Offshore Banking

» Introduction
» Mauritius and Seychelles Banks
» The International Banks We Work With
» What do we need to know to open a Bank Account?



Introduction

OCRA Seychelles maintains relationships with more than thirty banks located in major international and offshore banking centres.

Establishing and maintaining relationships with banks and administering client company bank accounts is complex, especially as the facilities offered by banks and their account opening and maintenance requirements regularly change. Consequently, OCRA Seychelles employs specialist staff in its banking department who establish relationships with banks, open client company bank accounts and undertake transactions on behalf of clients.

OCRA Seychelles' Banking Department is able to advise on types of accounts available and details of banks accepting facsimile instructions, credit and debit cards, documentary credit services and online services.

Our Banking Department is familiar with restrictions imposed by different banks; for example, many banks will not accept Eastern European clients, some demand larger initial deposits and ongoing balances whilst others will only accept investment accounts.

The majority of our clients request OCRA Seychelles to provide account signatories to their corporate bank accounts. The advantages of this arrangement include operational efficiency, a single point of contact and enhanced confidentiality. When OCRA Seychelles provides account signatories we will accept facsimile instructions to make transfers and advise on bank balances.

The fees charged for these services are modest and depend on volume and responsibility. Our Banking Department requires clients utilising these services to execute a simple banking indemnity and agreement.

Mauritius and Seychelles Banks

In Mauritius we work with HSBC and Barclays Bank PLC whilst in the Seychelles our banking partners are Barclays and Nouvobanq.

Barclays Offshore Banking Unit in Mauritius (www.barclays.com) is a full branch of Barclays Bank Plc, United Kingdom. Barclays Offshore Banking Unit was established in 1989 and was the first Offshore Bank in Mauritius. Barclays Mauritius maintains around 2500 corporate and personal accounts. Services of the bank include currency, international inward and outward payments, multi-currency cheque books, interest bearing call accounts, foreign exchange and derivatives transactions, structured investments and custody services amongst others. Accounts can be held in any major currencies.

The Hong Kong Shanghai Banking Corporation, (www.asiapacific.hsbc.com), offshore Banking Unit, In Mauritius operates as a branch of the Hong Kong Shanghai Banking Limited and is a principal member of the HSBC Group. The HSBC Group has been operating in Mauritius since 1916 and currently has a network of 11 domestic branch offices and one Offshore Banking Unit. Services of the HSBC, Offshore Banking Unit, include personal banking, corporate and investment banking, trade finance, treasury and foreign exchange, electronic banking, cash management and securities custody as well as clearing services.

The International Banks We Work With

Many of our clients bank with Barclays (www.barclays.com) in the Isle of Man (www.offshorebanking.barclays.com) and in London. The Barclays Group has been a major force in commercial banking for over 300 years and can boast a strong credit rating and a worldwide reputation for its comprehensive range of services. Barclays has over 400 staff in the Isle of Man. In Luxembourg we work with Dexia Banque Internationale a Luxembourg SA (www.bil.lu - an excellent website!), this is a full service bank, its origins go back to 1865, with multi-national staff, specialising in meeting the needs of businesses for modern and confidential banking services. In Switzerland we work with a range of banks, including Union Bank of Switzerland.

Which Bank? The name and location of the bank with which you wish your corporate account to be opened. Type of Account Details of the type of account you require such as currency (e.g. Sterling or US Dollar,) and the type of account (e.g. current or deposit). Description of Company Activities A detailed description of your company's proposed trading activity, including: its geographical spread source of funds estimated number of transactions per month and, an estimate of annual turnover Proof of Identity To establish the identity and signature of directors, account signatories and beneficial owners you must provide a copy of a current valid full passport. Such copy must bear a photograph, a signature and the number and must be certified by: In the case of Mauritius and Seychelles banks, a senior authorised officer of a reputable and recognised bank. In addition Seychelles banks require two passport photographs of each party. In the case of Barclays Bank, a senior authorised officer of a reputable and recognised bank or an authorised officer from an OCRA Worldwide office. In the case of Dexia Banque Internationale a Luxembourg SA a notary public or an authorised officer from an OCRA Worldwide office. The passport copy you send to us must be sent by mail or courier (not Fax) and it must bear the ORIGINAL signature of the person certifying the identity document; it must not be a copy. Proof of Residential Address To validate the home address of directors, account signatories and beneficial owners please provide one of the following, for each party: In the case Mauritius and Seychelles banks, - original recent (not older than three months) credit card statement or three original utility bills (telephone, electricity etc.) showing the residential address. Barclays Bank Isle of Man - original recent (not older than three months) credit card statement or three original utility bills (telephone, electricity etc.) showing the residential address. Barclays London - original recent (not older than three months) bank statement from a recognised bank or an original recent (not older than three months) credit card bill showing the residential address. Dexia Banque Internationale a Luxembourg SA - Original recent (not older than three months) utility bill (telephone, electricity etc.) showing the residential address or an original recent (not older than three months) bank statement from a recognised bank or an original and recent (not older than three months) credit card statement showing the residential address or an original bank reference from a senior authorised officer of a reputable and recognised bank verifying the residential address. This may be addressed "to whom it may concern". The Proof of Identity and the Proof of Residential address may be faxed to us but the originals must be sent to us by courier or mail. Please contact us if you have difficulty in producing these documents or require details of the type of verification of identity and residential address required by other banks. References All the banks require original bank references from the personal bankers of the directors, account signatories and beneficial owners. Please contact our Banking Department to obtain details of the precise wording required on these references. Payment of Fees and Opening Deposits Your settlement of a fee note or, alternatively, authorisation for us to debit your credit card with our account establishment fee of and, depending upon your choice of bank, an initial deposit of typically USD 1,000 or USD 2,000. This deposit may be paid by wire transfer payable to OCRA Seychelles for onwards transfer to your account once it has been opened, to: Correspondent Bank: Barclays Bank Plc 200 Park Avenue New York, NY 10166 USD A/C Number:- 280290000 Swift: BARCUS33 Beneficiary Bank: Barclays Bank (Seychelles) Limited Independence Avenue P.O Box 167 Victoria, Mahe Seychelles Swift: BARCSCSC Beneficiary: OCRA (Seychelles) Limited Account No: 0109968722 Alternatively, you may wish to raise a cheque for this deposit, made payable to your company, and send it to us.