TOP 10 EXPAT INVESTMENTSQUESTIONS

...of working with people just like you

USING OUREXPERIENCEIf you are considering investing money while you areoverseas, you will of course have many questions asto how to do so in the safest, most efficient andeffective way.

1. Why are offshore or overseas investments beneficial?

One of the main attractions of investing overseasis the tax advantages that are often available.Your investment returns may be completely tax-free, or if they are liable for tax, it will be at afar lower rate than you would pay at home.

Another benefit of investing overseas is thatthere is far greater choice. There are countless

investment products that are difficult to accessin the UK, so overseas investments give youmuch more flexibility.

Overseas investments can also protection foryou against fluctuations in currencies, which isgreat news for expats.

TOP 10 EXPAT INVESTMENTS QUESTIONS

Part of our job is giving accurate, valuable replies to your questions. Hereare some of our most frequently asked questions, and our considered answersto them. We cannot cover every situation in a short brochure so if there'sanything else you want to know, don't hesitate to contact a Guardian WealthManagement advisor.

There are several ways that you can invest offshoreto reduce your tax bill:

• You can opt to invest in jurisdictions that are well knownfor having low tax brackets (places such as the Isle ofMan and the Cayman Islands) your financial advisor cantalk you through all of the options available. Don't worryif you don't live or aspire to live in any of these countries,as residency is not a prerequisite for investment.

• By choosing wealth management products that aren’tburdened by high taxation, you can improve your returnsand enjoy greater financial security. Products such asportfolio bonds can be managed in such a way that theycan attract almost no tax at all.

• You can choose products that allow you to gatherinterest or capital without these earnings being taxed. Itis important to be aware that sometimes, even on a lowtax product, you may still face taxation when it comesto drawing down funds. Due to the potential complexities,it's important to seek advice from an independent financialadvisor before making any decisions.

2. Is it against the law to manage my money inorder to reduce my tax bill?

INVESTMENTSQUESTIONS

No. Using overseas investment products in order to reduceyour tax liability is completely legal. The savings thatsmart wealth management strategies can deliver canadd up to tens or even hundreds of thousands ofpounds over your life.

3. If I invest overseas, will mymoney be safe

There is no definitive answer to this question as someoverseas jurisdictions are more secure than others.Yet with the right advice and good planning, you canmake sure your investments are placed with reputableproviders in countries with strong regulatoryframeworks. By adhering to the following guidelines,you'll have a much better chance of ensuring that yourmoney is safe:

• Don't invest in jurisdictions that are politically unstable• If you don't want to risk big losses, invest in lowerrisk options• Always transfer the money you're investing directlyto the product provider, rather than through an advisor• Choose a jurisdiction for your investment that is wellregulated by the relevant financial regulatory body -do your research

4. There are so many financialadvisors around; how do I choosethe right one

As with any service, if you’ve received arecommendation from somebody you trust, then it’sworth following up their lead. If not, there are some

other things that you can do in order to identify whetheror not the financial advisor you're looking to work withis a good one.

When it comes to a good wealth managementcompany, size really can –matter - look at how manyclients they've worked with, any testimonials thatthey can provide from customers past and present,and the number of transactions that they have carriedout for their clients. A wealth management companythat is very active can often obtain better rates.

Regulation and experience are other items that shouldbe on your research agenda. If the advisor you'rethinking of using has many years of experience, thenthey’re highly likely to be good at what they do andit also shows that they have continued to retain trust.Always make sure that your advisor is properlyregulated – for example the FCA in the UK, the QFCRAin Qatar or the FSMA in Belgium, or any other relevantbodies in the jurisdiction from which they operate.

Finding a wealth management company that offers acomprehensive service and perhaps even has advisorsin multiple jurisdictions can give you the double benefitof knowing that all of your needs can be met in oneplace, and that you can easily reach the support yourequire wherever in the world your life takes you.

OVERSEASINVESTMENTHow, who and where?

5. How much will professionalfinancial advice cost me?

Financial advisors are remunerated in either oneof the following ways:Many financial advisors earn their money byrecommending products to their clients, whichin turn earns them commission from the financialinstitution should the client choose to go ahead.

Some financial advisors work on a fee basedstructure. This means they can either charge aone off consultation fee for their time or anongoing fee for the management of a client’sportfolio. The ongoing fee is usually performancerelated so the financial advisor is paid accordingto how well they have managed your portfolio.

6. Once I invest overseas, canI forget about it and justleave it to make money?

While overseas investments can offera great opportunity to receive anadditional stream of revenue, it'salways a good idea to re-evaluateyour products and position on aregular basis. Circumstances areever changing, so make sure thatyou undertake a review with yourfinancial advisor every six monthsor once a year.

7. Where are the best overseasinvestment jurisdictions?

There's no definitive answer to this one; findingthe right jurisdiction depends on your personalobjectives. Some locations offer better taxbenefits, while others will give you greaterflexibility or a higher rate of investor protection.Our financial advisors at Guardian WealthManagement can show you the different optionsavailable and explain the specific benefits relatedto each jurisdiction.

8. Guardian WealthManagement are anindependent advisory company;what does this mean?

Any reputable advisor will be regulated by theauthority in the country in which they areregistered, but just because a firm is regulateddoesn't necessarily mean that you'll get the bestservice. Look for an independent advisor as theyare not affiliated to one particular provider, sothey have access to a wide range of providers inorder to give you greater choice and more options.By choosing an independent advisor, you havethe peace of mind that any products arerecommended to you purely on the basis of thebenefits to you, rather than financial incentivesfor the advisor themselves.

9. Should I choose an advisorwho is based locally?

Building a relationship based on trust is importantwhen seeking financial advice and consistency isalso useful. Being able to speak to the sameadvisor every time will help to provide the

consistency that you need. However, if you're acontract worker and you tend to move fromcountry to country, it’s good to know that youcan receive the same service regardless of yourlocation. If you can find a wealth managementcompany that has a branch close to you, but alsohas advisors in other parts of the world, this couldbe the best option.

10. How will my investmentsbe affected if I want to moveback to my country of origin?This entirely depends on your country of origin.Some countries, such as the United States, havebigger restrictions on repatriation of investmentsthan others, and on the taxation of assets heldoverseas. The tax levels of the country you arereturning to will also affect your wealthmanagement planning. The UK has recentlytightened its belt on its residents’ offshore taxationreporting, so make sure you speak to your adviserbefore you return to properly prepare.

When considering investing offshore, you needto talk to your advisor to find out how any potentialfuture moves will affect your returns.

General Enquiries +44 800 779 7028

Switzerland +41 22 710 7876

Dubai +971 4450 9700

Hong Kong +852 3796 3555

Qatar +974 4491 5355

United Kingdom +44 2921 677 940

Information correct as of 8th May 2014. The information provided is for guidance only and advice should be sought before making any financial decisions.

Guardian Wealth Management Ltd cannot be held responsible for any errors or omissions which result in financial loss.