Continued from page 1
A haven's confidence in its liquidity can be judged, at least to some degree, by its willingness to put in place solid depositor protection. Enquire of financial institutions in
haven whether or not depositor protection exists.
7. Is The Haven Free Of Trouble? Will It Stay That Way? Does haven have a trouble-free history and a secure culture? A country which has experienced only moderate political, economic and social change, and where political and social violence is uncommon, is a trouble-free country. A stable past is a good predictor of a stable future.
On other hand, countries with a history of civil war, military coups and civil unrest are definitely not right for banking purposes. Cash held in a banana republic is high- risk. Future flash points in volatile regions can render your cash lost or worthless.
Look at human rights record of haven's government. A government with high regard for its domestic population is likely to regard you equally highly. A government which treats citizens like cattle to be reared, milked and slaughtered is likely to come to view you in same casual manner. In such a climate private wealth may suddenly become government property.
Check if there's a strong socialist political faction in haven. Overtly socialist governments can't be trusted to look after your nest-egg. Political upheaval, new ideologies and attendant legislation can change a haven's attractiveness overnight. Ensure there's little likelihood of an ultra left-wing political party sliding into power in foreseeable future.
Is haven free from racial tensions and other social problems? These can trigger crisis which may affect deposited funds.
What about prospect of foreign invasions and war? These are slight for an isolated country. But keep an eye on treatment your haven receives in international press. Areas and regions seldom become hot spots overnight. Look at recent political developments and events in haven to establish if there is any potential trouble.
"A stable past is a good predictor of a stable future."
Consider local attitudes. Is there wide local support for financial services and banking industries? Does local population appreciate that international banking operations are effectively supporting country's economy? Or does presence of foreign capital breed resentment? Is there a foreign-bashing agenda?
Be sure to keep abreast of events and socio-political climate in your haven. Subscribe to newsletters covering such developments. Read local press. The writing is often, literally, on local walls in form of graffiti, for months before anything actually happens which might affect your bank accounts.
8. Does Your Haven Provide A Back Door For Your Government? Make sure your banking haven doesn't provide your government with a back door into your accounts. For example, some traditional tax havens are existing or former British colonies, such as Bermuda, Cayman Islands, Channel Islands, and UK government is exerting pressure on authorities there to release information relating to UK account holders.
British citizens should find out if their prospective banking haven has tax treaties in place with UK. If so, be aware that treaty allows for free sharing of information between authorities in two countries.
9. Does It Offer Enough Freedom For Capital? Are you free to take money in and out of haven? If there are severe restrictions, haven is no use to you. Even if there are no exchange controls in operation now, check that haven doesn't have a history of exchange controls. You don't want your cash trapped in a country which is effectively stemming flight capital.
Make sure you have adequate guarantees that you'll be able to do what you need to before opening accounts in haven. For example, are there restrictions on converting foreign currency into local currency and visa versa? Are reports filed on each occasion? Ask financial institutions in haven.
10. Does The Haven Offer Sufficient Privacy? Seek out banking havens which recognise and actively promote solid banking privacy. Many havens claim to do so only on an informal basis. Under pressure bank managers and financial advisors may sacrifice you to sharks. Does your haven, and/or institutions operating there, have a history of rolling over when exposed to external pressures?
Check whether banking privacy is tradition or actual binding legislation. Check whether a professional in a particular haven is breaking law if he passes data relating to you and your financial affairs to a third party. Be aware that "confidentiality" laws allow local government access to your account details (although they can't pass data on to a third party).
Solid banking privacy legislation is best protection for your cash. A strong, secure haven will have banking privacy legislation which carries stiff penalties (financial and custodial) for any professional who breaches them and passes data on to third parties.
Beginning Your Research A very good place on Internet to begin your investigations of suitable tax havens is http://www.escapeartist.com axhavens axhavens.htm. The Offshore Journal is a useful e-publication which frequently reports on relevant events and changes in banking havens around world. Subscriptions cost £15 per year. Subscribe at http://www.rpifs.com.
