How to open accounts with offshore banks? How do foreign banks work? Which banks are the best in a particular country? Look for answers to these questions and more in this section of the InternationalWealth portal.
Diversifying your assets into a foreign (offshore) bank in the 21st century is not a whim, but a dire necessity for many people. Keeping all your money in one bank and even one country is a bit like putting all your eggs in one basket. And that basket is then constantly twisted on a long rope over your head in a room full of hard and sharp objects!
The distribution of assets across different economies, legal systems and on different conditions helps to reduce the risks of a one-time loss of savings. Plus, it opens up additional opportunities: investments abroad, education, travel, residence permit / permanent residence, citizenship by investment and more.
Looking to open a bank account in Switzerland in 2026? This guide explains everything foreigners need to know — from legal requirements and documents to the best traditional and digital banks. Whether you’re a global entrepreneur or a remote worker, discover the safest, most convenient options with full support for multi-currency accounts and remote onboarding.
In 2026, offshore banking in Europe is about strategy and compliance rather than secrecy, with clients weighing stability, cross-border access, and adherence to CRS/FATCA. The guide outlines two main tracks—premium private banking for HNWIs and more accessible non-resident accounts—and ranks banks using public credit ratings, regulatory strength, deposit insurance, and practical openness to foreign clients (remote KYC, multi-currency, reasonable minimums). Top jurisdictions include Switzerland (gold-standard private banking), Liechtenstein (boutique stability), Luxembourg (EU-regulated hub), Spain and Luxembourg for easier non-resident entry, Cyprus and Malta as balanced “mid-shore” options, and the Crown Dependencies for premium expatriate services; meanwhile, places like Latvia/Baltics, Bulgaria/Romania, Czech/Slovakia, and micro-states are generally impractical due to de-risking, limited access, or very high thresholds. Opening accounts requires thorough KYC (passport, address, source of funds, tax forms), with pre-approval recommended to gauge fit and avoid wasted effort. A decision matrix helps match goals—wealth preservation, cross-border operations, accessible transactional banking, or legacy planning—to jurisdictions and banks, emphasizing legal transparency and realistic expectations.
Discover the top offshore banks for 2026. Our experts analyze and rank banks based on safety, service, and ease of opening. Get our curated list for HNWIs, business, and expats.
Discover the best offshore and business banking options in Belize. Explore top banks, including Caye International, Belize Bank, Atlantic Bank, and Heritage Bank. Learn about tax-friendly policies, asset protection, remote account setup, and more. Whether you're an investor, entrepreneur, or high-net-worth individual, Belize offers tailored banking services for your financial needs.
How to open an offshore bank account online? A brief non-residents' guide to offshore accounts opening. Benefits of opening an offshore bank account. Legitimate procedure. Documents. Requirements. Possible issues. Prof. advice & services. Start by booking a free private Q&A session with us.
Looking for a reliable banking solution in 2025? This guide covers everything you need to know about banks in St. Kitts and Nevis—offshore accounts, personal and business banking, costs, regulations, and the top banks to consider. We handle the setup for you—remotely, securely, and without the hassle.
Getting hold of the main drivers behind Chinese banks' high capitalization and asset levels. Comprehensive look into China's banking system. Discovering key insights into the Chinese banking system. Top ratings of China's biggest banks. Forbes Global 2000, S&P Global Market Intelligence 2022, and The Banker 2022. China Construction Bank, ICBC, ABC bank, Bank of Communications, and BOC – meet China’s top-5 banks.
What bank do most millionaires use? What bank do billionaires use? What banks do very wealthy people use? How much do wealthy people keep in the bank? What is private banking, a private account? Take into account: experts advise not to put eggs in one basket. Get your private account in 2024.
The Vatican manages its finances through multiple entities, with the Institute for Works of Religion (IOR), commonly known as the Vatican Bank, being the most prominent. While not classified as a systemic institution, its global influence is substantial. The IOR is known for its confidential operations, including deposits for Catholic orders and loans to Vatican structures. Despite reforms, its financial activities remain largely secret. Read the article to discover the details of how the Catholic church manages its assets and what really happens in the world of “religious” banking.
