Who would you set-up an offshore account with from the list below:

I am with Barclays Wealth and have had no problems with them. Which in the Middle East is surprising. One phone number, always answered within 5 rings and some reasonable investments.

For a simple bank account? Not Barclays who seems to mess things up a great deal. HSBC for larger sums, Lloyds for smaller.

Never invest via a bank adviser as they have such limited options.

Well barclays have managed to not screw up anything I've done. They have a wealth and premier branch in Abu Dhabi and have always gone out their way ......I would say reading through threads that HSBC are one of the worst??

My comments aren't based on my experience, but on those of hundreds of clients and readers.

HSBC onshore is managed differently to the offshore division.

I've a UK HSBC with a UK address, a GCC HSBC with a GCC address, a SG HSBC with my GCC address, and a Jersey HSBC linked to my UK address. I can transfer between them seamlessly. Local GCC branch is hopeless. Opening the Jersey account from here was a bit of effort, but manageable; mostly because of the UK identification requirements.

They are by no means perfect and I have my fair share of rants at them, but for transferring money internationally, it's been quick and very easy. Unlike really bad branch of local bank - short shrift in maintaining account there. Took 6 months to close it down as well!

Why only these choices?

I've only consulted with three financial advisors in my life. One in the uk that was highly recommended, and provided an excellent option, wasn't there fault property dropped its guts in the uk ( and we came out on a plus after taking a 125% mortgage after only owning the property on rural Scotland for 28months),

Here I have consulted with two only, meow and norm. Thought meow was ace, but went with norm since he is in Abu Dhabi so more convenient for me.


None of the above relevant to the OP, but point I was going to get too was, if you use a decent advisor, you'll get a much better selection than 3 (tailored to your requirements), and of you ask about the rest, you'll get a good reason for them, not being on the list.

It's like asking where you shop, Tesco, Asda, Lidls or M&S. All depends on how much you want to spend and what quality you want.

Interestingly, when I typed Asda, it offered, me aids as a spelling correction, and accepted Lidls as a proper word. ****ing iPads from Woolies!

Offshore from where?? Outside the UK, or outside the UAE??

Why not try the Nigerian Offshore Islamic Bank?

I can see you're obviously mental.

Both.