01
We start not with a list of banks, but with a payment task
We record who receives and sends money, in what currencies, between what countries, for what goods or services, and with what frequency. Then we compare this with the legal structure, tax model, licenses, sanctions perimeter and requirements of a particular institution.
- Applicant
- Company, operating business, holding, fund, trust or individual
- Purpose
- Transaction payments, treasury, custody, investment or safeguarding
- Geography
- Countries of registration, management, clients, suppliers and UBO
- Flows
- Currencies, amounts, frequency, purposes and payment documents
- Products
- Current account, cards, acquiring, FX, trade finance or investments
02
The name of a well-known bank does not mean readiness to accept a client
Shortlist is built according to the institution's license, customer segment, geography, industry, products, currencies, remote onboarding and risk appetite as of the date of submission. For each option, we record the strengths and weaknesses, the order of consideration, the cost and the alternate route.
Wide network and products, but more strict segment and onboarding.
Strong local infrastructure and requirements for communication with the country.
Fast interface, but eligibility, limits and products may be narrower.
Payments and FX without a full range of banking products and deposit guarantees.
03
The KYC dossier should tell the same story
The questionnaire, website, contracts, financial statements, corporate documents and oral answers should not contradict each other. We prepare ownership chart to physical UBO, business memo, source of wealth and funds, expected flows and confirmation of each material fact.
- 01Corporate
Certificates, constitutional documents, registers, resolutions and powers.
- 02Ownership
Chain of ownership, controllers, benefits and tax residences.
- 03Business
Website, contracts, invoices, team, premises, licenses and counterparties.
- 04Money
Source of wealth, source of funds and banking trace of the origin of capital.
04
A foundation or trust requires a separate ownership and control file
The bank reviews the deed or charter, by-laws, settlor or founder, trustee or council, protector or guardian, beneficiaries, signatories and distribution policy. An investment account also requires an investment mandate, risk profile and evidence of the origin of each transferred asset.
The structure may not be completely public, but the bank and competent authorities receive information about control and beneficiaries to the extent required by applicable rules. For personal investment relationships, see Private banking and international personal accounts.
05
EMI and PSP are a separate product, not a “simpler bank”
We check the license and the exact legal entity, safeguarding of client funds, available currencies and countries, named account or virtual IBAN, payment rails, limits, prohibited activities and closure procedure. If a business needs a loan, trade finance, custody or cash services, a payment account can only be part of the solution.
06
Correspondent account - institutional verification of the bank
An expanded package is being prepared for banks and regulated financial organizations: license and supervision, ownership, governance, AML/CFT framework, customer base, geography, sanctions controls, transaction monitoring, audit, capital, expected products and flows. The correspondent evaluates not only the documents, but also the effectiveness of the control system.
- Respondent
- License, supervisor, ownership, management and financial stability
- AML/CFT
- Risk, CDD/EDD, monitoring, sanctions and reporting
- Customers
- Segments, industries, countries and share of high-risk relationships
- Products
- Clearing, FX, trade finance, securities or third-party payments
- Controls
- Internal audit, compliance resources, testing and remediation
- Messaging
- SWIFT, LEI, payment transparency and record keeping
07
After opening, the profile operation begins
The first payments must correspond to the declared model. We are preparing supporting documents, rules for assigning payments, escalation for unusual transactions and a KYC update calendar. If there is a change in ownership, director, country, product or turnover, the bank is informed before any contradictions arise.
- 01
Agree on signatories, two-factor access, roles and limits.
- 02
Prepare documents for standard incoming and outgoing payments.
- 03
Do not mix personal, operational, client and investment funds.
- 04
Update KYC when business, ownership or tax status changes.
- 05
Maintain a backup payment route without fictitious transactions.
FAQ
Banking FAQ
Opening a bank account abroad: common questions
The institution decides after reviewing the client, structure and payment model. Incorporation in a particular jurisdiction does not guarantee account approval.
Where should a company open an international bank account?
The shortlist should follow the business activity, currencies, counterparties, payment geography, substance and required banking products. The client profile comes before the list of institutions.
Can an individual open a bank account abroad?
Yes, subject to the selected bank's eligibility and compliance review. Identity, tax residence, source of wealth, source of funds, account purpose and expected transactions are normally assessed.
How can a trust or foundation open a bank account?
In addition to standard KYC, the bank reviews the constitutional documents, governance and control roles, beneficiaries, distribution rules, origin of contributed assets and the structure's economic purpose.
Do you guarantee that an account will be opened?
No. The bank, EMI or PSP always makes the final decision. We assess the route, prepare a consistent file and support responses to compliance questions.
How does an EMI or PSP account differ from a bank account?
A payment institution may suit transfers and foreign exchange, but it will not normally replace lending, trade finance, custody and other banking products. Its licence, safeguarding, countries, currencies and limits must be checked.
08
Bank-account routes by jurisdiction
The route depends on the bank's country as well as the applicant, owners, business, payments and origin of wealth.
Corporate and personal accounts, KYC, substance and payments.
Open the detailed guide →Accounts for companies, foundations, trusts and private clients.
Open the detailed guide →Business profile, UBO, contracts, capital and cross-border payments.
Open the detailed guide →Onshore and Labuan banking, currencies, markets and KYC.
Open the detailed guide →Corporate, investment and private banking.
Open the detailed guide →RMB and FX accounts, capital flows and foreign-exchange control.
Open the detailed guide →Accounts, trade finance, KYC and nexus with local operations.
Open the detailed guide →Conventional and Islamic banking, PSPs and private banking.
Open the detailed guide →Corporate accounts, trade finance, private banking and KYC.
Open the detailed guide →RBI-regulated banking, authorised dealers, KYC and cross-border payments.
Open the detailed guide →Corporate, foundation and personal accounts with SBP-licensed banks.
Open the detailed guide →Corporate and private-banking accounts, FCA checks and KYC.
Open the detailed guide →DNB banks, PIs and EMIs, SEPA, KYC and cross-border payments.
Open the detailed guide →Private banking, corporate accounts, custody, KYC and CRS.
Open the detailed guide →Banks, PIs and EMIs, SEPA, KYC and cross-border payments.
Open the detailed guide →