International banking records are normally privacy protected against U.S. court orders and subpoenas, and international financial centers banks are jurisdictionally immune to service of process. IFC’s banks cannot divulge your financial information to third parties except as permitted under narrow treaty provisions. Because international banks are jurisdictionally immune to service of process, they can also ban U.S. writs of execution or attachment orders. The privacy laws of most IFCs can protect funds from creditor seizure originating from a U.S. judgment. They can also protect the confidentiality of financial transactions passing through the bank. Still, you need a protective entity – such as an international trust or international LLC – to protect yourself against a U.S. turnover or disgorgement order. Creditors may discover your international accounts. Nor can you refuse to disclose them under discovery processes, if you are asked about them. Finally, the existence of these accounts must be reported to the IRS, and this information may be obtained by your creditor. Concealing or hiding is never a good protective strategy!
