With the right paperwork and initial outlay, it is possible for a foreign citizen to open a bank account in Czech Republic. This opportunity for international accounts and investments offers several advantages based on economic regulations and tax structures. Interest rates, tax laws, and fees vary depending on the specific country in which you are investing; careful research and strategic financial moves could result in significant portfolio growth.
When considering opening a bank account in Czech Republic, one must enlist the help of international experts to guide them through the process.
Legal structures in Czech Republic Every international jurisdiction abides by a different set of legal structures for taxation and banking. Confidus Solutions helps you to understand the nuances of each country's legal structures. To do business in Czech Republic, it will be critical for you to have a firm grasp on the financial and legal implications.
Initial investments The vast majority of bank accounts in Czech Republic will require an initial financial outlay to secure account opening. This value differs from bank to bank and also depends on variable rates of currency exchange. An international finance expert will help to navigate these conversions as well as the assorted fees and minimums involved in sustaining a bank account. Be sure to understand interest and growth rates associated with any potential international bank account so that you are able to maximize your earnings while minimizing risk.
Tax structures in Czech Republic For best results and to avoid bureaucratic and legal pitfalls, enlist the support of an expert in international finance and economics. This initial investment in proper processes and research will help to avoid a litany of long-term costs and fees associated with unforeseen errors and legal miscues. Language expertise, financial knowhow, and bureaucratic experience will ensure that your account opening is handled smoothly and without unintended consequences.
Private banking is investment, financial and other day-to-day banking services provided by banks and other financial institutions to people with high levels of income and other assets, usually called high net worth individuals. Generally, the term private refers to the more personal attitude and services provided by the bankers as part of the private banking service package in comparison the mass-market retail banking. Private banking is typically a subset of wealth management and consists of numerous services, such as general banking, brokerage, discretionary asset management, wealth structuring, insurance, advisory, lending, investment services and even tax planning.
Historically, opening a private bank account was only possible to particularly high net worth individuals with liquidity over 2 million USD. Also now, there are banks who will demand even higher amount to be deposited in your bank account to join their exclusive private banking. Typically, the biggest amounts of deposit are demanded by the offshore private banks, and it can easily surpass the level of 5 million USD. Meanwhile, there are banks that offer to open a private or sometimes called premier bank account with significantly smaller deposits. Surely, the personal attitude, as well as the range and quality of the services offered, will differ accordingly.
Customer service among other things is essential for private bank account holders. As you are handing over your wealth to be managed by professionals, you want to be confident that they will make the right decisions, work with your best interests in mind and keep your funds safe.
Banking in Malta overview Malta with its fast-growing banking industry and specialised niches such as trust services, wealth management and private banking has managed to establish itself as an international banking centre in Mediterranean region. Banking has been the Malta’s backbone that supports the growth of numerous other sectors. Capital buffers of domestic banks are among the highest ones in Europe and solvency ratios are consistently kept at a level that is almost two times higher than the EU average. The average Tier 1 capital ratio among Maltese banks is almost double the rate required by the Basel III. Thanks to a significant transformation over the last decade, Maltese banking sector has transformed from a strictly controlled public sector to liberal and privately owned. This has helped to attract international businesses to establish their operations in Malta and expand further to Europe, Africa and the Middle East.
No matter if you are looking to open a private or a corporate bank account, Malta can offer numerous benefits. The Country’s banking sector was judged to be the 10th soundest among 144 countries in the world by the World Economic Forum in its Global Competitiveness Report 2014-15. In addition to being a trustworthy and safe location for your savings, the diverse banking industry provides their clients with wide range of quality services, including trade and project finance, custodian banking and specialist wealth management services. And this is done by highly experienced, English speaking legal and financial professionals. Additionally, Maltese fiscal policies have been among the main drivers of creating an attractive investment environment. The country’s tax system is compliant with EU non-discrimination principles and shares around 70 double tax treaties, therefore with proper structuring and planning both companies and private individuals are able to achieve considerable fiscal efficiency.
Private bank account in Malta If you are a Maltese resident or planning to transfer your funds to a Maltese bank from abroad, you should consider the personal attitude and professional services guaranteed by the Maltese private banking. Malta is rich with banks, especially considering the size of the country, therefore you are able to choose among numerous possibilities. In case you are a foreign investor, you might choose the biggest international bank in Malta – HSBC (or maybe you already have an account in this bank in your home-country, which would significantly ease the process of bank account opening in Malta). HSBC also offers highest quality private banking for private individuals with capabilities to deposit at least 70,000 EUR.
