Expats online

Expat Focus has recently, in their own words, “jumped on the Twitter bandwagon” and have put a list of their own favourite expat tweeters. We of course have our own Twitter page. We thought this would make for a great opportunity to highlight how the global nature of the internet makes it the perfect channel for expats to post their experiences and share them with one another! After all, expats around the world share one thing in common and I’m sure many have their favourite online sites, so let’s get everyone linked up!

Our recent Expat Economics survey ranked different countries according to how well expat finances fared there. Look out for the follow-up to this, Expat Existence, later this year, which will rank countries depending on how the expat lifestyle is rated there.

In advance of this, we encourage expats around the world to share their experiences and compare lifestyles! Who travels the most? Where are the best views? Who enjoys their work the most and where are the best nights out to be had? Blogging, tweeting and other use of the internet is the perfect way to show off the lifestyle highlights of your chosen residence.

Are deposits safe offshore?

Are offshore bank accounts safe? Offshore bank accounts may offer attractive interest rates and possible tax advantages to help grow your savings, but you need to know your offshore savings are safe. How safe are offshore bank accounts is a frequently asked question in light of the mystique surrounding offshore banking and the global financial crisis which has claimed many victims.

When looking for a safe offshore bank account for your savings, consider these three main factors:

• Ensure the offshore bank you choose is authorised by regulatory body of the country or jurisdiction in which it operates. For example, the Jersey Financial Services Commission;
  
  
• Ensure the country or jurisdiction you choose is economically and politically stable and well regulated. For example Jersey or the Isle of Man; and
  
  
• Ensure the offshore bank you choose is strong and one you trust.

Offshore banking is simply banking in another country to that in which you are domiciled. Many UK high street banks such as HSBC, NatWest and Lloyds offer safe offshore bank accounts through international divisions of their operations, so your savings are as safe offshore as onshore.

Many offshore banking centres now operate their own depositor protection schemes similar to the UK’s Financial Services Compensation Scheme which guarantees savers with regulated institutions 100 per cent of their deposits up to £50,000. For example, the Isle of Man operates the Isle of Man Compensation of Depositors Regulations 2008; Guernsey has the Banking Deposit Compensation Scheme (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Ordinance, 2008, and Jersey is about to introduce its own scheme.

So ensure your offshore bank account is safe and your savings secure: choose a strong bank with which you are familiar and trust, ensure it is authorised by the local regulatory body and choose a stable, well regulated country.

Expat Economics podcasts are in!

We have uploaded three podcasts from Paul Say, Head of Marketing & Communications for HSBC Bank International. In these podcasts, Paul further explains the insights and findings from the first report of the survey, Expat Economics. The three podcasts focus on highlights of the findings, advice for expats, and the full extended podcast.

Click the links to check them out below:


Highlights of the findings.mp3

Advice for expats.mp3

Extended podcast.mp3