Benefits of an international account

An expat account can be a useful financial product if you may have a job that involves spending significant amounts of time working abroad. Alternatively, you may have come to the end of your working life and are looking forward to spending your golden years in a sunnier, warmer climate.

By having an international account, you can manage all your expat banking needs effectively, regardless of whether you spend your time abroad working or enjoying your retirement. 

What countries is expatriate banking best suited to?

No matter where you choose to live abroad, there are a range of expatriate banking products which should prove suitable for your needs. When opening an offshore account (with Lloyds TSB International for example) you can usually manage your money in a number of different currencies.

These include the euro - which could be ideal if you're going to be working and living in EU countries that use the single currency, such as Spain, France, Greece and Portugal. Also, if you choose to live in America, or earn in US dollars an expat account in that currency can make life easier from day one.

You can also get an expat account that deals in sterling - something that may be useful if you've moved to a country that has an unfamiliar currency. By choosing to bank in the same currency of your earnings, or financial commitments (eg mortgage) you can protect your finances from fluctuations in the exchange rates. Whichever you choose, be sure to select the currency that is most suitable for you.

What are the benefits of getting an expat account?

The Lloyds TSB International expat account range is sure to be ideal no matter what country - or countries - you are living and working in. The Premier International Account comes with 24-hour internet and telephone banking services, so you can keep on top of your finances at any time of day, regardless of where you are.

Meanwhile, the Visa debit card that comes with the expat accounts can be used at ATMs worldwide and if you are withdrawing in a country with the same currency you can save yourself some money on cash withdrawal fees.

And should you have a balance of at least £2,500 in your account, you will not be charged a monthly fee for holding an expat account with us - although this figure will be 2,500 euro and $3,500 if you hold a euro or US dollar-based product.

A range of handy extras also comes with the Premier International Account, such as, global family travel insurance. This not only applies to you - the holder of the expatriate banking product - but also your family, something that may be useful if you find yourself needing to make a claim on travel insurance should you be flying back home or going away on holiday.

Meanwhile, a relationship manager service will provide you with expert local knowledge of locations that are popular with expat account holders. In order to benefit from this particular feature, however, you will need to hold at least £100,000 - or the equivalent of this amount in another currency - in your account.

Getting an expat account from Lloyds TSB International

If you're already an expat or are considering living abroad, the Lloyds TSB International range of international banking products - which include travel insurance and accounts - could be for you.

While existing customers of the Lloyds Banking Group automatically qualify for such an account, you can still apply for expatriate financial products even if you have never banked with them before.

In order to do so, you will need to earn at least £50,000 a year or have £25,000 or more to invest with them within the first three months of opening your account. To find out more, visit Lloyds TSB International.