International Offshore Banking: Bank Details

NatWest Offshore

The NatWest Offshore website is a treasure trove of resources for UK expatriates. As well as access to their products and services (which include online banking and trading, high interest current accounts, and savings and investment services, they also provide an expat organiser, and information about the offshore world in general for newbies. UK and World news is also provided on the site.

Company	Based	Investor Protection?
	Based in Guernsey, and mainly do business in Isle of Man, Jersey, Guernsey, and Gibraltar	NatWest Offshore is a participant in the Gibraltar Deposit Protection Scheme (deposits protected to a maximum of £18,000). Deposits made in the Isle of Man are protected under the Depositors Compensation Scheme (to a maximum of £15,000), and in Jersey and Guernsey, NWO is regulated under the Banking Business (Jersey) Act, and the Banking Supervision (Guernsey) Act respectively.
Website	Services and Products	How Do You Open An Account?
NatWest Offshore	They offer online banking, high interest current accounts, online share trading, expatriate reserve accounts, mortgages, insurance, and relationship management	Existing Natwest customers should take completed application form to their branch, new customers should take form and ID to nearest branch. New customers not living in the UK should write to Jersey Branch.
E-Mail:	Documentation Required	Is the Service Truly International or Country Specific?
expats@natwest offshore.com	Application form and confirmation of identity (i.e. passport, ID card, driving license) plus confirmation of permanent address (i.e. utility bill, bank statement, etc). If living outside the UK, also need Authority for Bankers Reference letter	This service is most suited to UK citizens becoming non-resident through expatriation, or foreign nationals living in the UK that are non-resident there
Phone	How Much Can You Do Online?	Minimum a/c balance
44 (0) 1534 282164	Online banking and trading services and account access available to account holders	Contact NatWest Offshore For More Information
Fax	Charges	Other
44 (0) 1534 282665	Full details of charges are available in 'Fees for your personal current account'- Contact NatWest Offshore for more information

Oceanic Bank and Trust

The Oceanic Bank and Trust website provides a good general overview of the services and products available from them, and on international banking in general. In their 'News' section, there is an interesting and informative open letter to offshore investors and clients, discussing the effects of recent events on the Bahamas banking sector, and detailing Oceanic's plans for moving forward.
Although, as previously stated, the site only really gives an overview of the services available, there are contact details all over this website, which is always a reassuring sign. For more information, you can e-mail the appropriate executive (their e-mail addresses are all available in the 'Senior Management' section), use the online form, or phone, fax, or write, as you prefer. Altogether a good looking and well put together site.

Company	Based	Investor Protection?
	Based in Nassau, in the Bahamas	information pending
Website	Services and Products	How Do You Open An Account?
Oceanic Bank	Oceanic offer private banking services, which include deposit accounts, credit cards, cash management, and foreign exchange services. They also offer trust and estate planning services, mutual fund administration, investment management, and corporate and IBC services.	information pending
E-Mail:	Documentation Required	Is the Service Truly International or Country Specific?
info@oceanic.bs	information pending	information pending
Phone	How Much Can You Do Online?	Minimum a/c balance
(242) 502 8822	It is possible to access resources concerning the situation in the Bahamas following the recent OECD initiatives, and also to contact senior management via their website. There is also a general information e-mail address and contact form	information pending
Fax	Charges	Other
(242) 502 8840	information pending	information pending

Royal Bank of Canada

Royal Bank of Canada's Global Private Banking website is everything you would expect from this large and highly professional organisation. Clicking on the 'Expatriate Financial Services' link at the side takes you to their designated expat site, which breaks the available products and services down into targeted sections for new, settled, and career expats to help you decide which account is right for you.

From the website, you can access the online banking demo, and although it is not possible to apply for this service online, you can choose the most appropriate person to contact via their online form. The floating contact button might drive you mad after a while, but it's a small price to pay for such a professional and directed site.

Company	Based	Investor Protection?
	They have offices in the Bahamas, Barbados, Bermuda, the Cayman Islands, Dubai, Guernsey, Hong Kong, Jersey, and the Turks and Caicos Islands	Deposit protection is available in all European jurisdictions, and in Jersey and Guernsey
Website	Services and Products	How Do You Open An Account?
Royal Bank of Canada	RBC Global Private Banking offer online banking and several banking products especially for expats, including Execustive Plus and Fixed Term Deposit Accounts, and foreign exchange services. They also offer investment and wealth management services, and trust and estate planning.	Contact the appropriate executive via their online contact form. They will get back to you with account opening requirements or additional information
E-Mail:	Documentation Required	Is the Service Truly International or Country Specific?
	All Royal Bank of Canada GPB offices operate under 'Know Your Customer' Guidelines, so at the least you will need notarised photo ID and a document showing your permanent address.	Although you should consult a tax professional before making a decision, RBC operate in a wide range of jurisdictions, so there is likely to be something to suit your circumstances.
Phone	How Much Can You Do Online?	Minimum a/c balance
44 (0) 1481 719801	Online services are available (in some jurisdictions) with the Executive Plus account. You can check your balance and holdings, transfer funds, make payments, order services, and communicate with your relationship manager.	Executive Plus a/c: US$20,000 (or rounded currency equivalent) Fixed Term Deposit a/c: US$30,000
Fax	Charges	Other
44 (0) 1481 710958	Contact Royal Bank Of Canada for more information

