Confidentiality

Many stories and tall tales are told about the secrecy surrounding offshore banking. The truth is, while all offshore banking communities place a high value of protecting the anonymity of their clients, in many countries - especially the UK and in many parts of Europe - it has become easier and easier for authorities to obtain information about the activities and transactions of offshore bank accounts.

This is not an issue for the majority of the clients who come to us looking to establish an offshore bank account. However, there are still enough individuals, corporations and trading companies for whom absolute privacy is of utmost importance when determining at which offshore bank they will establish an account.

That being said, even in Europe the relationship between a banker and his customer is as sacrosanct as the one between a lawyer and client, so it really comes down to a mater of degrees.

There are two levels of concern when it comes to offshore bank transactions and information remaining confidential:

Government and Other Authorities

Usually for tax purposes, offshore banking clients wish for the existence of their accounts as well as the data contained therein to remain absolutely confidential. In addition, those involved in particularly litigious professions - doctors, manufacturers, etc. - want their assets protected from costly settlements and other legal activity that can wipe them out.

Private Interests

This is more for the individual banking customer who seeks to open a personal offshore account. They want to ensure that not only the existence of the account remains confidential; they also require credit cards or debit cards with no telltale markings; an absolute lack of a paper trail; and other considerations that prying eyes could easily recognize as being linked to an offshore bank account. Spouses, family members, business partners, private investigators and divorce lawyers are among those listed as not needing to know the details of an offshore bank account.

At OBI, we take into account your desires and goals in having an offshore bank account, and we’ll make sure to assist you in choosing the offshore bank that fits your level of comfort in terms of banking confidentiality. If you’d like more information about offshore banking privacy, or if you’d like to establish an anonymous numbered offshore bank account, please do not hesitate to contact us at your earliest convenience.