The Investors' Offshore Option - Going Abroad
With the present investing climate,  many investors from major U.S. corporate and banking firms, to the private investor, have now been turning abroad. Depending on your chosen goals and investing profile, opportunities offshore may lend advantage.

As always prior to and throughout investing, consult a professional who can help formulate a prudent plan for your individual financial goals.

Ways Offshore Investing can merit Savings

ATP - asset protection - can offer savings by protecting your assets through a trust. The ATP lessens exposure to assets being attached and possibly confiscation via litigation/court order.

Through the ATP there is also added protection for the inheritance. The Cook Islands and Gibraltar are popular destinations with ATP under correct design, not to mention the Swiss Annuity. However, any fixed intangible assets must be retitled and perhaps liquidated for there to be ATP protection.

Global Investing - offers savings through the reduction of risk, diversifying your portfolio. Investments increase in flexibility, with higher ROI's which only factors since for one, offshore organizations have the advantage of not being subject to unruly regulation, as is the case with US firms.

Mutual Funds - another use for your offshore trust is to secure international funds. Even funds from the US yield higher rates internationally.

Securities - high growth stocks may be at a 6 to 8% fee, but again evaluate the yield and tying factors.

• in order to deal with the foreign exchanges the investor will be with some of the larger brokerages.

Tax Savings - see tax reduction subheading.

Privacy - save what you hold to be private. The Caymans and Cook Islands harbor banks that have a reputation for not disclosing investor information.

Secrecy - Mexico, Channel Islands and Liechtenstein are for secrecy, Governments with secrecy laws deem it illegal to divulge banking information. Take the Swiss, although laws are changing, penalties for violation may include prison.

Banking - Many offshore banks are privately insured beyond the FDIC's $100,000 cap - to 100% coverage. With features varying, interest rates are attainable at 30% plus (though with high check/administration fees).  

Offshore banking accounts are like US bank accounts. Deposit accounts are a savings account with penalties for early withdrawal. Savings accounts give more interest with heavier points for withdrawal. Investment accounts offer higher interest yet charge costlier withdrawal fees.