Thread: non u.s. bank account for u.s. citizen

OK... so my understanding is that one basically has to sacrifice a testicle and wait 3 weeks in order to open a bank account in Panama. So...
where is it not so difficult to open an account? I prefer a bank that does not do business in the U.S., given the recent great bankster robbery here...

It would be nice to be able to place some cash in a place outside of the U.S. without being given the financial rectal exam as if one were a drug dealer or money launderer. Is there a Central/South American country where this is more easily done than in Panama?

The lawyers I spoke to, all discourage me from opening a bank account in Panama. They are all quick to suggest Belize, Andora and Nevis.

Hong Kong and Singapore are two well established international business centers. Based on my research, both allow you to open bank accounts by faxing your paperwork (Passport is minimum requirement, often bank references). As a US citizen it has become darn hard to do anything anywhere in the world. So much to the land of the free. It's a real eye opener, what the "new free" means.

It's all for our safety.

People just seem to overlook, that every right lost takes a civil war to get it back.

For efficiency and English speaking I recommend the Turks and Caicos Islands. Scotia Bank is there and it's Canadian and I am very happy with them. You can get an ATM / Visa debit card on a savings account with a $3 foreign ATM fee. Opening an account is fairly straight forward and instant, you can call them for their current requirements. However, you won't get the investment returns possible with CD's in Panama.

Try GiroBank in Bonaire ..:: Welcome to GIRObank ::.. have to visit though to open. Savings with US$1000, nice internet banking

I suggest Hong Kong your money is insured to no limit.

Belize is great but very high fees.

Originally Posted by Panamanian Offshore

I suggest Hong Kong your money is insured to no limit.

Belize is great but very high fees.

Money is insured till end of 2010. Do you know if the Hong Kong government has extended that insurance?

Originally Posted by HOSEM1

Money is insured till end of 2010. Do you know if the Hong Kong government has extended that insurance?

actually thats correct but we usually use HSBC HK.

Very solid and I hate using this phrase but "too big to fail."

HK again very strong financial center and HSBC very strong bank(very good service unlike in Panama)

In most countries like Panama, the banks actually require an entry stamp on your passport before opening an account.
Belize is a county that will be able to provide you with all your banking needs without actually visiting the country.

Hope this helps.