Singer And Friedlander (Isle Of Man) Ltd

The Singer and Friedlander website is nicely put together, and provides you with informatin about the organisation's background and history, their services, and the Isle of Man as an offshore financial centre. From the site you can access all the necessary form to open an account, register for online banking, or apply for their visa debit card (and if you get confused, there's an online form to request information or ask for help!)

Using their recently launched online banking service, you can access your account 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, which allows you to make account transfers or payment requests, order cheque books, view transactions, stop cheques, and set up or amend standing orders in your pyjamas should you so desire!

Company	Based	Investor Protection?
	Singer and Friedlander are based in the Isle of Man	Singer and Friedlander is registered with the Isle of Man Government Financial Supervision Commission to carry on banking and investment activity
Website	Services and Products	How Do You Open An Account?
Singer &Friedlander	S&F offer a range of international banking services, including online banking, demand, notice, and fixed term deposit accounts, money market current accounts, and secured lending. They also provide investment management and corporate and trust services	Print and complete the application form (available from the site), and send to: Singer and Friedlander (Isle of Man) Limited, PO Box 197, Samuel Harris House, 5-11 St Geoorge's Street, Douglas, Isle of Man. IM99 1SN
E-Mail:	Documentation Required	Is the Service Truly International or Country Specific?
Online Form	You will need the completed application form plus account mandate, a bank reference letter, and confirmation of your identity (Such as certified passport)	More suitable for UK expatriates and foreign nationals non-resident in the UK
Phone	How Much Can You Do Online?	Minimum a/c balance
	Using the online banking facilities, you can set up account transfers, payment requests, order cheque books, stop cheques, print statements, and set up or amend standing orders 24/7	Call and Notice Deposit a/c: £1,000 (or currency equivalent) Money Market Currency a/c: 2,000 Fixed Term Deposit a/c: £10,000
Fax	Charges	Other
	A full list of charges is available in PDF format on their website

Stanford International Bank

Stanford International's website works in a way that more websites should- it is logical and easy to navigate through (which for the more easily confused among us is quite a relief…) On it, they provide information about the background and liquidity of SIB and the Stanford Group in general, and the degree of investor and depositor protection available to existing and future clients.

Information about their products and services is available, and you get the reassuring impression from this website that SIB take their responsibility to their clients very seriously. Unfortunately, it is not possible to apply online for their CD or savings accounts at present, but e-mail, phone, fax, and snail mail details are available. Stanford International have indicated that they are planning to revamp their website soon, so let's hope there new one is as coherent and user-friendly as this!

Company	Based	Investor Protection?
	Head office in Antigua	The following safeguards are in place: A depositary insolvency policy insuring funds in correspondent institutions, excess FDIC on funds deposited in US institutions, a bankers' blanket bond, and a directors' and officers' liability policy
Website	Services and Products	How Do You Open An Account?
Stanford International	SIB offer a range of products, including performance, premium, and express accounts, and fixed, flexible and index linked CDs (certificates of deposit). They also offer services such as mail holding, automated bill paying, and several major credit cards. Financial planning and investment advice are also available.	Contact SIB at: Stanford International Bank, 2000 Airport Boulevard, St Johns, Antigua, West Indies. Alternatively, call them on: (268) 480 3700, or e-mail at: SIBprivate@stanfordeagle.com
E-Mail:	Documentation Required	Is the Service Truly International or Country Specific?
SIBprivate @stanfordeagle.com	Contact Stanford International for more information	Contact Stanford International for more information
Phone	How Much Can You Do Online?	Minimum a/c balance
(268) 480-3700	SIB customers can access their accounts online 24 hours a day, every day	Fixed CD: US$10,000 Flex CD: US$10,000 Index Linked CD: US$25,000 Express a/c: US$10,000 Performance a/c: US$10,000 Premium a/c: US$50,000
Fax	Charges	Other
(268) 480-3737	Contact Stanford International for more information