Living Abroad :: Resources

International Financial Center

Welcome to the Living Abroad International Financial Center. In this section you will find a variety of services designed for international assignees and their unique financial needs from Managing Currency Risk, Online Banking, Insurance, UK Pensions and more.

Currency Converter



Managing Currency Risk

If you are buying a property overseas or relocating for your job, you will need to exchange your assets into the appropriate foreign currency. HIFX is a specialty brokerage service offering Private Clients corporate rates of exchange as well as a service designed to take away the stress, hassle and risk involved with these types of currency issues.

Example:

Assets valued at US$200,000 in January 2007 would have bought roughly EURO 155,327. By the beginning of September that same US$200,000.00 would have only earned approximately EURO 144,728. That difference works out to EURO 10,599 or a 7% decrease in value in six months. This is a classic example of avoidable currency risk. If the Euros had been purchased or reserved in January through booking a forward contract, the cost would have been fixed and thus the currency risk eliminated.

HIFX

The HIFX service is free to Living Abroad clients and carries no obligation to trade. To register with HIFX or simply view their website, Click Here. Email either livingabroad@hifx.com or ask to speak to a private client consultants in the US office at 1-415-678-2770. If it would be easier to contact the HIFX UK office, please call 011-44-1753-859-159.


Insurance

MultiNational Underwriters (MNU), based in Indianapolis, Indiana, is a recognized leader in international life, accident and health insurance offering coverage to customers in more than 130 countries. Through our staff and a nationwide network of distributors, we provide quality and value for our clients. The company is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to serve its clients worldwide.
Get Instant Quotes and Apply Online.

International Expatriate Banking Resources

from wherever you are in the world. It may seem easy, but it is not. This is especially true if some of your payments are to be made locally, to a local address and in local currencies.
These following Global Banks have special services for banking while on an overseas assignment:

Lloyds TSB Offshore Limited

Offering a seamless worldwide personal banking service.

If you live, work or travel abroad, Lloyds TSB International can help you make the most of your finances – wherever you are in the world.
They provide a range of award winning products and services, such as the International Account, which aims to make international banking simple.
By contacting Lloyds TSB using this access code (Living Abroad LLC – Ref: 218912) you will get the Lloyds TSB International Account for 1 year fee free.

For more information about the Lloyds TSB International service, Click Here.

Citibank Global Executive Banking

Citibank Global Executive Bankingcan help you successfully manage your finances during your international assignment with a full range of financial services and worldwide reach including:

  • Convenient funds transfers worldwide.
  • Easy access to your money through destination-country bank accounts.
  • Access to destination-country credit cards and loans, backed by your home country credit history.
  • An extensive range of financial solutions to meet your needs.
    Learn More...


Specialized Services for UK Frozen Pensions

ATTENTION INTERNATIONAL ASSIGNEES (or Managers of International Assignees)

It is entirely possible that, due to UK pension legislation, a typical frozen UK pension plan has restrictions placed on it which you may be unaware of:

  • 1) These pensions are only being credited with the lesser of 5% or Retail Price Index; typically this has been only 2-3% annually for the past several years.
  • 2) There are restrictions on how and when benefits are taken from the pensions.
  • 3) There is reduced Death Benefit to Spouses and/or beneficiaries.
  • 4) Is the pension safe? Many pensions have collapsed in recent years with the loss of some or all of the members' pension benefits.

Kestrel International specializes in carrying out research and giving advice on frozen UK pension plans (with no charge or obligation on any advice given), and has assisted in the transfer of more than £80million in pension assets to more appropriate plans, putting the money back under the individual's control.

For more information contact:
John Tunstall - General Manager
Kestrel International USA Inc.
575 Madison Avenue, Suite 1006
New York, NY 10022
johntunstall@kestrelint.com
Tel: 212 937 8439 | Fax: 212 937 8422 | Cell: 646 338 5511