There are a few Canadian Royalty Trust that gives very good dividend: AAV, PWE, PVX, BTE, to name a few.
You are buying a stock that gives 10+% dividend, one way to lock in the dividend while not loosing your sleep over the falling stock price is to sell call option contracts 6 months ahead.

These experts here always try to scare away us from good offshore opportunities so they can make money for themselves. Offshore opportunities have been there for centuries. Off course, there’s plenty of scammers out there who does not know anything about offshore business but using the term to scam people money. You need to do your own due diligence and find some referrence before making your decision. If offshore business is only for “losing money” so why it still exist and being promoted everywhere even at attorney offices till today.

Investment is taking risk anyway. If you can accept the risk, offshore may be the chance for you to explore and find the way to maximize the return of your dollar value. I took the risk to invest my money in few offshore businesses. At first, I lost money with some scam internet program but through that I met a guy from the chat room who advised me to check on a Savings and Loan from Sweden that offers nice rate of return on their CD. I took a skeptical step, tried for a minimum amount with expectation that if the fund is lost I would be fine. Once I became the client, they later provided offering through their secured page to their members only at bigger investment amount and nicer return. We even attended one of their events and met many nice, knowledgeable experts. I have been the happy camper since then without worrying about my retirement again. Actually,at this moment I am playing with only the profit that I made from their program. It took long to get here but I am happy with it. At 63 years old,I do not need much to be happy so this is more than fine. No matter what, I think you always need to do your own due diligence and start with a skeptical mind to begin with. Good luck.

I just came into some money that is in Canadian funds (I live in the US). I opened an HSBC account both in the US and in Canada to help me bring the funds in however the Canadian account is earning higher interest than the US account and as the CAD and USD are practically the same right now I’m leaving it in Canada for now. I was also thinking of using HSBC who has banks worldwide and using their premiere services to open an account in another country whose interest is higher and whose currency is stronger than the US. I’m trying to figure out where the risk really is if I keep it with HSBC (who from everything I’ve read is a reliable and trusted bank). They also allow me to do all my transfers online from one account to another. Any advice here will be helpful. I once did have some money and was defrauded out of everything in a high risk investments. Now that I have a 2nd chance I want to take it slow and play it safe but also want to earn more than 3% on my money.

Why not invest it in India? Interest rates in India are at 10% for CDs and they are going to go even higher as the govt is trying to fight inflation by increasing rates. Also the dollar is set to devalue against the Rupee so you will be getting another percentage point of return. Further India has itc version of the FDIC so bank deposits are guaranteed by the Deposit Insurance Corporation of India. Further you can use sites like Money2India or Remit2India to transfer funds to India for FREE! Heck the deal is so good it actually makes sense to borrow on your credit card at the teaser 0%-6.99% rates and invest the money in Indian CDs for 6 months and make a 3% for free. Only drawback is these deposits in India are only open to Foreigners who are of Indian origin. So you may need to have a friend open the deposit in their name for you but if you are of Indian origin or a non resident Indian this is perfect (incidentally these deposits are tax free in India as India and US have a double taxation treaty) Of course most NRIs I know are not even bothering with CDs as the Indian stock market had a 44% bull run last year so they all went for stocks but if you want CDs Indian CDs are safe and profitable.

I WOULD CONSIDER INVESTING IN ROYALTY TRUSTS, AVERAGE INCOME RANGES FROM 6 TO 13 PERCENT ANNUALLY AND SOME LIKE SAN JUAN BASIN ROYALTY HAS OVER 40 YEARS OF RESERVES.

That’s not a myth. Check your premises, and your history.

First of all, all banks operate on a fractional reserve system. This is part of the reason why they need Deposit Insurance. This should tell you a little about the inherent safety of a bank. The fact that at any given time, the bank may not have money to give you.

Usually that’s not the case. However, the FDIC currently has a little less than .7% of the deposits they insure. That’s a fact. It’s a sad fact, but none the less, that’s the way the system is working for us.

Why is there no longer a FSLIC? Why didn’t the FDIC protect the S&Ls?

Today’s banking and financial system is in serious danger.

…but yes, you’ll get your money from the FDIC in a few weeks AS LONG AS they have the money.

Dave is perpetuating a myth. FDIC pays within a couple weeks.

Everbank.com

I’ve made 20% in 7 months on a Swiss franc CD. Also own Swedish, Japanese, Norwegian and Australian currencies.

And their customer service is awesome!

I nearly bought a CD in the area you mention. Then I thought it odd that CD’s were the only banking activity listed on their site. If it sounds too good to be true, could it be a Ponzi scheme?

Walter, most people don’t know regulations on US Banks either. In regards to the FDIC most people don’t realize it could be 99 years to get their money back. They will be dead.

If you can get your money to Iran, their CD’s a producing 16% or so. It is quite unbelievable. Carefull who you trust with getting your money into the country.

Sounds like you only have one CD. Make sure you are not going above the insured limit. You may have to use several banks to insure all your money

Remember that not all offers on the net or through advertising is what it seems, there are many scams out there to rid you of your money in a flash, be smart, do your homework and make sure the firm you send moeny off to is sound, has a solid history and really is in business and not just somebody working out of their home say in Nigeria or some remote worldly place you could never find once the money is gone.

National City Talks to Key
By Robin Sidel and Valerie Bauerlein

As National City Corp. tries to dig itself out from deepening loan problems, one option is getting some unexpected consideration: turning to a neighbor for help.

