i'm looking for an offshore bank that I can to open in US dollars.  One that will not bleed you to death with fees and offers either a credit and/or debit card. Does anyone have any banks they could recommend?

Also, where are some places to go to get documents (passport) certified and what are the costs?  This seems to be a requirement to opening an offshore account.

Thanks for your help.

i have a hsbc powervantage account in h.k. that lets you keep money in almost every currency. although they would not give me a debit/creditcard since not a h.k resident, you get a plus atm, and full internet access where you can transfer money to any bank world wide. there are fees for withdrawls and transfers, but not too bad. only thing i needed was a passport, $2,000 and a h.k. address that could later be changed to my bkk address via internet.

HSBC does a US$ account in BKK

someone else gave a link to their site in another thread

- try the search box

Lloyds TSB Isle of Man do a good offshore US$ account with debit card.

Contact Tel:  44-8705-449900 ask for new account pack.

You get you passport photocopy signed at your embassy in bangkok for ID.

No minimum opening sum required, 3 month free trial, fees only US$50 per year or £50 for both a US$ account and a pound sterling account.

Take your pick...

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Find off shore banks Click here to find the A-Z of all offshore banks and trust companies websites. Find.co.uk, the leading internet directory for UK financial websites since 1996.

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:cool:

Good work rinrada, are you on commission? Your information is excellent. I feel another account coming on!

so, no any Thai bank do that offshore?

I tried to open a HSBC current a/c in BKk from the UK online. They gave me extortionate fees and wanted an initial deposit of several thousand sterling and the a/c had to have a minimum bal each month.

I only want a current a/c to transfer funds from uk to be able to use when on holiday in Thailand.

I have an a/c with Ayudhya Bank and opened this with just a passport and Thai address.

Would I be able to get a HSBC a/c the same way when I get to BKK. This would make transfering money a lot cheaper and easier.

try the halifax bank of scotland (hbos)international in jersey and the isle of man.

www.bankofscotland-international.com

they will open various types of accounts for you in dollars , euros or sterling .

good interest rates on sterling compared to euros or dollars.

I tried to open a HSBC  current a/c in BKk from the UK online. They gave me extortionate fees and wanted an initial deposit of several thousand sterling and the a/c had to have a minimum bal each month.

I only want a current a/c to transfer funds from uk to be able to use when on holiday in Thailand.

I have an a/c with Ayudhya Bank and opened this with just a passport and Thai address.

Would I be able to get a HSBC a/c the same way when I get to BKK. This would make transfering money a lot cheaper and easier. 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I believe the HSBC bank only have one branch in Thailand, and that's the one near the australian embassy in BKK. And they only do the one account for foreign currency deposits, which is the one you described. To open an account, you need to have a letter of recommendation from another HSBC owned bank or have a work permit, and show your passport.

so, no any Thai bank do that offshore?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Nope. Probably because the Bank of Thailand wants all your money here, onshore where Immigration Deaprtment can see it coming in and being spent!

<font color='#000000'>i'm looking for an offshore bank that I can to open in US dollars.  One that will not bleed you to death with fees and offers either a credit and/or debit card. Does anyone have any banks they could recommend?

Also, where are some places to go to get documents (passport) certified and what are the costs?  This seems to be a requirement to opening an offshore account.

Thanks for your help.</font>

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I use Royal Bank of Scotland in the Channel Islands.

No fees, except for transactions.

Credit Cards available.

Thai address no problem.

A copy of my passport, certified by my Thai bank was accepted.

I tried to open a HSBC  current a/c in BKk from the UK online. They gave me extortionate fees and wanted an initial deposit of several thousand sterling and the a/c had to have a minimum bal each month.

I only want a current a/c to transfer funds from uk to be able to use when on holiday in Thailand.

I have an a/c with Ayudhya Bank and opened this with just a passport and Thai address.

Would I be able to get a HSBC a/c the same way when I get to BKK. This would make transfering money a lot cheaper and easier. 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I believe the HSBC bank only have one branch in Thailand, and that's the one near the australian embassy in BKK. And they only do the one account for foreign currency deposits, which is the one you described. To open an account, you need to have a letter of recommendation from another HSBC owned bank or have a work permit, and show your passport.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

ZOVOX is right that HSBC only have 1 branch in Thailand. Also, that branch is linked with HSBC in the UK but is not legally the same company. Therefore, it is no cheaper to transfer from HSBC in the UK to there than any other bank (I know because I checked this with HSBC Jersey!). I believe they do have Baht accounts though (but I'm not 100% sure on this).

You can open an account with a letter of recommendation from another bank and they require IIRC 12 months of history with that bank. If you have a letter from an HSBC bank, they only require a 6 month history IIRC - that's the only advantage that I could find with having a UK HSBC account...

Edit to add> Also note that if you're opening an account in Europe (e.g. offshore account in the Channel Islands), they will require proof of your address from e.g. utility bills, etc. The requirements increased a year or two ago with the EU money laundering laws. As I understand it, a certfied passport is not enough.

