AN offshore bank account can come in many forms. It is possible through an account such as the Overseas Club, offered by Britain's Lloyds Bank, to have a full banking service identical to that found at any regular bank: with cheque books, standing orders,plastic cards all available.
Through that one centre it is also possible to pick up information on all the services provided in the banking network; for example, property search, mortgage arrangements and valuations.
It can also offer special services such as ''school search'' service, where the bank will inform expatriate customers of the costs and trends of education in their homeland.
The bank offers advice on currency investment accounts, money market funds, investment management, tax problems, as well as how to draw up a will.
Information on trusts and offshore company formation can also be gathered.
In fact, most of the financial problems encountered by an expatriate can be solved in one way or another by an offshore bank. Offshore banking also differs from other forms of banking because it tends to have a closer customer relationship.