Being eligible for private banking opens a whole new world of benefits for you and your family. Interestingly, all these benefits are for free as long as you hold at least 70,000 EUR in your account. The benefits include preferential rates and terms of overdraft and debit cards, free internet and telephone banking, exclusive services from other banking divisions, such as loans and insurance, and of course – dedicated relationship manager available to you and your family 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
In order to open a private bank account, the main criterion is the set minimum amount of deposit you need to keep in your bank account. Other requirements are related to Know Your Client procedures in order to make sure that your funds are not coming from illegal activities. Upon opening a private bank account you would need to declare your passport, a proof of residency and documents verifying the legitimacy of your income (such as inheritance certificate, financial statements, proof of sale of real estate or business, etc.). Generally, the opening procedure takes more time in comparison to traditional checking account due to the compliance procedures carried out by the bank. After you apply for a private bank account online or via telephone and provide all the necessary documents, a special committee will evaluate your eligibility as their client and your personal banker will defend your interests.
IBC or International Business Company or as it is also called international business corporation basically is an offshore company which is usually formed under the laws of some jurisdictions worldwide as a tax-neutral company meaning that it is not taxable in the country of incorporation. It is also limited in direct business activity it may conduct while operating within the context of the jurisdiction in which it is incorporated.
Meaning and main functions of IBC Often IBC features can vary by jurisdiction, however, usually they include business data confidentiality, ability to issue shares, provision for a local registered agent or office and exemption from local corporate taxation as the majority of offshore jurisdictions have removed or are processing the removal of IBCs from local taxation while reducing corporate tax to zero in order to avoid damaging the whole offshore finance industry.
Such companies in general are incorporated for offshore banking, making international investments, asset protection, real estate and intellectual property ownership and other business activities related to international trade.
A list of jurisdictions offering IBC as a business structure As it is stated in Streber Weekly, there are plenty of jurisdictions offering IBC as a business structure. The list of such jurisdictions is pretty long: Antigua and Barbuda, Anguilla, Barbados, Bahamas, Belize, Brunei, British Virgin Islands or BVI, Cook Islands, Comoros, Dominica, Grenada, Gambia, Mauritius, Marshall Islands, Monsterrat, Nauru, Saint Lucia, Samoa, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Seychelles and Vanuatu. This list contains most of the jurisdictions without taking into account their worldwide reputation. Some popular offshore jurisdictions which weren't mentioned before offer territorial taxation and other tax incentives instead of offering IBCs. These business structures can be operating as exempt companies, free zone companies or non-resident companies etc. while lacking the ease of IBC companies: Panama, Hong Kong, Cayman Islands, Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI), United Arab Emirates (UAE), Bermuda.
For example, Panama's jurisdiction, in general, is suitable for International Foundation or IBC in terms of asset protection. Hong Kong jurisdiction in general is also suitable for international trade due to favorable taxation regime as it imposes no withholding tax, capital gains tax, tax on investment income, VAT and other sorts of taxes.
Most reputable jurisdictions for IBCs British Virgin Islands (BVI) is referred to as world's leading offshore business center with more than 450,000 operating companies registered in its territory. It is often called the grandfather of all IBCs. International international business companies have a rather good reputation among other jurisdictions of such kind due to the ability to transfer domicile and privacy of ownership for assets collected inside of the company. In general BVI provide flexible, low-cost and prompt services for international offshore companies' incorporation.
Seychelles can be alternatives to BVI offshore companies as this jurisdiction offer ease of administration, simplicity and privacy as well. In addition, IBC is the most widely used type of company incorporated on islands with more than 175,000 companies registered there. The IBCs of this jurisdiction are commonly used as consultancy and personal service companies as well as Holding Companies shares, real estate and equities.
Bahamas is one of the oldest offshore jurisdictions, considered to be a classic one as the BVI mentioned before as it is an independent and politically stable which has an improving reputation and is gambling friendly.
St. Kitts and Nevis has decent reputation while being also politically stable and having average to low costs. However, this jurisdiction is more popular for its Limited Liability Companies (LLC).
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines has merely low costs. It is quite politically stable with good reputation which has improved in recent years because of the gaining popularity due to financial operations carried out by Euro Pacific Bank and Loyal Bank.
Belize is also a great place for IBC formation. In frames of this jurisdiction IBC can be used with the purpose of international trade, asset protection, offshore banking, owning real estate, e-business or any other financial services.
