Offshore-Opportunities - Why Offshore?

There has been a lot of publicity about offshore investing through structuring methods, including private global banking, brokerage accounts, international business corporations (IBCs) and foreign asset protection trusts. Here is some general information that may help you decide if 'Offshore' may be advantageous for you.

'Offshore' can conjure up many different meanings depending on the individual and their understanding of the term. Today's reputable financial institutions and their advisors generally agree that going ‘Offshore' for financial purposes involves global private wealth planning and investing.

An “onshore global investor” simply uses local financial institutions and mutual fund companies to invest their money abroad. In such a case, it is the domestic mutual fund company that invests offshore on behalf of their client.

Opening a bank account outside of the jurisdiction where you reside
Owning foreign real estate or other offshore investments
Giving up your residency or renouncing your Citizenship and relocating yourself and family to another country
The process of purchasing or placing some of your mobile or ‘liquid' assets in a country outside of your home country - the “offshore global investor”

There exists a wide spectrum of excellent reasons to engage in global private wealth management such as estate planning, succession planning, and asset protection. This type of planning could enhance your financial assets and make your financial life easier if any of the following apply to you:

Your investment goal is medium to long-term growth (3-5 years)
You want to preserve your wealth and minimize uncertainty of your financial future
You want to establish an effective way to transfer wealth to your heirs
Although you appreciate that offshore investing is transparent for tax purposes, you desire confidentiality and privacy to protect your wealth
You believe that international diversification is a sound financial strategy in today's political and economic uncertain environment
You require accounts in more than one currency
You are now, or soon will be, living abroad (an expatriate)
You're an international executive or professional
You have property, business interests or investments in more than one country
You would appreciate receiving premium service and professional investment advice for access to global markets
You desire access to expertise that has a truly global outlook and understanding

Although far from being complete, the following list shows some of the opportunities for viable, compliant products and services that continue to provide material benefits to some, if not most high net worth individuals, with the proviso that they are set up and maintained properly:

International trusts
International business corporations
Global private insurance products
“Offshore” hedge funds and mutual funds
Private global banking
International brokerage accounts
Foundations

No single country offers the best of attributes for all of a person's international planning requirements. When reviewing a jurisdiction, you should satisfy yourself as to whether or not they have the following requirements:

It is important to select the BEST attributes of each country for each part of your global investment structure.

Just as offshore investing offers many opportunities, it can also be the proverbial minefield filled with complicated tax laws and regulations. Balance your self-education with the counsel of expert global wealth advisors who can design a custom structure that is compliant and meets your objectives.