This article is long overdue, not because it was published out of schedule, but because it is the third part of this series, that has awakened the interest in our readers. Many of our subscribers have shown positive reactions through the previous two articles about freedom, financial tools, related concepts to obtain it, and the seven steps to getting there. So, we owed it to them to publish this series finale. Today, we bring you what we promised, this is the 7th step, or what we like to call it: the global mobility variable. We have chosen global mobility and the concept of dual citizenship on the 7th step because it's key to financial freedom. It's worth pointing out that financial freedom is not about having a lot of money or the possibility of spending it as you please, but it has to do with living the way we choose to live. The advantages of dual citizenship are closely connected to global mobility because having more than one citizenship is beneficial in many aspects. When you are a citizen, you can enter the country no matter what. This might seem unimportant now, but let's remember that it was only five years ago when the COVID-19 pandemic broke and borders were strictly closed. Being a citizen improves your chances of getting into the country where you live, an advantage that is not matched by residency. Tuition is expensive in most countries, especially college. One of the advantages of dual citizenship is the possibility of accessing local universities, schools, and institutions and benefit from discounts. This is the case in Grenada, home to the prestigious St George’s University, renowned particularly because of the careers in veterinary and medicine.

Frequent travelers understand that having reliable access to their finances anywhere in the world is essential. Choosing the best bank account for traveling isn’t just about having an account abroad—it’s about ensuring that the account is optimized for a mobile lifestyle. In today's interconnected world, where financial transactions happen instantly, selecting the best bank for travelers means prioritizing flexibility, convenience, and security. In this context, it’s vital to use an institution offering optimal remote client support. Anyone looking for the best bank to use internationally should consider several crucial factors. First and foremost, the bank must offer unrestricted access to funds at all times. It should support international transfers without hidden fees or long processing times. A multi-currency account with fair exchange rates allows users to store and convert money conveniently. Security is also paramount: two-factor authentication, fraud protection, and high confidentiality standards are essential for safe transactions. What truly sets a good bank apart is its online banking system. Frequent travelers rarely visit physical branches, which is why the best bank account for traveling is the one that comes with a user-friendly and easily accessible online banking platform. A mobile app with advanced features, instant transaction notifications, and real-time account tracking is a must-have. The ability to make payments, transfer money, and manage expenses should not be limited by location. Choosing the Best bank for travelers means having secure and hassle-free access to funds no matter where you are. 

It has been nearly a year since the five CBI countries from the Eastern Caribbean decided to sign a memorandum of agreement. These are St Kitts, St Lucia, Grenada, Antigua and Barbuda, and Dominica. Even though it took a longer time for St Lucia to sign, it eventually did, thus committing, like its neighbors, to comply with certain common standards. These are mainly focused on enhanced transparency and security, alignment of prices between the programs, and setting common monitoring practices. Since that day, several changes have been made, and they continue to be implemented after a year. However, this seems to be only the beginning. What standards will be implemented and what regulators will be in charge of applying them? Will the Caribbean lose competitiveness due to these implementations? To start this new stage and to comply with the MOA, there has to be legislation in place, but what legislation and who will draft it? Which regulators will be involved? The woman of the hour is legal consultant Lydia Elliott, who has been commissioned with the task of drafting said legislation. With the purpose of creating the appropriate laws and regulators, and establishing the implementations of the agreement, Elliott has started conducting research and assessing the landscape since last year, and has presented advances in January. Actually, reliable sources stated that she would be meeting with key players and important actors when it comes to citizenship by investment. These meetings are planned for the beginning of March.

In today’s business landscape, transparency and compliance with strict regulatory standards are essential. One of the fundamental concepts in corporate governance is the beneficial owner, along with its key variation: the ultimate beneficial owner. These parties play a crucial role in unveiling the true ownership structure of a company, ensuring that regulatory authorities and business partners can accurately assess who holds real control over a business and whether it aligns with legal requirements. Understanding who are the main members of a company and identifying those with significant influence is critical for maintaining compliance, mitigating risks, and fostering trust in corporate operations. It is essential to distinguish between two critical concepts: beneficial owner and ultimate beneficial owner. A beneficial owner is an individual who holds a significant share of a company or has substantial influence over its strategic decisions. However, corporate structures often involve intricate layers of ownership through multiple legal entities. In such cases, identifying the ultimate beneficial owner—the actual person behind the corporate network who ultimately benefits from the company’s activities—is crucial. For example, if one company owns another, which is further controlled by a third entity, the real control may rest with an individual hidden within the corporate layers. In these situations, determining the ultimate beneficial owner ensures transparency and accountability, as he/she is the primary beneficiary. 

Since investments are such an important part of our weekly content, we've decided to dedicate an article to the topic. Particularly, this article focuses on those people who take care of your portfolio and to whom you trust the security of your assets. Today, Mundo presents guidance on what to look for in a good financial advisor. It's worth noting that this article is written by the Mundo editorial team according to our own opinion and experience. Hence, this article can be taken as a guide or as a source for ideas but not as financial research or professional advice. In our belief, ideally each person should look after their own portfolio, but this is exactly that: an ideal. In the real world, financial advisors are necessary because the investment world requires a great deal of studying and research. The more you study, the more you understand the markets, their trends and behaviors through time, and hence their possible shifts in the near future or the long term. It's also vital to understand the difference between types of assets, where they fit best, what purposes they serve, and also their history and how they may behave. Besides studying, there's a whole other aspect which is research, and this must be conducted on a daily basis. The investors, as well as the financial advisors, need to be looking at what happens in the market and in the news every day. To sum up, the reality is that not all investors have this amount of time, in fact, they rarely have it. So, they need financial advisors to provide input, create strategies and even implement them.

