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Opening a Personal Bank Accounts in Panama
If you want information regarding opening a corporate bank account, please
refer to Corporate Bank
Accounts.
[Requirements] [Banks
in Panama]
Panama's location makes it a natural conduit for
banking between North and South America, besides being home to the Panama Canal
which generates a considerable amount of bank-related international shipping
business. Further, the banking sector is augmented by the number of "offshore"
registered companies (approximately 350,000) many of which need banking
services. In some cases, clients choose Panama because of the excellent
banking facilities offered, and for this reason companies are incorporated here
in the first place. In other instances, it is regional commercial ties that make
Panama the natural choice for both corporate and banking management.
The following information is intended simply as a
guideline for the general requirements which banks in Panama have with respect
to the opening of bank accounts here. Each bank has its own requirements and
should be contacted with respect to the services offered and the updated account
opening requirements.
Panama recognizes its responsibilities in support of
the international concerns regarding drug trafficking, money laundering and
other illicit funds activity. This was introduced into legislation by Law No. 41
of 2001, following the events of 9/11 and the concerns regarding the
international cooperation of banks to ensure that the financial centres do not
support in any way illicit activities. Stringent monitoring and vetting procedures have
been introduced and banks in Panama take seriously their obligation to comply
with the provisions of the Panamanian banking law.
Where you intend to open an account, you
should be prepared to provide the following information and documentation:
 | A personal interview. Some banks accept that the interview be
carried out over the phone. However, most banks require that the
interview be in person. This means that it is necessary for the client
to travel to Panama in order to open the bank account. We therefore
recommend that when clients come to Panama, they have ready all of the
documents & information listed below. If you are not able to
travel to Panama immediately, it is sometimes possible to organise an initial
phone interview with the bank manager, who will approve the opening of the
account, but the client will be given a 3-month period in which they are
expected to travel to meet with the bank officer to finish the interview in
person. |
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A clear copy of the beneficial owner'(s) passport(s),
as well as one other form of identification (such as a driver's license or
national ID card).
(Of the passport, this usually includes the pages of the photograph, signature,
and personal information pages, as well as the pages regarding entry into
Panama). This is required for each signatory on the account.
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Two bank references for each beneficial owner and
account signatory which should confirm the satisfactory conduct of the person's accounts
and that the relationships have been of at least two years duration. Preferably,
the references will also confirm the actual residential address of the person. Depending
on the choice of bank, reference letters may need to be addressed to the local
bank where the new account is to be opened. |
| Two professional references for each beneficial owner and account
signatory - which should indicate the nature of the relationship (i.e.
accountant, lawyer, insurance broker, etc.) as well as the length of the
relationship. |
|
Brief details of the applicant's source of income and where funds coming into
the account will be coming from (usually
called an "Account Profile". This is
reviewed by every local bank's Compliance Officer who is required to vet all new
account applications in accordance with the monitoring procedures laid down. The
information required is:
 |
The nature/line of the person's business, or intended business, and the
approximate annual volume of business which the person does
or will do. |
| Their personal address |
|
The origin or source of the funds to be deposited in the
new account. Sometimes the bank will request proof of the source of
funds. Examples of documents which may be provided are:
 | Letter from your bank indicating that the funds are held there and
they have done their Due Diligence as to the source of funds (many banks
are not prepared to give this letter as they are providing a guarantee
to the bank in Panama) |
| Copy of a contract or document which shows the source of the funds
(in the case of the sale of a house or business, resulting in a large
capital movement) |
| Tax returns - showing that you have, over the years, accumulated
such wealth through normal, legal means |
|
|
The reason for opening the new account in Panama. |
|
The approximate annual/monthly volume of funds which will pass
through the new account. (Usually the banks will require
that you specify the number and volume of incoming and outgoing transfers
into the account, as well as the cash or check deposits and the cash or
other withdrawals from the account). Account activity should then
mirror the information which is provided - otherwise the bank officer will
contact you to inquire regarding the difference between the estimated
activity and the actual activity conducted in the account. |
|
It may seem easier, after reviewing these general
requirements, to open a bank account in New York,
London or Zurich than in Panama and it dispels one of several misconceptions
about the country's standards as an offshore banking and financial services centre.
These are a few of the possible banks and brokerage houses which operate in
Panama City.
| Multicredit
Bank [E/S] - offers internet banking, with international wire transfer
via the internet for personal and corporate accounts. Personalised
service for those accounts opened at Premier Banking with a minimum account
balance of $10,000.00 kept in the account. |
| HSBC Panama [E] - offers internet banking, with international wire
transfers via the internet for personal accounts. Corporate accounts can
request wire transfers through the bank's online secure system, which needs to be
installed on the client's computer, and meet certain security platform
requirements. Corporate online access is billed monthly. |
| Banistmo
S] - offers internet banking (i.e. to view the account, and make
inter-account transfers), but does not allow international wire
transfers via the internet. |
| Banco General
[E/S] - offers internet banking, but does not allow international wire
transfers via the internet. |
| BanVivienda [S] - http://www.banvivienda.com
- currently working on its platform to allow internet banking, including
international wire transfers. |
| BBVA [S] - offers internet
banking, but does not allow international wire transfers via the internet. |
| BAC International Bank [S] -
offers internet banking, but does not allow international wire transfers via
the internet. |
| Panabank [S] - offers internet
banking, but does not allow international wire transfers via the internet. |
| Global Bank [S] - offers
internet banking, with international wire transfers via the internet. |
| Verdmont Capital
[E] |
| Geneva Asset Management [E/S] |
|
Wall Street Securities [S] |
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Last modified
29-Oct-2007 19:12 -0500
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