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How to Choose Your Offshore Bank Account?

by Alexander Malygin

4 min read


Today international banks are no longer an inaccessible business tool. There is value in having a contingency plan, Plan B, in case something goes wrong. Global offshore banking provides the ability to secure your future. You become more autonomous in your ability to exist outside of any one system.

An offshore bank operates much like a traditional bank. An individual or legal entity can open an offshore account with a foreign bank outside their country of residence and have access to the same services as deposits, payments, withdrawals, and online transactions. However, there are some challenges in choosing a bank that is far from your place of residence.

Of course, the final decision to open an account for you remains with the bank, but which one to choose? What should be guided by when choosing a bank to open an offshore account? What services must be provided by the bank? In today’s article, we will figure out the answers to these questions, considering all the important aspects of the choice.

What to look for in an Offshore Bank?

There are potentially many things to look out for when opening an offshore bank account. When choosing a foreign country for a bank, first of all, pay attention to its economic and political stability. This should be an important part of your research unless you don’t want to turn all offshore banking pros into cons.

Here we have prepared some things to investigate before going offshore:

  • Bank solvency
  • Debt amount
  • Bank liquidity
  • The number of derivative exposures

These things could give a fairly clear idea of ​​the nature of the system that regulates banking policy. When looking for the best offshore bank, you must also ask yourself the following important questions:

  • How many currencies are there?
  • Are there any tax laws to be aware of?
  • How acceptable are the rates and account management methods?
  • What is the minimum balance to be maintained?
  • What are the penalties?
  • What are the fees?
  • Are there any limits?

As you answer these questions, you will begin to find the right jurisdiction and banking situation that suits your needs.

Offshore accounts

An offshore account can be considered a safeguard for savings from the crisis in the country. However, it is possible to open an account only in those regions whose financial policy comply with account openings for non-residents. While there is an innumerable number of banks in the world, there are a select few that are popular based upon cost, ease of opening an account, and overall offshore financial services. These include Cayman Islands, Singapore, Nevis, Belize, and Panama.

Types of Offshore Accounts

Commercial & Checking Account
These are the usual offers of offshore banks available to individuals. Typically, these accounts are for general expenses. Clients can use electronic or paper checks to issue payments, or you use debit cards associated with the account.
Saving Account
It works the same as your domestic savings account, your international counterpart will provide interest on the balance. There might be some penalties or fees for funds withdrawal. It can be an excellent way to earn interest on the money you don’t plan to use anytime soon.
Demand Deposit Account
It functions in much the same way as a Saving Account since you need to establish a minimum balance to earn interest. However, you do not incur a penalty or fee for the withdrawal at most international banks. It could be an excellent way to set aside funds that you don’t expect to use in cases other than emergencies.
Term Deposit Account
In this case, you deposit funds and agree to leave them within this account for a specified period or term. In exchange, you are often offered a higher interest rate than on basic savings or a demand deposit account.
International Lines of Credit
This type of account is only offered to business owners and high-end individual depositors. Like most domestic lines of credit, it’s possible to have a standing credit line that you can use up to a certain amount. Many international banks do not impose a recurring fee to keep the line of credit open. The only expense you have is the interest, which must be paid on any currently outstanding amount.
International Investment Account
This type of account is considered an investment opportunity worldwide that may or may not be available to you through a domestic investment account. It also means that these investments may or may not be subject to the same rate of taxation or transaction fees as the ones you have at home.

Where to get started?

There are many reasons for opening an international bank account as a smart financial move. If you’d like to find more information about the international bank account advantages, please read the following article here.

Once you’re ready to take action and open your international bank account, Finscanner is here to oblige and set up the right account for your needs. Find the bank that suits your needs at the Finscanner marketplace.

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