A REAL Global Bank

There are REAL Global banks, but there are caveats: What are your business requirements (if you need a physical branch near every business location for cash that is much different than a company that needs banking services delivered via the intranet); What kind of cashpooling are you looking for? What other types of fee based business are you prepared to award to your banking partner? Depending on the size of your business, there is also the consideration of having "all of your eggs in one basket" from a risk standpoint. I have worked with most of the banks (although never at a bank) that would call themselves a global bank, and there are several different approaches depending on your preferences. If you would like to discuss, you can reach me via LinkedIn.

Check with The Bank of N.T. Butterfield & Sons, in Hamilton, Bermuda. I did a consulting project for the bank when Michael Collier was President. The Bank had a well run Treasury Department at that time. I am sure it is the same now.

Some banks are further ahead than others, but depending on the individual firm's sitation, such as where around the globe they are doing business, none may be ideal. Since each country is unique in their banking rules, regs, laws, etc., managing a global banking network is somewhat of a trade-off between standardization and exception management.

Dear Anon:

Direct to your question, yes but there are limitations:
**The nature of your business. A global bank is easier if you are in wholesale or manufacturing than in retail.
**Required local services. Deposit taking? Payables? Payroll?
**The size of your footprint. There are 206 countries/soverign territories. No bank covers them all.

The best way to proceed is to draft an RFP. Clearly identify the nature of your business, the services required and your geography. Issue to your lenders and step back.

David