Articles
Offshore Trust and Service Providers
A common entry point into the offshore world is through a trust company. They used to make good profits but a squeeze has reduced these to unsustainable levels, in many cases. Fee structures can produce unpleasant surprises if negotiations with providers are not...
Private Family Offices
The cost of setting up a family office is prohibitive at investible wealth levels below US$500m. This leaves clients looking for high dedicated service levels three choices - 1) join an established office where you will always be of secondary concern; 2) use an...
Offshore – The End of Confidentiality
The media and tax authorities have been conflating tax avoidance and tax evasion for years - in the middle of this is a belief that anyone who wants their finances handled with discretion must have something to hide. New legislation by OECD members and, separately,...
Capital Controls – Hard to Implement
The increase of political interference in economics/finance has resulted in a rising trend of capital control imposition - de facto or de jure. We review, without recommending, processes and techniques that have been successfully used to circumvent such impositions....
Offshore Banking
A historically lax approach to regulation in banks has given way to an over-reaction in favour of a risk-averse compliance culture. Any possible perception of inappropriate behaviour is enough to end banking relationships. When dealing in supposed 'high risk'...
Footballer Finances
Financially unsophisticated young men earning vast amounts of money will always attract advisers. Some are good, and have their client's best interests at heart, but some do not. Given this structure it is not surprising to see very large amounts of money being paid...