Financialsite

When you think of offshore bank accounts do you see shady characters carrying around bags full of money? Today’s modern bank legislation does not allow banks to accept cash deposits or transfers of US$ 10.000 and up without presenting proof of the source of funds.

All serious establishments will ask you to fill out forms known as KYC or know your customer. Find out more about KYC: Know Your Customer This is not only to be able to give you better service but to protect themselves in case you are accused of money laundering. These forms also allow the bank to know your sources of income. Knowing your cash flow the bank will not ask you to prove the origin of the funds every time you make a transfer.

Even though you have filled out a KYC form the bank may or may not at its discretion allow you to start a relationship with them.

What’s the difference between your local bank and an offshore bank? Basically any service you will get locally will be available offshore. Then why open an offshore account.

Offshore banking is no longer a handy way to conceal income from illegal activities or unreported business profits.

There are many justifiable monetary reasons to open an offshore bank account. As a resident in a country with an unstable political and economic history, you want your money in a safe place. The government could impose foreign exchange restrictions or there may be a bank run. A coup d’etat may make your money inaccessible.

Non-residents usually pay minimal or no taxes on interest or profits from investments. Depending on your citizenship, country of residence and if you use an offshore company as the account holder you may still have to pay taxes.

Many large international banks have branches or are incorporated in tax havens. To be on the safe side, you would probably be better off not using a bank that has branches or is incorporated in your country of residence.

American citizens must file an annual tax return no matter where they live and include offshore holdings. Starting July 1st, 2005, tax havens which are British ‘dependant territories’, will apply the European Union’s Saving Tax Directive of 2005. Initially this is 15% on returns of savings paid to nationals of EU Member States. Corporations are exempt from this withholding tax.

Always consult a tax specialist who has experience with the jurisdictions involved before starting your offshore tax journey. You do not want any costly surprises after you open offshore company and bank account.

David Jones is a freelance writer and world traveler who writes about the use of offhsore companies, finance and subjects in which he has apersonal interest. Offshore Banking

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The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors warns that if you can’t get insurance for your house, you’re in big trouble. Mortgage lenders won’t lend on houses that are uninsurable and as a result its value could fall by up to 80%.

It’s a high flood risk that’s most likely to make your house uninsurable. According to a recent survey, 6.5 million homes are already at risk from flooding of which 1.5 million are in high risk areas. The government has completed flood defences in many such areas and protection for a further 80,000 homes is due this year. But concerns have also been expressed about a further 120,000 new homes planned for the Thames Gateway which are potentially in a high “at risk” zone. Yet many areas remain vulnerable. And if global warming continues, by 2030, the 1.5 million at risk could mushroom 3.5 million. Back in 2003 the Association of British Insurers (ABI) agreed the principles which committed UK insurers to offering home and contents insurance for properties in areas which are assessed to be at a flooding risk once in seventy five years or more. The rider was that the flood defences had to be already in place or would be completed by the end of 2007.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) has the responsibility of developing and maintaining these flood defences but within the insurance industry there’s widespread concern that insufficient progress is being made. As a result the insurers have has warned the government that there could be widespread withdrawal of insurance cover if progress is stepped up.

In the mean time, those in areas threatened by flood water could find their insurance premiums soaring. Whilst the insurance industry agreed to provide insurance cover, their commitment was simply to maintain premiums at “reasonable” levels. But there was no definition of what “reasonable” means. As a result premium increases of 60% have been common with up 400% increases in bad areas. In a tiny number of cases, cover has been withdrawn altogether, mostly in country areas where DEFRA considers the cost of defending a cluster of a few homes to be uneconomic.

Environmentalists warn that unless DEFRA gets it’s skates on, the UK ’s current bill for flood damage could rise from

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Financial Success - A Definition

What is your definition of financial success? For many of us it means different things. And for most people, it is a vague definition with out a set number or desired result. Most people declare that they want to be “rich” or have enough money so that they don’t have to work.

Well, what is that number? What is rich to you? What steps have you outlined to reach this goal? Your definition of financial success should be a personal definition, not some generic definition that someone created in general. But, if you cannot think of one on your own, a generic definition may be a good place to start. That being said, here is my personal definition that my wife and I decided on:

Financial success - the ability to be able to pay bills without worry, be free of debt, help others with our time and financial resources, save our children’s college tuition/trust funds saved in the amounts of (amounts here), and are on track with our savings plan to have saved the money we want to have by (our date here).

Pretty lengthy definition huh? Well, one of the most important things for being a success in anything is clarity. If you are single, you must be clear as to what it is you are trying to accomplish for yourself. If you are married, you must both be clear on what it is you want together, as well as individually, and put a game plan together to begin, gauge, and accomplish your goals.

Step 1 - Establish Clearly Defined Financial Goals

In order for you to reach a destination, you must be able to see where you are going. Have you ever tried swimming through mud? It would be very hard to do. In addition, you wouldn’t be able to see where you are going and the frustration would probably lower your determination and you would give up. If you don’t have financial goals set, this is exactly what you are doing.

Why do this if you don’t have to? Clearly Defined Financial Goals allow you to see where you are, where you are going, and gives you a way to track your progress. Imagine swimming in the clear waters off the coast of Bermuda - able to see the underwater life and go exactly where you want to go. You can see the dangers and avoid them. If you get off course, you can see where you came from and adjust your direction. Goals in any part of your life give you this power.

How to Set Financial Goals - Short Term

So how do you go about setting financial goals? I’m glad you asked! Setting short-term goals is important because they help you achieve your long-term goals. You can set short-term goals that look something like this:

These short-term goals answer the questions who, what, when, where, and how. Do your goals do this? It may be time to revamp. I can’t stress enough the importance of clarity. Without clarity, your action will be more so inaction than progress.

How to Set Financial Goals - Long Term

For long-term goals, you want to be just as clear. As a matter of fact, your long-term goals will follow the same format, but will have dates that are further in the future. For example:

The short-term goals that my wife and I have set put us in sync with our long-term goals and our definition. The greatest part about all of this is - if our thinking changes about our future plans, we can make adjustments and continue the course.

I am confident that the first part of this series is helpful to you, or has at least put you back on track to your financial goal. Stay tuned for 3 Steps to Personal Financial Success - Part II: Budgeting.

Gordie Prescott is a motivational speaker and success coach in the areas of personal, career, and financial success. Gordie also owns GordiePrescott.com and the Money Matters website.

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