At OCI we know from experience (except for pure asset holding companies) that a company can’t really do business until it has a bank account. This is why we have created specialized automated service systems to ensure that your Corporate account application is processed as quickly as possible following incorporation.

 

We also understand that different people’s banking needs are as varied as the countries in which they live (and that opening an account for an IBC -especially if you’re working with the wrong bank – can sometimes be an incredibly painful and time consuming experience). This is why we have spent many years seeking out, doing due diligence on and live testing a large number of “Offshore” Banks. Hence we are confident that we willrecommend(and assist you to open an Offshore Account with) the bank most likely to meet your needs.

 

How Do We Select Our Banking Partners?

 

With our owners/managers havingin excess of twelve years of experience in the field, we have been able to select (and will continue to seek out) banks that are secure, which provide reliable service and which also offer a wide range of banking facilities (eginternet banking, debit cards, letters of credit etc.).

 

In selecting banks to introduce our clientsto regard is also had to:

• The political and economic stability of the country where the bank is located
• The bank’s confidentiality policy/regulations (ie whether the bank is likely to respectour clients’ privacy)
• The range of financial products& services offered
• The relative financial health of the bank (whether the bank is at risk of collapse now or in the future)
• The historical reputation of the institution
• The bank’s recent track record (particularly in terms of speed of account opening and service delivery)
• The reasonableness of the bank’s pre-account opening due diligence inquiries& processes

Banking Services Offered

 

In most cases the following facilities are available from the banks with whom we work:

• Call accounts
• Checking accounts
• VISA Debit cards
• Anonymous Debit cards
• Multi-currency accounts
• Internet banking
• Trading in derivatives, currency, shares and more
• Fixed Term Interest Bearing Deposits (Interest bearing accounts)
• Brand name Credit cards
• Letters of Credit
• Back to Back loans
• General Investment products

We can also assist you to establish a merchant facility (eg if you are a website dependant business).

 

Which Bank To Choose?

 

The OCI typical client profile is quite varied and includes fund managers, multi-national businesses, self-funded retirees, commodity traders, IT consultants, forex traders, importer-exporters, real estate investors, mutual fund investors, share traders, intellectual property holders and more.

 

We have therefore developed a banking network such as will enable us to open an account for almost any type of activity.

 

Whilst we can offer assistance to open accounts with as many as 25 different banks we usually recommend clients consider setting up their Offshore account with a well-established Bank boasting specialized Offshore Banking facilities and a solid balance sheet. This is especially so since the collapse of several leading financial institutions following the sub-prime lending debacle of 2009. More to the point, we understand that everyone’s needs are different, which is why we offer a range of banking partners from which to choose.

 

Which Country To Choose?

 

An offshore Company does not have to open a bank account in the country in which it is registered. In fact many people think it wise to establish an account in a country different to where the Company (or Trust or Foundation) is incorporated as it creates an extra set of hurdles for any would be predator to jump over. This is another reason why we offer accounts with institutions in a wide range of specialized Offshore Banking Centres.

 

Presently we have established relationships with Bankers in a number of countries including:

• Switzerland
• Austria
• Belize
• Seychelles
• The Channel Islands (Isle of Man)
• The Caribbean
• Latvia
• Mauritius
• Singapore
• Cyprus
• Liechtenstein
• London UK
• Luxembourg

Account opening requirements, processing time, services and minimum balance requirements differ from Bank to Bank.

 

If you are not sure which would be the most appropriate bank (and jurisdiction) for your Company’s/Trust’s/Foundation’s bank account, please Contact Us and we will guide you through the process of choosing the right banking partner to suit your needs. (Please also check out the FAQs section of our website for answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about bank accounts).

For information on the cost of our Offshore Account Opening Services Click on this link: Offshore Bank Account Pricing.
 

Every effort has been made to ensure that the details contained herein are correct and up-to-date, but this does not constitute legal or other professional advice. We do not accept any responsibility, legal or otherwise, for any error or omission.