activity and account maintenance.
Depending on the jurisdiction you favour, the provider and account type you have selected you will be required to submit certain paperwork, forms of verified ID and deposit funds.
The majority of legitimate offshore banking organisations will also allow customers to conduct all ongoing banking activity via the internet, e-mail, post, fax or telephone.
With many providers now offering full credit and debit card services as well you will also have easy and direct access to your funds at all times.
Rhiannon Williamson is the publisher of shelteroffshore.com - the online resource for offshore, expatriate and international investors.
For personalized investment and offshore advice, readers of Shelter Offshore benefit from the site's strategic alliance with deVere and Partners, the world's largest offshore financial advisory. Visit the http://www.shelteroffshore.com/index.php/
shelter/offshore_advice_se
rvice/; shelteroffshore.com page to find out more.
As many people have observed, "Success leaves clues." If you... Read More
Most people work hard all their lives only to "retire"... Read More
A residual income is one that comes in no matter... Read More
Steve Martin once delivered an opening monologue for Saturday Night... Read More
It is sometimes pitful how many projects are never born... Read More
Most people want to get to the end of their... Read More
Everyone wants to be wealthy, but most of us do... Read More
Everyone dreams of early retirement. The idea of no longer... Read More
There are many of us who are working on our... Read More
Wealth - an abundance of values. Each of us determines... Read More
What if I told you that reading a book would... Read More
Many people assume that the offshore world is accessible only... Read More
Bottom line. No exaggeration. No hype. If you want to... Read More
Financial planning is an ongoing process individuals and businesses should... Read More
When I was a student in London, I had a... Read More
When I look around at all of my friends, and... Read More
I'm constantly reading articles on the internet and in financial... Read More
Let's quickly review the principles discussed in the first part... Read More
Offshore strategies may or may not be right for you.... Read More
Points to ponder as you consider what can be done... Read More
You have probably heard other people say that "Money isn't... Read More
Results from a new tool developed by UK based firm,... Read More
Many people have a false understanding of what it actually... Read More
Although there are advantages to selling other people`s products and... Read More
Time and time again entrepreneurs are losing out on getting... Read More
home cleaning services Wilmette ..Turn to the year 1999, a couple of friends sitting... Read More
The word 'diversity' is a unique one. It can represent... Read More
If you're reading this article, it means you are a... Read More
Building wealth is as simple as saving a little bit... Read More
Steve Martin once delivered an opening monologue for Saturday Night... Read More
Many people don't realize how much money they spend on... Read More
Part of learning to become financially free is to begin... Read More
Do you have financial problems? Then a budget is the... Read More
Offshore strategies may or may not be right for you.... Read More
AS THE MARKET FLIES HIGHER, GOOD BUYS ARE BECOMING HARDER... Read More
"Join our program and retire in 3 months..." yeah, right.We... Read More
Bottom line. No exaggeration. No hype. If you want to... Read More
As many people have observed, "Success leaves clues." If you... Read More
Key 1 Pay your self firstkey 2 Saving is not... Read More
Six out of six people who were asked to list... Read More
Self-Made Millionaires are not smarter or better than you. They... Read More
Remember the bloodied face of Randall "Tex" Cobb?He was a... Read More
The inability to come up with the necessary cash when... Read More
As you know, we're now well and truly in theInformation... Read More
Money is probably the most challenging thing for many people... Read More
Some people in this world are thinking that their poor... Read More
Hello,If you dont understand this yet, or have not heard... Read More
To budget, to have a budget and to be on... Read More
"Any fool can rich, the wise get wealthy." Chris WidenerGetting... Read More
Well, the New Year is around the corner and so... Read More
Wealth Building |