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Swiss Offshore Banking
Wed, November 04, 2009 - 11:52 am EET
A Swiss bank account is often thought of as the dirtiest of naughtiest offshore bank accounts. People seem to assume that if it’s in Switzerland then it is bound to be wrong and all tied up with illegal transactions, privacy and dodgy dealings.
Now whilst we’re quite happy for people to have this perception if it gives them a little thrill, unfortunately the truth is so far from this myth that we thought we’d better tell the truth about Swiss offshore banking in the name of responsible journalism!
Switzerland is not on any black lists for lack of banking compliance, it does not have any anonymous bank accounts in place, it has double taxation agreements in place, and its Federal Department of Finance even welcomed the decisions of the G20 nations to strengthen the stability of financial markets through the introduction of among other things, measures to tighten banking regulations. So what other myths can we dispel about offshore bank accounts in Switzerland…?
How Do Expats Invest Their Money?
Tue, November 03, 2009 - 10:03 am EET
According to one of the most influential studies of expatriates globally, over two thirds of the world’s international citizens are able to save far more intensively once they have moved abroad, directly as a result of their expatriate status.
The HSBC Expat Explorer Survey reveals that 68% of expats are actively able to save and invest more than when they lived in their original home nation – and these international individuals are really taking the expatriate advantage by the horns and making the very most of their time abroad financially speaking.
So how do expats invest their money? Do they place it all offshore to grow in a savings account, do they invest in the stock market at home or overseas, or do they give it all to a financial adviser to manage for them? We thought we’d have a look into expatriate saving and investing habits to see how the increasingly wealthy are managing their money. For those of you who are moving abroad and for those of you who are already working overseas and in a position to save more wealth, the findings may well prove interesting and even inspirational.
Isle of Man Savings Accounts
Tue, November 03, 2009 - 8:19 am EET
The Isle of Man as a jurisdiction has taken a battering in recent months because of the collapse of the offshore arm of the Icelandic bank, Kaupthing Singer & Friedlander on the island. The investor protection scheme in place in the Isle of Man has been criticised for not offering enough protection to those who choose to place their money with institutions within the jurisdiction for example.
What’s more, the Isle of Man financial authorities have been called to account by many as they feel that they were not tough enough in terms of the regulations they had in place to prevent financial institutions from collapse. So, are Isle of Man savings accounts worth taking a risk on, and why do so many expatriate financial advisers still recommend the jurisdiction to savers and investors?
We’re going to examine the Isle of Man and its suitability as an offshore jurisdiction for expatriate savers, revealing the truth behind the regulations and protection in place for those who do business through the island, and explaining why it is still so highly regarded by those in the financial services industry.
Expatriate Tax Saving Advantages
Mon, November 02, 2009 - 9:47 am EET
When you move abroad to live or work permanently overseas, your tax situation changes. Depending on the nation you originate from, you will need to be non-resident in your old home nation for a set number of days before you can officially claim this non-residency status for tax purposes, but as soon as you can, your entire financial situation can change for the better!
One of the main advantages of becoming non-resident for tax purposes in your old home nation is that you can embrace the wonderful world of offshore and take your full expatriate advantage as a result. At this point there is a very real potential tax benefit to you from saving and investing, banking and doing business offshore.
In this article we’re going to explore expatriate tax saving advantages so that you can fully understand what courses of action are available to you to help you save tax once you move abroad.
UK Expat Savings Accounts
Mon, November 02, 2009 - 8:55 am EET
The pound is going through a period of wallowing at an all time low in the face of major currencies around the world, and so for expatriate Britons, going to live and work abroad can be an escape not only from the gloom of the Great British winter, but an escape from the weakened pound as well.
However, where can UK expat’s save their hard earned cash – after all, keeping it onshore in the UK is not going to ensure a good interest rate on any invested cash is it? The best rates kicking about at the moment are in the region of 3 – 4% at an absolute maximum, with most barely offering much more than the base rate.
UK expat savings accounts held offshore on the other hand can attract an altogether better deal potentially – you just need to know where to look to find the best deals! In this report we’re going to guide you towards finding the best home for your cash savings whilst you’re living abroad.
Why Americans Shouldn’t Go Offshore
Wed, October 28, 2009 - 9:01 am EET
Unfortunately we receive multiple requests on a daily basis from Americans living abroad as well as those who are resident in the US and who want to discover ways they can benefit from going offshore. The requests are mostly straightforward and legitimate queries about where one can source better interest rates offshore for example.
The unfortunate part is that we cannot assist anyone who is American, no matter where in the world they live, and we cannot assist anyone living in America, no matter where in the world they herald from. The reason is simply because subsequent American governments, in their so-called war on tax evasion, have eroded the rights of their citizens completely.
It seems American governments – whether republican or democrat - want to wage war on everything from Iraq, Afghanistan, terror and tax evasion to their own citizen’s freedom of choice. In this article we’re going to explain once and for all why Americans shouldn’t go offshore – particularly in light of a new bill that strips even greater choice from Americans and is incredibly threatening to those who do have legitimate assets offshore.
I’m Retiring Abroad Do I Need an Offshore Bank Account?
Tue, October 27, 2009 - 8:42 am EET
Confusion reigns when it comes to getting bank accounts sorted out for a move abroad. People are advised incorrectly, read misleading information and generally are not sure whether any action they take is useful – or even legal. And with the news out today that the police in Britain are chasing targets and seeking to convict more middle-aged people than ever in a bid to “hit their numbers,” soon-to-be retirees certainly don’t want to do anything illegal with their cash!
The facts of the matter are incredibly straightforward when it comes to sorting out banking arrangements if you’re moving abroad, and in this report we’re going to answer the theoretical question ‘I’m retiring abroad, so do I need an offshore bank account’ as well as a number of other pertinent and frequently asked questions about banking for retirees moving overseas.
The report will cover all a would-be retirees options and alternatives, it will make some recommendations and suggestions and help anyone who’s thinking of retiring abroad to get their money matters in order before they go.