The market of financial services is large, but there are two categories of institutions that can open an account for your personal or corporate needs: traditional banks and payment systems (neobanks). Which of these to choose? Which one will satisfy your needs in the best way possible? Read the article to find out more as the right choice depends on the situation: if you have a high-risk business, for example, it will be hard for you to find a regular bank that will agree to onboard you, and a payment system will be a much more suitable option. If you are still in doubt, get in touch with our expert.
Why opt for offshore banking in Belize? How you can select the ideal offshore bank for foreigners in Belize. Advantages of banking in Belize. Cons you should be aware of. Is the premier bank in Belize suitable for you if you are an investor, offshore company, private customer, or blacklisted individual? Guidelines for remote account opening and banking access in Belize.
Every year, major world agencies form ratings of the best banking institutions, both in general and in terms of individual indicators. Our experts have prepared for you an ultimate review of such ratings, from which you can learn about the largest and most reliable banks on the planet.
How FATF monitors suspicious banking transactions. National monitoring. Suspicious transactions on French, German, US, and UK bank accounts. Banks’ role in identifying suspicious transactions on client accounts. Types of suspicious transactions that alert banks: large cash transactions, dropping or structuring, unusual or unexplained transactions, high-risk customer transactions, and transactions involving politically exposed persons. Unusual activity examples.
Is your banking information going to be completely confidential if you bank is based in Switzerland? No, not completely. Official state agencies including fiscal authorities are going to have access to your banking information. However, the laws of the country efficiently protect banking privacy anyway: the bank account holder’s information can never become available to unauthorized third parties.
Bank secrecy in modern Switzerland: reality or myth. Swiss banks have been automatically sharing bank customer info with the EU member states since 2018. What does Automatic Exchange of Information (AEOI) imply? The AEOI standard: bank customer data that are shared. Is bank secrecy still a reality in Switzerland?
Switzerland is the main banking center of the world. A great number of affluent people from different countries keep their money in Swiss banks. There they find an unparalleled level of banking security. Even though the interest on some types of bank deposits is negative in Switzerland, opening an account in a Swiss bank makes economic sense anyway.
A zealous campaign against money laundering and terrorism financing is continuing in the world. It affects banks in all parts of the world to a large degree. The banks have to comply with the rules set by regulatory agencies at three levels: the local, the regional, and the international ones.
Offshore banking offers various services and products outside one's home country, providing benefits such as asset protection, tax savings, and investment diversification. Seeking professional advice is crucial due to potential risks and compliance requirements. Contact us for more information.
What is the main bank in Europe? This is, of course, the European Central Bank. Our experts will tell you how and when this institution was founded, who manages it, what tasks it solves and other important information about the European regulator.
FATCA in Switzerland. FATCA Models 1 and 2. IRS and its regulations Offshore Voluntary Disclosure Program (OVDP) in the USA. Switzerland: other financial and tax information sharing accords in 2023. AEOI in Switzerland. Tax accords on administrative aid and data exchange in Switzerland. Reliability of Swiss banks in 2023.
If you want to invest in new disruptive technologies and have the protection of a country that has been working to protect investors for this type of financial products, you should know more about the Bahamas. The Bahamas is an island country located in the Caribbean that has become a major financial and banking center […]
Would you like to know which bank is the safest in Europe? Anyway, why are we talking about Europe? If we look at the ratings of the safest banks according to such reputable organizations as Forbes and Global Finance, we will see European banks in the Top 10. Therefore, if we want to choose “the safest of the safest”, they will all be located in Europe. It seems to be the best place for banking services! The article focuses on the criteria that are used to determine the top-ranking banks and the way your funds will be insured if you decide to deposit them with these strongholds. Read on to find out!
Offshore bank account in Mauritius: 7 key benefits. High interest rates, deposit security, flexibility, investment opportunities, lending programs, and efficient tax optimization in Mauritius. How did Mauritius emerge as a top offshore hub? Advantageous geographic location, political stability, legal system, and regulatory framework. Arbitration center in Mauritius. DTA agreements. Diverse business structures in Mauritius. Favorable taxation. Skilled workforce. Well-developed banking industry.
Switzerland remains the most reputable jurisdiction as far as banking services are concerned. However, history knows many examples when scandals in the Swiss banking sector have broken out. Most often, this happens because a Swiss bank is involved in some money laundering schemes or it helps its customers evade taxes. In other cases, a banker can be bribed to give a loan. The truth always comes out eventually and the bank faces serious consequences.
