Corporate Services

Establishing a corporate bank account for a new or existing business has become increasingly difficult. Changes in global regulation, anti money laundering and due diligence dictate that establishing new international corporate banking is a challenge for all businesses. For the past 5 years Claremont has had vast experience working with SME’s to establish well positioned and effective banking structures and solutions.

Many aspects must be taken into account when looking for a suitable banking jurisdiction and institution. Claremont will guide your business through the international landscape to find a location and accurate structure for the banking requirements of your company.

We take into account a variety of areas when looking at these structures such as:

• Jurisdiction
• Tax efficiency
• Corporation
• Director and Shareholder accounts
• Currency Requirements
• Foreign exchange
• International Transfers
• Merchant Payment systems
• Reporting & Accounting

Some of the benefits including in acquiring an international corporate banking structure offered by our banking partners include:

• Accounts available in Sterling, US dollar, Euro and 12 other currencies
• Choice of debit and credit cards
• 24 hour internet and phone banking
• International money transfers
• Interest paid gross – no tax deducted
• Based in a number of international jurisdictions

If you are looking to establish a corporate bank account for your business and require further information, please speak to one of the CS team at banking@Claremontcs.com

Tax Obligations:
Whilst banking offshore may have tax benefits for you, tax rules differ from country to country. If you are unsure about your personal tax obligations, you should consult a specialist tax adviser. A Claremont adviser will be able to suggest suitable tax advisors. It is your responsibility to disclose your income to the tax authorities.

Foreign Exchange and International transfers are a part of the day to day operations of most international companies. From cross currency purchases orders to paying staff in multiple currencies, we have the tools, in every major currency, to ensure you receive the best possible exchange rates.

In general cross border banking transaction, for corporates, costs an average of 2.4%, at Claremont We offer our clients the ability to substantially reduce these fees.

Claremont only works with FOREX brokers regulated as Authorised Electronic Money Institutions (AEMI) by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).

Our Business Payment Solution covers the entire freign exchange and international transfer market – please see BPS page for further information.

Please contact us at forex@claremontcs.com

Does your company utilise an international pension or retirement fund for your staff?

Our experience in international markets has shown us that very few international companies take full advantage of the structural options available to international employees. A large part of our “employees benefits” team is to go through an analysis with a company’s human resources and finance division, to investigate the potential benefits of these structures.

Many companies see great benefit in being able to reduce potential tax liability for both the company and staff by contributing directly to a recognised international pension or retirement fund.

Claremont will conduct a thorough analysis of your current arrangements to ensure all potential benefits are being utilised. Should there be no scheme in place, then we will work with the company to assess all benefits available by establishing a scheme.

Many of our client companies establish director pension schemes, to facilitate surplus salary and bonus funds that are generally transferred to a home country and sit in cash deposits.

One of the greatest benefits from an overseas position is the flexibility and tax efficiency of the savings and investment structures available, while you and your staff adopt an expatriate position.

To have Claremont conduct an analysis on your current international scheme, or to find out more on international Pension and retirement plans, please contact one of the team at pensions@claremontcs.com

Business life insurance is an integral part of employee benefits and company best practice. Insuring the company workforce is a requirement and obligation in every jurisdiction. Analysis of the most suitable type of life insurance for your staff, is crucial to achieving a cost effective and all encompassing policy.

Running an analysis of current policies is well advised as the insurance market continually changes. Life insurance is a fundamental part of company financial security. In such a competitive industry it is prudent to take a periodical review of your current arrangements to ensure they are fit for purpose.

Having worked in global markets for hundreds of years, our Insurance partners will establish policies that truly reflect the company’s requirements.

Business insurance is there to protect your organisation against events that can affect the running of the business. Working in a similar way to life insurance, your policy can be tailored to cover a key person, protect the payment of loans and cover shareholders too.

The following plans are available:

• Critical Illness Cover
• Term Life Cover
• Disability Cover
• Income Protection Insurance
• Whole of Life Insurance
• Shareholder Protection Insurance
• Medical Insurance

There are two major types of life insurance policy:

• Whole of Life Cover with a residual value
• Standard Term Cover with no residual value

Speak to one of the CS team about the range of available types of cover, we work closely with the industry leading providers to tailor a solution to your specific needs.

Escrow is a financial arrangement in which two parties enlist a “third party” (who is neither the buyer nor the seller) to temporarily hold money, paperwork, or other assets for a transaction on their behalf before the transaction has been finalized.

Our prime business is conducted within the import and export of products. Funds are held in unique separate client accounts, which are ringfenced from all other funds and fully protected. Disbursements can be made when appropriate, including multi-disbursements and stage payments. An API (Authorized Payment Institution) means that our Escrow providers can receive and hold an unlimited amount of funds. Many Escrow companies are an SPI (Small Payment Institution) and are limited on how much they can receive.

Our experienced team produces bespoke escrow contracts in order to meet the individual requirements. Claremont remain totally independent, allowing us to freely approach the regulated Escrow provider market, ensuring the most suitable escrow services for your business.