Such IBCs are suitable for business transactions globally as well as making deposits and managing offshore investments such as bonds, mutual funds, stocks and other types of business services, while providing consulting and such professional services as management, corporate credit cards ownership, covering legitimate expenses etc.
Know Your Client, also known as KYC, refers to numerous due diligence activities carried out not only by financial institutions but also by other regulated companies in order to obtain all relevant information about their clients before and during doing business with them. Each finance and business unit is responsible for adopting and implementing various KYC procedures and regulations.
Know Your Client's policies typically include procedures such as: Collecting and analyzing a person's identity information and investigating the true beneficiary of the company and business accounts Name comparison with lists of political parties (search for politically exposed persons or PEPs) Determine a customer's likelihood of committing money laundering, terrorist financing, identity theft, or other criminal offenses Creation of expectation profiles based on the transaction behavior of a customer and monitoring of deviations from this profile The fight against money laundering, also known as AML, is a set of laws, regulations, and other practices designed to prevent the practice of generating income from illegal activities. Typically, money launderers hide the true source of their income through a series of steps that make it appear that money has been legitimately made from illegal activities. The Anti-Money Laundering Guidelines are designed to help institutions identify and investigate potential cases.
Globalization and the global information exchange system KYC and AML guidelines are designed to provide solutions to eliminate the numerous risks that arise from the fact that financial institutions do not know their customers. On the other hand, these guidelines also tend to contradict the general expectations of an individual regarding confidentiality and privacy.
With the rapid advance of globalization over the past few decades, safety concerns have become a top priority not only for national regulators, but also for the international community in general. In response to growing concerns about money laundering, an intergovernmental organization called the Financial Action Task Force on Money Laundering (FATF) was established during the G7 summit in Paris in 1989, which shortly thereafter issued recommendations on money laundering and terrorist financing. All recommendations are to be implemented at national level through laws and other legally binding measures. In addition to the Know Your Client and anti-money laundering procedures described above, the FATF Recommendations require states to cooperate internationally and share relevant information in investigations.
A new international standard called AEI or Automatic Exchange of Information will come into force in participating countries to ensure that tax authorities exchange information about taxpayers' bank accounts. The main aim of the AEI is to make tax evasion impossible. The AEOI stipulates that banks must report information about bank and custody accounts to the domestic tax authorities. This information is then exchanged with the tax authorities of the AEI partner countries.
Possible solutions to protect confidentiality Some jurisdictions consider divulging an account holder's name to be a criminal act. The privacy of the customers of a bank is protected by law and, by its very nature, is equated with the confidentiality obligation between doctor and patient or lawyer and customer. Although privacy is seen as a fundamental principle and highly protected in these jurisdictions, law enforcement authorities may be given access to relevant information as part of a criminal investigation.
Unless criminal charges have been made, however, offshore banks offer the highest level of confidentiality and security. Offshore banking jurisdictions are designed to protect assets from domestic litigation and other civil matters such as disputed estates or divorce. An even higher level of confidentiality and anonymity is achieved through other asset holding vehicles - for example international business companies and offshore trusts.
Another way to increase your privacy is to use a nominee so that your name does not appear in the company register as the owner of your company (nominee services). However, any bank that requires disclosure of the company's beneficiaries would still see your name on the list.
With the right paperwork and initial outlay, it is possible for a foreign citizen to open a bank account in Portugal. This opportunity for international accounts and investments offers several advantages based on economic regulations and tax structures. Interest rates, tax laws, and fees vary depending on the specific country in which you are investing; careful research and strategic financial moves could result in significant portfolio growth.
When considering opening a bank account in Portugal, one must enlist the help of international experts to guide them through the process.
Legal structures in Portugal Every international jurisdiction abides by a different set of legal structures for taxation and banking. Confidus Solutions helps you to understand the nuances of each country's legal structures. To do business in Portugal, it will be critical for you to have a firm grasp on the financial and legal implications.
Initial investments The vast majority of bank accounts in Portugal will require an initial financial outlay to secure account opening. This value differs from bank to bank and also depends on variable rates of currency exchange. An international finance expert will help to navigate these conversions as well as the assorted fees and minimums involved in sustaining a bank account. Be sure to understand interest and growth rates associated with any potential international bank account so that you are able to maximize your earnings while minimizing risk.