The history of Central America is filled with fascinating connections, and few are as intertwined as that of Panama and Colombia. Long before Panama became the thriving nation it is today, it was part of Spain’s vast colonial empire. Recognizing the strategic importance of this land bridge between the Atlantic and Pacific, Spanish conquistadors incorporated it into the Viceroyalty of New Granada, which also included present-day Colombia. For centuries, Panama and Colombia grew together, with their economies and cultures closely linked. Trade routes flourished, connecting Europe to the Americas, while merchant caravans traveled from the Alto Peru bringing gold to the Caribbean through Panama. Over time, as the region evolved, so did Panama’s role in the global economy. Eventually, calls for self-determination grew stronger, leading to Panama independence from Colombia. However, despite their political separation, these two nations continue to share deep historical ties that shape their relationship to this day. In the early 19th century, much of Latin America was fighting for freedom from Spanish rule, and Panama was no exception. However, when it declared independence from Spain in 1821, it did not become a fully sovereign nation. Instead, it joined Gran Colombia, a political union that also included Colombia, Ecuador, and Venezuela. As the years passed, Gran Colombia dissolved, yet Panama remained under Colombian rule. For decades, the region struggled with political instability, economic challenges, and growing discontent. 

Financial success is impossible without a clear strategy for risk distribution. That is why the essence of investments is diversification. It is a principle that allows you to protect your capital and ensure its steady growth, even when global markets face crises. What is diversification? It means that you should not rely on a single investment, a single country, or a single currency. A true investor looks at the future broadly and thoughtfully distributes funds across different vehicles and environments. The global economy is constantly shifting, and unexpected changes in political or financial conditions can have a direct impact on your assets. Relying on a single investment type can significantly increase the risk of losses. That is why it is essential to diversify investments by spreading capital across different asset classes. A well-structured, diversified investment portfolio includes real estate, securities, commodities, precious metals, and cryptocurrencies, ensuring resilience against market fluctuations and maximizing long-term returns. Different financial systems operate under unique regulations, and currency values fluctuate based on inflation, government policies, economic stability, and geopolitical events. Holding all your wealth in a single currency makes you vulnerable to sudden devaluations and economic downturns. If you want to diversify investments, a smart approach involves maintaining assets in multiple stable currencies. 

Investments can be a key part of your financial plan. They are an excellent way of obtaining stable income and can complement the revenue of a business or job position just perfectly. Nonetheless, entering the world of investment can be challenging because one poor decision can cause us to lose everything. Therefore, it becomes vital to compare investments and their vehicles to understand how to use them correctly. In our view, the essence of a successful portfolio lies in understanding how to know what to invest in and when. For this, it's essential to comprehend different types of vehicles and what they are best used for. Stocks are probably the first thing that comes to mind when you compare investments. Even amateurs know that stocks are related to the investment market. But how to know what to invest in, that is, if stocks are the right way to go? First, it is necessary to comprehend them. When you invest in stocks you are buying shares of a company, and your success will be directly related to the success of the said company. If the enterprise grows, your stocks will increase their value and vice versa. If you decide to invest in stocks, you must know that you may get great profits but also great losses. When somebody is ready to compare investments, stocks and bonds are definitely considered. The main difference is that, with bonds, you don't buy a share but lend the company money.

When considering a new place to call home, top tropical destinations like Antigua and Vanuatu stand out as exceptional choices. Both offer warm climates, breathtaking landscapes, and attractive economic opportunities. Each destination presents its own unique appeal, drawing individuals with different priorities and lifestyles. While both have undeniable benefits, the question remains: which one offers the perfect balance of accessibility, opportunity, and quality of life? Both Antigua and Vanuatu boast strong, stable economies with tourism, agriculture, and financial services as key pillars. However, Antigua has a more developed infrastructure, attracting international investment and fostering a thriving business environment. As a result, individuals looking for long-term economic advantages often lean toward Antigua. Vanuatu, while economically stable, remains more dependent on tourism and agricultural exports. While its government has introduced initiatives to boost financial services, its geographic remoteness limits access to international business opportunities compared to Antigua. One of the most significant factors to consider when comparing these two top tropical destinations is their location. Antigua, nestled in the heart of the Caribbean, is strategically positioned close to North and South America, making travel to and from major business hubs much easier. With a time zone, Antigua offers seamless communication with financial centers. 

Here we are again, touching upon the never-ending subject of taxes. Tax residency is an appealing concept, especially when it's focused on the right jurisdiction. According to the 183 rule, you become a tax resident in a country after spending over six months in it. Now, the million-dollar question is “how do I choose the right tax residency country”? What should I think of when making such an important decision? We understand that choosing a tax residency can be challenging. This is why Mundo has prepared a set of three questions you should ask yourself when choosing the country you will call home for taxation purposes.  If you’re going to make this move, better do it right. After all, if you're thinking about this in advance, it's because you are designing a financial strategy, and the last thing you want is for it to backfire. Now, we'll explore the concept of tax residency beyond the 183 rule by presenting three questions that, in our opinion, will help you get on track. Let's not forget the basics. If you want to be officially a tax resident, you need to have a legal permit to stay in the country for more than six months a year, according to the 183 rule. In simple terms, you need to get residency. With the risk of being obvious, we mention that choosing a country with long residency processes would be detrimental to your financial plan.