01
The bank assesses the client before the amount of wealth
Private banking is not automatic once a headline asset threshold is reached. The bank considers nationality and tax residence, the client's home and business, occupation and public profile, asset geography, sanctions and reputational factors, expected activity and the economic purpose of the relationship. We build one family profile and separate facts that can be evidenced from objectives that still require a legal or tax decision.
- Identity
- Passport, address, residence, family and public profile
- Wealth
- Sources, chronology and documentary evidence
- Purpose
- Wealth preservation, investments, custody, credit or payments
- Structure
- Personal, joint, trust, foundation, holding or family office
- Activity
- Portfolio, currencies, countries, additions and withdrawals
- Compliance
- CRS/FATCA, sanctions, PEP, UBO and ongoing review
02
Switzerland, Monaco, Singapore and the GCC are not interchangeable shop windows
The shortlist reflects the licence and model of the specific institution, accepted client geography, investable-asset threshold, custody and advisory capabilities, currencies, portfolio-backed credit, treatment of operating wealth and family structures, and the rules for serving a client in their country of residence. A recognised brand does not guarantee onboarding, and a local residence card does not compel a bank to accept the client. Each primary option should have a genuine fallback route.
How service models differ
Custody, advisory, discretionary management, lombard lending and family service within its licence.
Payment and investment products; segmentation and cross-border access vary by bank.
Investment access and custody without the complete banking product set.
A trust, foundation or holding account requires separate ownership, control and distribution review.
03
Source of wealth is an evidenced history, not a single letter
Material sources may include a business, sale of a company or asset, dividends, earnings and bonuses, investment returns, inheritance, gifts or family distributions. Corporate registers, accounts, contracts, tax returns, the banking trail and public biography should explain how wealth accumulated and how a particular transfer was funded. Source of funds additionally traces the money used for the opening and later transactions.
We do not manufacture nominee narratives or promise to bypass banking, tax or sanctions rules. A strong private-banking file is transparent to the institution while disclosing information only on a lawful basis and to the necessary extent.
04
A trust, foundation or holding needs its own control map
Where the account holder is a structure or assets arrive from one, the bank identifies the settlor or founder, trustee or council, protector or guardian, beneficiaries, authorised persons, distribution rules and the origin of each contributed asset. Legal confidentiality is not opacity to the bank or competent authorities. Governing documents, effective management, tax classification and investment mandate must align with the application and cash movements.
05
CRS and FATCA are designed before opening, not after the first query
The institution identifies the tax residence of account holders and controlling persons, obtains self-certifications and applies the reporting rules of the relevant jurisdiction. Management of companies, CFC treatment, tax on income and distributions, treaty access and home-country obligations require separate analysis. An international account does not change tax residence or make assets tax-free; the banking, corporate and tax files should tell the same accurate story.
06
Preparation and onboarding process
- 01
Record goals, countries, residence, assets and required products.
- 02
Map family and structural ownership and tax perimeter.
- 03
Evidence source of wealth, source of funds and chronology.
- 04
Build a shortlist and test cross-border service eligibility.
- 05
Prepare forms, memo, interview and compliance answers.
- 06
Support the first transfer and ongoing KYC calendar.
07
Private-banking questions
Can account opening be guaranteed?
No. The bank makes its own decision. We assess feasibility, prepare evidence and establish genuine alternatives.
Must I reside in the bank's country?
Not always, but institutions restrict client geographies and products. Eligibility is tested for the specific client-country and bank combination.
Can a trust or foundation open an account?
It depends on the structure's law, parties, assets, tax classification and the bank's policy. An enhanced ownership and control file is required.
Is the account hidden from tax authorities?
Bank secrecy does not displace CRS, FATCA, exchange on request or national disclosure rules. Reporting depends on applicable law and facts.
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 →