Set Up Fees:
For setting up a
Panama Personal Bank Account with our primary correspondent banks
in Panama, Panama Offshore Legal Services charges a set up fee
of US$700.
For setting up Panama
Personal Bank Accounts with other Panama banks in Panama, we charge
a set up fee of US$1,000. If you know of a particular Panama bank
that you would like to set up a Panama personal bank account at,
you simply notify us and we can assist you in setting it up .
* Time frames for
setting up accounts with Panama banks other than our primary correspondent
Panama bank may take longer due to additional documentation that
may be required.
BACK
About Panama Banks:
Panamanian Banks
are of the most stable banks in the world, being home to the second
largest international banking center in the world next to Switzerland.
Panama also has the best bank secrecy laws available in the world
today.
There are approximately
150 international banks in Panama. We have relationships with
a variety of international banks in Panama through which we open
personal Panama bank accounts for our clients. However, we mainly
open Panama bank accounts for our clients through our primary
correspondent Panama banks, with whom we have excellent working
relationships.
All of our clients
are handled by the Private Banking Departments of our primary
correspondent Panama banks. A bilingual, English and Spanish speaking
Private Banking Official is assigned to each account, and our
client is provided with that persons contact information for direct
communication for executing Panama banking transactions.
BACK
Interest Rates:
The banks in Panama
offer very attractive interest rates*. Our primary correspondent
Panama banks offer up to 6.5% annual interest on USD savings accounts,
and up to 8.5% annual interest on USD time deposits (Certificates
of Deposit).
*Quoted rates on checking and savings accounts
may; change without notice, vary depending on the LIBOR (London
InterBank Offering Rate), be subject to minimum deposits and/or
minimum balance requirements and/or certain terms for CD's.
BACK
Online Panama Banking:
Internet access
to your bank account is offered through our primary correspondent
banks, as well as through most of the other banks in Panama. Panamanian
banks use the most up to date online security technology so your
banking information is 100% secure and confidential.
BACK
Credit Card:
Our primary correspondent
Panamanian banks offer secured credit cards (Visa or MasterCard).
Our firm charges a processing fee of US$100 for assisting in setting
up of secured credit cards.
Secured credit cards
require that the client place a security deposit in an amount
equal to 150% of the credit limit chosen for their credit card.
The security deposit is frozen in the corporate bank account (or
CD/time deposit) until the card is closed, although the funds
still earn interest while in the security deposit. As the credit
card is used, the Panama bank will automatically debit the entire
monthly balance of the credit card charges from the remaining
bank account balance at the end of the monthly credit card billing
cycle.
Annual fees for
credit cards start at US$50 or more according to the type of credit
card chosen. Silver, Gold, Platinum, and Airline miles credit
cards are available for earning airline flight miles for credit
card usage. American Express is also available through certain
Panamanian banks.
BACK
Debit
Cards:
Debit cards are
offered for Panama bank accounts through one of our correspondent
banks in Panama. Debit cards have the "Clave" symbol
on them, and can be used at any point of sale or ATM that accepts
"Plus" or "Interlink" cards (accepted world-wide).
The banks annual fees for debit cards are US$15. There are no
per transaction fees for ATM cash withdrawals, although there
may be fees associated with point of sale transactions, depending
on the merchant you purchase from.
BACK
Time Deposits:
Most banks in Panama
offer time deposits (certificates of deposits, or "CD's"),
which are referred to as "Plazo Fijo", in Spanish. Each
Panama banks rates vary according to their Panama banking regulations,
business practices, etc. Under Panamanian law, the minimum amount
for a time deposit at a Panamanian bank is US$10,000. Some of
our correspondent Panama banks offer up to 8.5% annual interest
on USD time deposits (Certificates of Deposit).
*Please note that
for deposit amounts over US$500,000, we are able to negotiate
special deposit rates, depending on the amount and term. We generally
charge a small one time commission (percentage fee) for negotiating
special rates for our clients.
BACK
Panama Bank Saving Accounts:
Through our primary
correspondent, Panama bank Savings Accounts are available. Interest
rates vary depending on the deposited amount.
*Quoted rates on checking and savings accounts
may; change without notice, vary depending on the LIBOR (London
InterBank Offering Rate), be subject to minimum deposits and/or
minimum balance requirements and/or certain terms for CD's.
