In which Offshore jurisdictions are bearer shares permitted?

[rotaro]

Hi, I heard that bearer shares is the way to go for 100% anonymity and that it is possible to register a offshore company with bearer shares, now I wonder which offshore jurisdictions actually allow the use of bearer shares?


For instant Cyprus don't do as well as Gibraltar...

 

[SysOp]

There are a few offshore jurisdictions which still allow the incorporation with bearer shares. For instant Seychelles, Nevis, Belize, Panama, Anguilla, Caymen are such countries.


However, you will find it difficult to open a bank account for such a company!

 

[sebastian]

Just forget about it if you want a bank account and you offshore agency dosen't provide this service too.


You will never find a bank that will accept a company with bearer shares!

 

[bluet]

First of all, find a good agency that can recommend you a country that fits you and you can open a bank account in that country. And check all the other legal issues too

 

[rotaro]

I learned my lesson. Bearer Shares ARE NOT FOR ME I ran into a company registration service who told me Bearer Shares was the right thing for perfect privacy and anonymity...I say BS... blablabla... the bank asked to get the shares and my name + passport copy + utility bill, so, why bearer shares then?

 

[greenredbrown]

Sorry to drag up an old thread. This issue has also always interested me. I think, and I'm no expert (actually a complete novice working only in a very small and basic understanding none of which includes any legal back ground) but a bearer share company may not be able to open up a bank account. However I believe it can open a subsidiary company. Obviously this subsidiary isn't a bearer share company. It's director(s) and share holders can all be named as the parent company. In my mind the subsidiary shouldn't have a problem opening a bank account because it is not a bearer share company???? Is this line of thinking correct? Maybe it would require a third layer grandparent company(bearer share company)---->parent company---->subsidiary(bank account holder)


Again this is just a thought and I was curious if anyone had tried it or had advice regarding bearer share companies, true bearer share companies.

 

[Zqq]

Sorry to drag up an old thread. This issue has also always interested me. I think, and I'm no expert (actually a complete novice working only in a very small and basic understanding none of which includes any legal back ground) but a bearer share company may not be able to open up a bank account.

There are banks that accept bearer shares companies. I can't really give you a list of banks, since in my experience bank tend to take a very case-by-case approach to this. That said, you can try in the Caribbean region, Mauritius, Seychelles, and throughout Europe. Some banks will require that the shares are held with a custodian.

However I believe it can open a subsidiary company. Obviously this subsidiary isn't a bearer share company. It's director(s) and share holders can all be named as the parent company. In my mind the subsidiary shouldn't have a problem opening a bank account because it is not a bearer share company???? Is this line of thinking correct? Maybe it would require a third layer grandparent company(bearer share company)---->parent company---->subsidiary(bank account holder)

Banks will look for what is called the Ultimate Beneficial Owner (UBO). If Company A is a bearer shares company that owns Company B and you try to open an account for Company B, the bank will ask for details about Company A. You are going to need a rather complex nature behind the company that opens the account if you want the UBO to be unknown to the bank and be a bearer shares company.

 

[greenredbrown]

zqq, you are quickly becoming my favorite person on here. Thankyou, you have been an immense help in expanding my knowledge. I've only been here a very short time but it's people like you that make forums like this helpful and enjoyable.

 

[JohnLocke]

Today in 2016 Bearer shares are not the problem to get for your company in the Seychelles but no bank what so ever will accept the account opening with these shares. It is an dinosaur from the past if you ask me.

 

[suzy]

Would you say that bearer shares are actually not useful any longer at all? I see Panama still allow bearer shares!

 

[bonox]

What was the point at this time (in the past) to use bearer shares can someone please explain that to me?