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Foreign Bank Branch: Definition, Example, Vs. Subsidiary

Definition
A foreign bank branch is a type of banking operation that must comply with the regulations of both its home country and the host country.

A foreign bank branch is a type of foreign bank that is obligated to follow the regulations of both the home and host countries. Because foreign bank branches have loan limits based on the total bank capital, they can provide more loans than subsidiary banks. That is because the foreign bank branch, while possibly small in one market, is technically part of a larger bank. Hence, it enjoys the capital base of the large𒆙r entity.

Key Takeaways

  • A foreign bank branch is a type of foreign bank that is obligated to follow the regulations of both the home and host countries.
  • Banks often open a foreign branch to provide more services to their multinational corporate clients.
  • Foreign bank branches tend to be more effective in countries with high taxes and nations where it is easy for international firms to enter the market.
  • Foreign bank branches may face special difficulties during an economic or political crisis.

Understanding Foreign Bank Branches

Banks often open a foreign branch to provide more services to their 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:multinational corporate clients. However, operating a foreign bank branch may be consi🌜derably more complicated because of the dual banking regulations tﷺhat the foreign branch needs to follow.

For ဣexample, suppose that Bank of America opens a foreign bank branch in Canada. The branch would be legally obligated to follow both Canadian and American banking regulations in many cases. In actual practice, foreign bank branches are sometimes exempted from specific rules in one country or the other.

With 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:globalization and capital markets maturing, the administrative burden of multiple regulatory standards might be offset by other operational economies of scale. These may include global branding, mಌarketing, and product offerings best served by a single entity with numerous local branches.

Fꦺoreign Bank Branches Vs. Subsidiaries of Foreign Bank🔯s

A fore𓂃ign bank branch should not be confused with a subsidiary. A subsidiary is technically a separate legal entity, even though it is owned by a parent corporation. Naturally, taxation and regulation drive the decision to operate as a foreign bank branch or a subsidiary.

Advantages of Foreign Bank Branches

Foreign bank branches tend to be more effective in countries with high taxes and nations where it is easy for international firms to enter the market.

Note

Banks are more likely to organize themselves as branches in nations that have higher corporate taxes. Depending on the country, a branch of a foreign bank may be able to avoid some of🌳 the high taxes faced by domestic firms.

Foreign bank branches are also more likely to operate where they face lower regulatory 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:barriers to entry. When it is easy to enter the market, a bank does not ᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ𒀱ᩚᩚᩚnee🦹d to spend money setting up a subsidiary in the country.

Disadvantages of Foreign Bank Branches

Foreign bank branches m🅰ay face special difficulties during an economic or political crisis. Since they operate in that foreign country during a crisis, they will be negatively impacted by events there. At the very least, foreign bank branches stand to lose money. At worst, they might have to deal with a run on the bank branch with little support from the foreign government.

A government in crisis is more likely to use its limited resources to support domestic banks. Foreign banks might be left to bail out their own branches. This🅠 situation is different from a subsidiary bank, which is technically a domestic company in the foreign country. Subsidiary banks are also sometimes joint ventures with domestic banks, further increasing the chances that the local government will support them.

What Is a Foreign Bank Subsidiary?

Foreign subsid♌iary banks have parent corporations based in different countries. Such subsidiaries are independently operated and must adhere only to the laws and regulations♍ of the countries where they are located. 

Which Banks Are Foreign-Owned?

Numerous banks in the U.S. have parent institutions that are based in other countries. U.S. branches of foreign banks are eligible to apply for FDIC insurance. Examples of such banks include Barclays and HSBC, among several others.

Do U.S. Citizens Have to Report Foreign Bank Accounts?

U.S. citizens must report foreign bank accounts if the total value of those foreign accounts reaches $10,000 at any point during the tax year. This is done by filing a Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts (FBAR) on Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) Form 114 by April 15 for the preceding tax year.

The Bottom Line

A foreign bank branch differs from a subsidiary in that it must follow the laws and regulations of both its home cou👍ntry and its host country. Subsidiaries, on the other hand, are🐠 separate legal entities that must abide only by the laws and regulations of the host country, even if its parent corporation is in another country.

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