Tax structures in Portugal For best results and to avoid bureaucratic and legal pitfalls, enlist the support of an expert in international finance and economics. This initial investment in proper processes and research will help to avoid a litany of long-term costs and fees associated with unforeseen errors and legal miscues. Language expertise, financial knowhow, and bureaucratic experience will ensure that your account opening is handled smoothly and without unintended consequences.
Cyprus offers a very useful IP tax regime. The law provides for a certain tax exemption for income derived from intellectual property. More specifically, 80% of the worldwide royalty income generated from IP owned by a Cyprus tax-resident company (net of direct expenses) is exempt from income tax. In addition, 80% of profits generated from the disposal of IP owned by Cyprus-resident companies (net of direct expenses) is also exempt from income tax, and any expenditure of a capital nature for the acquisition or development of IP is tax-deductible in the year in which it was incurred and the four subsequent consecutive years.
Companies registered in Cyprus, if managed and controlled from Cyprus, will receive a tax clearance certificate. In order for the company to maintain its management and control in Cyprus, the majority of the company's board of directors must be Cyprus residents, the company's secretary and registered office must be located in Cyprus, the board of directors must hold its meetings in Cyprus and, if possible, the company's shareholders should hold some of their meetings in Cyprus. The tax authorities have also increased their requirements and are now looking into the issuing of powers of attorney by companies. If a general power of attorney is issued by the company allowing someone who is not resident in Cyprus for tax purposes to act on its behalf, this might render the company non-tax resident.
Cyprus banking sector is expected to contribute positively to growth in 2017 with the increased GDP by around 2,8% as the country continues to strengthen its banking sector and its economy as a whole. Country’s banks have been recognized internationally reflecting Cyprus economic growth which was stimulated by various significant reforms and restructurization. The European Commission listed a 2,7% up to 3% of economic growth in the annual report. In general, the whole sector has a positive outlook. This means that at present the banking sector in Cyprus stands strong, however, few years ago in 2013 a financial banking crisis existed in the country which laid a foundation for even more sustainable financial development.
Current situation within the Cyprus banking sector Today domestic market in Cyprus has three main banking entities which together have 67% market share of deposits. Cyprus’ banking sector has two main counterparts: international or worldwide banks and domestically-oriented banks. International banks have long been attracted to the island for its fiscal regime that is favorable for international banks when integrating into high-growth markets. In general, there are about 30 financial institutions in the country, having international banking business as a foundation and having limited interaction with Cyprus domestic economy.
Cyprus leading banks The Bank of Cyprus is the leading financial institution among various Cooperative institutions. In addition, as it was published in Banksdaily.com which provides information on banking news and directory, most well-known, trusted and reliable Cypriot banks are located in the capital of Cyprus – Nicosia (except the RCB Bank): Bank of Cyprus, the Cooperative credit Sector, Development Bank, Hellenic Bank, RCB Bank.
Bank of Cyprus This financial institution is the largest lender in the country. It has raised a capital of 1 billion euro after the downfall of 2013. In 2017 it has won a Best Bank for Private Banking 2017 award which was given by the international magazine referred to as Euromoney. This drew attention to country’s economy and its stock exchange. In 2016 it has more than 775,000 consumers or clients. The Bank has several divisions such as Corporate Banking Division, Consumer Banking Division, SME Banking Division and the International Banking Services Division. The Cooperative Credit Sector (CCS) It is one of the largest credit institutions in the country. A 1,5 billion euro disbursement was released for the recapitalization of the bank in 2014 which was then approved by the European Commission. The bank supports every household and offers its clients an affordable, accessible banking services and products.
The Cyprus Development Bank It is a commercial bank which provides products and services to corporate clients, offering wide range of standard procedures such as local and worldwide payments, money transfers, loans, deposits, equity funds etc.
Hellenic Bank This financial institution offers specialized service centers for the business clients based on their scale. There are two divisions existing within its premises – the Business Services Division and a Corporate Banking Division, offering up-to-date banking services and products for small, medium and large enterprises as well as their managing employees and shareholders. Hellenic Bank faced a healthy growth while being recognized as one of the most liquid banks in Europe.
RCB Bank Founded in 1995, today it is one of the largest financial institutions in the country. It is an EU bank, offering corporate retail products and services internationally and reaching clients from about 50 countries. It has departments or branches and representative offices in London, Moscow, Nicosia, Luxembourg, Pafos and Limassol. The bank was ranked as the Safest Bank in Cyprus 2016 by the Global Finance Magazine, having banking operations in Cyprus for over 20 years as well as joining forces with the European Investment Bank (EIB).