Offshore Banking Is An Alternative

An offshore bank is regulated under international banking license (often called offshore license), which usually prohibits the bank from establishing any business activities in the jurisdiction of establishment.  Our team has years of experience and is ready to guide and assist you.

There are many reasons why offshore banking could be beneficial to your business. Security and privacy are especially important so that you can feel secure knowing your money is safe and protected.  Offshore banking constitutes a sizable portion of the international financial system. Some experts believe that as much as half the world’s capital flows through offshore centers. Offshore financial centers are said to have 1.2% of the world’s population and hold 26% of the world’s wealth, including 31% of the net profits of United States multinationals. A group of activists state that the real figure could be much higher when taking into account Chinese, Russian and US deployment of capital internationally.

Trillions in deposits and securities are held in offshore banks, mostly by international business companies (IBCs) and trusts. Among offshore banks, Swiss banks hold an estimated 35% of the world’s private and institutional funds (or 3 trillion Swiss francs), and the Cayman Islands (over 2 trillion US dollars in deposits) are the fifth largest banking centre globally in terms of deposits.

Banking Advantages

In reality, offshore accounts could appeal to a much broader client base. Expats, in particular, can benefit from offshore banking.

The main advantages of having an offshore account, and the reasons for offshore banking’s growing popularity, are:

Privacy

• When you set up an offshore banking account, you provide yourself with a higher level of privacy. For example, setting up your money in this account can help to cut back against people contacting you about various investment opportunities that you may not want to make. This kind of privacy is harder in the US, where financial information is often easy to obtain.

Tax Savings

• If a private corporation does not require physical assets to operate, the company can technically be located in any part of the world where corporate taxes are business-friendly. By depositing funds in offshore bank accounts in countries with a lower tax rate than their home territory, business executives can keep costs low and thus protect their bottom line.

Convenience

• Offshore banks are simple and convenient to open and operate. They allow one central location for all your banking requirements. When opening an offshore account they usually provide a Visa debit card in GBP, USD, AUD or EUR.   Having the ability to save in the currency in which you are removes the risk of losing out on exchange rate fluctuations. Many traditional banks charge high fees for currency transfers and may even charge commission fees. Offshore bank accounts can help you get the most from your money. 

Improved Banking Structure

• Many businesses quickly find that offshore banking provides them with a stronger business infrastructure. Why is this the case? Many countries simply provide a better experience for their businesses, allowing them to bank more efficiently without any difficulties. Just as importantly, it can give you the chance to invest within better banks and keep your money strong.

Protect Your Assets

• If you take your assets to an offshore bank, you can protect yourself from unnecessary lawsuits. For example, if someone tries to sue you for a questionable reason, your accounts in an offshore bank are protected, allowing you to stay safe from these questionable practices. Just as importantly, you can use the money in these accounts to pay for various investments in different parts of the world.

Political Stability

• For investors and financiers living in politically unstable countries, it may be logical to move financial holdings offshore to reliably peaceful countries such as Switzerland, Germany, and Singapore.  For instance, a firm would not want to hold all of their cash in banks situated in a country experiencing hyperinflation or governed by corrupt oligarchs. In this case, offshore banking is a precautionary measure to keep their liquid assets out of the reach of greedy politicians and safe from inflationary pressures. The potential of a civil war or a rebel insurgence in more volatile countries is also enough reason for individuals and businesses with significant asset volume to turn to offshore banking. 

Stronger Insurance Options

• • Many businesses find that offshore banking provides better insurance for their assets, including more extensive protection and higher-quality payouts. Talk to your financial adviser about which country provides you with the best insurance options before investing. You may also want to learn more about the various tax laws and insurance options within that country.Finding the most effective commercial banking option for your business offshore assets requires you to carefully understand your different options and do what you can to avoid serious mistakes. By taking this process seriously, you can avoid long-term financial, legal, and tax concerns.

Banking Disadvantages

There are some disadvantages to consider before opening an offshore bank account:

Security

• One of the biggest problems with offshore banking is that it can be dangerous. When you utilize a bank account in the United States, you have the advantage of having your account insured by the FDIC. When you invest overseas, this is not the case. FDIC insurance guarantees your bank account balance, up to certain limit. If the bank goes out of business, the FDIC steps in and repays your money. With offshore bank accounts, if the bank closes, you will not be able to get your money back in most cases.

Harder to Access Money

• Once your money is in an offshore account, you may not be able to access it as quickly as you’d like. While some offshore accounts offer debit cards that let you make purchases and withdraw from your account, other types of accounts only allow transfers. Some transfers could take days to complete and aren’t helpful if you need to access your money in a hurry. Visiting your bank in person could be difficult and even expensive. Of course, with phone, fax, and internet, you probably would never have to visit the bank’s location.

More Expensive than Local Bank Accounts

• The cost of setting up an offshore account is also a bit on the higher side after considering charges such as legal fees which may be exorbitant. Foreign bank accounts are generally expensive in comparison to domestic bank accounts. Corporations giving offshore banking services acknowledge that rich people utilize these offshore accounts and hence collect accordingly. In case you wish to form an offshore corporation, the valid cost in this nation can be great, and you can even own a property in this nation prior to initiating a business.

Banking offshore may have potential tax benefits for you. However, tax rules differ from country to country. If you’re unsure about your personal tax obligations, you should seek professional advice from our skilled legal team. It’s your responsibility to ensure your personal tax obligations are met.

Our experts look forward to discussing  all options you have and to provide you all the support you need to enable you to take the right decision face to your specific needs!  Book a call today!