Generally speaking, Australia is not considered an advantageous location for those interested in tax minimization, and has a comprehensive taxation system in place. Residency is assumed if an individual has his permanent home there, if it is his habitual abode, if he has close economic ties, or has been in Australia either continuously or intermittently for more than 183 days in any tax year.

Residents are taxed on their world-wide income; there are a considerable number of tax treaties, and tax paid on foreign income is normally allowed as a credit against Australian tax. However, foreign 'passive' income (ie dividends, interest, royalties etc) is treated as a separate class of income, and tax credits are segregated according to class. Depending on individual circumstances, it may therefore be best for an Australian tax-resident to make sure that any money placed on deposit abroad is not taxed at origin.

More than 100 exempted banks were registered in Vanuatu in 2002, making it the leading offshore banking centre in the Eastern hemisphere; only a few banks provide services locally, including ANZ, Westpac, the National Bank of Vanuatu, and the Bank of Hawaii. The Asian Development Bank has its Pacific regional office in Port Vila. The new 2002 Banking Act however led to a considerable reduction in the number of licensed banks - by mid 2005, only four domestic banks and six international banks remained. In the two years prior to this, 28 banks had departed or been closed down.

Exempted banks offer deposit and other asset management services, but do not offer chequeing accounts - for that, one must go to a 'local' bank with a full banking license. A few international banks have such licenses, including several major Australian banks.

There are no taxes in Vanuatu on profits, dividends or income for either resident or non-resident individuals.

Hong Kong is one of the foremost international banking centres in the world, with 71 of the largest banks having established a presence there. In December, 2007, there were 142 licensed banks, 29 restricted licence banks and 29 deposit-taking companies in business. These 200 authorised institutions operate a comprehensive network of local branches. In addition, there are 79 local representative offices of overseas banks in Hong Kong.

There is a 3 tier system of banking institutions in place; licensed banks, restricted licensed banks, and deposit taking companies. Hong Kong has no central bank as such, but the HKMA does assume many of the responsibilities typically assigned to a central bank, including ensuring the safety and soundness of the banking system and the stability of the currency. Hong Kong adheres to the Basle principles for bank supervision.

Under the Sino-British Joint Declaration on the Future of Hong Kong, Chinese authorities were committed to enact the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. The Basic Law is the legal basis for the "One Country, Two System" guarantee, and has provided for the continuance of Hong Kong’s system of common law and free market economic system after 1 July 1997.

The Law stipulates that the Hong Kong dollar will remain freely convertible; that markets for foreign exchange, securities, futures, and other financial products will remain open; and that no controls will be placed on the flow of capital into or out of Hong Kong.

Although it is considered by some to be an offshore jurisdiction, Hong Kong is better described as a low tax area, which levies tax according to the territorial principle. Personal income tax is known as Salaries Tax, and individuals, whether resident or not, are taxed only on income 'arising in or derived from a Hong Kong employment'. Thus, non-employment source income such as bank interest and share dividends is not taxable in the territory either for residents or non-residents.