The big Ohio bank is considering a plan to sell itself to hometown rival KeyCorp., according to people familiar with the matter.

Such a transaction would be complicated by a range of factors and is far from certain to take place. If it is to occur, the resulting combined entity could also receive a capital infusion from private-equity behemoth Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co., these people said.

A deal with Key is one of …

Go with offshore saving account with HSBC in Great Britain. They give 5% on just saving account. What’s the catch? You need minimum of 110K dollars to open the account.

Be advised that investing in a foreign bank also subjects you to US dollar conversion ratios. Presently, the dollar is low versus many other currencies, and when the dollar rebounds, it will effectively lower your yield.

I have found bankrate.com to be a good website to compare rates.

What about the conversion back into the dollar? What is the actual yield?

you may want to consider euro denominated funds. That way you’ll get you returan and a little or alot extra when the euros get converted back to dollars.

Look at Everbank. They offer foreign CDs that are FDIC insured. There is still currency risk, but it is a way to get the FDIC protection with the opportunity of foreign rates.

be careful of bonds , and dont trust bank advise, they sell nuveen bonds that are not liquid, stay with cds fdic insured only

IMO, whatever Walter suggests you do, you would be better served by doing the opposite.

Would have been much more helpful if the author had addressed issues in countries with strong banking laws. New Zealand and Australia both have strong currencies and higher rates. I’d rather learn about the pros and cons (tax issues, cost of transferring funds, any legal issues, etc) than to get a lecture about risk. Because holding US$ has not been a picnic. Holding Euros in a zero interest CD would have beaten any US bank CD for the last several years.

FDIC, FDA, Social Security, Medicare, the U.S. Government, safe bets?

Get your money out of green backs if you want to save the value of what you have.

I am from S. Korea. I don’t believe US banking system is more regulated than others. Even though avg. 10-20 US banks a year fail I have never heard any bank failed in Korea. That tells me making a Bank sign on the main street is not as easy as US. Also as US Dollar gets weaker you can expect some more chance to get higher exchange rate on the top of higher CD rate by putting your money in other country’s banks. But try to avoid the countries heavily depend on US economy. They always go together and even some worse than here. There is a saying in Korea. If US economy starts to cough, Korean economy starts to die.

As usual, Walter if right on the money. He needs to work with some of his Comtemporaries or send them back to kindergarten! Are they ever bad! There’s a blond woman that really needs help bad. Could you please work with her!

Be wise and stay close to home. You might want to consider investing in tax free bonds instead of CDs, I too am on disability and on a fixed income and will not invest in any type of financial institution, banks etc. in a foreign country. Being on a fixed income’ I cannot loose one cent to scammers, illusions, or false advertisements. Think before you act before it’s too late because if it seems too good to be true it probably isn’t true.

Like Suze Orman says in another on-line read I read today, Put your money in a stock that pays a high dividend or County Bank in Stockton, CA has 4.00% 12 month CD that just went into effect on 3/28/08. Minimum opening balance $1,000. I’m so disgusted with CD rates that don’t keep up with inflation, I just pulled a bunch of money out of a closed CD and moved it to Scottrade, where I got 3.4%, which still don’t keep up with inflation.

Id does not matter if you’re getting 7-8% return if your country’s inflation rate is close to that.
In 70’s, US banks paid 17% interest on Money Markets but inflation was that much too.

Chris is correct. I’m an expat Aussie and my parents get around 7% in a savings account. Also, the banking regulations in Australia are as good as here.

First of all, bank from other countries are just as good or better than U.S. bank. Chances for Bank of America to to belly up is a lot higher than HSBC.

Second, keeping your money in U.S. dollar at the highest interest rate of 5% is not very wise, consider inflation is already 3% - 4%. On top of that you have to pay about 1/3 of your interest on tax. At the end you’re loosing money by saving it in U.S. dollar.

Third, putting your money in a Euro CD over sea may save your money in tax and inflation, and best of all it gives you a much higher interest rate.

In reference to the offshore CD’s, it would have been wise to suggest that the couple check the american bank branches located in foreign countries for a more enticing interest rate and the protection of the U.S. bank

Like out banks are so well regulated???

National City Bank (FDIC Insured) is currently offering a rate of 4.75 to 5.00% on 48 month CDs. Check them out for a rate that is close to what you have now.

https://www.nationalcity.com/main/promotions/pages/promotions_type1.asp?WT.mc_id=bankrate100HI

I agree with Walter, though. You should ladder your CDs in the future to average out swings in your interest rates and maintain a more consistant fixed income.

I am U.S. citizen living in Nicaragua, CD´s here yield 7-8% returns and the banking regulations are even stricter than in the U.S. Most banks are now owned by well-known U.S. banks and the returns are far better here.

One place I found that has high yield CD is Australia, some are going on 7-8%. Of course getting the money to Australia is a big hassle, but they probably have a version of FDIC insurance there (just guessing). There is also foreign currency risk, though it could be argued that the $US is pretty risky now. A US side possibility is insured municipal bonds. You’ll get a better rate, not FDIC insurance but still some guarantee, and the tax benefits of not having to list the interest as part of your income.

Go with Capital One Bank’s Online Direct Banking. You could get 4.88% with an APY of 5.00% for 7-10 years.

Countrywide offers some great CD rates and is FDIC insured. Let’s also not forget that it will likely end up part of Bank of America and the Fed is out there ensuring major financial institutions do not file for bankruptcy.

EVERBANK.COM!