Edited February 17, 200521 yr by grahamb

I use Royal Bank of Scotland in the Channel Islands.

No fees, except for transactions.

Credit Cards available.

Thai address no problem.

A copy of my passport, certified by my Thai bank was accepted.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

What kind of account is this?

Does it pay an interests?

Did you open it online?

What is the charge for transfering money let's say to Thailand?

I tried to open a HSBC  current a/c in BKk from the UK online. They gave me extortionate fees and wanted an initial deposit of several thousand sterling and the a/c had to have a minimum bal each month.

I only want a current a/c to transfer funds from uk to be able to use when on holiday in Thailand.

I have an a/c with Ayudhya Bank and opened this with just a passport and Thai address.

Would I be able to get a HSBC a/c the same way when I get to BKK. This would make transfering money a lot cheaper and easier. 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I believe the HSBC bank only have one branch in Thailand, and that's the one near the australian embassy in BKK. And they only do the one account for foreign currency deposits, which is the one you described. To open an account, you need to have a letter of recommendation from another HSBC owned bank or have a work permit, and show your passport.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

ZOVOX is right that HSBC only have 1 branch in Thailand. Also, that branch is linked with HSBC in the UK but is not legally the same company. Therefore, it is no cheaper to transfer from HSBC in the UK to there than any other bank (I know because I checked this with HSBC Jersey!). I believe they do have Baht accounts though (but I'm not 100% sure on this).

You can open an account with a letter of recommendation from another bank and they require IIRC 12 months of history with that bank. If you have a letter from an HSBC bank, they only require a 6 month history IIRC - that's the only advantage that I could find with having a UK HSBC account...

Edit to add> Also note that if you're opening an account in Europe (e.g. offshore account in the Channel Islands), they will require proof of your address from e.g. utility bills, etc. The requirements increased a year or two ago with the EU money laundering laws. As I understand it, a certfied passport is not enough.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

This bank can be very expensive for small depositor but there are some great benefits if you mantain large balance. One of them is ability to use atm at no charge. Also, this is probably the only atm in Thailand that allows to withdraw B40k in one transaction.

If you don't feel comfortable with your funds in Thailand,

http://www.ba-ca.com/de/5430.html

Only about $30 in maintenence fees every 3 months.

IMO though, any Thai bank is an "offshore bank" in practical terms (virtually no "know your customer" requirements, atms options that never expire, no current address requirements, etc.).

I tried to open a HSBC  current a/c in BKk from the UK online. They gave me extortionate fees and wanted an initial deposit of several thousand sterling and the a/c had to have a minimum bal each month.

I only want a current a/c to transfer funds from uk to be able to use when on holiday in Thailand.

I have an a/c with Ayudhya Bank and opened this with just a passport and Thai address.

Would I be able to get a HSBC a/c the same way when I get to BKK. This would make transfering money a lot cheaper and easier. 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I believe the HSBC bank only have one branch in Thailand, and that's the one near the australian embassy in BKK. And they only do the one account for foreign currency deposits, which is the one you described. To open an account, you need to have a letter of recommendation from another HSBC owned bank or have a work permit, and show your passport.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

ZOVOX is right that HSBC only have 1 branch in Thailand. Also, that branch is linked with HSBC in the UK but is not legally the same company. Therefore, it is no cheaper to transfer from HSBC in the UK to there than any other bank (I know because I checked this with HSBC Jersey!). I believe they do have Baht accounts though (but I'm not 100% sure on this).

You can open an account with a letter of recommendation from another bank and they require IIRC 12 months of history with that bank. If you have a letter from an HSBC bank, they only require a 6 month history IIRC - that's the only advantage that I could find with having a UK HSBC account...

Edit to add> Also note that if you're opening an account in Europe (e.g. offshore account in the Channel Islands), they will require proof of your address from e.g. utility bills, etc. The requirements increased a year or two ago with the EU money laundering laws. As I understand it, a certfied passport is not enough.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

This bank can be very expensive for small depositor but there are some great benefits if you mantain large balance. One of them is ability to use atm at no charge. Also, this is probably the only atm in Thailand that allows to withdraw B40k in one transaction.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

not true, i have a hsbc hong kong account and the max i can withdraw is Bt20K

This bank can be very expensive for small depositor but there are some great benefits if you mantain large balance. One of them is ability to use atm at no charge. Also, this is probably the only atm in Thailand that allows to withdraw B40k in one transaction.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

not true, i have a hsbc hong kong account and the max i can withdraw is Bt20K

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Please do not make such definite statements. The low limit must be set only on your card then. Next time, you are at the branch, go inside and ask. If your atm card has high daily withdrawal limit, you can use Bangkok machines up to B40k a pop.

This bank can be very expensive for small depositor but there are some great benefits if you mantain large balance.  One of them is ability to use atm at no charge.  Also, this is probably the only atm in Thailand that allows to withdraw B40k in one transaction.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

40K with visa or mastercard made in europe?