OFFSHORE BANKING

M&N has extensive expertise and knowledge of the bank account opening procedures and maintenance requirements of a wide variety of reputable international and offshore banks.

The main banks that M&N can assist with opening business bank accounts are:

  • BARCLAYS BANK KNIGHTSBRIDGE
    London United Kingdom (International division)
  • BARCLAYS BANK SEYCHELLES
  • DEXIA BANQUE INTERNATIONALE IN LUXEMBOURG
  • FBME CY BANK IN CYPRUS

The bank accounts can be opened by mail or in person

Potential clients must understand that opening an offshore bank account is not a simple matter and can be time consuming. Some offshore and international banks may take longer than one month to open an offshore bank account from receipt of a completed bank account opening package. Consequently potential clients are encouraged to ensure that they provide us with complete information of themselves and their intended business activity. The shortest time period for the bank account opening by mail should take approximately 10 days.

Offshore account opening procedures

The following information will be required for offshore and international banks in order to comply with the prevention of money laundering and terrorism:

- evidence of our clients' identities

- identify the source of funds paid into accounts to ensure that such funds are not derived from criminal activity and to document evidence relating to source of funds

- monitor banking transactions to risk assess each client in respect of illegal activities i.e. money laundering and terrorism

Typically offshore banks will require some or all of the following information to open and operate an offshore account for a simple offshore company which is owned by individuals

  • Certified proof of identity of owners, directors, account signatories and all parties connected with the offshore company. Acceptable proof of identity would normally include a certified passport copy
  • Proof of residence of all parties associated with the offshore company. Acceptable proof of residence would typically include utility bill, an original bank statement or credit card statement
  • Information relating to the expected annual income or asset base of the offshore company, the number of transactions per month, the geographic spread of the proposed business and the amount of money that will be left on deposit at the bank
  • A description of the proposed business activity
  • Documented evidence relating to source of funds, i.e. if a million dollars is to be paid into an offshore company's account, the bank will seek to obtain documentary evidence relating to the source of such funds in the form of a bank statement, contract or similar.
  • Some banks require clients to visit them on an annual basis.

If customer incorporates the offshore company with our assistance, we provide all the corporate documents in accordance to bank's requirements, as per client's instructions.

Please further note that M&N will only assist in the opening of offshore bank accounts for companies that we set up and administer. We do not assist in the opening of person accounts, but these can normally be opened by clients automatically after their business account is fully operational.

For more information on the opening of bank account, please contact us.

 


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