BACK
Panama Bank Checking Accounts:
Through our primary
correspondent bank, there are two types of Panama bank Checking
Accounts available:
A. International
Checking: This account is useful for those who need an
offshore bank account with internationally accepted USD checking
facilities. The checks from this Panama bank checking account
are accepted around the globe.
- Minimum Initial
Deposit: US$5000.
- Interest Rate: no interest is paid on checking
- Minimum Balance Requirement: US$5000.
- Monthly fee if balance falls below US$5000: US$25.
- Returned Check Fee: US$40.
- Bounced Check Fee: US$50.
- Account statements may be sent by email or post mail.
- Checkbook with 50 checks: US$5.
- Certified International Bank Check: US$10.
B. Local Checking: The Panama bank checking account
is useful for those who need an account for making USD payments
to any local person or business in Panama. However, the checks
from this Panama bank checking account are only valid for deposit
or compensation locally within the Republic of Panama.
- Minimum Initial
Deposit: US$1000.
- Interest Rate: No interest is paid on this account.
- Minimum Balance Requirement: US$1000.
- Monthly fee if balance falls below US$1000: US$10.
- Returned Check Fee: US$35.
- Account statements may be sent by email or post mail.
- Checkbook with 50 checks: US$5.
- Certified Local Check Fee: US$2.
- Certified International Check: US$5 to US$25 depending on amount.
BACK
Miscellaneous Fees (In US$):
Certified Local
Check Fee: $2.00
Certified International Check Fee: $5.00 - $25 (depends on amount)
Wire Transfer In Fee: $5.00 - $50 (depends on amount)
Wire Transfer Out Fees: $30 - $100 (depends on amount)
*Fees are subject
to change without prior notice. We do not guarantee the accuracy
of the above published fees.
** Acceptable deposits
are USD cash, USD Checks (personal or bank certified checks),
or wire transfers. Unacceptable deposits are money orders, travelers
checks, double endorsed checks, foreign items/thrift withdrawal
orders, returned checks, and checks referring to more than one
account number.
BACK
Documentation
Requirements: (Banker-Documents)
For set up of Panama
Personal Bank Accounts, we require that the client provide us
with the following documentation:
A. Photocopy
of passport for each signatory. The photocopy of passport
should be Notarized, and must include the photo of the person,
the personal details (passport number, etc.), the signature, and
the most recent entry/exit stamps (if any). The photocopy should
be clear and legible.
B. Two (2)
Financial Reference Letters. The financial reference
letters can be from any banks, brokerage firms, or credit unions.
The letter should be on the financial institutions letterhead,
and should include the signature of an official, and the contact
information (address, telephone, fax, email, etc.). There is no
specific format that the reference letter must be written in.
Example
of Financial Reference Letter
C. Two (2)
Professional or Commercial Reference Letters. These reference
letters can be from your attorneys, accountants, financial consultants,
or any company(s) that you have a business relationship with.
The letters should be on the professionals (or company's) letterhead
and should include the signature of the professional (or company
representative), plus their contact information (address, telephone,
email, etc.). There is no specific format that the reference letters
must be written in.
Example
of Professional /Commercial Reference Letter
D. Signed
Panama Personal Bank Account Applications. You must sign
the original Panama bank account applications.
* Documentation requirements are subject
to change without notice.
** Banks other than our primary correspondent Panama bank may
require other documentation.
BACK
Set Up Procedures:
Below we have included Panama bank account set up procedures
for our primary correspondent Panama bank (Please note that set
up procedures may be different if dealing with other banks):
A. Submit
an Online Application - Click on "Order
Now", and complete an online application, then hit "submit".
B. Submit
Payment - Payment can be made by Bank Wire Transfer,
Western Union Money Transfer, USD Check, or USD International
Money Order.
C. Receive
Documents - Once we receive payment, we will forward
you the account applications for your signature. You should sign
the Panama bank account applications where indicated, and forward
them back to us along with the required documentation.
D. Account
is Set Up - When we receive the signed applications,
the Panama bank account applications will be completed and forwarded
to the bank. The Panama bank account number will generally be
provided within 7 to 10 business days from the date the documents
are submitted to the bank.
E. Begin
Using Account - Once we receive the account number, we
will send you the complete account protocol for making deposits,
executing wire transfers, contact information of the Panama bank,
etc.
Order
Now or Contact Us Today!!